javanese assessories

Here I am wearing a belt I bought in Yogyakarta. The metal depicts the emblem of Sultan of Yogyakarta. The belt is in velvet with gold beats. The hat I am wearing is called blangkon.

Batik Bogor

This is the pattern of Deer (from Istana Bogor where there are lots of deers on the lawn) and Bunga Bunkai (Amorphophallus titanum). Batik Bogor is all tulis (hand drawn) but the work is more simple and rustic, but the colour is charming. There are other patterns such as taro plants, agricultural tools and cloud rain thunderstorm, rafflesia, waterlily and others.
Batik Bogor is quite different from other West Java Batik and certainly very different from the post Independence Batik Indonesia.

Batik Komar

The shirt is from Batik Komar of Bandung. The batik is done from both Tulis (hand drawn) and Cap (from a metal stamp) Combinasi. I observed both processes and they are equally time consumming and fascinating. Cotton fabric top grade has a special weave, and both front and back of cotton need to be waxed before dipping in dye. That is why it takes at least a few weeks to months to work on a single fabric. The more colours the more complex the work and more time is needed.
Good works are generally hard to find nowadays as cheap printing (which is not batik at all) competes in the market. If this and the next generations of Indonesians do not know how to appreciate or do not care about batik, then the good work and art form will gradually disappear. Batik already started the decline since 1930s and thru the 1970s and only in recent years with the status of UNESCO heritage for Indonesia starting to see the light...

Javanese Clothings and Batik

I bought all these batik cloth, shirts and traditional items from Java. All of the clothes are of exceptional quality. The colourful ones from West Java, with Batik Bogor featuring the motif of deer and Amorphophallus. The more serious ones from Yogyakarta and has the court motif of Garuda.

Kebun Raya Bogor

I wrote about my recent visit to Kebun Raya Bogor. Here is the link, or just go to the article link on the right to thingsasian.
I would never forget the cats at the Guesthouse. In the afternoon, they sounded like little babies needing attention.
http://www.thingsasian.com/item.html?itemId=47959

Wisata Keramik

I have written a new article of my visit to Widayanto's residence. Here is the link or take the article link on the right.
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/47829

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

I have written a new article here at Thingsasian. Just copy this link or go to the right side of the page to the article list.
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/47762/31362900/0/hom0_mrec;jsessionid=0DF3B1C7108E9894BA2BEE07DA1BDABC

Ophelia by Heeley

James Heeley's perfume called Ophelia: Green flower stems, Jasmin, Tubereuse, Ylang Ylang, White Musc, Grey Amber, Moss
It smells really good and medium long lasting.

rare plant in Kebun Raya Bogor

This is the subject of my research: Phytocrene macrophylla. I found the male plants and also female plants, both flowering at the same time. I was so happy and sketched them.

back from vacation

Hello all, I am back. I will update with all new photos and articles later. Good to be home.