Chinese New Year on Belitung Island

My Chinese New Year holiday was spent on the small island of Belitung, found a short distance off the northeast coast of Jakarta. Belitung is known for its island hopping, rocky beaches, and tin mine. During Chinese New Year, everything is covered in red and gold to represent wealth, good fortune, happiness, and longevity. In addition, it is custom for married couples to give red envelopes filled with money to singles and children to ensure their good fortune for the forthcoming year. Amounts need to be in even denominations because odd denominations are given during funerals. Interestingly, denominations are viewed as odd or even based on the first number. For example, 30 and 50 would be considered odd numbers and bad luck, while 23 or 45 would be considered even.

In my hotel, I was greeted by a traditional Chinese New Year dragon and lion dance. Typically, these dances are performed by local martial artist groups. Both dances are believed to bring good luck. 

It is believed that the loud beats of the drum and the deafening sounds of the cymbals together with the face of the dragon or lion dancing aggressively can evict bad or evil spirits. In the video, the lion dances and attempts to pluck the auspicious green vegetables from a pole. The lion will eat and spit out the green vegetable, but then go around to collect red envelopes as a reward for its effort.

Me, Andrew, and Amy in the lobby of our hotel

Hotel Pool

Lion dancers came to greet the bules after finishing the performance

My boy here was impressed by the remnants of my muscles

My fellow BBS teachers. Front to Back: Cindy, Josh, Patrick, Ben, and Aaron

Ocean view from pool

After settling in at the hotel. The BBS crew made its way to one of Belitung's most famous beaches, Tanjung Tinggi Beach. This beach is famous for its massive and unique rock formations and being the location of Indonesia's "most" popular film, Laskar Pelangi (The Rainbow Troops). The movie was produced in 2008 and based on the novel of the same name by Andrea Hirata. For anyone who has seen The Raid: Redemption you obviously would disagree with this being Indonesia's most popular film. 

Ben with his sarong, which is a traditional Indonesian cloth

Playing some games...

Beautiful sunset at Tanjung Tinggi Beach

Rashidah and I at a local warung

Tanjung Kelayang Beach

Everyone after lunch at Rumah Makan Belitung Timpo Duluk. Back Row (L to R): Amy, Aaron, Patrick, Josh, Nava. Front Row (L to R) Me, Rashidah, Cindy, Ben, Andrew.

The next day we ventured out to do some island hopping from the Northwest part of Belitung. After a slightly terrifying boat ride that left no one dry and many of us clutching the boat tightly, we made our first stop at Lengkuas. On the island we explored an old, still-functioning lighthouse built by the Dutch, climbed a labyrinth of rocks, and snorkeled the bay.

The next stop, Kepayang, was a slightly larger island that had a much bigger surprise...

Great view of Lengkuas

Surprise! A sea turtle sanctuary that runs completely off of donations from visitors. It is a hidden treasure that required a bit of a walk when we arrived on Kepayang. Not only was I shocked that the tiny island had a sea turtle sanctuary, but my expectations were obliterated when I was given an opportunity to hold a sea turtle. And don't worry, I was given the okay by the conservationist handler.

View from the beach-side cafe on Kepayang where we all ate a local delicacy, indo mie 

The next morning everyone took it easy and we headed back to the Giant Durian, a.k.a. Jakarta...