LFL: Found 'Sisingaan'!

I went home to Subang to take my documents for completing passport renewal requirements on 30th of November 2014. It took 2 hours from Bandung by motorcycle or car. Once I got into Subang city, I found something interesting. I saw a crowd in the street. It contained some police officers, marching band, people with bikes, etc. As I got closer and saw a parade, I realized it was a celebration of Persib (Indonesian football club from Bandung) achievement to be a winner of Indonesian Super League (ISL) which is the biggest team league in Indonesia. I have seen it before in Bandung. The reason I call it interesting is I found 'Sisingaan' in the parade which I didn't see in Bandung celebration. This is my first time to see it again after couple years.

'Sisingaan' is a culture origin from Subang which is usually found while celebrating something. It contains 4 persons who dance with a man-made lion on their shoulder. Usually It is accompanied by a crew of singer. Nowadays I rarely see it in Subang. I am worried that it will become extinct as other countries cultures massive penetration to Indonesia that could threaten it. I hope Indonesia government especially Subang government can nurture it well, so that it becomes one part of Indonesian's assets that this world admit. Maybe some annual 'Sisingaan' competitions and exposing 'Sisingaan' in well-packed websites can make it keep alive. :)

AOE: When Ellora caves amazed me!

During my trip to India in 2011, I didn't miss a single chance to travel around. In the third week of my volunteer program there, I decided to go to Aurangabad with some friends. One of the most famous attractions in Aurangabad is Ellora caves. I thought all caves are the same, but I was wrong. Ellora caves are the typical huge rock-caves with some ancient carvings around its wall. I could see different variety of reliefs in almost all of its huge wall. It was made in between the 5th and 10th century by the Rashtrakuta dynasty. That is why Ellora is distinctive to other caves. So, it amazed me as a kid who was born in 20th century.

I liked it there, even though I needed to walk for a couple kilos to visit all of the caves. I could find a carved-stories around the wall just like what I heard in historical stories. For me, that was the best cave destination so far.

Interested to visit Ellora caves?