#1 JET's ARMCHAIR TRAVEL STORY: DELFT BLAUW POTTERY & BATIK SEKAR JAGAT BIRU

Als de orchideen bloeien

Kom dan toch terug bij mij

Nogmaals wil ik met je wezen

zoveel leed is dan voorbij

- Ismail Marzuki (1939) 

            As the world and all her inhabitants are fighting the corona virus, it would be unsafe and unwise to conduct travelling these days. But, hey, none of us wish to miss out those Instagram-able corners of the world. 

            Taking this into account, let's accompany JET's on his first armchair travel story based on his 2019 visit to Delft, The Netherlands. To return to Delft is to walk down the memory lane that I had shared with my parents and grandparents decades ago, as a toddler. 

            The verses of the well-known "Als de  ordhideen bloeien" Keroncong song keeps on playing in the back of my head as I strolled in the historical city centre of Delft in The Netherlands in Summer 2019. My late Oma (Dutch for Grandmother) used to sing me this song when I was a toddler. Born in Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, she was educated in the then Dutch-administered from elementary school to high school which lessons were taught in Dutch. 

            Delft is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland, Netherlands. It is located between Rotterdam, to the southeast, and The Hague, to the northwest. A famous location for students, it is home to Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), regarded as center of technological research and development in the Netherlands. 

            To lawyers focusing on international law, Delft holds a special place in their hearts. It is the birth town of Hugo Grotius. Grotius is acknowledged as the Father of International Law as he laid down the foundation of international law. Two of his books have had a lasting impact in the field of international law, namely De jure belli ac pacis (On the Law of War and Peace) dedicated to Louis XIII of France and the Mare Liberum (The Free Seas). Grotius has also contributed significantly to the evolution of the notion of rights. Before him, rights were above all perceived as attached to objects; after him, they are seen as belonging to persons, as the expression of an ability to act or as a means of realizing something.

            In the arts world, Delft enjoys a worldwide reputation due to its connection with Johannes Vermeer who was also born there. Anyone watches the Hollywood blockbuster "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" starred Scarlett Johannoen. The movie is based on Vermeer's epic painting, which is now housed in Mauritshuis, The Hague. 

            Delft Blauw pottery, or Blue (in English), is originated in this city too. The original blue and white colored Delft factory dating back from the 17th century. 

            Now, let's embark on JET's armchair travel to Delft via Instagram (@JETANDJUNG) as well as Facebook Page (JET's Fashion Diplomacy). 

Catatan Kecil Untuk Rekans Diplomat dan Sahabats Fashionista:

Seorang bijak pernah mengatakan siapa pun yang merencanakan hidupnya dengan baik akan memetik buah kehidupan yang baik pula. Hal ini pun dapat diterapkan saat kita hendak berwisata. Upayakan untuk mengetahui lebih banyak mengenai negara dan kota tujuan wisata, serta objek wisatanya. 

Delft, contohnya, kota di negara Belanda yang mengundang decak kagum dari seluruh penduduk dunia karena industri tembikar Delft Biru (Blauw). Dari abad ke-17, tembikar khas Delft yang berwarna biru dan putih telah menjadi komoditas ekspor Belanda ke pasar asing. 

Tidak sulit untuk mencari busana Batik khas Indonesia yang berwarna putih biru dan bermotif senada dengan gaya khas Belanda. JET memilih Batik tulis bermotif Sekar Jagat yang merupakan salah satu motif klasik Batik Yogyakarta. 

Batik Indonesia + Delft Blue The Netherlands = a match !!!

Let's stroll around Delft, dear friend, while promoting Batik Diplomacy. 

At one of those you-cannot-miss-picturesque-canals of Delft. 

JET's Batik shirt with Sekarjagat pattern is designed by Winotosastro House of Batik in Yogyakarta. The pattern Sekarjagat or Flower of the Universe in English, is one of classic Javanese pattern. 

When Delft Blauw Meets Batik Sekarjagat Biru.

JET visits Delft by wearing blueish Batik to match the city's iconic blue pottery. Indeed, travelling requires fashion planning as well, agree friends?!!!

Meet Meneer Hugo Grotius 

The Dutch Jurist, Diplomat, Legal Scholar and most renowned Father of International Law, who was born in Delft. 

Almost sunset at the Windmill, one of the most renowned icons of Holland.

The Scarlet-windowed Town Hall of Delft. 

Heel moie, Delft

Sangat cantik

So beautiful

Dutch style of Loroblonyo :)

I simply can not take my eyes off this Delft Blue grand vase. So captivating. 

When each corner of Delft is utterly Instagram-able.

Not to mention that it is also a Heaven for those sweet and choco tooth 

This is Delftsbier praline which is one of the city's best-known pralines.

Some gelato after those long walks? 

Before we leave, gotta taste some local delicacies, such as this renowned smoked cheese by Henri Willig. The Jalapeno suits my Indonesian tongue so well -far less spicy than a Padangnese sambal hijau though- :)

My parents, Mr Jos and Mrs Henny Tandjung, at the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk), the iconic church in Delft. 

The church plays a significant role in the Netherlands as the deceased members of Dutch Royal Families including Kings and Queens are entombed in its Royal Crypt. 

My Mother, Mrs Henny Tandjung, with Mrs Rusdijana Puja, spouse of Indonesia's Ambassador to the Netherlands. 

Tot ziens Holland. 

Until we meet again, Delft and The Hague. Hopefully soon! 

#JETFashionDiplomacy

#BatikDiplomacy

#IndonesianFashionDiplomacy

#BatikInTheNetherlands

#Delft

#WearBatikAnywhere