Everyone has the right to have dreams and attempted to achieve them. My trip to Belitung (read part 1 here) has made me realize that life is too short to have only one dream. Stories from the elementary students of SD Muhammadiyah Gantong Belitung have proved that as difficult as we are at the moment, we can still succeed if there is a willingness to try. That if there is a will, there is a way (even a little miracle). The Laskar Pelangi film (directed by Riri Riza), which based on the Laskar Pelangi true-story-novel (which has been translated into 20 languages) by Andrea Hirata, successfully make Belitung known as the Country of Hope.

Replica of SDN Muhammadiyah Gantong

Replica of SDN Muhammadiyah Gantong

The whole story, pictures, and memories of the Laskar Pelangi film, continue to inspire travelers to come to visit Belitung. Andrea Hirata, one of the alumni of SD Muhammadiyah is still focusing on improving the education of Belitung Children. That’s why he built the Museum Kata Andrea Hirata in November 2012 in Jalan Raya Laskar Pelangi No.7, Gantong, Belitung Timur.

Visitor will be pampered with colorful-cheerful interior, with a gallery of Laskar Pelangi Film. In Museum Kata Andrea Hirata, you can see the entire novel which ever written by Andrea Hirata, footage of some scenes in Laskar Pelangi film, and also some quotes of Andrea Hirata’s novel. Andrea Hirata’s dream to advance education in Belitung has not been completed and will never be completed, cause it's a long journey--a life journey. All revenues from the Museum Kata Andrea Hirata (entrance ticket, official merchandise, etc) will be allocated for free education for children in Belitung.

Museum Kata Andrea Hirata

Museum Kata Andrea Hirata

Museum Kata Andrea Hirata

Me, in front of Museum Kata Andrea Hirata

Some Scene of Laskar Pelangi Film

Museum Kata Andrea Hirata

Museum Kata Andrea Hirata

Museum Kata Andrea Hirata

Museum Kata Andrea Hirata

Museum Kata Andrea Hirata

Museum Kata Andrea Hirata

Scene from Laskar Pelangi Film

Besides Kopi Kuli

In the back of Museum, there is a small kitchen which called Warkop Kupi Kuli. Warkop means Warung Kopi (coffee shop), and Kupi Kuli means Kuli Coffee (traditional Belitung’s coffee). Here you can enjoy coffee while resting, also you can buy official merchandise of Laskar Pelangi film.

Warkop Kupi Kuli

Andrea Hirata has proved that although he is from a small region of Indonesia, he can be a successful person. He has the dreams and he tries to reach those dreams with all his might. So, what is your dream and what do you do to reach that dream?

You can also read my complete journey in Belitung HERE.

So, this is the “photograph-gun” that I bring to travel:

Sony Mirrorless Camera A6000

I bought it two years ago and still use it to this day. It comes with a 50 mm lens and the picture quality as good as DSLR camera. This is a light, simple, and vintage-style camera, but has a complete feature such as a DSLR. Sony has also added the wifi feature on the camera, which makes us able to transfer photos from the camera directly to our mobile phone. There is a little dissapoinment from this camera, which is the focus sensor is-sometimes-slow, so it's not suitable for photographing fast movement. But hey, we'll be more photographing the landscape during the journey, so why should we care about movements?

GoPro Hero 4 Silver Edition

I thought nothing could beat a Gopro for action camera. I ever tried a competitor's brand of Gopro, Xiaomi Yi Camera, but turns out I prefer Gopro. It could take a picture widely-or not if you want it-but I think Gopro can adapt in various circumstances as you travel. I don't need to explain more about this camera. You have to buy it!

iPhone 5C

Yep, since I stopped spending money for gadgets, especially cell phones, I remain faithful to my mobile: iPhone 5C. As long as my phone still can record images and video, then be it (grin). It also has a pretty pink color! (Update: unfortunately, my iPhone 5c is broken and has been replaced with an iPhone 6)

So what are the camera always you have to travel?

If you have read my first trip to Dieng, you probably think that I’m the excessive person. Or you might be thinking that it’s just a regular trip; what’s so special about that trip, anyway? Well, I guess it’s depending on your perspective.

But for me, personally, when I watched the sunrise from Bukit Sikunir, where you can see the bright rays of the sun, the big sun in front of your face--I don’t know if it’s you--but for me, that was a magic moment. When you realize that you just a tiny human against the world. That you never been seeing much God’s creations, that you always spend your time, your life, for the statement we called “success”, for something that we called “achievements”. I think I would like to spend my whole life for traveling. That was an incredible moment, which I never forget for the rest of my life. I lost my words to describe that moment, it feels like my heart is going to explode because of happiness.

After that trip, I realize that there are some several changes of habits that I did:

How about you? Did you feel any different when you travel? Please share!

Photo source: pexels.com