Accor Google Glass Experience

It was not my first visit to Singapore, or my first New Year's Eve party. Reaching the age with a 3 as the number in front has been making a new year is just another time passes by.

But this time I can't hide the smile and excitements on my face. We arrived in Changi Airport, went straight to Ibis Singapore Bencoolen and found the reason why I am so excited for this NYE. A simple white box which almost the size of an A4 paper with no pictures, no mambo-jumbo writings on its side, just a simple "glass" on the top.

I saw the Google Glass video on YouTube way before I could try this thing and my reaction was "that is amazing, like a future coming right at you" and there it is, in front of me. The glass and frame, the Google Glass nicely arranged on its box, with simple note of "see" with an arrow to its clear glass (the viewing glass panel), "capture" pointing to the button on the right side, "touch" on its side, "on-off" and "listen."

I hate reading instruction manuals and I believe most people didn't really read that so I just wear it just to feel it and turn it on. First I attached the sunglasses that came along with the package but it makes the looks of the Google Glass wasn't really futuristic so for me Google Glass is better use that way, or if combined with another eyeglasses, must be the clear one in my opinion.

It took time to adjust using Google Glass but in fact it is very simple, a bit long waiting for it to be ready after I turn it on, maybe around 10 seconds or more, I didn't really count how much time waiting but when it's in front of you for the first time, waiting 10 seconds seems so long.

There's touch panel on the right side of the glass

First a “glass” letter appears. What we see is actually only on the right side, so your right eye see that and combined (of course) as one vision perceived by our brain. Google Glass detect our voice, I can say "Okay Glass" then the glass will show options like "Take a photo" "Google (as in Google something" until asking directions and other simple thing which usually took some time and the great thing is I don't have to carry anything, it stick to my head, all I gotta do is just walk, saw something interesting and if I want to take a picture I have options like saying to Google Glass "Okay Glass, Take a photo" or just blink twice, or swipe the right side of the Google Glass (touch panel).

You can share your pov (point of view) directly

Actually it was fun that we can take a photo, record video from our point of view and we can post it directly to twitter or anything attached to our Google Glass settings. I was thinking if I took to many video or photos but 2 GB of RAM I think enough for the whole day, well it's not producing 4K video since it's more about sharing what we see directly.

Glass gave me route from Bencoolen area to Ion Orchard

I might say that the menus are just similar of what was on the smartphone but what makes it interesting is that the display is right in front of my eyes, making the real view of what my eyes seeing blend with the display. I just have to admit that this is really like coming from the future (just like on several science fiction movies I saw few years back and it came into real now). Imagine walking down the street and you're thinking about coffee, just ask google glass "where's the nearest coffee shop?" and it'll give options with an additional map and directions, life made easy!

POV recognize and google information via Google Glass

 

Some friends ask about how the connection would run on Google Glass, it was basically connected through smartphone via MyGlass application. So the Google Glass gets the Internet connection via Bluetooth. In short, I still have to bring my smartphone to keep the Google Glass connected.

I'm having a three days trial on this Google Glass, to be honest, the first day is exciting but a bit dizzy, I think I wear Google Glass too long and I found an article telling that on first day we mustn't wear more than a few hours due to eyes ability to adjust focus on one eye on the glass display while other eye goes without use.

I must say that Google Glass might be the best eyeglass with integrated display; it's lightweight, easy to use, looks good also. The problem might be on the price; maybe if they cut the price well, I might be seeing a lot of Google Glass on the street, people love wearing things from the future.

@marischkaprue - living in present, seeing a good future ahead

Photos by Ferry Rusli

THANKS TO

Ibis Singapore Bencoolen & Google Glass for this NYE through Google Glass experience

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Tebing Putih Watuparunu

Saat menonton film Pendekar Tongkat Emas, ada satu scene dengan latar tebing batu putih yang sangat tinggi di pantai. Watuparunu memang mempesona, wajar pantai di Sumba Timur ini jadi salah satu set film garapan Mira Lesmana.

When I was watching the film Pendekar Tongkat Emas, there was one scene with the background of a very tall white cliff on a beach. Watuparunu is indeed astonishing, it’s no wonder that this beach in East Sumba is chosen as a location for one of Mira Lesmana’s film.

Tebing khas Watuparunu ada di balik bukit di sisi kanan ini

Perlu berkendara sekitar 2,5 hingga 3 jam untuk sampai ke Watuparunu. Sekilas saat datang pantai ini seperti pantai pada umumnya. Namun di balik bukit di sebelah kanan pantai terdapat rangkaian tebing tinggi berwarna putih yang mempesona.

Journeying for 2.5-3 hours by vehicle is needed to get to Watuparunu. At a glance, this beach looks just like any other normal beach. But, on the right side behind the hill, there is an array of amazing tall white cliffs.

Ada dua pilihan menikmati tebing Watuparunu, dari atas bukit dengan trekking setengah jam untuk sampai di titik di mana anda dapat melihat tebing dan ombak yang menerpa sisi tebing terutama di saat air pasang, atau turun dan berjalan kaki di bawah tebing ini saat surut.

There are two ways of enjoying the cliffs of Watuparunu. One can trek for half an hour from the top to reach the spot where you can see the cliffs, and ocean waves crashing unto the cliffsides - especially during high tide. Or one can come down the cliffs and walk at the bottom of the cliff during low tide.

Saat surut kita dapat berjalan ke sisi tebing

Karena datang di saat pasang saya langsung trekking ke atas bukit, menikmati suasana tebing yang sedikit mengingatkan saya akan Cape Kidnappers di New Zealand, hanya saja Watuparunu merupakan versi lebih kecil dari Cape Kidnappers.

Because I arrived exactly during high tide, I directly went trekking to the top of the hill to enjoy the scenery at the top, which reminds me of Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand. But Watuparunu is just a smaller version of Cape Kidnappers.

Saat sore hari pantai akan sedikit ramai, jadi untuk menikmati Watuparunu lebih baik trekking ke atas atau berjalan ke sisi tebing. Entah dari atas atau sisi bawah, Watuparunu terlihat megah dan indah.

In the evening, the beach will become a little crowded. So to enjoy Watuparunu, you better go trekking to the top or to walk to the side of the cliffs. Looking at it from the top or from the bottom, Watupanuru looks majestic and beautiful either way.

@marischkaprue - her life is either to trek upwards, or to go down into the deep sea

NOTES: 

• Watuparunu terletak sekitar 2,5 hingga 3 jam berkendara dari Waingapu, Sumba Timur  
• Watuparunu is about 2,5 to 3 hours drive from Waingapu, East Sumba
• Harga normal tiket Jakarta - Waingapu berkisar di harga Rp. 3.200.000 - Rp. 3.500.000,- PP. 
• Normal return airlines ticket from Jakarta to Waingapu is around 280 USD to 305 USD.
• Contact sewa mobil di Waingapu: TX Waingapu, dengan harga sewa antara Rp. 400.000,- hingga Rp. 600.000,- per hari, sudah termasuk driver dan bensin. Telp: +62387 61534
• Rent a car in Waingapu via TX Waingapu, it's about 35 USD to 53 USD per day including driver and gas, but the price might be more for foreigner. Contact via +62387 61534 

PS:

Dwidaya Tour juga sedang membuka paket trip ke Sumba, khusus ke destinasi-destinasi lokasi shooting film Pendekar Tongkat Emas. Harga paket trip mulai dari Rp. 2.720.000,- (exclude tiket pesawat). Info lengkap dan booking klik di sini
 

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SUMBA:

• Peaceful Time in Ratenggaro, Sumba
•  Weekuri Lake, Angel's Lagoon in Sumba
• Indonesia's Best Beaches: Tarimbang Beach, East Sumba
• Magic Lights: Savanna in Sumba

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Light Up The World Heritage: Prambanan

Kadang rumput tetangga terlihat lebih hijau, kalau berbicara peninggalan besar dunia mungkin sebagian dari kita akan lebih dahulu berpikir tentang The Great Wall di China, Angkor Wat di Kamboja, Acropolis di Athena dan berbagai peninggalan besar lainnya sebelum melihat apa yang kita miliki.

Indonesia punya 8 situs warisan dunia (The World Heritage) yang dicatat UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Bandingkan dengan Yordania yang "hanya" memiliki 4 situs, sama halnya dengan Nepal dan Filipina dengan 4 situs dan bahkan Mesir pun "hanya"memiliki 7 situs (saya baru tahu setelah melihat daftar situs warisan dunia ini dan cukup kaget bahwa kita memiliki situs lebih banyak dari Mesir).

Kompleks Candi Prambanan

Salah satu situs yang dimiliki Indonesia, Candi Prambanan memang sudah cukup dikenal. Sebagai kompleks candi yang dibangun pada abad ke 10 untuk tiga dewa utama Hindu yaitu Wisnu, Brahma dan Siwa, Candi Prambanan pada siang dan sore hari dipadati turis.

Candi Prambanan dipenuhi relief, sebagian menceritakan kisah epik Ramayana yang terukir indah di dinding candi. Melihat Candi Prambanan di siang hari memang menyenangkan, saya berharap punya lebih banyak waktu untuk melihat semua area ini.

Saya belum pernah melihat kompleks Candi Prambanan di malam hari sehingga saat Panasonic dengan UNESCO kembali bekerja sama dalam memperbaharui pencahayaan kompleks Candi Prambanan di malam hari, saya bersemangat untuk melihat bagaimana bentuk dan relief Candi Prambanan yang akan "bersinar."

Ada 16 proyektor lampu LED (Light emitting diode) yang mengarah ke berbagai candi di kompleks Candi Prambanan ini. Penggantian dengan lampu LED dari sebelumnya lampu halogen akan mengurangi konsumsi energi sekitar 30% dan juga lebih terang.

"First Switch" menandai kali pertama rangkaian proyektor lampu LED Panasonic ini dinyalakan untuk menerangi Prambanan. Kami yang hadir pada acara First Switch berada di area panggung yang menghadap ke tiga candi utama, dengan dinding-dinding panggung menutupi pemandangan ke tiga candi tersebut, untuk sementara hingga saatnya lampu dinyalakan.

Jelang jam 8 malam lampu menyala dan dinding yang menutupi area panggung digeser. Kami langsung melihat Candi Prambanan yang bercahaya kuning keemasan dan kemudian putih yang memperlihatkan relief cantiknya.

Semua langsung bersemangat mengambil foto indahnya Candi Prambanan. Tiga candi utama: Candi Siwa, Wisnu dan Brahma terlihat bercahaya di tengah langit yang pekat malam itu. Selanjutnya kami tidak sadar saat tiba-tiba sosok-sosok biru muncul di panggung dengan latar Candi Prambanan.

Selanjutnya area ini menjadi catwalk bagi model-model yang memperagakan karya Lulu Lutfi Labibi, desainer Yogyakarta yang terkenal dengan motif lurik. Karya-karya dengan taste tradisional yang berpadu dengan cutting modern ini sangat cocok diperagakan dengan latar belakang Candi Prambanan.

The models might be beautiful but Prambanan Temple surely glowing more than anybody that night :)

@marischkaprue - traveling light up her life

Photo by Ferry Rusli, except photo (1: Assawin), (2: sh) & (7: sh)

NOTES:

• Kompleks Candi Prambanan terletak di Desa Bokoharjo, Prambanan, Sleman, sekitar 17 Kilometer dari Yogyakarta

Thanks to Panasonic Indonesia & UNESCO for inviting me to First Switch Prambanan

Me x Prambanan, captured by Ferry Rusli using multiple exposure directly from his camera, no edit, no photoshop ;)

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Take Your Breath Away at Harfat Peak (Puncak Harfat, Misool)

Saya sudah berkali-kali bercerita tentang keindahan Misool di selatan Raja Ampat. Namun, lokasi yang satu ini masih saya "simpan" cukup lama sebelum saya posting di blog ini. Alasan pertama adalah karena pada saat kedatangan saya pertama kali di bulan Mei 2014, cuaca sedang mendung saat itu. Puncak Harfat tetap indah namun saya selalu merasa "berdosa" jika memberikan foto yang biasa saat saya tahu lokasi tersebut sebenarnya jauh lebih indah.

I’ve told the story of the beautiful Misool in the south of Raja Ampat many times before. But this is one location that I’ve “kept” for a while before posting it on my blog. My first reason of doing so is this: the first time I arrived in May 2014, the weather was cloudy. Harfat Peak remains beautiful, but I felt “guilty” if I posted mediocre photos when I know that the location was actually much more beautiful than it will look like in the photo.

it was perfect blue sky that day :)

Maka di bulan Oktober 2014 (ini adalah bulan yang lebih tepat untuk mengunjungi Misool) saya kembali ke Misool dan kembali ke Puncak Harfat. Berbeda dengan trip sebelumnya, kali ini kami disambut matahari yang bersinar cerah, membuat laut Misool begitu mengundang untuk menceburkan diri dan membuat pulau-pulau karang begitu terlihat jelas dengan kontrasnya biru langit. It was amazing!

So in October 2014 (this is a better month to visit Misool), I came back to Misool and returned to Puncak Harfat. Different from the previous trip, this time we were welcomed by the bright sunlight that made Misool’s waters so inviting to jump in, and made the coral islands crystal clear with the contrast of the blue skies. It was amazing!

Puncak Harfat baru ditemukan di tahun 2012 akhir oleh Harun Sapua, warga Kampung Harapan Jaya, Misool. Sebelumnya ia berkeliling Misool sambil terus mencari bukit yang dapat didaki untuk melihat pemandangan Misool dari atas. "Setiap melewati bukit itu saya selalu merasa mungkin ini tempatnya, tapi baru tahun 2012 saya temukan jalurnya," ujar Pak Harun. Titik untuk melihat Misool dari atas bukit pulau karang ini akhirnya dinamakan Puncak Harfat, dari gabungan nama Pak Harun dan istrinya, Fatima.

Harfat Peak was discovered back at the end of 2012 by Harun Sapua, Kampung Harapan Jaya village resident in Misool. Previously, he went around Misool while looking for a climbable peak to get a view of Misool from above. “Every time I come across that peak, I always think that this may be the place, but I found the path to get there just recently in 2012,” says Mr. Harun. The spot to see Misool from the peak of this coral island was eventually named Harfat Peak, by combining Mr. Harun’s name and his wife’s name, Fatima.

We stopped in several places and see these kind of view

Trek menuju ke Puncak Harfat sudah diberi jalur, tangga dan pegangan kayu sehingga cenderung mudah untuk didaki. Sebenarnya hanya perlu waktu sekitar 30 menit untuk sampai di atas namun karena banyak titik dimana kita dapat melihat pemandangan indah maka kami selalu berhenti beberapa lama untuk mengambil foto.

The path to Harfat Peak has been given proper pathways, staircases, and wooden handles to make it easier to climb. Actually, only 30 minutes are needed to arrive at the top. But because of the many spots we can view the beautiful scenery, we always stop for a while to take photos.

Ada tiga lokasi di Puncak Harfat untuk melihat sekeliling dengan view yang berbeda karena mengarah ke area yang berbeda pula. Dari tiga tempat jika digabungkan bagaikan melihat 180° dengan view pulau-pulau karang Misool yang mempesona.

There are three locations at Harfat Peak to see the scenery, with different views that point to different areas. If you combine the three locations, it’ll be as if you have a 180° view of Misool’s magnificent coral islands.

Salah satu puncak di bagian ujung kanan trek saat tiba di atas cukup sempit, kami tidak bisa foto beramai-ramai di sini karena batuan yang berada di ujung tidak luas, namun kita juga bisa duduk di sebelah kanan dengan view yang sangat cantik :)

At one of the peaks, the right side of the very end of the path is quite narrow. Hence, we can’t take group pictures here for the rocks at the end isn’t wide enough. But we can at least sit on the right side, with a gorgeous view. :)

Dari Puncak Kecil ini kita bisa melihat pulau yang bentuknya seperti Loch Ness dan "Mordor" di depannya. Saya dan Ferry menyebut pulau-pulau karang yang gelap dan tajam itu Mordor karena tampak seperti markas tokoh jahat di cerita-cerita fiksi, khususnya Lord Of The Rings.

From this small peak, we can see an island that looks like the loch ness monster and “Mordor”. Ferry and I call the dark and sharp coral islands “Mordor”, because they look like the home base of evil characters in fictional stories, particularly like the one in “The Lord of the Rings”.

Puncak lain lebih luas, salah satunya dengan batuan karang yang berderet di ujung. Mesti hati-hati berjalan di batuan karang ini karena langsung berbatasan dengan tebing, salah satu spot terbaik di batuan paling ujung dengan view Misool yang spektakuler.

Other peaks are more spacious, one of which has coral reefs lined up at the end. Extra care must be taken when walking on these coral rocks, for beside it is the edge of the cliff. But this spot is actually one of the best spots to view spectacular Misool.  

Yang membuat pemandangan dari Puncak Harfat begitu mempesona salah satunya adalah laut Misool yang dangkal dengan pasir putih di bawahnya, membuat laut di sekeliling pulau-pulau karang itu berwarna-warni dengan rangkaian warna turquoise. Langit yang biru plus awan putih membuat kami makin cinta dengan Misool, totally a breath-taking view!

What makes the view from Harfat Peak so astonishing is Misool’s shallow waters with white sands underneath, coloring the water around the coral islands with an array of turquoise. The blue skies with white clouds has made us to become more in love with Misool, totally a breath-taking view! 

@marischkaprue - Misool took her breath away over and over again

 Photo by Ferry Rusli

Thank you Google+ and Indonesia.Travel for this project! Let's promote more of Indonesia!

NOTES:

• Misool terletak di area Selatan Raja Ampat. Misool adalah salah satu pulau dari 4 pulau utama di Raja Ampat, area di Pulau Misool dan sekitarnya ini juga disebut Misool.
• Misool located in the southern area of Raja Ampat. Misool is one of the 4 main islands in Raja Ampat. The area around Misool Island is also called Misool.
• Untuk menuju ke Misool ambil penerbangan menuju Sorong. (Penerbangan Jakarta - Sorong biasanya via transit di Makassar, budget Rp. 4 juta PP). Dari Sorong dilanjutkan dengan speed boat selama 4-5 jam perjalanan.
• To reach Misool, take a flight to Sorong (Flight from Jakarta to Sorong usually via Makassar. The usual ticket price for return ticket Jakarta - Sorong - Jakarta is around 350 USD). From Sorong you can continue with speed boat, around 4 to 5 hours boat trip.
• Terdapat homestay Harfat Jaya di Pulau Harapan Jaya, Misool dengan budget sekitar Rp. 400.000,- hingga Rp. 500.000,- per orang per hari.
• There is a homestay in Harapan Jaya Island, Misool. Harfat Jaya homestay cost about 34 USD to 43 USD per person per day.
• Sewa kapal ke Misool sangat mahal sehingga untuk mendapatkan budget trip sekitar 6 juta selama 5 hari, anda harus share hingga 20 orang dalam satu kali trip. Lebih baik ikut penyedia trip seperti Wisata Raja Ampat yang menyediakan Misool Trip dengan budget di bawah Rp. 6 juta (exclude tiket pesawat). Contact Wisata Raja Ampat di +62852 960 43961 atau PIN BB di 2A495979. Trip biasanya diadakan 2-3 kali dalam setahun, antara di bulan Mei, Oktober dan Desember.
• Renting a speedboat to Misool is highly expensive, to get a 509 USD budget for 5 days exploring Misool, you will need to share speedboat cost with around 20 person on one trip. I suggest you to join open trip such as Wisata Raja Ampat who provide Misool Trip with budget under 509 USD (exclude plane ticket). You can contact Wisata Raja Ampat through +62852 960 43961 or Blackberry PIN 2A495979. The trip usually takes time in May, October and December.
• Penginapan yang tersedia hanya homestay, pilihan lain adalah Misool Eco Resort dengan rate Rp. 5,8 juta per orang per hari. 
• The only accomodation available is homestay, for more comfortable choices you can stay at Misool Eco Resort with rate around 492 USD per person per day.

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ABOUT MISOOL:

• Wonderful Trip, Indonesia Only: Misool
• Yapap, A Piece of Heaven in Raja Ampat
• Lenmakana beach, another Retreat in Misool
• Another Fun Photos with The Jellyfish in Lenmakana Lake
• Stingless Jellyfish in Lenmaka Lake

My visit to Misool is a collaboration with Google+ and Indonesia Travel

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