Blackheath Autumn

Sydney, 15 May 2017

Last Sunday, I went to Blackheath, a small town in Blue Mountain. I decided to go there after I saw my friend's posts on his Instagram. He went there in the previous week to see autumn leaves. His pics were so beautiful. So, last Sunday I went there by myself despite the forecast said it was going to rain on that day. Blue Mountain is only two hours away by train from Sydney Central station.

From the train, I can see some trees turned very colourful along the way. I was so excited. I wish Australia's native vegetation were all deciduous so I could see more autumn colours in the vast Blue Mountain tableland. Only trees that were originally brought by British colonists from Europe are deciduous in Australia. The rests are evergreen even during winter.

Blackheath station is only two stations after Katoomba station. I took 9 am train and I arrived in Blackheath around 11-ish am or so. The weather was so cold even though it was in the midday since it was so cloudy. It was only 8 degree Celsius. But luckily it was not raining as it was predicted. Nonetheless, I couldn't see the clear blue sky and warm autumn sun.

The Blackheath town is very small. It is only a size of a village. I crossed the road in front of the station and walked along the street. The sidewalk were busy with some visitors, mostly Australians (but it was not as busy as Katoomba, probably this town is much less popular than Katoomba, which is good so I can enjoy the scenery peacefully). The main road was filled with some souvenir shops and cafes. There are also some fruits and veggies shops and some book shops.

Behind the block, there is a very long lane, lying from north to south, called Wentworth Street. The street was filled with red autumn colour from the Maple trees planted on both side of the street. It was super beautiful since I have never seen a very long road filled with all autumn trees like this before. The north side trees were starting to lose their leaves. I walked a little further to southern side and I found the trees were still full of yellow and red leaves. I recommend you to go tho this side since less people visit this area yet the tress are bigger and denser.

I really enjoyed my trip this time despite I went there alone. Sometimes when I travel with other people, we disagree on something or some of us become selfish. However I wish I can go here again with some best friends or some people I love. This is a place worth to visit during autumn. It is just beautiful, even more beautiful than Kyoto's autumn.

P.S. I ended up with over-contrast pictures during post-editing. I was in the train going back to Sydney when I edited the pics. I couldn't see the colour accurately since my phone displays washed by the sun ray that appeared after the cloudy day.

Tasikmalaya Chicken Porridge

Sydney, 9 May 2017

I have been in dieting for 3 weeks already. I only eat my lunch and very rarely have my dinner. Sometimes, I just have some fruits for my dinner, but sometimes I am too lazy to go downstairs to have one. I am doing this because he said he will be happy if I am in a proportional weight. I am feeling that my diet works quite well since most of my clothes now are a little bit bigger for me. 

But this makes me fond about food every night. I miss all Indonesian foods since foods in here are plain and tasteless. Just like now, I suddenly miss Indonesian traditional chicken porridge. I remember the best chicken porridge I have ever had in my life is when I was visiting my grandparents' house in Tasikmalaya, long long time ago when I was in second grade of primary school (and it was eventually my last time visiting there). I know that Tasikmalaya's porridge is very famous, but I think it was so delicious for me at that time because I wasn't lucky enough to always have good foods during my childhood.

source: google image seach

However, it later opens my childhood memory. I can remember every detail of my childhood memory very vividly when I was there. I even still remember the complete address of the house. So from there, I search the house through google street view. The road was cement pathway with a water drainage in the middle filled with gavels, I remember some neighbours' house facades and my grandparents' front yard. I remember the surroundings and where the road goes to.With my detective skills, I am sure I have found the house I am looking for.

Then I remember when my father brought me to that house. As a kid, I thought I was so loved at that time. Then, I remember all the stories that my mom told me when we lived in that house. She told me that my grandma told her to send us to orphanage instead. I remember the story that my sister told me when she was left in that house for couple months to finish her education. She told me she was treated discriminately to other grandchildren. Those are heartbreaking stories that I could never imagine in my own life. I understand the pain they have now. My mom said to me, she wants to visit this house again with dignity. She wants to show them all the mockery and rejections she got have made her success now. But for me, she does not need to go there. She has shown them already.

A History Has Made Today by Indonesians

Sydney, 9 May 2017

Today I just heard a shocking news from my country that Basuki Tjahja Purnama is finally sentenced guilty and punished with 2 years of jail. I wouldn't say he is the most innocent person in the world, but he clearly does not deserve the punishment. 

This case has shown me who the real hypocrites are. I have promised to myself to think positively. I wouldn't say too much about the religion which has put him to jail. More importantly, he has shown me how to be a brave person, be a gentleman, to have a patriotic soul, and to stay strong in the middle of hatred and discrimination. Indonesia has written a history today and I believe he has been a hero for the next generation.