Lake Maninjau

2006-07-03T19:48:00.000+07:00

Lake Maninjau is a crater lake in West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is located at 0°19′S 100°12′E. It has an area of 99.5 km², being approximately 16 km long and 7 km wide. The average depth is 105 m, with a maximum depth of 165 m.
The natural outlet for excess water is the Batang Antokan river, located on the west side of the lake. Since 1983 this water has been used to generate hydroelectric power for West Sumatra.
Most of the people who live around Lake Maninjau are ethnically Minangkabau. Villages on the shores of the lake include Maninjau and Bayur.
Lake Maninjau is used as a site for paragliding.

The City of Bukittinggi

2006-07-03T19:16:00.000+07:00

Bukittinggi (Indonesian for "high hill") is one of the larger cities in West Sumatra, Indonesia, with a population of over 91,000 people and an area of 25.24 km². It is located in the Minangkabau highlands, 95 km by road ( 2 hours driven ) from the West Sumatra capital city of Padang. At 930 m above sea level, the city has a cool climate and it is located near the volcanoes Mount Singgalang (inactive) and Mount Marapi (still active). It is located at 0°19′S 100°22′E.
The city was also known as Fort de Kock during colonial times in reference to the Dutch outpost established here in 1825 during the Padri War. During the Indonesian National Revolution, Bukittinggi was the headquarters for the Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PDRI) from December 19, 1948 to July 13, 1949.
It is a city popular with tourists due to the climate and central location. Attractions within the city include:

Ngarai Sianok (Sianok Canyon)
Lobang Jepang (Japanese Caves) - a network of underground bunkers & tunnels built by the Japanese during World War II
Jam Gadang - a large clock tower built by the Dutch in 1926.
Pasar Atas and Pasar Bawah markets
Taman Bundo Kanduang park. The park includes a replica Rumah Gadang (literally: big house, with the distinctive Minangkabau roof architecture) used as museum of Minangkabau culture, and a zoo. The Dutch hilltop outpost Fort de Kock is connected to the zoo by the Limpapeh pedestrian overpass.

Source: www.answers.com

MinangKabau and Singapore

2006-07-03T19:08:00.000+07:00

Zubir Said (also Zubir Syed) (22 July 1907–16 November 1987) is a film composer who composed the national anthem of Singapore, Majulah Singapura. He is believed to have written about 1,000 songs
Zubir Said was born in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Zubir Said attended a Dutch school but had no interest in the academic studies. His music started when he was introduced to the Solfa music system. A classmate subsequently taught him how to play and make a flute, and in middle school, he learnt guitar and drums.
After he recovered from his sickness, he took up his friend's suggestion to go to Singapore to make a living as a musician. In Singapore, he was exposed to many types of music.
In the late 1950s, the commissioning of Majulah Singapura took place. Zubir Said's song was accepted and the song was sung at the grand finale of the concert after the renovated Victoria Theatre on 6 September 1958.
When Singapore had attained self-government in 1959, the Government had to establish symbols of loyalty for Singapore. After alterations were made to the song, it was accepted by the Legislative Assembly on 11 November 1959 and was presented to the nation on 3 December to the public at the launch of loyalty week.
He continued working in Cathay Keris Film Productions until 1964 when he retired. He had since been conferred the Sijil Kemuliaan (Certificate of Honour) in 1963, recognising his contributions to the state. Among other awards, he also received the Asean Cultural and Communications Award in 1987.
Zubir Said died at the age of 80 in 1987.
He is primarily remembered for composing the national anthem of Singapore, Majulah Singapura, or Onward Singapore. The song unites all the races of Singapore to sing to this stirring tune with simple lyrics, together.
He has also submitted compositions to the Malaysian government for consideration for their National Anthem in 1956, although Negaraku was accepted in the end.
He is also remembered for his composition, Semoga Bahagia, for primary-schoolgoing his Children's Day song for Singaporean children, and for the Singapore Youth Festival, advising children to work hard for their future.

The Songs:
"Majulah Singapura"
by Zubir Said (1907-1987)

Mari kita rakyat Singapura
Sama-sama menuju bahagia
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Berjaya Singapura

Marilah kita bersatu
Dengan semangat yang baru
Semua kita berseru
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura

English Versions:
Come, fellow Singaporeans
Let us progress towards happiness together
May our noble aspiration bring
Singapore success

Come, let us unite
In a new spirit
Let our voices soar as one
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore

" Semoga Bahagia "
By Zubir Said

Sama-sama maju ke hadapan
Pandai cari pelajaran
Jaga diri dalam kesihatan
Serta sopan-santun dengan kawan-kawan
Dengan hati bersih serta suci
Sama-sama hormat dan berbudi
Jaga tingkah pemuda-pemudi
Adat dan budaya junjung tinggi
Capailah lekas cita-cita pemudi-pemuda
Supaya kita ada harga di mata dunia
Kalau kita lengah serta lupa
Hidup kita sia-sia
Jiwa besar sihat serta segar
Rajin dengan sabar tentu bahagia
Lemah lembut perangai pemudi
Cergas tangkas wataknya pemuda
Suka rela selalu berbakti
Sikap yang pembela dan berjasa
Capailah nama yang mulia pemudi-pemuda
Rajinlah supaya berjaya semoga bahagia

Source: www.wikipedia.org and www.answers.com

Jam Gadang

2006-06-10T12:11:00.000+07:00

Jam Gadang ( Big Ben ) at Bukittinggi early in the morning

Limpapeh Bridge

2006-06-10T12:08:00.000+07:00

A bridge from Fort de Kock to Zoo at Bukittinggi

Bird

2006-06-06T14:40:00.000+07:00

Beautiful Custom House

2006-05-03T19:35:00.000+07:00

This Beautiful House located at small village near by Bukittinggi. On the way to Lake Maninjau from Padang.

This village produce wood carving and weaving handcraft...very beautiful

Pagaruyuang Palace

2006-05-02T20:59:00.000+07:00

Located at Batusangkar, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Another House

2006-04-21T10:23:00.000+07:00

This house located at Pagaruyung, a small village near Batusangkar, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Long time ago it was king palace

Another Sunset

2006-04-21T10:21:00.000+07:00

The sunset seen at Lake Maninjau

Fishing

2006-04-21T10:20:00.000+07:00

Rest

2006-04-20T18:00:00.000+07:00

Working on The Rice Field

2006-04-20T17:59:00.000+07:00

Another Rice Fields

2006-04-20T17:58:00.000+07:00

Minangkabau Custom House

2006-04-20T17:14:00.000+07:00

The rumah gadang (Minangkabau, "big house") is the traditional house (Indonesian: "rumah adat") of the Minangkabau. A rumah gadang is a long house, and the roof of the building curves upwards at each end to form horn like shapes. With the Minangkabau society being matrilineal, the rumah gadang is owned by the women of the family who live there - ownership is passed from mother to daughter. One of the larger examples of the Rumah Gadang architectural style is the Pagaruyung Palace near Batusangkar.

A Shelter

2006-04-20T12:57:00.000+07:00

A Shelter on the way to the lake...

From Embun Pagi

2006-04-20T12:53:00.000+07:00

Lake Maninjau From Embun Pagi

Photo taken from www.wikipedia.org

" A ship" on the Lake

2006-04-17T17:15:00.000+07:00

Going fishing early in the morning

Beautiful Sunset

2006-04-17T15:43:00.000+07:00

Sunset on Lake Maninjau

Rice Fields

2006-04-17T15:40:00.000+07:00

Rice Fields on 44 U-turn

Preview

2006-01-15T03:49:00.000+07:00

I make this blog just because of " How Incredible Is Maninjau".......
Anyone can see ....
Not all the photographs taken by myself, some of them downloaded from internet...

YM