One Tree Hill Lookout

One Tree Hiil Lookout is located in One Tree Hill Regional Park, one of Bendigo's major recreational area. This park is 1,090 hectares wide with colourful of wildflowers and variety of daisies. Some wild faunas can be found here such as wallabies and lace monitors.

The Lookout is probably situated in the highest elevation of the park. Thus, the view of the forest and the city can be seen. It also used as bushfire surveillance tower, to anticipate if the flame appears in the south eastern Bendigo. I am not sure about its height, but probably around 50 to 70 metres. It is not really high but enough to see the amazing view.














Picture from: www.travelvictoria.com.au





























Picture from my camera

Cold...

Winter has come in June. The temperature in Bendigo has dropped below zero in some days. Chill, cold and so freezing especially at night. Each time I go out I must wear layers of clothes, or probably I ever wear 5 layers! Sometimes with head cover and gloves (if i ride bike).

I never experience this cold before. Last year on winter I went home to visit my family, therefore exeperiencing winter in June-July is my first time.

In early days there were some rains and lasting almost a whole week. Make me sick and just rest at home. It obstruct my thesis process, but anyway try to enjoy it. By spending more times with family, and my daughter.

Brrrr, I miss my home country, with temperature just 30 degree average.

My Last Class

I just finished my last subject. Thus, I still have another semester to finish my degree. I need to complete my minor thesis for another 6 months. Time is going to quick, not ralize that I should back home soon. This is the photo of my classmates from the last class, only few 7 students. Probably one of the smallest class that I ever attended. I can't wait to type my thesis, struggling and fight against laziness :-) he3

Indonesian Community in Bendigo Easter Parade

Every year Easter Festival commemorates in Bendigo. This year, the festival conducts within four days Friday to Monday, from 10 to 13 April 2009. On Monday, the big parade is held which participated by numerous groups and institutions. This parade also a part of "Sun Loong" Dragon attraction (the longest Chinese Dragon in the World) that only performs once a year. Thousands of people gathered to watch the parade whom mostly are coming outside of Bendigo, even from overseas.

This year Indonesia community is also invited by the council to participate. After absent last year, now the community eager to carry fantastic performance to the crowd. Around 80 people join the Indonesian parade group, who are plenty of them are not native Indonesian. Some of them are students from Ambonese, some are Indonesian residents. The rests are Australian who interested with Indonesian culture and students from local schools.

The Indonesian group comprises of people who wear traditional dresses (such from Aceh, Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Bali and Molluccas). Around ten of them dance Kuda Kupang, play gendangs and gongs, while the others just walking and waving their hands to audiences. Three pedicabs (becak) accompannies the group to create the uniqueness. The group walks through the city centre in the route for about 2 km.

As the parade over, Sun Loong comes as the closing ceremony. It's amazing to wonder how big and long it is. The parade started from 11.00 and finished at 13.00. Afterwards, Bendigo becomes quiet and calm again.

International Dinner

After the success of International Dinner last year, the similar event was held again this semester . It is also a part of Unimates program that had been run for two months. International Dinner this semester was conducted in La Trobe Uni Bendigo, in Student Union Ground Floor and attended by almost 40 students from different countries. They are coming from Australia, Singapore, Srilanka, India, Indonesia, Finland, Denmark, USA, Iran, Canada and China.

All of them were encouraged to bring their own home-country food and sharing the stories on how they made it. The tables are full with more than 20 various food, which divided as vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Students from Scandinavia cooked their traditional bread with Salmon and special sauce. Indians and Sri Lankans brought their special recipe of rice, chicken and ginger tea. One of unxpected food was coming from Australian friend, who cooked Kangaroo meat in barbaque sauce (surpirsingly!).

I brought a plate full of Bakwan (which cooked by my wife). Around 20 Bakwans on the plate, with extra 30 Bakwans in the tupperware and all of them were eaten. My American friends, who never eat Bakwan before, asking the recipe and amazed with the taste. Others also curious about it, I just told them that Bakwan is very common in Indonesia and can be found anywhere (especially in street vendors).

One of my favourite food was coming from Sri Lanka. Because it served rice, and I can't feel full if eat without rice.