That day, Saturday, October 12, 2019, seemed to be a pretty busy day for me and all the members of Batu Local Guides. On that day we invited Local Guides from other cities to enliven the Sabers Camp Nusantara , an event celebrating the Sabers Pungli environmental care movement which entered its 100th week.
Morning at 8, I was with Herman Aga and Bayu Ho’ya, heading to Radio City Guide 911 FM which is located on Jl. Baiduri Pandan No.16, Tlogomas, Kec. Lowokwaru, Kota Malang, East Java. Here we were invited to join one of the events, Idjen Talk. On this program, we were guided by one of the radio broadcasters, Erika. Even small talk flowed in live broadcasts which were certainly heard by all Malang citizens who were fans of this radio. Starting from talk about simple activities to clean the river every Sunday morning, to complicated chat about environmental and ecological regulations. And of course it was discussed about the involvement of Batu Local Guides in supporting this movement. Until entering 9.30, this live broadcast is over.
As planned, at 11 we have scheduled to gather at Istana Oleh-oleh Deduwa. An hour before, I had arrived at the location to confirm the meeting place and preparations. One by one the participants came. They came from several cities, namely Malang, Pamekasan, Blitar, Magelang, Semarang, Surabaya and Gresik. At this gifts center, we met with the owner of Istana Oleh Oleh DeDuwa, whom we called Anton Deduwa. Here he shares his experience of how he struggled to pioneer this place from small to as large as now. How was the bitter experience that was felt when it failed and had to rise again. How he manages this place by deploying all capabilities and technology, for the sake of an increasingly strong business network. And all these achievements will have no meaning, if not accompanied by friendship and tying each other of brotherhood. Therefore he felt very happy to welcome all of us. He hopes that if there is any meeting of Local Guides, he will provide full support for free.
After finishing the question and answer session, we were welcome to enjoy the dishes that had been provided. At the place to eat, it was not only us who had lunch that afternoon, but there were hundreds of tourists who stopped at this place, in separate rooms. Nevertheless, it turns out that the menu provided is really maintained in terms of quality and cleanliness. We also enjoyed lunch in a pleasant atmosphere. Nearing 1pm, we said goodbye to Anton Deduwa to go to the BPBD PB Post.
Arriving at the PB BPBD Post, we are invited to register Sabers Camp Nusantara at the table provided. There were also BPBD volunteers from several cities in East Java, and a group of students from one of the High Schools in Batu City. Because this event was a camping event supported by BPBD, we were offered to choose, could stay in the villa, or in the hall, or tents that had been neatly lined up in the field to the left of the entrance to PB BPBD Post. Of course we unanimously prefer tents. After storing our personal belongings in the space provided, we all headed to the hall to attend a sharing session by Bambang Dharma Setia, owner of the Kampung Lumbung Eco Boutique Hotel. In this sharing session, Dharma Bambang Setia shared a simple flashback of his life to be successful as it is today. Nothing is impossible for all of us. In that session, we were also given a light game to make a map of our current situation and our desires in the future. From that map, eventually we become more motivated to achieve our desires.
After sharing the session, the Local Guides moved to take a Photo Walk to the Kampung Lumbung Eco Boutique Hotel, which is about 7 kilometers away. By driving a motorcycle, car, and minibus, we trooped to the hotel. Arriving at the location, we met again with Dharma Bambang Setia. Here has been provided mullbery fruit juice and also some types of cakes. While inviting participants to enjoy a meal, Dharma Bambang Setia explained the concept of the Hotel Kampung Lumbung Eco Boutique. The concept of Ecology, Environment and Conservation is applied in all aspects ranging from the provision of environmentally friendly materials in each room, the provision of filtered water from distilled water, and also the use of recycled materials that are designed to be beautiful and elegant. In addition, also in this hotel area can be found a variety of rare fruits as part of the spirit of biodiversity conservation. We were given the opportunity to tour the area of this hotel and take pictures of all spots according to the explanation given.
After being satisfied to tour the Kampung Lumbung Eco Boutique Hotel area, we moved towards the Aston Inn Batu Hotel. At the hotel, we met with Aston Inn Batu General Manager, Didik Rocki Wahyono. At the restaurant located on the 8th floor of the hotel, we were treated to a variety of cakes and hot drinks. Didik Rocki Wahyono explained about this hotel. Aston Inn Batu is located quite close to popular places like Museum Angkut and Jatim Park 1. Surrounded by Panderman and Arjuno mountains, this hotel offers panoramic views of the natural surroundings around Batu which can be enjoyed from the 8th floor where we were at the time . The participants also hunted for photos and videos, starting from the 8th floor to the ground floor. Late in the evening, we ended our visit to the hotel and moved back to the PB BPBD Post.
In accordance with the rundown that had been prepared previously, dinner was served at the camping ground of the PB BPBD Post in Batu, by the Kota Batu Disaster Preparedness Team (Tagana). The Tagana Team is an inseparable part of the BPBD Volunteer Team, in dealing with the effects of natural disasters, one of which is providing logistical assistance for refugees. And we are very grateful, that night we were able to enjoy the Tagana Team’s meal and eat with the volunteer team who were present.
The main event that night was Sabers Nusantara Night, with the agenda of the event:
- Perform music by the Bam Bam Boe music group and the Swara music group
- Speechs from the Director of Tirta Services, Head of the Provincial Environmental Agency, Representatives of the Provincial BPBD, Representatives of the Ministry of the Environment, Batu District Police Chief, Mayor of Batu
- Watching Air Bicara Short Film
- Giving an Award to the Sabers Pungli Team
- Music Perform by the Pagi Tadi band
There’s not much we can tell in this ceremonial event, besides we are audience of the show from the beginning to the end of the show at around 11 pm. There was no ecological discussion as we had expected.
After completing the Sabers Nusantara Night event, some of the Local Guides invited a hangout around this campsite. The two nearest coffee shops were closed. We found a coffee shop that is still open, the name Kedai Laron, which is located not far from across the street where we camped. We walked to the tavern. While ordering various types of hot drinks, we shared about each other’s community activities. Every city has a different character. And the diversity of members also influences community activities. One Local Guide admitted, meet-ups that are too frequent and monotonous, will definitely reach a saturation point as well. Other Local Guides expressed the desire that the Local Guides could support each other so that the community in their city could develop. One way is to visit each other between different city communities. The time also showed 2 o’clock in the morning, where we had to rest immediately so that tomorrow could wake up earlier.
Suddenly, it was already 6am. Looks like we all just fell asleep, and time goes by quickly. In the corner of camping ground, Yosi Novlan, a motivator has been prepared who will share knowledge and motivation about Energy Building. All participants, Local Guides, Voulunteers, Students and the Sabers Pungli team, are lined up in a circle around the field. All participants were invited to practice breathing with slow and focused movements such as taking and moving the sun. In every breath, there is only God who will make every body can control themselves from hurting others. In addition there is a mother who gave birth to us, where we ask for forgiveness and bless all our efforts. We are also reminded to set aside some of the fortune that we can to be distributed to the poor and orphans. In the last session, some participants were shaking and some were crying. A very emotional moment when we feel very close to God and our parents.
After the Energy Building session, the event continued with the 100th Sabers Pungli Movement, located on the Mawar Putih bridge, about 1 km from the BPBD PB Post. We all walked hand in hand towards the area. At the location, a local community had gathered to start cleaning up trash. Some went down to the river under the bridge. Others pull the rubbish that has been put in sacks to be loaded into the garbage truck provided by the Batu City Environmental Service Office. The Mayor of Batu and the Batu District Police Chief were join the event that morning. Some reporters were also seen photographing and interviewing the mayor. The Local Guides who wore T-shirts with the Local Guides Clean The World logo, were actively collecting garbage and collecting it into sacks. In a short time, all trash bags have been loaded into the garbage truck. After taking a picture with all the participants, we all walked back to the BPBD PB Post.
Breakfast that morning was more dilicious, even though our bodies were rather dirty and smelled of sweat. It could be due to hunger because nothing has been filled from starting to wake up. It could also be because we are happy to have had the chance to participate in a noble activity fighting rubbish with volunteers and students. And that is a extraordinary moment that can motivate all of us to do more. After breakfast, the program continued with a speech by the Sabers Pungli Team, the Police Chief, the Ministry of Environment’s Representative and closed ceremonially by the Mayor of Batu.
Is the Local Guides meet-up complete? Not yet! hohohoo.
Batu Local Guides has prepared the next session, in the form of Culinary Tour to Pos Ketan Legenda 3 Cafe. This place has become a choice, because the stall has survived since several decades ago until now. Simple stalls that provide food in the form of sticky rice and bean powder, which currently has quite a number of branches. At the location, we were waiting for the couple owner of the Pos Ketan Legenda, Sugeng Hadi Wijaya and Bunda Anissa. Skillfully, Bunda Anissa prepares sticky rice with various appetizing toppings. The participants scramble to record the bustle of Bunda Anissa. When dozens of sticky rice dishes were served, everyone scrambled to take pictures and enjoy the delicious food, until the last plate was clean. After that, Sugeng Hadi Wijaya gave a brief explanation of the history of the Pos Ketan Legenda. He was also grateful for the presence of the Local Guides community to his place of business. After the question and answer session was over, we said goodbye to go to the next place, Kampoeng Wisata De Berran.
Kampoeng Wisata De Berran is actually located not too far from the Pos Ketan Legenda 3. But either because of satiety or sleepiness, some Local Guides got lost. (Pssst, do not tell this incident to anyone, we are embarrassed hahaha). Arriving at the location, we were greeted by the manager of this site which is also members of the Local Guides Batu, Igos KWB and Bibit Rosida. Some participants took a rest because they were tired after this day’s activities. Some are soaking in cold pools. The rest, singing karaoke in the hall that has been provided. After all were satisfied, the last session was a sharing session by Igos KWB about Kampoeng Wisata De Berran, how this place was built, and what kind of cooperation with the surrounding population. Igos KWB also expressed his gratitude to the Batu Local Guides community for making this place better known to visitors from out of town.
It seems, we are still comfortable hanging out with all the Local Guides. But time went on until we had to go home. At the end of the event, I would like to express my gratitude to all Local Guides who have traveled a long trip to Batu City, became part of the Batu Local Guides big family and participated in this intense activity for two days. Hopefully all Local Guides can enjoy all the events that we have prepared. We also apologize if something is wrong. We hope to meet again at the next meet-up.
As a closing, let’s sing together, about preserving our nature song :
