PAPUA CARSTENSZ PYRAMID EXPEDITION 2

A Journey To The Roof of Indonesia

 
"Men stumble over pebbles, never over mountains."

Marilyn French

In Part 1 Paman told us about how he got along with locals at Sugapa and Swanggama. Now the real expedition to Carstensz pyramid begins !

Day 3 - 6 : JAMBUSIGA - EBAY: Jungle with Wild rivers and swamps

 

Swanggama - Jambusiga Camp, July 19

 

Yes today our expedition to Carstensz Pyramid begins! At 7 a.m I've done my packaging. Porters packed tents, locals gathered and watched as these strangers prepare for the expedition. Curious children , gentlemen wearing koteka with riffle or arc and arrows in hands, hovering near us to get every chance to be photographed. Okay then...come everybody..say cheese..! Children chirped merrily, adults got really amazed seeing their  picture on the camera's LCD display, and the man with the riffle asked for a commission :(

Some porters hawked their commodities : 
cigarettes, candies, instant noodle, areca, and fried snacks. As these items were laid on top of a plastic sack, flies started to come and landed on fried snacks, followed by dogs and pigs. 
The seller drove out these animals with a waive of a hand.

PAPUA CARSTENSZ PYRAMID EXPEDITION 1

A Journey To The Roof of Indonesia

Climbing The Carstensz Pyramid , the 4.884 meter ASL peak - the highest in Australia continent, the one said to be the most mysterious of the seven summits, 
has been a dream for every mountainers.

And just like George Mallory quotes :
There's no dream that mustn't be dared
Our guest writer Paman accomplished it last 2013 mid year. 
Vanquishing fear, thinking that each step might be the end, 
this is an expedition of a lifetime.

Day 1 - 2 : TIMIKA - SUPAGA - SWANGGAMA : Getting Along With Locals

 

Timika - Sugapa , July 17

 

After spending one night in Timika, the next morning, July 17, 2013, we’re picked up at 07.30 local time (GMT +9) using 2 cars, headed to Moses Kilani airport. First thing to do there, is weighing our body and luggages, making sure that total weight of all cargo does not exceed our rented plane’s capacity.. 

Load Weighing

And here we were, meeting our new acquaintance, the team members: Dr.Frans- an Austrian adventurer, Trygve a Norwegian “Seven Summitter”, Christ a Canadian soldier and “Seven Summitter”. They seem familiar to adventure and have been to some of the seven summits, 180⁰ paradoxically to the four of us a s" local tourists". Mr T,  Mr S and me are colleagues working in the same company, while Mrs T is Mr T’s wife – obviously.  

Light rain, dark cloud,  and it was estimated that our flight will depart on 10.30.  So we went back to Timika to get some coffee at a small shop just in front of Hotel Komoro.

The Trace of Christianity in Turkey

A History of Evangelism

Turkey, at this moment, is a secular Islamic republic, but in its history this country once became a part of the Roman Empire (4^th century),  Byzantine (4^th – 13^th century), and Latin  Empire (13^th century) before fell for  the Ottoman Dynasty (1453-1922)whose King began spreading Islam in this region.  

Despite today’s reality, Turkey keeps many historical trails in Christian evangelism (the New Testament).  Some of the facts worth knowing  about Christianity trails are  :

1.   Turkey was the birthplace of several saint/ martyrs. Saint Paul was born in  Tarsus, a region on Southern Turkey, while St.Pauls’s  evangelism covered some areas in Turkey, and also Greece and Cyprus which are  neighbors.  Saint Timothy, Nicholas and  Polycarpus also came from Turkey. 
 

2.   Paul and Barnabas as apostles spread  the Bible in Anthiochia region for about one year. At that time, Anthiochia was a part of Syria . Now the area is in Turkey’s  region called Antakya. This has been the place where followers of Jesus Christ were called ‘Christians’ for the first time(Acts  11:25-27). From  Anthiochia, Paul and Barnabas conducted the first missionary journey  to Cyprus.

St.Paul's Missionary Map (source:www.ccel.org)

Tam Shui, A Must-Visit Market When In Taipei

Eat, Shop, and Ruin Your Diet at Tam Shui Old Street

Located next to Tam Shui Fishermen's Wharf in New Taipei Territory, this Old Street is a parade of shops selling you-name-it from girl's little thing (hair pieces, cute socks, keychains, sunglasses) to chinese tea and other traditional culinary. Actually they sell almost anything you can find at Shihlin Night Market.

In the morning when Tam Shui Old Street is a bit quieter than night time, it's enjoyable to stroll down the street. Relaxing atmosphere will drive you to buy many things without rushing. Compared with other Taiwan's markets, prices are good at Tam Shui (highest is at Ximending)

At one end of the promenade you'll find an ice cream stall, selling  big-sized ice cream, a trade-mark of Tam Shui. Although the guy selling it was a bit rude and impatient, but the ice cream tasted good , it's only NT 15 (small) or NT 25 (large)

Taiwan - A Country of Night Market Tradition

What Place to Visit When You Travel to Taiwan ? 

Night markets !!

In Taiwan, almost every city has its night market(s)

Eternally Packed with Visitors

Traditional night markets sells food and drinks, while more modern ones sell clothes, shoes, accessories, toys, confectioneries, besides food and drinks. Prices are fixed for food (and they put the price on large boards on the food stalls, no scam), while you can bargain a little bit for clothing. In my opinion, most of the goods are fairly priced.

So, whenever you travel to Taiwan, make sure to complete it with a memorable night market experience...

Taipei : Shilin Night Market

 

Among others, this one is my favorite. Off course...it's Taipei’s most famous and most popular night market. Shihlin is made up of two different sections: the food vendors opposite the Jiantan Metro Station and clothing/apparel/other goods market is around the Yang Ming Cinema on Anping Street, Dadong Road and Wenl. 

Although it's crazy crowded, it offers unique atmosphere for comfortable, enjoyable shopping. Shop clerks are patient and friendly , unlike in some other countries.

During my visit, because of limited time, I only walked the clothing section of Shihlin Night Market. Besides clothing and apparel of affordable price, there're also  branded shoes outlets s(NIke, Adidas, Puma, Reebok,etc).