Seblat Elephant Training Center : Choice for Eco-travelers

Seblat  Elephant Training Center is one of the choices for eco-travelers to visit the province of Bengkulu.  This training center is located in northern part of  Bengkulu city, about 120 km away and can be reached within four to five hours of driving. Before reaching the camp, visitors must across the river of more than 25 m width.  Crossing the river with wooden canoe or with an elephant are very challenging and thrilling.  Visitors are allowed to stay overnight and this camp, of course, in a wooden camp.  This training center allows their visitors to have direct interaction with all the ‘trainees’. In companion with the trainers, visitors could  feel the sensation of  feeding the elephants, bathing them, as well as riding it to have a jungle tour and crossing the river.  

Bengkulu is suitable for eco-travelers

It is a common knowlegde that the province of Bengkulu is covered by almost 45 % of tropical rainforest. This unvaluable ecological ecosystem provides a magnificent biodiversity, in which people could find a wdie range of plant and animal diversity. This conservation area also serves as unique ecosystem in which people will find many endemic species, both plants and animals, also very wonderful natural arboretums as well as other unforgetable natural experiences. The availability of more than 500 km coastal areas along the western part of Sumatera island is complementary important to support the ecologically based tourism of this province. Both coastal and marine ecosystems provide a very good enchanting natural beauty and biodiversity. Since people of Bengkulu comprises of many different ethnic groups, the wonderful cultural diversity of this province which will definitely support the eco-based traveling. Travelers should be intentionally expose themselves to this unique social life, visiting villagers, staying with them for a week, and get involved in villagers social activities. Several historical sites are also easily visited and make your visit become unforgettable, including the biggest fort in South East Asia. Make sure the travelers get experienced the local cuisines, practice traditional performances, as well as experiencing traditional gold mining method. Please make a trip to Bengkulu, I believe you will get a wonderful experiences of how people in different part of this planet make and enjoy their live.

Jamik Moqsue of Bengkulu

ozi, 2012

This unique mosque is located in the center of  City of Bengkulu. It was originally established during the 19th century using wooden materials and leafy roof, and then get renovated by the local people using cemented wall and zinced roof.  In 1938, this mosque was redesigned by the Sukarno, the first president of of Republic Indonesia, during his stay in Bengkulu, especially on the roof style as shown in the picture. It seems that the roof construction was influenced by the Javanese architecture, known as joglo, which allows the building to have more air circulation.  

At the present time, this mosque is remained to have Sukarno's design and becomes one of the landmark in Bengkulu.  If you have time to visit, you will admit that this mosque is a very comfortable mosque to have your daily pray (zie).

Bengkulu & Singapore

We might wonder why we can find Bencoolen street or Bencoolen hotel in Singapore. Bencoolen stands for Bengkulu anayway. These two areas were historically connected one to another. It was the Treaty of London, signed in London, on March 17, 1824. The area of Bengkulu was redeemed by the Dutch territory to the British as part of the Treaty.  One of the clause in this agreement explains that Dutch surrender to the British occupation of Singapore. Secondly, Britain handed its trading office in Bengkulu  (Fort Marlborough) and the entire ownership on the island of Sumatra to the Netherlands and will not be set up representative offices on the island of Sumatra, or make any rule arrangements with the local people. This treaty was initiated by the Sir Stamford Raffles who was assigned as the Governor of British port in Bengkulu, Malborough in 1818. He successfully convinced East India Companies  that the British Government need to establish a new strategic port in South East Asia. 

Call for Paper: Pro-poor Seminar & Workshop

Poverty is not about money, it is about every single aspects of human daily live, It could be about mindset and attitude, or about the quality of living environment, or may be about education, or any other things related to human being existence. Poverty is the responsible of every scientist. Please note this workshop, will be held in Bengkulu, try to integrally discuss the poverty eradication issues. The University of Bengkulu proudly host The 3rd International Seminar of Regional Network on Poverty Eradication 2012 with the theme of "Has Application of University Initiatives Addressed Local or Regional Poverty Eradication?", which will be held on October 15th to October 17th, 2012.

What is it?

Owl of Enggano

http://www.planetofbirds.com

http://www.planetofbirds.com/Master/STRIGIFORMES/Strigidae/pics/Enggano%20Scops%20Owl.gif

Student's arboretum area

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This picture was taken in the campus of University of Bengkulu, last month, described the student activity to conserve the green part of their campus. I can not provide any details of their collections, but the student efforts to initiate a campus arboretum is deserved to get  great appreciation. It is possible that a small portion of our daily oxygen comes from this mini arboretum.

Ritual Ngampung Semangat Padi

The people in Sungai Ipuh village, district Selagan Raya,  Muko Muko,  has a unique tradition to pray for their planted rice when the rice reach the age of one month, two months, and when the rice starts to fill, ie, by reading Yasin (a particular part of Holybook of Al Qur’an) around their rice fields and then praying to the Al-Mighty for blessing and successful rice production.  The ritual, called Ngampung Semangat Padi, is carried out together. After praying, all the participants as well the key people in the village dance Antak-Antak (like a jumping dance).  This dance is expected boost their spirit, morale and commitment in rice farming.  The level of their spirit  is believed to affect the ‘spirit’ of the rice to grow so well and hence to produce abundant of grains. Finished dancing, they enjoy the special meal prepared for this tradition, namely Jamba, which contains rice with three ducks, three bowls of rice, and yellow rice. (Source RB, 03/03/12)

Another Suspension Bridge

zie, 2012

zie. 2012

Believe it or not, this suspension bridge is located in the City of Bengkulu, connecting Kelurahan Rawamakmur with Kelurahan Tanjung Agung.  This bridge is designed for pedestrians, and to some degree the bi-cyclists. The condition of this bridge is not too bad, but I doubt if ten people at once walk onto this bridge will safely across it. I would say this bridge is the symbol of creativity rather than poverty.

Wall of creativity

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If you walk aloong the beach, from Tapak Paderi to Pantai Zakat in the City of Bengkulu you will find this wall of creativity. These paintings deliver so many messages from environmental issues to social issues. It is very good idea to have such organized hand-creativity  rather than pictures of vandalism.

Suspension bridge : Simple & work well

zie, 2012

I believe many people might think this old-fashioned bridge, suspension bridge, is no longer existed.  Indeed, this type of bridge is widely used in the province of Bengkulu to connect many isolated areas around the province. Some of them come in very narrow width, to solely fit pedestrians or bicycle. Others could allow the mini van to across the bridge  for agricultural mobility.

Fort Marlborough

Courtesy of D. Cahyadi (2011)