sOleiLian

After drawing a long-anticipated conclusion to my 13-part Krabi & Ko Phi Phi trip, the moment has come for me to revive (yet again) my 2009 trip to North Sulawesi (have you all forgotten about this already?) after I left it stranding halfway to commence writing on my Krabi trip. See how inconsistent and impatient of this blogger! :P

Should you need a reminder, I still haven’t shared with you my trips to (in chronological order): Cameron Highlands, July’09; Java, June’10; Singapore, Sept’10; Jakarta, Feb’11; Singapore, May’11; and I’m 100% certain that I could barely make half of these before my next backpacking trip in Feb’12. And to make matters worse, I’ve made it a point to visit a new destination(s) each year. Now you can start estimating the date that I’m done with all these. *giggle*

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About an hour’s drive from Lake Tondano is a place with one of the most romantic names you would ever come across in North Sulawesi ~ Bukit Kasih, or Hill of Love in English. With such a mushy name, you would think this is a place for lovers to come and make vows or to say the clichéd “I do”.

Sorry to disappoint you though, the hill has got nothing to do with these lovey-dovey stuff. In fact, it has a much greater vision ~ to foster the harmony and unity of Indonesia’s 5 recognized faiths, namely Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Yet it should be noted that, Confucianism, the 6th recognized faith (though strictly speaking, it ain’t a religion but an ethical and philosophical system instead), was not mentioned as it hadn’t received any official recognition from the Indonesian Government at the time of Bukit Kasih’s conception.

In short, the hill is a celebration of a different kind of love, a love that is often neglected in this time and age ~ the love among the faithful. The message it intends to convey is simple yet direct: we’re all brothers and sisters regardless of belief. Why “us and them” when it could be just “us”?

Bukit Kasih is not a typical plain hill you expect it to be. It’s a geothermal field with hot springs and sulphur deposits, which is not surprising given that North Sulawesi is home to some of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia. Steam from the springs and hot rocks filled the air and made the whole place appear foggy and somewhat mysterious. These effects were even more profound after the area was given a wash in the rain.

The weather was slightly drizzly since noon. The moment we alighted from our vehicle, scores of touts approached us with umbrellas for rent. We just shook our heads as we had these folding umbrellas with us, brought all the way from home. I knew beforehand that the region was in its wet season and thus I was able to advise my friends on the do’s and don’ts, which included bringing our own umbrellas so that we would be well-prepared should it decide to rain. Unless you’re the adventurous kind and love surprises, it’s always wise to do some homework before you set foot on foreign land lest you experience more than just culture shock!

Bukit Kasih, not just a mere hill

See those faces carved into the face of the hill? They are Toar and Lumimuut, the mythical ancestors of the Minahasan people, the province’s largest ethnic group

Sulphur deposits on hot rocks

A lovely chapel or memorial on the other side of Bukit Kasih

A towering monument to the 5 recognized faiths of Indonesia, with plaques imprinted with selected scriptural verses of each faith at its base

Protestantism, the largest faith in North Sulawesi. Note that in the 1st sentence of the verse, Indonesian Christians address their God as Allah in the Indonesian language.

The other 4 faiths

This flight of stairs was likened to the Great Wall of China by the locals. A much smaller one, that is.

The monument viewed from a higher vantage point

A cross halfway up the hill

Houses of worship for each recognized religion

The Hindu temple with the distinctive “candi bentar” split gate found in Balinese Hindu temple architecture

One of the Stations of the Cross along the path

Steam everywhere!

Compilation of MANADO & NORTH SULAWESI TRIP 2009

• PART I    : The forgotten frontiers: Tales from Manado and North Sulawesi
• PART II   : Great churches of Manado
• PART III : In the shadows of volcanoes: Manado Bay and its harbour
• PART IV   : Off to Bunaken
• PART V    : Livin’ la vida Bunaken’s way
• PART VI   : Bunaken’s blue, blue seas
• PART VII : Christ Blessing and the Waruga
• PART VIII: The lakes of Sulut: Danau Tondano and Linow

c a t e g o r y | passport to nowhere
f l u f f e r p u f f | indonesia . religions & spirituality . sulawesi . travels

13 sOleiLians

Ao Nang. Just in time for sunset. In fact, it was the last one that we were going to enjoy as we were heading home the next day.

Watching the sun disappeared below the horizon on this side of Thailand was a remarkably enchanting moment. Perhaps it was the sky that had its breadth painted effortlessly in a harmonious blend of pink, purple, blue, and orange. Perhaps it was the sea which appeared emerald at one second, and miraculously turned gold the other. Perhaps it was the limestone karsts that seemed to be lifted up from the ocean depths and gradually darkened into haunting silhouettes as the rays faded.

Perhaps, it was only me who just happened to fall in love with the sun-drenched Andaman coast. Southern Thailand… You were indeed magical.

Sunset from the terrace of our hotel

Coconut palms on Ao Nang Beach

Long-tails and evening sky

Exquisite leather crafts. My principle of not buying animal skin products caused me to discard the initial intention of getting one of these.

One of the many walking streets

Avatar and hot ass! :P

A statue of a Greco-Roman god under the moonlight

Buffet spread at Bernie’s Place. 150 baht for vegetarians and 250 baht for the rest (drinks not included in the price though). You pay before you eat. Experience told me that they didn’t seem to check what we ate, so perhaps you could try paying the veg price and getting the non-veg dishes. But try at your own risk only! :P

Grilled chicken, farfalle, skewer, what else?

Soap carvings

All hail the great American icon, the King of all fast food chains!

O.O

We had these at McDonald’s the next morning, and they can’t be found anywhere else in Malaysia! Shown here: Samurai Pork Burger, Chicken Ham Pie, and Cheesy Fries.

Going home! Check out the amulets that adorned the dashboard and windshield of our driver’s vehicle. So typically Thai! :D

Thai Muslim women at a stopover between Krabi and Hat Yai

And that’s a wrappp! Oh boy, can’t believe I took 6 months to finish my 13-part Krabi & Ko Phi Phi trip that actually took place more than a year ago! Talk about being a bad, bad blogger. :P But anyway, I’m thrilled to have completed one of my many travel series at last! Still a good reason to celebrate, ain’t it? ;)

Here’s the complete compilation of KRABI & KO PHI PHI TRIP 2010

• PART I     : Crossing borders: En route to paradise
• PART II   : Sunshine Krabi
• PART III  : East Railay: Backpackers’ haven
• PART IV   : Sunset . West Railay
• PART V    : The night’s still young . East Railay
• PART VI   : Morning, Phra Nang!
• PART VII : Going Phi Phi
• PART VIII: Ko Phi Phi Don
• PART IX   : Phi Phi, walk walk, yum yum
• PART X    : Monkey Beach & Bamboo Island
• PART XI   : The Beach . Maya Bay . Ko Phi Phi Ley
• PART XII : Return to Ao Nang
• PART XIII: Ao Nang and farewell, Krabi!

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And to all you awesome dads out there, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! :)

c a t e g o r y | passport to nowhere . yummylicious
f l u f f e r p u f f | beaches . food . southern thailand . thailand . travels

18 sOleiLians

Throughout our entire stay in Krabi and Ko Phi Phi, the weather had been very kind to us. It was perfect sunshine every single day and there was neither a drop of rain nor signs of an imminent thunderstorm. Of course being travellers, this is the best news one could ever wish for, especially when you’re hitting the beach or partying on an island!

After spending two awesome nights in Ko Phi Phi Don, it was time for us to head back to the mainland. But before that, there was some time left for us to soak up the island atmosphere and trace the crowded shopping lanes that we had become quite familiar with during our stay on the island.

Loh Dalum Bay in a hot sunny afternoon

That lady caught my attention for being able to read like that under the glaring rays of the noon sun! Guess she was pretty desperate to get a tan. Haha…

Back at the awesome Cosmic Restaurant for some refreshing tropical punch and lunch

My absolutely heavenly gnocchi with blue cheese! 150 baht.

Poor sharks! :(

At the pier where the ferry was waiting for us

Bustling scene at Ton Sai Bay

Taken from the ferry’s sun deck. Buh-bye, Ko Phi Phi!

Loaded with tourists

Glares and shimmers

A friend said that tall rock formation resembled a phallus! LOL.

People weren’t afraid of the sun apparently! Me neither. :P

Thale Waek (Separated Sea), a spectacular tidal sandbar that connects two islands and only appears during low tide

Where the skies were blue and fields were green…

Ain’t this just lovely? ;)

Boats leaving for other destinations

Another favourite shot of mine

Took a songthaew ride to Ao Nang Beach for our last night in Krabi

Just loved that piercing ray!

Our very pleasant stay at the clean and spacious J Hotel in Ao Nang, just 5 minutes’ walk from the beach. At 1000 baht a night, it was totally a steal!

Compilation of KRABI & KO PHI PHI TRIP 2010

• PART I     : Crossing borders: En route to paradise
• PART II   : Sunshine Krabi
• PART III  : East Railay: Backpackers’ haven
• PART IV   : Sunset . West Railay
• PART V    : The night’s still young . East Railay
• PART VI   : Morning, Phra Nang!
• PART VII : Going Phi Phi
• PART VIII: Ko Phi Phi Don
• PART IX   : Phi Phi, walk walk, yum yum
• PART X    : Monkey Beach & Bamboo Island
• PART XI   : The Beach . Maya Bay . Ko Phi Phi Ley

c a t e g o r y | passport to nowhere . yummylicious
f l u f f e r p u f f | beaches . food . southern thailand . thailand . travels

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