Garuda Indonesia Colours Magazine March 2015 | Page 114

112

Travel | Berastagi
evacuated. It has been quietly
rumbling with over 25 smaller
intermittent eruptions since
then. I was in awe to see the
people of Berastagi back in
their town resuming their lives
even as the mighty mountain
continues to grumble.

The way these people have shown
resilience and carried on with their
lives is as inspiring as the majestic
mountains themselves.

The next day Mother Nature
was kinder to us. Abdy told me
the winds had changed direction
and were now blowing ash away
from the town. Mery prepared
a traditional dish as a special
treat to start the day. Arsik is
a traditional Batak dish of carp
cooked with a rare spice called
andaliman, which is related to
Sichuan pepper. The colour of
the carp was predominantly
yellow because of the turmeric
and the flavourful flesh was
beautifully moist, soft and
tender. She served it with rice,
the perfect side dish as the fish
had a wonderful curry-like
(but more pungent) aroma.
Abdy had a surprise for me too.
Later that day we drove up to
Mount Sinabung and trekked
up to a safe spot to enjoy the
sunset. We were joined by many
locals who also made the trek
to appreciate this gift of nature
in their back yard, despite
the disconcerting mood the
mountain had been in not more
than 24 hours earlier. How the
recent eruptions have affected
the fair people of Berastagi is sad
and unfortunate, yet at the same
time the way these people
have shown resilience and
carried on with their lives is
as inspiring as the majestic
mountains themselves.

The unique shape of the Batak
Karo house roof with its colourful
ornaments and the water-buffalo
horns looking down at the top of it,
which locals believe can protect the
house’s occupants.
The carved gecko ornaments
surrounding the outer walls of the
house are believed to protect the
house from evil spirits.
A colourful painted wood-carved
ornament on the wall of the house.
One of the traditional Batak
Karo houses located at Dokan
Batak village.

5 Senses – Sight
A SLICE OF
MYANMAR

This temple is the largest
Buddhist pagoda in Indonesia.
Though the road to reach it is a
little rough and tumble, it’s well
worth the journey. The temple
looks majestic as the brilliant gold
contrasts with the surrounding
blue skies and green jungles.
It was built as a smaller replica of
the Shwedagon Pagoda Temple
in Yangon, Myanmar. Everyone is
welcome to explore, but be sure
to keep quiet and show respect
as there are people who are there
to pray and meditate.
www.tamana