jo marie's libud fotobloggeri

Timor-Leste Countryside

2010-05-19T13:54:00.002+08:00

Jelly Fish

2010-03-07T23:47:00.000+08:00

A Taste of Balinese Culture

2009-04-07T16:44:00.000+08:00

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-17T13:51:00.000+08:00

Just Found Nemo

2008-12-16T15:52:00.002+08:00

Poco-Poco Dance

2008-08-12T09:42:00.001+08:00

Traditional Sugar Bar Making (Gulah Mera Making)

2008-05-01T08:49:00.001+08:00

Expressions

2008-05-01T08:05:00.000+08:00

Kenangan Terindah by Maumere Kids feat Jo

2008-04-28T23:51:00.000+08:00

Twilight in Lamalera

2008-04-28T00:56:00.001+08:00

Journey to Lamalera: The Traditional Whale Hunting Village of Indonesia

2008-04-27T23:31:00.002+08:00

Journey to Lamalera: The Traditional Whale Hunting Village of Indonesia (Part 1) by Jo & Ros

2008-04-27T23:01:00.002+08:00

Journey to Lamalera: The Traditional Whale Hunting Village of Indonesia (part 2) by Jo & Ros

2008-04-27T22:43:00.001+08:00

Tenun Ikat of Bliran Sena, Watublapi, Sikka, Flores, Indonesia

2008-04-27T21:39:00.001+08:00

Traditional Ceremony called Gren Mahe- Desa Kringa, Sikka, Flores, Indonesia

2008-04-27T21:02:00.001+08:00

Libud sa Singapore (2)

2008-04-27T19:52:00.002+08:00

Malling in Manila

2008-04-27T19:00:00.000+08:00

Candi Borubudor & Candi Prambanan

2008-04-27T12:57:00.000+08:00

Dinner @ Bonsai Cafe, Sanur, Bali

2008-04-27T00:25:00.001+08:00

with new VSO volunteers in Indonesia
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Sunset in Maumere, Flores, Indonesia

2008-04-27T00:03:00.001+08:00

Larantuka's Landscape

2008-04-26T23:45:00.000+08:00

Good Friday Procession in Larantuka, East Flores, Indonesia

2008-04-26T23:21:00.001+08:00

Good Friday in Larantuka, East Flores, Indonesia

2008-04-26T22:32:00.002+08:00

Birds at Bali Bird Park

2008-04-26T22:00:00.000+08:00

Lightings

2008-04-26T21:27:00.001+08:00

Kelimutu: Three Colured Craters

2008-01-23T14:59:00.000+08:00

Bena Traditional Village

2008-01-23T14:54:00.000+08:00

Meery Christmas!

2007-12-19T18:51:00.000+08:00

Merry Christmas! Pasko na Naman!

It's my second Christmas here in Flores, Indonesia. I will be spending the holiday in Ruteng with some Filipino friends.

I truly miss the Christmas atmosphere in the Philippines.

Seeing Komodo Dragon

2007-09-19T07:42:00.000+08:00

Riding MagLev in Shanghai

2007-01-06T16:41:00.000+08:00

for a 30 km distance, it only took me 8 minutes from Pudong International Airport to LongYang Maglev station,downtown Shanghai. The one-way trip is 50 Yuan. At the ground floor of Long Yang Station is a maglev museum.

MagLev or magnetic levitation, a german technology, uses the basic principles of magnets to replace the old steel wheel and track trains....more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maglev_train and

more pictures from

http://home.wangjianshuo.com/archives/20030809_pudong_airport_maglev_in_depth.htm

There's a Maglev Museum at the

Around Beijing

2007-01-06T14:42:00.000+08:00

Going around central Beijing by bike is a nice experience. I feel i'm one of them (chinese).

I rented one from my Hostel although the deposit is quite big 300 yuan.

Reminder: Don't bring a bike when you want to enter the Forbidden City/Imperial Palace after lunch. I didn't realize that the palace is soooooo big. I parked the bike in the east entrance. It was already 5 pm when I finished the museum tour inside (lots of them). I have to exit at the opposite end ( north or south gate) and have to get back to east entrance where I parked my bike.

with my favorite Jackie Chan

di ba katabi ko si Bill Gates

At the Temple of Heavens
part of Summer Palace

if your touring beijing, don't miss the Acrobat and Kung Fu shows. The Kung Fu show tels about its history. Both shows are very entertaining!

My 9k Walk: Great Wall of China

2007-01-06T13:09:00.000+08:00

At Jingshanling Entrance; the wall is well maintained.

You have to pay before you enter

I passed 30 towers before reaching Simatai Entrance The woman in blue hat accompanied me just after the driver dropped us in that small village.

She speaks english and tried to convince me to buy a shirt and/or a book from her.

Very expensive! She helped me when I almost fainted after an hour walk :)))

Amazing structure!
unmaintained part of the wall

I thought I won't be able to make it after two hours walk
some parts are already ruined; writings of soldiers on the wall (upper pix)
after 3 hours, I reached this hanging bridge almost near Simatai entrance
3o minutes later, I was in the parking lot. Success!

Manila's Intramuros: A Classic Site

2007-01-05T15:40:00.000+08:00

Calesa

Manila Cathedral

A Glimpse of a Village called Kajowain

2006-12-30T16:56:00.000+08:00

Our trip to a village called Kajowain was a very memorable one. Together with some members of the PRA Team of DAS NangaGete we braved ourselves to this remote village 60 kilometers away from my home base Maumere, Sikka, Flores, NTT, RI. Kajowain is one of the oldest villages in Talibura.

Playground of Lamalera's Kids

2006-12-30T16:37:00.000+08:00

(Lamalera is a traditional whale hunter's village in Indonesia)

Sidetrip to Candi Borobudur and Prambanan: World Heritage Sites

2006-12-26T10:23:00.000+08:00

Borobudur: Pathway to Enlightenment

http://www.pbs.org/treasuresoftheworld/

On the island of Java stands a mountain of a thousand statues...
surrounded by volcanoes, shrouded in mystery. In 1814, two hundred men cross the lush Kedu plains of Central Java to search out this legendary mountain near the small village of Boro. For six weeks, they slash and burn the choking vegetation. They clear away tons of volcanic ash. Hidden beneath the debris, they find strange figures carved in stone – thousands of them.The excavation of the monument, known as Borobudur, has been ordered by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the new British Governor of Java. Unlike the Dutch traders before him, Raffles is intrigued by the exotic stories and architecture of the Indonesian islands: "The antiquities of Java have not, till lately, excited much notice; nor have they yet been sufficiently explored. The pursuits of commerce have been too exclusive to allow there being much interest in the subject." Read more..

Candi Prambanan

I intentionally extended my stay in Jogjakarta after a week-long Annual Livelihoods Workshop held last Dec 11-15 2006 to visit the famous Borobudur. My Filipino volunteer friends made the trip more fun and really pinoy style.

Saturday morning (Dec. 16) before checking-out, we dipped ourselves (Me, Athena, Bec and Daisy) in Saphire Hotel's pool with Eunice a Kenyan volunteer based in Jogja.

Just before lunch we're onthe train station, and headed to Solo City where Rick Fajardo and Venus Samson ( with Disability Program V) both fellow pinoy volunteers, are based.

Why Solo? We have to accomodate the needs of some: Bec and Athena have to store their things/luggages in Rick's place and do some laundry before going around Java for the holidays. For me it is an opportunity to see Solo also and heard that it's a good place to shop for some Batiks; heeding Daisy's advise, so I can see Prambanan before going to Borobudur. And of course, its going to be cheap if your in a big company: total tour cost/no. of pax.

From the train station in Solo, we hired a bemo to bring our things to Rick's Place, then went immediately to Keraton (King's Palace), only to find out that it's almost closed. We only saw a portion of the palace.

From Keraton, we went to the batik market and made some price huggling. But it was worth it. Then we cooled ourselves in the mall and had dinner. Before going back to Rick's place we bought some stuff for breakfast ..ala pinoy...sardinas (sardines), daing/tuyo (dried fish), itlog (eggs) and noodles.

Sunday early morning Bec, our Nenek (nenek means grandmother in Indonesian. and we mean it as the most "senior "volunteer in the group and should be respected lol) stationed herself in front of a single burner stove of Rick, did the scrambled eggs and fried some dried fish (naglalaway na po ako/almost drooling).

Around 9:30 am, the group headed for Candi Prambanan.

Some parts were destroyed by the earthquake that hit the region last June 2006. It is being repaired right now.

After lunch, we went to Borubudor and stayed there until 5pm.

They have to bring me back to Jogjakarta before going back to Solo> I have to pick up my luggage from hotel saphir and to find a cheap hotel to stay for a night before flying back to Flores the following day.

...salamat Bec, Venus, Thena, Daisy and our only guy "Rick".

It was really fun being with you guys.

Faces of Kids

2006-09-21T18:46:00.000+08:00

Friends and Colleagues Visit Maumere, Sikka, Flores

2006-09-21T18:04:00.000+08:00

With the members of the CAG

Preparing for the instant videoke night. James, installing connections from my computer (with five videoke albums) to the sound system

With colleagues during an instant videoke night for Pak Priyo at Seaworld Club, Maumere.

The boys almost fell asleep because of the songs (mostly soft), but Samsons' "Naluri Lelaki" came to the rescue.

Bec extended her stay in Maumere.

We had a simple dinner in my place with Bec Coronado (in blue)

a fellow Filipino VSO Volunteer in Ruteng,

Manggarai, Flores.

Kelimutu: Three Craters, Three Colors

2006-09-21T16:53:00.000+08:00

The trip to Kelimutu took us three hours and 45 minutes from Maumere (by car). We left Maumere at 3am and reached the place around 5:45 (parking lot). We had to walk to the site for about 20 minutes (depending on the capacity:)).

Changing Land, Enduring Beliefs

Local people believe that souls and spirits come together at Kelimutu. When a person dies, their Soul or "Mae" leaves the village and comes here, to eternity. Souls must first come through Konde Ratu, the spirit gatekeeper. Depending on ....., young, old, or
evil.

As if the three deep cratered lake were dyed or painted. The water colors change without warning. Dissolving minerals in the water, and Kelimutu's volcanic life below the surface cause the colors of the three lakes to switch unexpectedly.

The moods of Kelimutu vary. Not only with the changing lake colors, but also with the weather. It is no wonder that this mystical place is the subject of long-lasting legends, passdown through generations of local villagers to whom this place is sacred.

This crater with a "coca cola" colored water lie beside the green colored crater

(upper left corner)
The crater above rests on the otherside of the peak, with dark brown colored lake.
The green (kelimutu green) crater.

Witnessing a Celebration in Talibura. ..25 years of Priesthood

2006-06-15T23:40:00.000+08:00

Special Mass of Fr. Dion at his birth place..

Talibura, Sikka, Flores

Sikka's Waves, Volcanoes, Coastlines and Mountains

2006-06-15T22:50:00.000+08:00

A morning site at the Akermi's

Mt. Egon
Waves of Palue
Coast Line in Western Part of Sikka

Snapshots...Sikka, Flores, NTT

2006-06-15T21:33:00.000+08:00

Pulao Palue

A Bamboo House on the Hill

with concrete tombs in the yard

Sumur (Water Well)

..a place for meeting friends..having fun

Snapshots of Sikka, Flores, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia

2006-06-15T21:06:00.000+08:00

PULAU PALUE

(Palue Island, Sikka, Flores, NTT-East Indonesia)

The Women....

in their beautiful Ikat Sarongs with different designs

My Co Learners-Bahasa Indonesia Lessons at I/A/L/F

2006-04-12T16:07:00.000+08:00

Nora Aban, MD Jo Libarnes

Bram Eindhoven

Teddy Namia Athena Custodio

Dian Wijayanti, our Language Instructor

Bali.....My First Stop (Ubud and Nearby)

2006-04-07T14:59:00.000+08:00

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

The mysterious Goa Gajah (elephant cave) is one of the oldest relics on Bali. The exact time of origin is uncertain, but archeologists estimate the cave to have been built around year 1022 AD. This was long before Majapahit entered the island, and also hundreds of years before the first Europeans set foot here. The site is a mix of Hindu- and Buddhist symbols, among them the cave in an artistically carved cliff, a bathing place with fountains, a statue of the Buddhist goddess Hariti, other Buddha figures and a pool. Read More:(Source:http://www.balitours.net/bali/goagajah/)

Photos by: Jo Libarnes

(Photo taken by: Bram Eindhoven)

Ubud Traditional Market (Pasar)

Babi Guling

(Lechon in the Philippines)

Teddy Namia's favorite:)) Enak! (sarap) hmmmm

Ubud Palace

Monkey Forest

More about Ubud

Bali Ceremonies and Events (Knowledge)

2006-04-07T14:35:00.000+08:00

Bali Ceremonies and Events

2006-04-07T14:07:00.000+08:00

Bali Ceremonies and Events (Ogoh Ogoh)

2006-04-04T14:35:00.000+08:00

OGOH-OGOH (March 29, 2006)
Denpasar Town Square
Photos taken by: Jo Libarnes

The day before Nyepi Day (Balinese New Year) is called Tawur Kesanga and the day when exorcisms are carried out at the main village crossroads which is where the demons supposedly meet. This is when many Ogoh-Ogoh are carried through the town in a carnival like atmosphere. Since they represent the evil spirits, they all look frighteningly ugly with fangs and bulging eyes. (www.villasemena.com )

March 30, 2006. Today is Nyepi day, Balinese New Year. The whole island is at rest. People stay quietly indoors; no business except for Rumah Sakit (hospitals) maybe, no cooking, no loud sound and voices. The roads are empty of sepeda motor (motorcycles) and mobils (cars). From what I read, Balinese do this to convince the evil spirits that the island is inhabited. I can only hear the chirping of birds and the sound of a lizard or “toko” in the Philippines.

The eve of Nyepi (March 29) was different. There were Ogoh Ogohs parading in different areas …traditional music and loud noises and some dancing accompany each Ogoh Ogoh.

Wednesday, around five in the afternoon from VSO office, I pedaled through small streets of central Denpasar. My Ibu Kost told me that the center of Ogoh Ogoh would be held in the town square, which they call “Puputan”. Thanks to Dian of VSO who mentioned this word to me before I left VSO Office that day. I only passed Puputan once; that was Monday afternoon coming from a Chinese warung in a street named after a fruit, where my Ibu Kost treated us to an early dinner. That afternoon, I joined my host family in their Balinese ceremony in a beach located at the eastern part of Denpasar. I did not know exactly how to go to Puputan, but the other Dian, my language teacher, once told me that it’s somewhere at the back of Tiara Dewata Supermarket.

Just after crossing the big square in Renon coming from VSO office, I saw several “gerobak kaki lima” (food carts) going in same direction. “These carts will go to where they can do good business and earn. This can be where Ogoh Ogoh will be held,” I said to myself. I decided to follow the last food cart and candidly asked to confirm what is in mind “Pak, Mau kemana”. The Bapak answered ke “Puputan”. I asked him again “Masih jauh? (Still far?)”, he replied “masih”, and then he went on.

I saw “K” grosir stopped for a while and bought “Aqua.” Here, bottled water is generally called as “aqua” a brand name of bottled water. Just like one of those old days in my town in the Philippines, all brands of toothpaste is called “Colgate.”

I almost lost the kaki lima. I could not see him anymore from K Grosir. I thought he already turned somewhere. I biked (counter flowed) and reached a corner. I slowly turned right and saw the cart about 100 meters away from me. I entered a narrow two-way street with adults and children busy preparing their Ogoh Ogohs. I took some pictures of their Ogoh Ogohs, and some children in their costumes, heavily “gelled” spike colored hair, who just loved to be photographed.

I lost the kaki lima again. I just went through this two-way road and reached a “T” junction. Guided with my intuition, I turned left and got to a bigger street where I saw a “dark blue Bemo”. I just followed the Bemo and saw the other side of Tiara Dewata. I remembered that the street beside Tiara is one way, and going opposite my destination. There is no other shortest way to go Puputan except to use the street at the back of Tiara. I stopped in a while to confirm what is in mind. I asked a man if the street where I am is the way to “Puputan” and answered “ya, dekat, jalan terus” which means “Yes, near, go straight!” Finally, after two minutes, I found the town square. I parked my bicycle near a big tree, locked it and went inside the square.

This is what I like in discovering places and getting lost along the way. You are forced to use your common sense, imagination and discover something new.

The square was slowly getting packed with people and peddlers of all kinds (food, balloons, pirated CDs and bags). There were also tourists around (Caucasians). I reached the monument on the other side of the square looking for the “giant chess board” that Dian of IALF told me. However, I was not able to find it.

My curiosity brought me to my exact destination, near the “Kantor Walikota Denpasar” (Office of the Mayor Denpasar). The office is in one of the corners of the junction with a roundabout and a monument at the center. I saw people lined up sitting on the edge of sidewalks; video camera strategically set-up in the other corner by a foreigner; police managing the traffic. This is where Ogoh ogoh coming from two directions will take place.

I find myself seated beside two junior high school students. One is named Tika and the other girl, ma’af (sorry) I forgot her name! They thought I was “orang Indonesia”. Then I said no I am “orang Filipina”. All the basic questions in my level one Bahasa Indonesia lessons were asked like “where do you live? Where do you work? Where is your family? How many are you in the family? Are you already married? How much is your salary? What is your money in the Philippines? How far is The Philippines from Bali? I had a good practice of my Bahasa Indonesia with the two girls. They got my cell phone number and invited me to eat in the warung of her Ibu at the 4th Floor of Robinsons, beside the Christian Church.

The Ogoh Ogoh started around 7 pm. The first three Ogoh Ogohs passed in front of us. The streets suddenly become packed with people. A woman in front of me said that someone’s hand was in her bag, “copet”..pick pocketer’s hand maybe. “Sedikit berbahaya”, a Florenise woman said to me. The woman left the place with her companion due to the incident.

Until eight in the evening, I stayed and watched 20 or more Ogoh Ogohs. Sometimes I was in the middle of the street with the rest of the photographers, sometimes I was at the back where all you can see are the heads of people standing and missed good shots.

Big and small Ogoh ogohs were securely mounted in bamboo platform and carried by several men (10 or more persons depending on the size). Each Ogoh ogoh is accompanied by a gamelan or a sound system. Ogoh ogohs look like monsters. They have ugly and scary faces, big, bulging eyes, very long nails, big stomach, big teeth, long hair, and big buts. There are some with three bodies with two legs; two giants fighting with each other; a giant crushing someone to death, mummies look-a-like. There were also smaller ones carried by very cute kids, including sponge bob. One unique Ogoh ogoh was a bear-breasted ugly bald woman with long nails sitting in a blue toilet bowl holding a dipper.

I took pictures of Ogoh Ogohs until my two sets of battery got empty. I left the area about 8:15 pm, and walked to the other side of the park to get my bike. There were few motorcycles and cars on the streets. After five minutes, I was home.

I thought McDonalds was still open to fill my empty stomach, but the mall near my homestay closed early. Just saw few sellers of nasi jinggu Muslim (Jinggu is a snack wrapped in banana leaves. Inside it is a little of everything: rice, slices/strips of chicken meat, vegetables, noodles) along Jl Sudirman and a kaki lima (food cart) few meters away from my home stay. I settled for the kaki lima: rice, newly fried tempe and fried egg, few slices of cucumber and cabbage with sambal in “bungkos” or “balot” in Tagalog (wrapped in a wax paper).

I stayed in my room the whole day of Nyepi. I watched one DVD (listen to the audio using earphones) in the morning and started writing this journal. Food was not a problem. My Ibu Kost prepared food for us before sunrise. I also have bread and water in my room and four small Kit Kat wafers.

The night was dark. Every house in Bali refrained from turning on their lights/fluorescent bulbs. Windows were closed and covered with something to keep the room dark. I had a very short whispering conversations with Ibu. The younger daughters of Ibu busied themselves with their cell phones. The eldest daughter was at the back of the house sitting in the dark. The Muslim mosque nearby was also in silence. I usually hear the prayers coming from the mosque every 7:30 in the evening.

I went to bed around 8:30 pm. The night of silence passed and a new day came.

Thanks God it’s Friday!

My (borrowed) sepeda (bike)

2006-04-03T18:57:00.000+08:00

I borrowed this bike from the office. I bike from my homestay to school Monday to Friday, 7:40 in the morning. Tipid ako ng Rp6,000.00 per day plus nakaka exercise pa.

New Journey....Bali First Stop (Denpasar)

2006-04-03T17:35:00.001+08:00

Renon
Denpasar

Catholic Cathedral in Denpasar

Sanur Beach
Denpasar

Kuta Beach

New Journey....Learning the Language

2006-04-03T17:11:00.000+08:00

IN THE CLASSROOM

.........oooops...the hidden camera is on..

.....satu, dua, tiga, empat, lima...

....saya lupa lagi.....

....ayusin ang pagbigkas ha?

AT THE LANGUAGE LABORATORY

......halo telepon....Adu salah!
......(helo telepon...naku mali!)

My New Journey.....Indonesia

2006-03-11T15:40:00.000+08:00

My First Breakfast in Bali with new VSO Volunteers

Hotel Santai, Sanur, Denpasar with -From left: Teddy Namia (Philippines), Athena Custodio (Philippines), Bram Eidenhoven (The Netherlands), Dr. Nora Aban (Philippines), Jo Libarnes (myself) and Elvie Gayosa (VSO Filipino volunteer in Ende, Flores, NTT, Indo)

......learn bahasa Indonesia at IALF together with my fellow VSO Volunteers

For seven weeks, we will be at the I/A/L/F for our Bahasa Indonesia Lessons.

During IALF Orientation......

teddy, athena, nyoman fr ialf

jo, dian (our teacher) and bram

HuTong in Beijing.......... Nanluogu Alley, Dongcheng District

2006-03-11T14:59:00.000+08:00

captured these scenes around 6:30 am at Naluogo Alley, Beijing

jo libarnes (august 2005)

..........

2006-03-10T19:04:00.000+08:00

"Whatever we learn has a purpose and whatever we do affects everything and everyone else, if even in the tiniest way. Why, when a housefly flaps his wings, a breeze goes round the world; when a speck of dust falls to the ground, the entire planet weighs a little more; and when you stamp your foot, the earth moves slightly off its course. Whenever you laugh, gladness spreads like the ripples in a pond; and whenever you're sad, no one anywhere can be really happy. And it's much the same thing with knowledge, for whenever you learn something new, the whole world becomes that much richer."

- Norton Juster, "The Phantom Tollbooth"

Libud...

2006-03-03T19:48:00.000+08:00

"It is good to have an end to journey toward,.......

.......but it is the journey that matters in the end."

a thought.......

2006-03-03T19:12:00.000+08:00

"Dance like there's nobody watching;
Love like you'll never get hurt;
Sing like there's nobody listening;
Live like it's heaven on earth; and
Speak from the heart to be heard."

William W. Purkey is the source of this quotation that is attributed to many others: it was made popular in the song "Come From The Heart" written by Susannah Clark and Richard Leigh. Purkey closed his speeches with this poem and it has now made it into the public domain.

joy is the absence of fear......

2006-02-02T22:48:00.000+08:00

Wayong nan mga Bata (faces of children)
i enjoyed watching these kids playing in the rain
taken while in E. Labios, Kabangkalan
Cotabato Province
September 2005
by: jomariya