my travel blog

In between paid works and life enjoyment, I've covered some events, festivals, and dives. Have a look at my last adventures through these blog posts.
April 21, 2021

Metatah (tooth filing) ceremony in Tulamben – II The ceremony

At last, one by one, we laid on the bed and had our tooth filled. There were 14 of us, and I was, by far, the older. First, one prays. Then, lays down and gets a piece of sugarcane to bite. Then, the filers proceed, in increments. We can check our appearance and ask for more (which I did) or leave it as it is.
April 21, 2021

Metatah (tooth filing) ceremony in Tulamben – I Preparation

Jewelry is fake, though it still shines on pictures. For the girls, it all seemed outstanding and they were enthusiastic. Make up artists were quite mediocre. I guess they were also cheap. Contrary to Westerners, they weren't trying to hide defects or beautify faces. The idea, as much as I could understand, was to print some sort of mask over their faces - totally disregarding shapes and characters.
April 22, 2020

Diving in Tulamben III – Wide Angle

Despite the enormous popularity of USAT Liberty Wreck (read more about it in here and here) Tulamben isn’t, probably, the first pick for an underwater wide angle shooter. In […]
March 22, 2020

Diving in Tulamben II – Black Water

Tulamben has great potential for blackwater diving, though it hasn’t yet been conveniently explored. Ocean floor drops deep very quickly and there is the Lombok straight current bringing many critters into these waters, which surface at night.
August 10, 2019

Festival Pesona Tulamben

On an effort to attract tourists to Tulamben, there was the Festival Pesona Tulamben, (9-10) August 2019, with a few activities like the jukung boat race: […]
July 21, 2019

Jatiluwih rice terraces

They are becoming quite touristic, with a fee that must be payed on the main access road and increasing prices on accommodation and food. On the other hand, the trails are clean (and clearly identified) and there are options for different levels of stamina. With a little research you can even avoid most hiking (if, like me, you are carrying heavy equipment, or are just lazy) and access the most interesting points by motorbike.
March 3, 2019

Pasola festival in Sumba, Indonesia

It started before sunrise, when the “Ratus” (holy men, in Marapu religion) gather at Wanukaka beach, along with a considerable crowd. They all come to fetch the Nyale (a worm named Palola viridis – a Polychaeta species whose reproduction involves involves mass spawning on a few specific days,
December 20, 2018

Zhuhai and Hong-Kong

Eating was an interesting experience, as well: I remember going to a sushi place where the shrimp were still alive when served, fish was immaculate and tasty, prices were comparably cheap, and atmosphere was sober and appropriate. The funny part was, when the desserts came, they looked (and tasted) like junk food. A nonsense, among such exquisite fishes and sea-food.
August 27, 2018

Ijen – active volcano in Java, Indonesia

If you want to enjoy the full experience and avoid the crowds (as much as possible, not entirely), arrive at your homestay early afternoon. Sleep until dinner, which would be around 7:00 pm. Try to rest or sleep until midnight. Bring warm clothing even if you believe it’s gonna be warm – it won’t! It’s always cold and windy, as you’re waiting for sunrise at the rim. You will be lucky if it doesn’t rain.  Also bring mountain boots (specially if you intend to go down to the crater).
July 31, 2018

Laos – from Pakse to the South

Be aware that there are two islands with a similar name: Don Khon (which is the backpacker island accessible through the Historic Bridge, from Don Det), and Don which is bigger, accessible from the mainland through a new concrete bridge and where nothing really happens. 
July 31, 2018

Laos – From Vientiane to Luang Prabang

Laos is all about quietness, about time spent slowly –  you’ll probably look at things and feel them in a way that is different than elsewhere. If ever you book a trip to Laos, don’t get the mistake of trying to see all cities, monuments and attractions in a short period of time – they are not that impressive! What makes it worthwhile is to spend time somewhere – anywhere!
July 30, 2018

“One Night in Bangkok”

Kao-San Road, the popular backpacker night party and meeting place, had also its share of street food, from fragrant pork meat, to many different curries, skewers, pad-thais (stir-fried rice noodles), Som Tam (green papaya salads) and everything in between. For insect tasting I really don’t recommend it, as they’re not fried on site, and mostly taste like “old frying pan”.
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