Young Master Liem
By: the story of Bengkulu

As promised, this time I want a story about a trip to Bengkulu. Before leaving, because we are in the pandemic Covid-19, of course, there is a health procedure that must be passed, namely Rapid test:

And here's the result:

Because it has been proven negative, then I then make a flight to Bengkulu by going through a rapid test verification process at the airport first.

Well, finally arrived in Bengkulu, this is the city:

As soon as I arrived, I was reminded again that Bengkulu was the city of the discovery of rare flowers “Raflessia Arnorldi” or also called carrion flowers. But locals say, this flower is only in the highlands and the place to move. After all, the flower rarely appears in the rainy season, more in the dry season.

The airport in Bengkulu is named Soekarno Fatmawati Airport, because Bengkulu is the hometown of Fatmawati Mother, wife of President Soekarno. Here is the story:

In 1943 Bung Karno married Fatmawati, and therefore Fatmawati is still in Bengkulu, while Bung Karno was busy with activities in Jakarta as the leader of Pusat Tenaga Rakyat (PUTERA), the marriage was done with the representative of one of Bung Karno's relatives, Opseter Sardjono.

On June 1, 1943, Fatmawati was escorted by her parents to Jakarta, by road, since then Fatmawati accompanied Bung Karno in the struggle to achieve Indonesian independence.

Along the way, of course the scenery is different from in Java. In Bengkulu there are still many areas in the form of forests, and there are also rice fields and oil palm plantations. But what is quite unique is, in Bengkulu there is an area called Semarang Village. Because some of the people who live in Bengkulu are immigrants from Java. Until now, Bengkulu also still counted sparsely populated areas.

My destination was to the town of Arga Makmur, about 2 hours away by car from the airport. Well to get to the city of Arga Makmur, I have to pass through the hills that the road uphill and winding. Then there is a bridge that is still made of wood, under which there is a swift river flow. To be able to pass through this wooden bridge, vehicles must be in line. Because the condition of the bridge is also not so strong and sturdy, so if you go through it must be deg-deg an donk.:(.

The uphill and winding journey in the hilly area with views of mountains and forests will also make us dizzy if or drunk on land if not accustomed.

But after reaching the city of Arga Makmur, we will find a blue sky, a quiet area, and clean air, like a city hidden behind a mountain.

This city is a safe area from Covid, because it is relatively quiet. This is a photo of the scenery in the middle of the city:

So being in this city, the atmosphere is like lockdown or PSBB, even though there is not enforced PSBB. Near the roundabout was an inn called Hotel Roundaran, where I stayed for 3 days, 2 nights.

In the morning, this is the atmosphere that I photographed from the terrace of his hotel room:

With a view of the blue sky and clean air, I took the time to drink coffee and read books that have become my daily habit. It is good to drive away fatigue during life in the city, making the soul fresh again. Understandably, during the pandemic I could not picnic to distant places.

On the second day, I went on a mission to attend a wedding, which of course ran the applicable health protocols. I wear a kebaya like Sweet Hehe...

At first I wanted to be able to sing Ed Sheeran's song “perfect” for both brides, but I saw the musical tastes of different residents, so I did not become a singer, so I did not become a singer, I just heard people who were so confident contributing the singing of the dhangdut songs that they could.

It turns out there is a dhangdut song that I find interesting, actually an old song, but somehow I just heard it now, here are the lyrics:

Eat Heart

Musician: Rita Sugiarto

Why is it good looking to eat heart

Long time dead suicide

Let's be ugly just love to death

Poor but rich

Let's be ugly, honey

Poor rich heart

What good is good looking if you are a mind

What good is a palace like hell

Than I languish

Life always suffers

Better to simple

Origin of happy living

It seems like this song is very representative of the feelings of the locals, who if I see it they look peaceful and simple, but also happy. Because they seem to like singing and joking, and confident.

For those who crave a sense of nostalgia like the 80s or 90s, can stop by this city, because the natural conditions and residents remind me of the past, when the community is still relatively relaxed, because the natural conditions and people are still relatively relaxed, with a natural landscape. Feel time traveling.

In the morning when I want to go home there is a strong wind, at that time the air is also cold. That's why I catch a cold.

After completing the mission, I was ready to go home the next day. On the way back to the airport, I had time through Fort Marlborough, it turns out Bengkulu had been colonized by England, so there is a British fort there.

In addition, I also passed “Long Beach”, actually this beach is the Indian Ocean, the high seas that if we continue to sail westward, then we can get to Africa. The weather was not good, so I did not go to the beach. Because the air is cold, the wind is quite strong and the waves are relatively large.

But I had stopped by a restaurant located across the beach that serves seafood. Frankly, I like the cuisine, because the flavor is relatively pronounced and the ingredients used are very fresh. Like fish, squid and fresh air, maybe because the material is immediately purchased in the newly caught condition of the sea.

As for buying souvenirs typical of Bengkulu, can be purchased near the Fatmawati Museum. The typical souvenirs of Bengkulu that I bought yesterday in the form of Calamansi orange syrup (this syrup tastes fresh), honey, fish crackers and knitting bags, I happen to be a fan of bags :)

So long ago the story, actually I wanted to be able to walk, but because of limited time and health conditions and weather that did not allow that time, eating I could only stop by and pass for a while. Fortunately, the weather had to fly to Jakarta again, although cloudy, but still relatively safe to pass.