Participants Gowes Journalism 2011

To the motor driver, car, or truck from Jakarta, do not rush yes sir drivers in the journey, which is important Alon-Alon kelakon origin. "The voice was often heard from the Jami al-Amin Mosque opposite Domestic Hotel, where the team Gowes Journalism: Line Monitor Mudik Jakarta-Surabaya in 2011 to stay in Pamanukan, West Java, on Saturday (07/16/2011) morning.

Pamanukan is one area that is currently still listed as an accident-prone route in the northern coastal strip. Based on observations of Journalism Gowes team, enter the area until Pamanukan Cibitung, indeed some of the main road pantura still much damaged and bumpy, among them road Kalimas Commerce Street, East Bekasi; Kalimalang Road, Front SD 03 Tahmid, Cibitung; and in front of SDN 4 in Road Mayangan Mulyasari, Pamanukan.

Wahyudi (27), one grocer, in front of SDN 4 Pamanukan, said the damaged road is indeed often take its toll. "Often a motorist crashed through this pathway, especially if the night," he said.

Meanwhile, not far from the location Hotel Domestic, it appears some workers from the Department of Highways Cikampek fix damaged road on the right path Pamanukan-Cirebon. Yapto (34), one of the workers, revealing, along the route Pamanukan-Lohbener (40 km), there are about hundreds of waypoints that are malfunctioning. "The average potholes and bumpy, probably because it is often skipped the bus or big-big trucks," said Yapto when asked about the cause of damage to the road.

"Moreover, now want to come Lebaran, would have a lot of vehicles through here. So we patched now," he added.

Furthermore, Yapto added, the situation along the bad roads Pamanukan path if it will be gripping the evening. "Because along this pantura many do not have streetlights. So, if the rider is not careful, it could be dangerous," said Yapto.

Gowes journalistic team also had a chance to feel the situation when driving a car when the evacuation on Friday night to the first check point at the Hotel Domestic. Street lights are dead motorist makes visibility difficult. Moreover, coupled with a dimmer spotlight vehicles from opposite directions that make the eyes glare.

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Yellow Duck entourage in Pantura

The first President of the Republic of Indonesia, once said, "Duck walk in groups, but the eagle flies alone." That is more or less a leader is often on my own, while those who went along with more guts and less likely to brave crowded.

However, in the context of salvation together in a long tour, run together often times safer. Besides being more easily seen by other road users, in case of damage or difficulty, can be handled together.

According to Marta Murfeni, one of the cyclists participating athletes in Gowes Journalism: Path Monitor Mudik 2011 Jakarta-Surabaya, walking together in a fairly close distance is a safe choice if through the north coast (pantura), such as Saturday (16 / 7 / 2011) was passed by team cyclists.

"Our point today is filled with large vehicles are driving at high speed. So, the better we walked together in close quarters so much easier to see other road users," Marta said before the team departed from Pamanukan.

In addition to adjacent cycling, cyclists whose color attribute striking also helps to be more visible. Fortunately pannier bag cover provided outdoor gear manufacturers Eiger bright yellow. In addition, other equipment supplied Eiger, such as jackets and bags of water, equipped with reflectors so easily visible when exposed to light.

That choice was appropriate given the track was notorious pantura. Most large vehicles take the right lane when passing pantura so that the left lane is often used other vehicles speeding to overtake. In fact, on the far left lane was a place for small vehicles, like motorcycles and bicycles.

Not infrequently cyclists who had been in tight left-most lane was forced down until the shoulder of the road because of the thinness of the distance between penyalip with the road. Repeatedly intercity buses honking loudness as if shouting to us aside from the street. However, it is still a profit because they see where the group means cyclists. The group that runs together like a flock of yellow ducks in the coastal strip north!

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Tomb of Sunan County Mayor

Tomb of Sunan Gunung Jati or Syarif Hidayatullah in Cirebon is a very interesting visit of religious tourism. Moreover, as one member of the Walisongo, Sunan Gunung Jati had an important role in spreading Islam in Java.

Towards the month of Ramadan, the pilgrims experienced tremendous surge. In fact, a spacious parking lot in the village of Astana, where the tomb, can be full for 24 hours per day. When the team Gowes Journalism: Path Monitor Mudik 2011 from Kompas.com visited the tomb, the visitors came from various regions in July 2011. In fact, there is one group who came from Papua for the pilgrimage.

Unfortunately, visitors often feel uncomfortable. Once out of the car or bus, they are visited by people claiming to be a guide. He is ready to take visitors to the subtle seduction, flirt, as if visitors can not be anything if it entered the tomb complex without his help.

Approaching the gate of the tomb, the visitors are immediately attacked the children who ask for money. They are also often forced, even tugging at clothes.

After that, several adults standing to bring a box on the path to the tomb. They ask for donations by way of bluffing. "The love of money was here!" so their tricks, as if giving them money is a liability. In fact, there was no instruction from any government agency.

So many people are asking, so visitors often feel uncomfortable or annoyed. They sometimes extend a hand to block the incoming visitor before giving money.

Only after that, visitors could enter and pray at the tomb complex. However, they can only reach the front door to the tomb of Sunan Gunung Jati.

Could go to the tomb of Sunan Gunung Jati?

The guide can guarantee. They will bring visitors to the jacks or the chairman of the tomb. Kompas.com also brought a guide, Hadi, facing jacks. There, there have been several mothers. We also talked a lot about history.

Later, Mr. Huri, jacks the grave, offered to give access to the tomb of Sunan to us, as well as some mothers.

"To enter the tomb of Sunan, there must be permission from the Sultan of Cirebon. I can represent him. Yes, of course there is a dowry. It's for the maintenance of the grave and deposited into the palace," said Huri.

We also asked her about how her dowry. "Oh, that's up to you, seikhlasnya," he replied.

We assert again, usually people pay how much. He again replied, "usually pay $ 1 million, but there is also a pay USD 300 thousand. In fact, there are also pay $ 3 million," he explained.

A member of the Task Force (security) who refused to be named said that dowry is already a kind of obligation to get into the main tomb of Sunan Gunung Jati. Therefore, the tomb is need care.

But about the people who beg in front of the tomb, he says, is already banned. He served to curb it, but trouble.

"Sometimes we even despised citizens that curb the requester. They were never caught by the police to be fostered, but a week later the requester hose crowded again. Now, I can only keep so they do not enter the tomb complex," he said.

Regardless, visited the tomb of Sunan Gunung Jati is quite interesting. In addition to broad their area, this tomb has a great history. At least, we can recall the struggle of Sunan Gunung Jati in spreading Islam and against the presence of European colonialism.

Only, still need tips. If you do not need a guide, visitors can immediately reject it from scratch. It could be said that we are used to enter without a guide.

Then, if the journey surrounded by children asking for money, can be directly rejected and continued walking. Even if do not want to contribute to the adults who also intercepted, we can directly melewatu them, ignoring bluff. Because, after all they were merely bluffing as he sometimes hit the table.

"If you do not want you donation to them, just ignored. Do not look at them and continue walking straight into the tomb complex," said the task force.

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Palace and Fish in Fabric

Batik Cirebon on the rise in recent years. Bright colors and motifs typical of coastal batik lure fans. Though the origin of batik Cirebon not new. Typical history of Cirebon batik can be traced to the Sunan Gunung Jati.
Many tourists who come to learn. We'll provide a handkerchief-sized cloth and we teach and how to make batik motifs.
- Katura

Come into Trusmi Village, Cirebon, West Java. Trusmi village famous as the village of batik. The village is mentioned sebagat sights batik. This is where the center of a typical Cirebon batik crafters. To reach this area, simply directing vehicles to the market Plered then look for the signpost that read "Attraction Shopping Trusmi Batik".

No wonder, batik from this region was often referred to as batik Trusmi. Rows of batik galleries enliven the right side and left the village of Trusmi. Some galleries also concurrently batik factory or workshop. One of the famous batik crafters Trusmi is Katura. Batik business owned by his family that has passed through several generations.

He himself has been making batik from the age of 11 years. Now, he's almost the age of 60 years. Katura often touted as Cirebon batik artist. The various awards he has received. One is an award Upakarti in 2009. The award was given directly by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. He received Upakarti for his services in the field of conservation efforts batik industry.

One way to preserve batik what he did was to set up a batik studio. Everyone who wants to learn batik Trusmi can stop by and practice at the studio. In fact, the studio that was open to tourists.

"Many tourists who come to learn. We'll provide a handkerchief-sized cloth and we teach and how to make batik motifs. Though just a moment and just know, but it also attempts to preserve," said Katura.

Any orders that come not only from local but also foreign tourists. Recently, Katura received orders from Japan. Interestingly, all of batik is batik Katura production. Imagine the time required for each sheet of cloth. Of course, the price is quite expensive when compared to batik. It is precisely this that the target of collectors batik.

"Our specialty is the thin lines are fine. This characteristic of batik Cirebon. But rarely has begun that could make this as smooth lines. Because of the need patience, persistence, and meticulous. While now an important and fast so much," he said, pointed to the fine line in one of the batik work. Sure enough, the line is very smooth and neat.

Ivory color is also a distinctive color of batik Cirebon. Katura said Cirebon batik usually wear bright colors as the background fabric like white or yellowish. While the main line and color for each ornament using a darker color. Cirebon batik ornaments fish typically display to show the batik motifs typical of coastal areas.

Meanwhile, several other motifs using these ornaments to show two royal palace of Cirebon Keraton Keraton Kasepuhan and Kanoman. Some motifs and motifs such as Singa Barong Batik Mega Overcast show palace of Cirebon. In addition, Katura explain two typical ornaments mega Cirebon is shaped like a cloud and Wadasan or rock.

"If Wadasan there are usually at the bottom of the fabric. Megawati at the top, horizontal shape," he said.

According to the classical ornament of Katura's batik Cirebon. However, it's been a lot of demand for ornaments dikreasikan. For example mega made in the form of vertical.

Whatever it is, beauty Trusmi batik batik successfully tempt fans. In fact, in the front area when entering the area contained sebuat Trusmi extensive batik shop. This store holds a variety of clothing produced from Cirebon batik batik crafters Trusmi. You can stop by the store to buy batik-batik Trusmi. Another exciting option is to browse the aisles at the Village Trusmi and see for themselves the process of making batik Trusmi.

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Docang Cirebon, Food The Guardian

Culinary Cirebon is very rich in food appetizing. Empal keg, jamblang rice, satay Gejrot bats to know in the city's Shrimp.

However, when hear the name of the Fenty Prawiraatmadja Docang, public relations Grage Hotel, where the team Gowes stay, the team Gowes Journalism: Path Monitor Mudik Jakarta-Surabaya 2011 mengeryitkan eyebrows, because it had never heard of these foods.

Intrigued, the team then headed Gowes Docang Mother's Warung Wiwi (54) at Jalan Kesambi, Cirebon, West Java. That simple shop was crowded visitors on Saturday (16/07/2011) night.

According to the owner, it stands for peanut docang dibodo (dibacem) or tempeh cake. "It's food, healthy cholesterol-free, do not wear all the vegetables and meat offal fat," said Mrs. Wiwin already selling docang for 12 years.

Docang made of sliced ​​rice cake is small, sprinkled with grated young coconut, cassava leaves mixed with slices of boiled sprouts. Then poured the hot sauce that contains dage (a type oncom) are destroyed, so it floats on top of sauce.

Just before serving, sprinkled with small crackers are white, so it makes sense savory increasingly felt on the tongue. "If that makes it less skilled could gravy bitter taste, from the leaves of cassava," said Mrs. Wiwin that sells every day at 15.00 am until 03.00 am that.

While slice rice cake onto a plate, Ms. Wiwin tell interesting stories about the origins of the creation of these foods. It turned out that the origins Docang started since the time of the guardians.

It is said, there was a prince who hated the trustees for spreading Islam in the corners of Java. Prince was planning to poison the trustees.

"The prince is making a new type of food from the leftovers of the Sultan who is not exhausted. After that he hidangkannya to the saints who were gathered in the Great Mosque of Sultan of Cirebon," the story of Mother Wiwin.

Finally, evil plan worked. Docang who presented it was eaten by the Wali. But miraculously, the poison mixed into docang had no effect. In fact, after eating docang it, the trustees actually liked the food.

"So until now the food is still a typical food Cirebon because food is known as the guardian. Moreover, if before the fasting and the Birth of the Prophet Muhammad, the merchant must have a lot docang gathered in the surrounding Great Mosque, and the palace, because the tradition has always been like that, "he said.

So, if you visit the city of Cirebon, do not forget to try the guardian of this favorite food. Very fitting for the delicious taste in the morning or evening. Moreover, the price is very cheap, only Rp 5,000 a serving.

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Thistle beach is a tourist icon Pemalang

Evening has arrived and the night will change. While the anglers are still busy fishing on the edge of the beach Thistle, Pemalang. They are fishing is not for sale but it is to be used as a side dish. Thistle beach is a tourist icon Pemalang district, Central Java.

Actually not too extensive coastline. If you plan to pass through the area and intend Pemalang after Lebaran come to this beach, then be prepared to be surprised. During Lebaran, this beach will be very full of visitors. So solid by locals and tourists. Nan Java Sea off became the main panorama.

Visitors can watch the sunrise and sunset at this beach. Grilled fish stalls are also increasingly pamper visitors. This attraction is perfect for families because there are a variety of waterpark rides games for kids.

Unfortunately, when Kompas.com stop at the beach, some sites are very dirty. This beach has the usual cliches problems faced by other beaches in Indonesia. Especially if the problem was not trash. Trash becomes destructive scenery. Especially in times crowded.

Solihin, one angler in this coastal region also deplored the beach is so dirty. "Happens to visitors who come can be reduced," he said.

In Pemalang also famous for its penchant of its citizens to ride a bike. Therefore, do not forget to stop by the bike market Pemalang. The distance is quite close to the beach Thistle. Pemalang bike market on the agenda must when you are a fan of bicycle.

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