Finally we have that opportunity. I had lived in Indonesia for about 30 years and this is my first time to visit Taman Safari (Safari Park) Indonesia. Strange huh?. Taman Safari is located in Cisarua, Bogor, some 80km from Soekarno-Hatta Airport (CGK) of Jakarta or 1.5-2 hours drive.
We visited Taman Safari during Ramadan this August 2010, driving from Bandung for about 3 hours through small winding road, the old road that connects Bandung to Jakarta before the new highway exists now. Being there during Ramadan means that we were along few peoples only. Which is good for enjoying this vast park, 168 hectares, and 2500 animals from almost 300 different species in their reproduction of natural habitats in secondary forests.
It is a totally enjoyable experience for us, visiting this drive-through zoo (don’t forget to shut the window and never get out of the car), get up close, eye level with such wild animals as zebra, elephant, ostrich, monkey, or tiger. Hippo or Rhino is just inches away from your car window. There is baby zoo where you can get up close and personal with baby animals, birds, and nocturnals. Here also where you can taking photos with white tiger or orangutan. To make your visit complete, there is a dedicated pavilion for reptile, Papua species, Komodo dragon, and penguin.
Don’t miss riding elephant, pony horse or camel! Also don’t miss animal shows featured regularly along the day.
If you love hiking there are several Safari Trek to choose from. For children there are a lot of amusement and mechanical rides in Taman Safari including skylift and water park.
Facilities and amenities (i.e. several canteen, souvenir shop, toilets, mosque, car parks) are excellent and well maintained. Personnel are polite, professional and knowledgeable.
Entrance fee is very minimal (USD7 for general entrance or USD17 for Night Safari, amusement & ride is merely USD1 per ride, and USD 1 for taking photos with Orangutan or tiger). Weather is cool and pleasant and you can easily spend one day here. And if you opt to stay there are options for staying in caravan or villa with affordable prices.
Entrance to Taman Safari. Remind me of Jurassic Park 🙂Get up close with wild animals in this drive-through zooOnly inches away from zebraDon't get iritated if you're blocked Only few white tiger left and you have an opportunity to see themBuy carrots for 60 cents and feed the elephantInside Baby ZooTake an opportunity to hug Orangutan!...or even baby tigerEnjoy riding the elephantShort hiking to waterfallAnd finally this crystal clear waterfall
A reader shared his latest experiences and I copy paste his story below.
I would like to share also regarding this matter. Nowadays they make more simple for replacement of missing ID card. I lost mine last week.
~First of all you need non objection letter from your sponsor to replace your ID with new one. I went there to Immigration Dept and inquired what is the requirement.
~Police report is not required,I went there also and they said no need,straight away to Immigration Dept.
~Go to Immigration Dept Madinat Khalifa,gate number two anyway the security there will tell you.
~Once you enter gate number 2 go straight then enter separate room on your right side there are 2 Staffs, give your paper to the right side man (Noc from your sponsor,copy of your RP in passport and original pasport). He will give you an application form you have to sign only no need to fill anything. Then take the queu number from the left side man.
~Take your number and wait for your turn on counter “L”
~Submit your paper and you need to pay 200 Riyal for your new card plus 10 Riyal, I believe for application paper.You will get your new card less than an hour. They will ask your credit card for all payment
–original post–
You won’t expect it to happen but when it happened it happened. I lost both my Qatar ID and Driving License. Here is next steps based on my experiences. It may not be exactly the same steps as you will go through.
– Replacement of Lost Qatar ID
If you lost the ID abroad, Obtain lost report/police report from any Police Station where you lost your ID.
Have a letter from your company (a kind of NOC with additional info on request for replacement). It is in Arabic so I am not sure what is written there. Your company immigration officer knows how to do it.
Go to the nearest Police Station and look for Lost & Found Section. Ask for Lost Report. Bring along company letter and if applicable, lost report from Police Station where the ID was lost. In my case, I went to Al Khor North Security. I asked the lady there for Police Lost Report and handed her a company letter, supporting lost report, and copy of ID. I paid 12 QR (cost for 2 @5QR stamp; not sure what’s the case for additional 2 QR)
With the lost report, go to Immigration Office. Get a replacement ID for QR200 through credit card/debit card
– Replacement of Driving License
This is my personal experience and may not be generalized.
I went to Traffic Police in Rayyan (near Aspire). Ask the officer for replacement. The lady – knowing that I work for Qatargas (part of Q Company) – did not require a company letter or lost report.
The lady gave me a letter with Return Date (two weeks from the day of report). I believe this is to give enough time if somebody by chance found my license.
On the return date I went to the same Traffic Police and ask for replacement by handing her the letter, copy of my license and my ID. [If you return before the day you will find yourself waste your time, as the system has locked this return date to your driving license issuance. I tested it]
The license is ready within minutes for QR250 by credit card/debit card
Anybody got different experience?
Lesson Learned: It is always a good idea to scan your ID, license, car registration, and print them some! Just in case!
Reference:
In Qatarliving, a QLer writes different steps though they are almost the same:
If your Qatar ID is lost,
1) Go to capital police station in crazy signal. Fill out lost ID form, Pay 10 QAR with either credit car or e-cash (no cash accepted). They will give you a report in 5 mins.
2)Go to immigration department in Madinat Khalifa (you may check exact location on maps.google.com by writing immigration department on the search box)
3)When you enter the immigration department, go to portacabins first and ask typewriter to write your application for you. (3 QAR cash. Typewriter doesn’t accept ATM, credit car etc. 🙂 )
4)Bring this application to your company, you need company stamp on the application and sponsor’s signature (sometimes, immigration can give your ID without sponsor’s signature too. But stamp is necessary)
5)Bring the police report you got in 1st step, application form to same immigration department.
6) Enter the door,number 1 and inside go directly to counter 2. No need to get number for queue.
7)Pay 200 Qar with Credit card or e-cash. Your ID will be ready in 10 mins.
A friend of mine reported that police officer in Madinat Khalifa told him that we should report the case to any branch offices not main office in Madinat Khalifa. He was also told to bring a company letter and 1 passport-sized photograph.
For my fellow Indonesians. Good luck with your interview!
——
Our client – Ras Gas have a schedule to be in Jakarta to interview
candidates for Field Operators (LNG/LPG/NGL/Sulphur Recovery plant
experience).
The interviews are being scheduled to start from 4 October through 7 October.
Please share this information to your friends that have experiences
with LNG / LPG / NGL to send their CV to me : fifi.familianti@nesglobal.com
I will be screening all of the Cvs that I received until 30 september and
send the shortlisted candidates to Ras Gas on 1st october.
ONLY WITH RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS WILL BE
INVITED FOR FACE TO FACE INTERVIEW.
Note : for Field operator with Utility /power plant background still
being postpone until further notice / next recruitment trip.
If you have 3 hours each day after office hours and 3 weekends during your 3-week stay in Paris, what will you do?
Will you visit almost every tourist objects in Paris, like we’ve done? Will you repeat your visit to Musee du Louvre, because everybody knows that one visit is not enough? or Will you try many metro lines in paris with its 300 stations? or Will you escape from paris during weekend to neighboring countries?
For sure I was lucky to get an exposure to Paris and Europe for 3 weeks in relation to my work duty from Qatargas in participating in Hazard and Operability Study for Plateau Maintenance Project at Technip Headquarter in La Defense, Paris. Golden opportunity for both business and personal.
Below are some places I visited in Paris during the span of 1-23 July 2010. Photologues can be seen in my Facebook albums. I just don’t have time to write trip report to every single object.
– Paris Landmark Series 2 – Paris Landmark Series 2 covers Place de la Bastille, Place des Vosges, La Madeleine, Place Vendome, Concorde, Jardin du Tuileries, Flame of Liberty Memorial, Invalides, Jardins des Plantes, Mosquee du Paris, Jardins du Luxembourg,Pantheon and Sorbonne Universite de Paris
– Paris Landmark Series 3 – Paris Landmark Series 3 features Arc de Triomphe, the world’s most famous shopping street and the most beautiful avenue: Avenue Champs Elysees, and a place for architectural tour heaven: La Defense business district. Enjoy!
– Paris Landmark Series 4 – (covers among others Basilique du Sacre Coeur, Porte St Denis & Porte St-Martin, Place de la Republique, Palais Royal, Eglise St-Eustache, Forum des Halles, Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris, Palais Garnier, Opera & Lafayette, Shakespeare & Co)
Sorry to make you puzzled, but the title has a meaning for sure.
On 14-16 September 2010, FIFA inspection will visit Qatar – one of the bidders vying to host FIFA World Cup 2022. The visit to Qatar will conclude a series of inspection tour to all bidders. The inspection team will see if the bidding country is really ready and evaluate its conditions of infrastructure, sites, facilities and other aspects.
Qatar promises a unique 4C of Word Cup 2022, and aiming to bring unity, understanding and a first-ever FIFA World Cup to the Middle East. The way I see, the inspection tour is a test for Qatar’s promotional ad (which is also the fundamental concepts of its bid) : central, compact, connected, and cool.
– Central: Qatar offers central locationowing to its strategic location in Middle East; accessible from Europe/America, Africa and (East) Asia, roughly equally distant.
– Compact: This is an answer for question: Is Qatar big enough?. As Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, the chairman of Qatar 2022, put it “What we are presenting in relative terms is a micro-organised, compact World Cup format”. Qatar is a small country jutted out of Arabian Peninsula measuring 160s km the longest for 11,437km2 area. Football fans will be benefited from Qatar’s compact size for accommodation (no need to change hotels), transportation (end-to-end is about one-two hour drive) and a chance to see more than one match a day.
– Connected: “Our World Cup stadia will be connected to a public metro network system,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “In terms of accessibility, every stadium is within an hour of each other. Fans can access several matches a day should they choose to.” Sheikh Mohammed predicted that between 70 and 80 per cent of all World Cup fans, or 35,000 passengers every three hours, could be accommodated on the metro, which is due to be completed in 2021. Qatar will also be connected to Bahrain through a 45-km causeway.
– Cool: A Qatari tournament in the summer of 2022, having been derided as too hot for an outdoor June-July grand show. During the month of June/July, temperature can rise up to 45 C. The solution: “Weather will no longer inhibit any nation from hosting a World Cup,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “Our cooling system is a world-first and it is carbon-neutral. We are implementing zero carbon cooling technologies in all of our stadia.” The complex system of solar panels and water temperature converters that will yield optimum playing surface conditions of 27-28°C will be built. However it is not only about the matches but also life after football – fans gathering, party, and any related activities.
To me, “cool” is the hardest part.
Now comes the other “C” – Culture. Although Qatar has comparatively liberal laws, but is still not as liberal as some other Arab states of the Persian Gulf like UAE or Bahrain. The question is coming from – again- life after footballs, in respect to alcoholic drinks, as it is not widely available (buying alcohol requires a permit). Qatar Law states that drunken behaviour in public or driving under the influence of alcohol is an offence punished by imprisonment, a fine or both . There is a rumour that Qatar will loosen its law only during the world cup to accommodate this concern. But, isn’t it beautiful for football without alcohol? 🙂 Nevertheless, it’ll be a very hot summer!
Good luck Qatar! I can only support you (including attaching a support sticker on my car 🙂 ).
As per the above website, IKEA Opening is 340 days away from today, 27 Nov 2011 (means 2 November 2012?)
The following is an excerpt from the website about Doha Festival City:
Doha Festival City provides Qatar with an easily accessible iconic leisure destination in this progressive, rapidly developing country.
19 October 2011 marked the ground breaking for the 433,847 sq m project, which will have
260,000 sq m of gross leasable area upon completion. Popular Al-Futtaim franchise brand IKEA will also form part of Doha Festival City’s offering. The ground breaking for IKEA occurred in October 2011 and the 32,000+ sq m store is due for completion in Q4 2012. The remaining elements of Doha Festival City are due for completion by Q4 2014.
Doha Festival City is owned and developed by Bawabat Al-Shamal Real Estate Company (BASREC), the parent company which is supplying the land to construct this iconic development. BASREC comprises shareholders including Al-Futtaim Real Estate Services, Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) and private Qatari companies.
Reflecting Festival City’s tradition of theming its spaces to maximise the visitor’s experience, inspiration from the elements wind, water, wood and earth translates into the design of four distinct interior zones; Water Concourse, Garden Promenade, Rainforest Boardwalk and Fashion Galleria. Through its design, the complex seamlessly connects these uniquely identifiable zones, allowing visitors to explore the extensive retail, entertainment and dining opportunities in one centralised destination.
From morning until night, entertainment, dining and relaxation choices abound at Doha Festival City, providing an array of exciting experiences for all the family and myriad restaurants and cafes featuring regional and global cuisines.
Automotive showrooms form a part of Doha Festival City and showcase internationally renowned automotive brands in a unique environment.
The Location
Doha Festival City’s strategic position promises definitive ease of access.
The iconic complex is located on Doha’s Al Shamal Road (North Road), the main arterial route to the city centre, which connects with Doha International Airport in just 20 minutes, and with Bahrain via the soon to be completed ‘Friendship Causeway’.
On arrival at their destination, visitors to Doha Festival City will discover plentiful zoned parking, enabling them to journey right into the heart of their chosen retail or entertainment experience.
Doha Festival City
On 5th September 2010, Al-Futtaim, Qatar Islamic Bank and other Qatari investors signed a QAR 6 billion joint venture agreement to construct a state-of-the-art entertainment and retail complex in Doha which is slated to become a driving force behind Qatar’s diverse economic development.
Doha Festival City will be a multi-purpose iconic destination and will feature an entertainment and leisure complex, automotive showrooms and international hotels and convention centre. The development is located just north of downtown Doha on Al Shamal Road, one of the main arterial routes to the city centre, and connects Doha with Bahrain via the ‘Friendship Causeway’. With its strategic positioning, the super-regional complex is ideally equipped to meet the retail and entertainment needs of not only Qatar, but also of neighbouring GCC countries.
19 October 2011 marked the ground breaking for the 433,847 sq m project, which will have 260,000 square metres of gross leasable area upon completion. Popular Al-Futtaim franchise brand IKEA will also form part of Doha Festival City’s offering. The ground breaking for IKEA occurred in October 2011 and the 32,000+ sq m store is due for completion in Q4 2012. The remaining elements of Doha Festival City are due for completion by Q4 2014.
Doha Festival City is owned and developed by Bawabat Al-Shamal Real Estate Company (BASREC), the parent company which is supplying the land to construct this iconic development. BASREC comprises four primary shareholders including Al-Futtaim Real Estate Services, Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), and private Qatari investors. The project is a result of the partners’ recognition that Qatar has a rapidly expanding population, strong diversified financial standing and that its local citizens possess a high level of disposable income.
Al-Futtaim is the owner, developer and operator of the globally acknowledged Festival City brands in Dubai, UAE and Cairo, Egypt which have become the mainstay for leisure, shopping, residential and entertainment in the two countries
Updated 5 Nov 2011
Here it is Doha Festival City location: North East Corner Al Kharaitiyat Interchange, Al Shamal Road, 6.5km north of Landmark Mall.
Doha Festival City (IKEA) under construction (5 Nov 11)
Updated 21 October 2011
Bawabat al-Shamal Real Estate Company (Basrec) announced yesterday that the construction of their super-regional retail and entertainment destination, Doha Festival City, has begun.
Al-Futtaim Group, Qatar Islamic Bank and other investors formed a joint venture for this project which, according to its promoters, will become a leisure and entertainment destination in Qatar.
The QR6bn-plus project is located north of downtown Doha on Al Shamal Road, which is connecting the city with Bahrain via the “Friendship Causeway”.
With its strategic positioning, the complex would be ideally equipped to meet the retail and entertainment needs of not only Qatar, but also neighbouring GCC countries.
Ikea, which is part of the Al-Futtaim Group, will be developed under the first phase of construction.
The 32,000sq m store is due for completion in the last quarter of 2012. The remaining elements of Doha Festival City are due for delivery in the last quarter of 2014.
Developed on land covering 433,847sq m with 260,000sq m of gross leasable area, Doha Festival City is designed by DP Architects with Arab Engineering Bureau appointed as project architects, Mace International as project manager and EC Harris as quantity surveyor and cost consultant.
Further, the General Contractor package for Ikea has been awarded to the joint venture between Qatari Arabian Construction Company and Amana Qatar Contracting Company, with the MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) package awarded to Hamad and Mohammed al-Futtaim Engineering.
Ammico Contracting Company is undertaking the excavation and Redco International will be supplying the pre-cast concrete elements.
Along with Ikea, other leading international and local brands are expressing interest in this development.
Doha Festival City will also offer an entertainment and leisure complex, automotive showrooms and international hotels.
The interior design of Doha Festival City is inspired by nature and the elements of wind, water, wood and earth.
Within the retail loops there will be four distinct interior zones – Water Concourse, Garden Promenade, Rainforest Boardwalk and Fashion Galleria.
Leading the team at the ground breaking ceremony were Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate development director Greg Douglas and Basrec senior executive manager Jihad Zarourt, signalling the formal start of construction work.
Douglas said: “We are delighted that Doha Festival City has begun construction which celebrates the collaboration between our JV partners.”
“Doha Festival City is an innovative concept, appealing to visitors and the local residents of Doha.
“With the project’s easily accessible location and the extensive offerings, we believe Doha Festival City will be one of the most advanced entertainment, retail and hospitality complexes in the region,” he said.
Zarkout said: “Doha Festival City is the fruit of our shareholders willingness to contribute in the promising future of Qatar and the unlimited support of the government and the enormous efforts by a dedicated team.”
(Source: Gulf Times, 21 Oct 2011)
Update July 2011
Now, about the location. News says it’s located at about 15kn downtown Doha on Al Shamal Road. If km 0 is at Airport (you can find it), then 15km from it is around Landmark Mall area. There, two big malls are being constructed (Ezdan Mall) and Gulf Mall. Then 2.5km to the north there is another mall being constructed North Gate Mall (opposite Sidra Compound). Some says it is near Al Kharaitiyat Interchange. Exact location? Don’t know yet.
Artis Impression of Doha Festival City & its IKEA (source: unknown)
—–
Update 28 March 2011 (Source: Gulf Times)
The QR6bn state-of-the-art Doha Festival City project will break ground next month, Dubai-based Al-Futtaim Group and Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) announced yesterday. Construction of Phase One is to start with a ground breaking for the Swedish furnishing giant IKEA’s first outlet in Qatar.
The first phase is slated to be completed by the second half of 2012, with Phase Two scheduled for completion by 2014. Doha Festival City is located 15km north of downtown Doha on Al Shamal Road, one of the main arterial routes in Qatar.
The project team of managers, architects and engineers has been appointed for the 433,847sq m entertainment, retail, hospitality and commercial facility.
Set to become a driving force behind Qatar’s diverse economic development, the project will be designed by DP Architects, with Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB) appointed as architects.
MACE International are the project managers and Al-Futtaim Investment Management
(AFIM) the investment managers.
Al-Futtaim, QIB, Aqar Real Estate Investment Company and a private investor are partners in this joint venture project.
Along with IKEA, other brands from Al-Futtaim Group already confirmed as Doha Festival City’s anchor tenants are ACE, Toys “R” Us, Marks & Spencer and Intersport.
Landmark Group’s brands such as Centrepoint, Max Fashion, Sports Authority, Fitness First, Home Centre and Iconic have also joined the retail mix.
Robinson’s, the 153-year old department store and an integral piece of Singapore’s history, will be part of Doha Festival City offerings.
The project will include a fully-serviced shopping centre, an indoor-outdoor entertainment park, automotive zone, two international hotels and “green zones”.
The iconic complex’s futuristic design separates each individual area into its own uniquely identified space that will transport guests from the world of waterslides and roller coasters into a retail area populated with diverse international brands.
“This is a dream come true for us and our partners,” Al-Futtaim Group vice chairman Omar al-Futtaim said while asserting that the project was set to become the most advanced entertainment, retail and hospitality complex in Qatar.
QIB chairman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani said the project represented a new phase in the country’s economic evolution.
“It will raise Qatar’s profile as a nation focused on innovation, excellence, and dynamic sustainable development,” he said.
Sheikh Jassim maintained that the joint venture agreement with the Al-Futtaim group demonstrated both parties’ firm commitment to not only enhance Qatar’s development but amplify its positioning within the regional and global economy.
“Ultimately the agreement is in accordance with QIB’s strategy to fuel the countries expansion and the State of Qatar’s 2030 vision,” he added.
“With its strategic positioning, the mega complex is ideally equipped to meet the retail and entertainment needs of not only Qatar, but also the neighbouring GCC countries.”
Al-Futtaim is one of the largest family-owned enterprises in the region and owners of the globally-acknowledged, award-winning Festival City brand in the UAE and Egypt.
The group already has presence in Doha through its automotive, retail, technology and engineering businesses.
Gulftimes, 6 Sep 2010
Doha set to get QR6bn retail centre
Work on the 433,000sq m project — described by its promoters as the “first of its kind in Qatar” — will begin in early 2011. Qatar’s “largest” entertainment and retail complex, a QR6bn joint venture between Al-Futtaim, Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) and Aqar Real Estate Investment, is to come up in the north of Doha. Work on the 433,000sqm project — described by its promoters as the “first of its kind in the Qatar” – will begin in early 2011.
A retail centre, an entertainment park and two hotels are part of the mega project, to be located on the northern highway linking Doha International Airport with the proposed Bahrain Causeway. The first retail phase is slated for completion in the first quarter of 2012 and the remaining two phases by 2015. IKEA, ACE Toys “R” Us, Marks & Spencer, Intersport – all part of the Dubai-based Al-Futtaim group — have already confirmed as the project’s anchor tenants, the promoters said yesterday.
Al-Futtaim is one of the biggest family-owned enterprises in the region and owners of the Festival City brands in the UAE and Egypt. The group already has presence in Doha through its automotive, retail, technology and engineering businesses. The project is owned and developed by Bawabat Al-Shamal, the parent company which is supplying the land for the proposed complex. Apart from the three promoters, Bawabat Al-Shamal also has a private company as one of the primary shareholders.
QIB chief executive officer Salah Jaidah said the project “represents a new phase in Qatar’s economic evolution and will raise the state’s profile as a nation focused on innovation, excellence, and dynamic sustainable development”. He said: “This joint venture agreement with the Al-Futtaim group demonstrates both parties’ firm commitment to not only enhance Qatar’s development, but amplify its positioning within the regional and global economy.”
Al-Futtaim Group chief executive officer Robert Willett said the project would transform the leisure, retail and entertainment industry in Doha while providing visitors a very attractive destination. Details of the agreement were overseen by Q-Invest which acted as the financial adviser for all parties. The state-of-the-art complex’s futuristic design separates each individual area into its own identified space that will transport clientele from the world of waterslides and roller coasters, into a retail area populated with diverse international brands, a statement issued by the promoters said. The agreement was signed by representatives of all parties at Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai Festival City.
Since I married, this is the third Eid Fitr that I must enjoy it alone. Let’s rewind a bit.
2003 – I was in Singapore for pursuing my master degree while my family were in Bandung, Indonesia. I remembered even that on the third day of Eid I sat for an exam. Fortunately, Eid is recognized holiday in Singapore
2008 – I was in Houston for presenting a paper in a conference while my family were in Balikpapan, Indonesia. The conference ran 4 days with 1 day before Eid and 3 days after Eid. No holiday during Eid in US, so the show must go on.
2010 – Now. I am in Doha and my family in Bandung, Indonesia. The reason: leave arrangement and company’s operations requirements.
This year, there will be 3 working-day holiday plus 2 weekend summed up into 5 continuous long weekend. My plan is to perform Eid prayer in Fanar (as Indonesian Embassy does not arrange Eid prayer due to renovation), to attend Qatargas Eid gathering in the evening at Sheraton, and to attend Indonesian’s gathering here at my compound club house. The rest is tentatively for visiting friends, or rest itself 🙂 .
The essence of Ramadan is the same the world over, but the flavor of Ramadan differs from country to country due to varying customs.
Here in Qatar there are many Ramadan traditions that have been handed down through the generations. We find these traditions very much alive, with the month of Ramadan a daily celebration in one manner or another.
“Daq Al Harees”
This is an occasion celebrated while preparing for the month of Ramadan. “Daq Al-Harees” comes from a special day for grinding wheat. In large households the family buys a large amount of wheat and invites a group of women skilled in grinding wheat to come and do the grinding. This is usually accompanied by singing of traditional songs. The wheat would then be used throughout the month of Ramadan for preparing traditional meals.
Visiting Family and Friends
Ramadan is a time for strengthening ties with one’s family and community, a cornerstone of Islam.
On the first few days of the month families in Qatar visit relatives, neighbours and friends to congratulate them on the coming of this special month.
Visits usually take place after Isha’ and Taraweeh prayers, and now, you will find people staying for simple meals late into the evening.
Sharing the Iftar
Another Qatari tradition is the sending of food for Iftar to your neighbours. In the past you would see the streets fill up with children rushing around carrying dishes from house to house trying to reach their neighbors and family before sunset so that their mothers won’t be cross with them. Sometimes children would leave dishes at their neighbors, only to be given another to take back home. This Qatari tradition has its roots deep in the Islamic teachings.
The Ramadan Canon
In the past the firing of a canon used to signal the end of the fast at sunset. This was done so that even those away from the town would be able to know that it was time to break the fast. This tradition is still carried on ceremoniously and broadcast live on Qatar TV. You can generally still see this live every day in Qatar, in Doha, close to the corniche at the General Post Office.
The Ramadan Sufra
Iftar time is a special time when all the extended family meet to break the fast. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, grandchildren all gather at the grandfather’s house for a communal meal. If the grandfather is deceased then it is usually the eldest son who takes his place. It is the custom for every household to bring a dish. In large Qatari homes the majlis is usually where the men have their Iftar and the doors are always open for any guest to drop in and share the meal without any prior notice.
The Ramadan Sufra (table) varies from home to home but it is never without the following essentials:
Tameer (dates) and Laban (buttermilk) to break the fast.
Al Thareed: a meal that consists of layers of extremely thin flat bread called Rugag that has been saturated with a meat and vegetable broth, on which some ground cinnamon has been sprinkled, and seasoned with dried black lemons.
Al Harees: a dish which consists of small pieces of meat, wheat, and water.
Al Lugaimat: a Qatari donut that is made from flour, sugar and yeast. It is fried then dipped in sweet syrup.
Al Ghabga
Another Qatari tradition is the ‘Ghabga’. This is a meal that takes place after midnight and to which guests are invited to share Suhoor, the last meal a person takes before sunrise and the beginning of the fast. These meals are usually held in the first twenty days of Ramadan. For in the last ten days of Ramadan Muslims usually dedicate the later parts of the night for prayer, reading the Qur’an and getting closer to Allah.
Al Musaharati
In the past a man called Al Musahar used to wake up people for Suhoor and Fajr prayer.
The Musahar used to stroll around the streets wearing traditional clothes, beating a drum and singing traditional songs to wake up people. Children loved to follow the Musahar around, repeating and singing along with him: “People wake up and remember Allah who never sleeps; wake up and remember the Prophet; eat your Suhoor and make your way to prayer.”
The night before Eid
On the night preceding Eid people give Zakat al-fitr. That is a compulsory charity given to the poor to spend during the Eid. This consolidates the sense of community and brotherhood emphasized by Islam, it means that all the community rich and poor can enjoy this festive time. The Zakat takes the form of food or money.
Eid al Fitr
At the end of Ramadan is an Islamic celebration called Eid al Fitr. This is a three day period of rejoicing and rewarding one’s self and family for the discipline and hard work practiced throughout the month of Ramadan.
On the day of Eid, after Fajr prayer, when down breaks, the whole family wakes up, the children before the adults and everybody gets dressed up in their new clothes and goes to attend the Eid prayer at the mosque. Eid prayers take place only in assigned mosques in each city and town. This is so that the whole community gets to gather as one and does not disperse between all the other mosques.
After returning from the mosque, it is time for the men folk to visit the house of their relatives, usually the elderly, to pay their respects on this day. Here they will be received in the majlis, where greetings will be exchanged and where they will be offered the “Eid Gedou”; sweets and refreshment.
Throughout the morning you will see groups of children going from house to house calling on neighbours and relatives to give them the Eid greetings. On saying “Eidkum Mubarak ya ahl al bait” the children will be given small sums of money as Eid gifts. By noon time these kids will be sitting on corners of the street counting their money and comparing it with how much their friends got, then they will be filling the supermarkets and shops buying themselves treats.
In the afternoon and evening it is the ladies turn to go visiting relatives and neighbours. On the first day they usually begin with their parents, grandparents, and elderly relatives and neighbours. You will find that the home of an elderly lady or gentlemen is never empty of guests on the first three days of Eid.
Eid announces the end of Ramadan, the special month for all Muslims, the month of patience and self control. Muslims say goodbye to this month wishing it didn’t end, hoping the year will pass by to welcome the month again with all its beautiful meanings.
(Source: Fanar – Qatar Islamic Cultural Center. Copied-pasted without permission from Ramadan booklet)
“If you are very smart, …bla…bla…bla…bla..bla…bla…”
terdengar teriakan dari sebuah bangunan berkaca yang kami lalui, yang bagian akhir teriakannya tidak kami hiraukan karena kami sedang sibuk memacu laju jalan kami secepatnya keluar dari area ini.Teriakan itu sepertinya diarahkan ke saya dan keluarga. Apa yang terjadi?
Saat itu saya bersama isteri dan dua anak kecil kami sedang melewati sebuah lorong kecil yang menghubungkan Oude Kerk (Old Church) dan Damrak. Teriakan itu berasal dari seorang wanita berpakaian minim yang berada di dalam ruangan kaca pamer – jika Anda tahu maksud saya. Tentu saja teriakan itu benar, saya kurang smart untuk tidak melalui jalan yang masuk dalam area Red Light District yang lingkungannya kurang baik bagi anak-anak. Sebelumnya kami mengunjungi Oude Kerk dalam acara jalan pagi mengelilingi Amsterdam.
11 PM the day before
Kami tiba malam sebelumnya dari Paris dalam acara PJKA (Pergi Jumat Pulang Ahad) ke Amsterdam dan Brussels. Maklum, Senin pagi saya sudah harus kembali bekerja untuk Qatargas di Kantor Technip di La Defense. Menggunakan TGV Thalys Kelas 2 kami tiba di Amsterdam Centraal pukul 22.43 malam setelah menempuh perjalanan 3 jam 18 menit dari Gare du Nord (North Station) Paris. Meski train sempat delay 20 menit dari jadual keberangkatan tapi itu tidak mengurangi kegembiraan kami mencoba salah satu jenis TGV dan weekend trip ke Amsterdam dan Brussels.
Amsterdam Centraal Station. Just arrived from Paris
Dari Amsterdam Centraal kami berjalan menyusuri jalanDamrak, yang tengah malam itu masih sangat ramai dengan orang yang keluar masuk stasiun atau memadati restoran fastfood, ke arah Dam Square menuju hotel Swissotel Amsterdam. Damrak adalah jalan yang membentang utara-selatan di pusat Amsterdam antara Amsterdam Centraal dan Dam Square. Gambaran street view dari fasilitas Google Map mampu memfasilitasi saya mengingat rangkaian bangunan yang ada sepanjang Damrak: Park Hotel, Sex Museum, Turkish restaurant, souvenir shop, minimarket, Bijenkorf sampai akhirnya Swissotel yang berdampingan dengan area Dam Square, dan Madame Tussaud.
Back to 9 AM
Kembali ke teriakan mengagetkan di awal cerita, pagi itu kami sengaja bangun pagi, lalu tanpa sarapan bergegas menyusuri jalan-jalan kecil dan canal Amsterdam sesuai deng an itinerary yang saya susun sebelum berangkat. Kami sengaja bangun pagi untuk mendapatkan suasana yang tenang, jauh dari crowd sehingga bisa bebas berpose di Dam Monument, di depan Madame Tussaud, di depan Palace yang sayangnya saat itu dipasangi papan besar pelindung karena direnovasi, atau di jembatan, canal atau dekat sepeda!
Dam Monument at Dam Square Tram is gliding at Dam Square. Shown here Madame Tussauds and Royal Palace (under renovation)
Dari Dam Square kami berjalan ke arah belakang Dam Monument, sarapan di toko roti yang sudah buka, berpose di Hash and Marijuana Museums lalu di dekat canal dan sepeda-sepeda yang sangat banyak populasinya di Amsterdam. Lalu kami mengarahkan jalan kami ke Zeinburgrawal street yang konon street strip terindah di Amsterdam. Canal, rumah-rumah mungil di sampingnya, sepeda adalah tiga obyek unik dari Amsterdam yang tidak bisa dilewatkan. Kali ini karena bertepatan dengan World Cup 2010 dan Netherland berhasil masuk final, banyak tempat di Amsterdam menghiasi bangunannya dengan hiasan orange yang identik dengan Netherland. Tulisan Hup Holland Hup (means Go Holland Go) juga tersebar di mana-mana.
Hash & Marihuana MuseumsZenburgrawal Street
Dari jalan di tepi canal terindah kami kembali berjalan ke arah Nieuwmarkt (Pasar Baru). Sabtu pagi itu di pelatarannya sedang digelar pasar terbuka, meski sayangnya baru sebatas beberapa pedagang yang mulai menggelar dagangannya. Mungkin bukanya agak siangan. Sembari duduk istirahat kami menikmati suasana sekeliling yang cerah, agak dingin dan mulai menggeliat pagi itu. Nieuwmarkt terletak di ujung pertemuan beberapa jalan di antaranya Zeedijk. Zeedijk adalah salah satu jalan yang menjadi batas Red Light District. Karena kami mau ke stasiun via Oude Kerk maka mau tidak mau kami harus melewati daerah yang bikin jengah ini. Toko yang menjual barang mainan dewasa, CD/DVD pertunjukan dewasa, museum-museum dewasa, dan tentu saja akuarium “dewasa” bertebaran di gang-gang kecil dalam area district ini. Kami seperti mati kutu. Mau balik terlalu jauh, kalau terus atau belok kanan ke Damrak juga terkena district ini. Keputusan yang diambil untuk balik ke Jalan Damrak melalui jalan kecil sayap dari Jalan Zeedijk ternyata keputusan yang salah sehingga kami diteriaki dengan kata-kata di atas. Gereja yang kami lewati merupakan gereja yang paling tua di Amsterdam. Gereja ini, Oude Kerk (artinya Gereja Tua), di Oudezijds Voorburgwal sekarang dikepung oleh window prostitution, sexshops, dan peepshow bar. Jadi Anda bisa salah sangka kalau daerah dekat gereja pasti “aman”, nyatanya tidak. Justeru di belakang gereja inilah keramaian paling utama.
Oude KerkHup Holland Hup at Red Light District
Pagi itu, saya memergoki dua pekerja seks komersial yang sedang bekerja, berdiri di atas akuarium dewasa dengan penutup yang minim (window prostitution), satu orang langsung balik kanan (mungkin karena melihat kami membawa anak-anak) sementara yang terakhirlah yang langsung keluar dari akuarium dan meneriaki kami. Heran bahwa sepagi itu mereka sudah buka. Ah mungkin memang nafsu dasar bisa datang kapan saja ….benar tak?
10.30 AM
Selesai melakukan morning walking tour, jam sudah menunjukkan hampir pukul 10 saat kami mengakhirinya di Amsterdam Central. Rencananya kami akan membeli kartu I amsterdam card di Tourism Office di dalam stasiun lalu menggunakan card tersebut untuk boat tour, museum atau transportasi umum. Ada juga discount khusus untuk restaurant dan sightseeing lain. Benar-benar kartu multifungsi. Kalau Anda travelling dengan anak-anak di bawah 12 tahun ada baiknya cukup membeli kartu untuk orang dewasa saja lalu anak-anak pakai ketengan saja karena beberapa museum dan tempat wisata menggratiskan tiket untuk anak-anak. Sebenarnya card ini cocok untukmereka yang punca pace cepat sehingga dalam satu hari bisa menjangkau 3-5 tempat. Kalau Anda pacenya lambat atau inginbersantai-santai, Anda mungkin tidak perlu beli card ini. Harga I Amsterdam card waktu itu adalah 38 Euro.
Tempat yang menawarkan canal cruise tour ada beberapa di antaranya Prins Hendrikkade di depan Amsterdam Central (2 operator seperti Holland International yang menerima I Amsterdam card), di jalan Damrak (3-4 operator seperti Gray Line),Rokin di dekat Spui; Stadhouderskade 25 di dekat Leidseplein. Yang menerima I amsterdam card ada di depan stasiun. Kalau anda tidak membeli I amsterdam card, Anda bisa memilih untuk membeli tiket boat tour langsung seharga 13/6.5 Euro untuk dewasa/anak-anak. Ada juga paket dinner cruise yang sayangnya tidak masuk dalam promosi I amsterdam card.
Lain dengan hop-on-hop-off canalbus yang bisa berhenti di beberapa tempat, boat tour tidak memungkinkan untuk itu. Kalau Anda mengambil paket 100 highlights cruise, boat akan berkeliling dari stasiun sampai ke Amstel River lalu belok kanan untuk eksplore sisi timur Amsterdam, dan kembali ke stasiun 1 jam 15 menit kemudian. Tour melewati di antaranya: pelabuhan Amsterdam, tempat parkir khusus sepeda yang bisa menampung ribuan sepeda, NeMO Science Center, Stopera, Amstel, 7 bridges, Magere Brug, dan Anna Frank-Huis .
These 7 bridges can be seen during canal tour
Di banyak canal yang cukup lebar kami juga banyak menemukan keberadaan boat house. Menurut penuturan guide ada sekitar 2500 boat house di seantero Amsterdam dan pemerintah sudah tidak memberikan ijin baru untuk boat house. Ibarat rumah, boat house ada dengan bermacam kondisi. Ada yang tipe RSS, ada yang tipe minimalist, ada juga yang bertipe mewah. Dari jendela atau pintu yang terbuka kami bisa melihat gambaran isi boat house dari tour boat kami.
Guide juga menerangkan kenapa banyak rumah di Amsterdam punya lifting beam di atas rumahnya. Usut punya usut, sempitnya rumah, dan ruang yang memanjang ke atas membuat orang harus mengangkat barang atau furnitur lewat jendela menggunakan lifting beam.
Berbicara mengenai canal, ada 5 canal konsentrik besar yang mengelilingi daerah Old Center: the Singel, the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht, the Prinsengracht, and the Singelgracht, kesemuanya membentuk daerah Grachtengordel. Amstel river mengalir ke dalam kota dari selatan. Awalnya, sungai ini mengalir sepanjang jalur Rokin-Damrak. Dam yang ada di Amstel, yang memberi nama kota ini, dulunya berlokasi di bawah De Bijenkorf department store yang sekarang.
1 PM
Selesai tour tujuan kami berikutnya adalah Rijksmuseum di Museumplein (Museum Quarter). Awalnya kami sempat berpikir untuk menyewa sepeda (dengan discount dari I amsterdam card) di MacBike Rental di Centraal Station. Tapi karena cuaca yang panas, kami akhirnya memutuskan untuk pergi dengan tram dengan rencana stop untuk lunch di restaurant Indonesia yang memberi discount 25% dengan I amsterdam card (kayaknya saya ogah rugi banget ya…hehehe..). Sayangnya yang terakhir ini belum buka sampai jam 3 sore sementara perut sudah keroncongan. Akhirnya, ya sudahlah, kita makan siang di Turkish restaurant dengan mixed grill, dan doner kebab.
Tidak sia-sia makan di Turkish restaurant yang bikin lahap gak ketulungan, kami serasa mendapat energi tambahan untuk mengeksplore sisa waktu di Amsterdam. Menuju ke perhentian tram yang akan membawa kami ke museum, kami melewati Bloemen Market – pasar bunga setengah terapung di tepi kanal – di jalan Singel, daerah Munt Plein, mulut Amstel, yang kebanyakan menjual bunga tulip dan bibitnya. Nama lain dari tulip adalah bulb – mungkin karena bentuknya yang seperti bohlam. Di sekitar area ini juga banyak terdapat restaurant, toko suvenir, dan tempat penjualan cheese.
Bloemenmarkt
Rijksmuseum adalah museum berkelas yang menampilkan lukisan karya Rembrandt, Johanness Vermeer atau Jan Steen dan beberapa seniman pada jaman keemasan Belanda. Ada juga koleksi seni Asia, dan obyek-obyek menarik dalam museum seperti adalah dolls house, dan perahu perang. Kisah peperangan Netherland digambarkan di beberapa lukisan besar. Di akhir rute museum terdapat obyek menarik berupa potret tiga orang jawa yang digambarkan langka karena berpose dengan rasa percaya diri yang tinggi dan optimis, berbeda dengan kebanyakan orang Jawa pada jaman itu.
Sayangnya museum tidak memberikan kebijakan boleh memfoto, yang tidak saya ketahui sampai saya berhasil menjepret 3 obyek….hehehe….
One of the collections in Rijksmuseum
Masih dalam area museum plein adalah museum tentang Vincent van Gogh,pelukis Post-Impressionist Belanda. Tapi kami memutuskan tidak ke sana karena mengejar jam tutup sience center Nemo jam 6 sore. Sempat nyasar waktu mau berpindah dari tram ke bus, setelah hampir 1 jam kami akhirnya nyampe di Nemo 45 menit menjelang tutup. Akibatnya anak-anak pada protes: harusnya lebih banyak waktu di sini nih….
5 PM
Nemo adalah science center terbesar di Netherland. Tidak seperti Cite des Science di Paris yang dibuat hanya dalam bahasa Perancis, Nemo dibuat dengan dua bahasa: Belanda dan Inggris sehingga memudahkan anak-anak. Dengan lima lantai,ada banyak yang ditawarkan Nemo. Di lantai pertama, konsepnya adalah DNA dan chain reactions. Lantai dua berisi ball factory, performance hall, dan water cycle. Laboratorium sains besar dan seksi tentang uang dan bisnis ada di lantai tiga. Lantai empat adalah tempat bagi eksperiment dan sains tentang pikiran manusia. Di lantai lima atau upper deck, Nemo membuka atapnya (yang berundak-undak besar) untuk umum. Di summer time seperti ini, atap Nemo yang berada di lantai 6 buka sampai malam meskipun orang harus menggunakan tangga undak (bukannya lfit) jika datang setelah jam tutup Nemo. Atap terbuka ini seringkali digunakan orang untuk sekedar duduk, untuk berjemur, atau buat anak-anak bermain air di sepetak kolam dan pancuran. Meskipun dari sini kita bisa melihat Amsterdam dari atas, pemandangannya tidaklah terlalu fantastis.Lokasi atau ketinggiran yang kurang mungkin penyebabnya.
NEMO & Replica of VOC Ship
Dari Nemo kami berjalan kaki sekitar 900m melewati jembatan besi yang menarik dan hotel terapung bercorak chinese ke stasiun untuk naik tram kembali ke hotel. Istirahat dulu jek, bersih-bersih sebelum ke tujuan berikutnya: Madame Tussaud. Pembangunan metro station di depan Central Station ynag sudah berlarut-larut cukup mengganggu pejalan kaki dan terutama pemandangan ke arah stasiun. Konon insinyur Belanda kesulitan menaklukkan lingkungan air dan laut sebagai fondasi dan ruang bawah tanah metro station.
7 PM
Madame Tussaud yang akan kami kunjungi letaknya di area Dam Square hanya sepelemparan batu (tergantung yang ngelempar kata temen saya) dari hotel kami menginap. Tapi bener kok, praktis hanya dipisahkan oleh plaza di depan palace dengan hotel kami. Madame Tussaud adalah museum patung lilin. Museum ini juga masuk dalam promosi I amsterdam card, tapi saya membeli online sehingga mendapat potongan yang lebih besar sedikit.Kalau musim summer seperti ini, museum tutup jam 8.30 sore (ya maklum karena sunset berlangusng jam 10 malam). Koleksi patung lilin tersebar di empat lantai gedung. Yang tidak boleh dilewatkan adalah pemandangan ke arah Dam square dan Damrak dari jendela kaca bundar di lantai atas gedung. Sambil memandangi Dam Square Anda ditemani (patung) Victoria Beckham dan Elle MacPherson.
A commanding view from a window of Madame Tussaud shouldn't be missed
Beberapa figur penting yang dipatunglilinkan adalah: raja dan ratu Belanda, Pope, Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama, Mahatma Gandhi, beberapa figure terkenal local (seperti Rembrandt), atlet-atlet seperti Lance Amstrong, Ronaldinho, Beckham, selebritis seperti Robby William, Brad Pitt dan Angelina Jolie, Bon Jovi, Marlyn Monroe, Madonna, Jacko, Bob Marley, Brosnan, Lady Di.
Try to mimic Ronaldinho at Madame Tussaud
Madame Tussaud juga manawarkan atraksi Dungeon (alias petualangn seram dengan hantu jadi-jadian yang mengejutkan). Tapi kami tidak masuk ke dalamnya; takut anak-anak gak bisa tidur….hehehe…
Museum saat itu sepi, entahlah apa karena tiket yang lumayan mahal atau mereka lebih banyak masuk museum pas pagi atau siang hari. Kalaupun ada yang tidak mengenakkan dari museum ini adalah petugas suvenir yang sedikit maksa untuk menawarkan service foto bersama “Obama” maupun grafir foto 3 dimensi dalam kristal.
8 PM
Keluar dari Madame Tussaud jam 8-an malam kami sudah tidak bisa bershopping ria karena toko-toko di mal tutup jam 7 malam. Padahal di luar sana matahari bersinar terang karena sunset di summer time ini sekitar jam 10 malam. Tidak berhasil dengan shopping di mal kami maksain last minute shopping di toko suvenir sebelum makan malam di – lagi-lagi – Turkish halal restaurant di Damrak. Jika membawa anak-anak, hati-hati di toko suvenir karena ada banyak suvenir yang berhubungan dengan orang dewasa (XXX) dan permen atau makanan yang berhubungan dengan marijuana.
END
Jadi demikianlah kisah tur PJKA kami di Amsterdam. Kalau Anda tidak mendengar banyak cerita tentang Red Light District dan Sex Museum yang tersohor, itu karena saya memutuskan untuk tidak berpartisipasi memberikan kelangsungan hidup ke sesuatu yang tidak sejalan dengan prinsip saya…..ceile.Tapi kalau Anda mau, ada tur malam jam 8 dan 10 ke distrik tersebut berangkat dari Damrak. Tur mencakup testimoni dari bekas prostitute, lalu guided tour ke area dengan “akuarium prostitutes”. Ingat lho foto dilarang dan ceritanya banyak tidak segan2 untuk merampas kamera jika Anda berani mencoba mengambil gambarnya. Menurut buku guide di hotel yang saya baca, para prostitutes menyewa etalase akuarium ini seharga 100 Euro per hari. Mereka berusaha menutupi biaya ini (dan biaya kontrol kesehatan regular – karena diwajibkan UU) dari tarif short service 50 Euro per jam? Meski profesi ini dilindungi dengan UU dan menjadikan Amsterdam terkenal karenanya, pemerintah berusaha menguranginya.
Jikalau ada yang berkesan dari Amsterdam, itu tidak lain tentang canal, museum, rumah perahu, dan rumah sempit di tepiannya, dan tentu saja serakan sepeda-sepedanya. Dan bagi anak saya dengan Science Center Nemonya juga. Tidak banyak keluarga dengan anak-anak yang saya lihat berkeliaran di Amsterdam. Meski ibukota Belanda ini (meskipun bukan tempat duduk pemerintahan yang justru ada di The Hague), berusaha meyakinkan bahwa kota ini “aman” dan “nyaman” untuk keluarga, tapi mereka yang berasal dari kultur timur atau yang konservatif pasti akan kesulitan untuk mau mengunjunginya.
Amsterdam's lovely houses by the canal is photographer's treasure
Obyek utama Amsterdam berada di Old Center yang merupakan area konsentris setengah lingkaran berjari-jari 1 km dengan Amsterdam Centraal Station sebagai pusatnya. Semua tujuan wisata utama, kebanyakan hotel berlokasi di daerah ini atau sedikit di luar daerah ini. Akibatnya sebagian besar daerah Amsterdam tidak pernah dikunjungi turis dan bisa dipastikan hampir semua turis yang mengunjungi Amsterdam end up di Old Center. Di luar obyek dalam kota Amsterdam Anda juga bisa mengunjungi windmill, cheese maker, klompen maker, Madurodam di luar kota Amsterdam. Sayangnya karena program PJKA saya tidak sempat ke sana karena paling tidak lebih dari setengah hari dibutuhkan.
Nevertheless, mengunjungi Amsterdam adalah mengunjungi sisi lain sebuah kota di dunia; kota sepeda, kota kanal, kota liberalism. Dan saya beruntung bisa mengunjunginya di satu Sabtu di bulan July 2010.
This post is written in Bahasa Indonesia. To read its translation, please check Google Translate. It might not be perfect translation but you can still grab the ideas. Pictures are stored in my Facebook.
Dua-duanya benar karena ibukota Belgium ini sebenarnya menggunakan dua bahasa resmi: French dan Dutch. Jadi ya jangan heran kalau semua nama jalan dan tempat memiliki dua nama, yang bunyinya bisa jauh berbeda. Meskipun resminya blilingual, French lebih banyak dipakai dalam percakapan sehari-hari. Untungnya English juga banyak dimengerti (terutama tourist and public service) meskipun tidak banyak dipakai dalam percakapan.
Pasti ada yang nanya: ngapain ke Brussels? memangnya ada yang menarik di sana? Yuk mari…..
Kedatangan
Pagi itu, 9 July 2010, kami sekeluarga dalam perjalanan pulang ke Paris dari Amsterdam, mampir beberapa jam (delapan jam tepatnya) di Brussels sebelum train Thalys membawa kami ke Paris sore harinya. Singkat amat? Meski short visit kami sengaja tidak menggunakan jasa tour agar kami lebih fleksibel dan bebas blasak-blusuk; tapi konsekuensinya persiapan pre-departures harus matang dan harus rela jalan cepat ala atlet jalan cepat…hehehe. Tadinya kami hampir saja mengurungkan niat ke Brussels setelah mendengar beberapa cerita serem (terutama di stasiun Midi) dari Tripadvisor, tapi kemudian kami tekadkan datang tapi dengan precautions yang lebih.
Train Thalys tiba di stasiun Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid (atau Brussels South) pukul 10.10 pagi setelah menempuh perjalanan 1 jam 50 menit dari Amsterdam melewati Schipol Airport, Rotterdam, dan Antwerp. Di ketiga tempat itu kereta hanya berhenti barang beberapa menit untuk turun-naik penumpang.
Dengan menggeret satu koper-ransel (maksudnya koper yang bisa dijadiin ransel) kecil dan membawa dua backpack kami bergegas menuju ke Automatic Locker untuk menyimpan barang bawaan. Tujuannya ya biar kami bisa mengeksplore Brusells dengan lebih leluasa tanpa terganggu bawaan. Lokasi locker sudah kami survei via internet semasa kami masih di Doha sehingga tanpa kesulitan kami menemukan lokasi locker yang berada di dekat eskalator platform 5 dan 6 ini. Automatic locker menyediakan tiga jenis locker: besar, medium dan kecil. Tarifnya untuk medium yang kami pakai hanya 3 Euro per 6 jam. Lockernya tidak menyediakan kunci untuk membuka/tutup, melainkan dengan menggunakan barcode di ticket yang tercetak setelah kita membayar sesuai tarifnya.
Stasiun Midi ,yang juga stasiun terbesar di Brussels, terhubung dengan jaringan bus dan metro. Meski tidak sebanyak Paris, jaringan metro 6 line ini membantu sekali dalam menjelajahi Brussels. Tiket paling murah dan praktis adalah one-day ticket seharga cuma 4.5 Euro yang bisa dibeli dari ticket machine menggunakan coins atau notes.Nah tiket ini entar divalidasi pada mesin kecil warna orange yang ada di bus/tram atau di jalan masuk metro stations. Mesin orange ini men-stamp waktu pada tiket baik print maupun magnetic. Validitynya cuma 1 jam kecuali kalau pakai ticket one-day atau 3-day.
Tujuan kami pertama adalah Atomium dan Mini Europe di bagian North-West, pinggiran kota Brussels, sekitar 6 km dari pusat kota. Untuk mencapainya, kami menggunakan metro 6 jurusan Roi Baudouin/Koning Boudewijn dan berhenti di stasiun Heysel/Heizel. Dari stasiun ini, Anda sudah bisa melihat kilauan bola besar alumunium, dan bisa menjangkaunya hanya dengan 5 menit jalan kaki.
Atomium
Atomium adalah struktur 9 bola (satu di setiap titik sudutnya plus satu di pusatnya) yang terhubung sehingga membuat bentuk satu sel kristal besi yang diperbesar 165 miliar kali. Tube yang menghubungkan bola pada 12 rusuk kubusnya dan 8 ke arah pusat berisi escalator yangmenghubungkan antar bola. Masing-masing bola berdiameter 18 meter. Sejatinya, struktur berketinggian 102 meter ini adalah bekas gedung world expo tahun 1958. Awalnya dirancang untuk sementara tapi sejarah mencatat lain sehingga Atomium tetap ada sampai sekarang dan menjadi atraksi Belgium yang menonjol.
Waktu kami mengunjungi atomium bulan July 2010 itu, tiket Atomium berharga 11/4 Euro untuk dewasa/anak, sementara jika digabungkan dengan kunjungan combo ke Mini Europe harganya menjadi 22.40/12 Euro. Dari 9 sphere (bola) hanya 5 yang bisa dimasuki oleh turis: bola dasar tempat permanent exhibition, bola temporary exhibition, bola pusat, bola panorama paling atas, dan bola mini-panorama (Kid’s sphere).
Untuk naik ke bola paling atas, kami harus mengantri ke satu-satunya lift yang tersedia. Antrian cukup panjang sehingga kami menghabiskan waktu hampir setengah jam di antrian. Pemandangan dari bola paling atas memang lumayan menarik. Anda bisa melihat Mini Europe dan BruParc, stadion, maupun jalanan berpagar pohon rindang. Lamat-lamat di kejauhan Anda juga bisa melihat pusat kota Brussels. Di bola panorama atas ini juga terdapat restaurant.
Dari bola paling atas, kami menuruni elevator curam ke bola berikutnya di mana ada display mengenai sejarah imigran di Belgium, dan sejarah bangunan expo ini. Yang menarik adalah display mengenai fakta Expo 58 dalam angka yang cukup mencengangkan: 2000 anak hilang, 8 bayi lahir di Expo, 5 orang meninggal dan 27 orang putus asa yang mencoba bunuh diri. What?
Ada satu sphere lagi yang kami lewati – Kid’ sWorld – tapi sayangnya waktu itu sedang tutup. Saya kurang mengerti tapi isinya adalah bola-bola warna-warni yang digantung dengan tempat tidurpada rongganya. Untuk apa ya?
Toko suvenir ada di lantai bawah di dekat lift atau di dekat loket penjualan tiket. Snack dan minuman ringan dijual juga di dekat loket. Untuk makan berat saya sarankan mengunjungi food court di BruParc di dekatnya.
Dari menikmati sphere Atomium di dalamnya kami kemudian keluar kompleks Atomium untuk menikmatinya dari agak jauh sehingga mendapatkan keseluruhan bentuk Atomium. Dari pandangan agak jauh tapi simetris kami bisa melihat bentuk yang menarik dari atomium. Saya salut dengan arsitek Waterkeyn yang merancang bangunan ini di tahun 1950-an; maksud saya di jaman itu sudah merancang bangunan yang simbolik dan futuristis untuk masanya.
MiniEurope
Dengan banyaknya headquarter dari institusi Europe di Brussels, Brussels bisa dipandang juga sebagai ibukota European Union. Dan keberadaan MiniEurope seolah memperkukuhnya. Dari Atomium kami kemudian pergi ke BruParck untuk mengunjungi Mini Europe dan sekaligus untuk mencari makan siang di The Village (area restaurant di BruParck). Di kawasan BruParck juga terdapat Kinepolis (3D and 4D cinema complex) dan Oceade (subtropical aquatic park).
Mini Europe ini seperti Madurodam di Amsterdam atau Miniaturk di Istanbul, adalah taman yang menampilkan bangunan/monument paling menarik di European Union dalam skala kecil (1:25). Menurut catatan ada sekitar 350 bangunan yang ditampilkan dari sekitar 80 kota. Yang membedakan Mini Europe dengan taman sejenisnya adalah kualitas modelnya, beberapa sangat mahal, seperti misalnya Grand Place Brussels yang dibuat dengan biaya 350 ribu Euro.
Beberapa bangunan/landmark yang ditampilkan antara lain: Tour Eiffel, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and Pompidou dari Perancis,Doge’s Palace dan St Mark’s campanile, Menara Pisa dari Italy, windmills Kinderdijk dari Netherland, Big Ben, TGV train, North Sea oil platform, roket Ariane 5 bahkan gunung Vesuvius. Anak-anak mungkin akan terpikat dengan mainan kapal dengan joystick, atau memasukkan sebagai wajah dari penjaga istana di UK atau prajurit perang.
Mini Europe
Masih dalam kawasan Mini Europe, pada akhir rute kunjungan, adalah Spirit of Europe yang menampilkan informasi atraktif mengenai EU dalam bentuk permainan multimedia.
Brussels
Jam tangan menunjukkan jam 3 sore; yang berarti tinggal 3 jam lagi di Brussels. Kami menaiki metro yang sama untuk kembali ke Brussels, tapi kali ini tidak berhenti di Brussels Midi melainkan di Trone/Troon (capek juga ya kalau haruse selalu mencantumkan nama dalam dua bahasa seperti ini…hehehe). Rencana saya dari Trone/Troon kami berjalan ke arah Grand Place dengan melewati beberapa sightseeing menarik. Peta dari Lonely Planet edisi Europe by Shoestring, dan peta yang saya beli di Atomium menjadi senjata utama.
The Royal Palace of Brussels ((Dutch: Koninklijk Paleis van Brussel, French: Palais Royal de Bruxelles) adalah tujuan pertama, sekitar 5 menit jalan kaki dari stasiun Trone/Troon. Ini adalah istana resmi raja Belgium tapi tidak digunakan sebagai kediamannya. Royal Palace ini berhadap-hadapan dengan gedung parlemen (The Palace of the Nation) tapi dipisahkan oleh Brussels Park, taman hijau yang sangat luas.
Saat kami mengunjungi Royal Palace, jajaran panggung dan tempat duduk bertingkat sedang dibangun di depannya, sepertinya untuk acara peringatan tertentu yang kami tidak tahu. Alhasil kami tidak berhasil mendapatkan spot menarik untuk foto bersama. Ditambah langit sedang tidak sempurna. Eeuh…
Selepas Royal Palace, di bagian samping kiri adalah kompleks museum seperti Bellevue dan Coudenberg Museum (museum sejarah Belgium), Musical Instruments Museum, dan Museum Ancient and Modern Art (keduanya disebut Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium). Kesemua museum dan gereja St. Jacques sur Coudenberg ini mengitari Place Royale.
Place Royale. The church of St Jacques-sur-Coudenberg at the background
Menuju daerah Grand Sablon kami kemudian dengan menyusuri jalan Rue de la Regence dengan Palais de Justice (the Law Court) yang megah sebagai background di ujung jalan. Kami melewati antara lain: statue gardens dengan patung-patung uniknya, gereja The Church of Notre Dame du Sablon , taman Place due Petit Sablon, dan toko coklat Cote d’Or .
Belok kanan ke Place du Grand Sablon, maka kami menemukan Pierre Marcolini, dan Wittamer yang konon adalah pembuat coklat terenak (dan sekaligus termahal) di dunia. Aneka coklat dan cake coklat yang dipajang memang menggiurkan, mengundang selera.
Manneken Pis
Dari Grand Sablon kami ke Maneken Pis. Beberapa travel advice tidak menyarankan ke sini karena not worth the effort katanya. Apa sih yang mau dilihat, kata mereka. Tapi kami tetap pergi ke sana juga. Patung anak kecil lagi pipis ini bikin penasaran. Seperti apa sih?
Manneken Pis sebenarnya patung air mancur kecil dari perunggu yang berupa anak laki-laki kecil telanjang sedang pipis ke dalam kolam. Kecil di sini maksudnya benar-benar kecil. Jangan bayangkan besarnya seperti patung-patung ukuran manusia atau lebih yang ada di Jardins du Tuileries di Paris, misalnya. Ini kecil banget: 61 cm. Cuma segitu?
Manneken Pis
Meski mungil, patung ini ternyata usianya sudah tua juga, dibuat tahun 1618 atau 1619. Dan di belakangnya ada setidaknya lima cerita legenda berbeda versi. Kalau Anda beruntung Anda bisa mendapati Manneken Pis tidak dalam keadaan telanjang, melainkan dalam kostum yang bisa berbeda-beda tiap minggunya. Ada ratusan kostum berbeda buat si anak kecil ini. Dan penggantian kostumnya pun melalui “upacara” dan kadang diiringi music. Keliatannya orang Brussels sayang banget ya sama si anak kecil ini?
Manneken Pis terletak di perempatan jalan Rue de l’Étuve/Stoofstraat and Rue du Chêne/Eikstraat. Sekitar 200m barat daya Grand Place. Sebelum Anda pergi ke Grand Place dari sini ada baiknya Anda mencoba waffel khas Belgium yang dijual di banyak tempat di jalan Rue de l’Étuve sampai ke Grand Place. Di ruas jalan yang sama Anda juga bisa menemukan banyak toko suvenir.
Grand Place/Grote Markt dan sekitarnya
Grand Place adalah salah satu must-see place, destinasi turis paling penting di Brussels. Tempat yang masuk dalam daftar UNESCO World Heritage Site ini merupakan alaun-alun pusat dari Brussels. Lapangan batu seluas 68 kali 110 meter ini dikelilingi oleh Hotel de Ville (Town Hall), Maison du Roi (King’s House) atau Breadhouse, dan Guildhalls. Museum coklat, museum brewer dan museum kota Brussels juga ada di sini.
Grand Place memiliki sejarah panjang dari sejak abad ke-10, cikal bakal kota Brussels dan sempat digunakan sebagai pasar bagi penduduk kota.
Grand Place
Tidak jauh dari Grand Place ke sebelah timur laut, di belakang museum kota adalah shopping arcade Galleries Saint Hubert, semacam Galleria Vittorio Emanuele di Duomo, Milan. Di dalamnya adalah butik, toko buku, café, restaurant, dan cinema, Di sekitaran galeri ini banyak terdapat café-café luar ruang tempat penduduk local nongkrong.
Dalam perjalanan perjalanan balik ke Brussels Midi dari Grand Place, kami melewati Cathedral dan The Bourse. The Bourse adalah bangunan tua akhir abad 19 yang menjadi tempat Brussels Stock Exchange. Setelah Grand Place, alun-alun di depan The Bourse adalah alun-alun paling penting di Brussels. Sore hari Anda akan menjumpai banyak orang yang duduk-duduk di tangga The Bourse sambil makan frites/fritkots.
Yang tersisa
Satu hari efektif sebenarnya cukup untuk mengunjungi Brussels, tapi tidak delapan jam yang kami punya. Ada yang masih tersisa untuk dikunjungi. Jika Anda hanya punya waktu untuk satu museum, disarankan untuk mengunjungi Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. Museum lain yang menarik adalah Natural Sciences Museum of Belgium atau Belgian Comic Strip Center . Anyhow, kayaknya kami cukup having fun di Brussels, meskipun di tengah panas summer, dan kembali ke sini, dengan sengaja, sepertinya tidaklah dalam agenda travelling kami berikutnya. dan berikutnya.
Au revoir Brussels!
Dag!
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