Gilang Embang Putra Pratama: Driving Around the World by Bike
“A sense of loneliness that must be, sometimes all day no one asks me to talk”. So said Gilang Embang Putra Pratama, alumni of Department of Conservation of Forest Resources and Ecotourism (KSHE), Faculty of Forestry, Bogor Agricultural University (Fahutan IPB) 42nd batch. The above expression was out when he asked how he felt to go around the world alone by bicycle.
Yes, since Joint Preparation Level (TPB), he had actively joined in Student Activity Unit (UKM) of Lawalata, an organization of the nature lover that was legendary at IPB. Unlike recent graduates in general i.e. searching for a job which was well-established, Embang, so he was usually called, actually did something “unusual”. He actually was struggling for his solo expedition preparation, “Expedition Solo Around The World”.
On 13 May 2012, Embang went to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia as the starting point of the start of the expeditiont. Why Kuala Lumpur and not Indonesia? This was because almost all cities in Indonesia were ever explored by bike.
Since joining with Lawalata IPB, Embang started to build the dream around the world. Mountain climbing, expedition, and cycling to the islands of Indonesia increasingly shaped the roaming instinct in him. According to him, the venture was a human instinct as living being and it was embodiment of intelligent being and had a high curiosity.
Capitalized bike and batik clothes which had always been a central feature, a man aged 26 years, displayed many non verbal languages in introducing Indonesia to foreign countries. Armed with the skills to play the flute, he told the world that he came from Indonesia. Other provision was the painting of the pictorial tribes in Indonesia. Through this painting, he introduced how rich culture of Indonesia.
Heavy bikes and luggages reached out 45 kgs. No wonder if the day he could experience the burst tire several times. Uphill and down the street became the daily food when he paddled. In addition to tire blowout, which was a major obstacle, was looking for a place to rest at night.
During the search for a place to stay, he never got offers from local people directly. “I more often sleep in the camp of Indonesian Workers (TKI), it is also because I am requesting”, he said. Malaysia indeed became the main country for the Indonesian Workers to find a bite of rice, and it also became the luck of Embang when he was confused to sleep where.
When starting the journey, Embang just brought the money of Rp 500 thousand. He used 50 ringgit from the money when he was in Malaysia. The rest, Embang used the money from giving people in the street. Ever too KBRI Laos gave the money of 100 dollar as provision. Now UKM Lawalata IPB was seeking the funding for Embang from various sponsorships and the like.
In addition to conveying the cultural message of Indonesia, Embang also echoed “go green and cultural exchange for better life.” So in addition to introduce culture of Indonesia abroad, the plan was that Embang also would invite the community in the country that was passed to campaign “go green”.
End in June 2012, Embang reached the border of Malaysia and Thailand. Although the area that would be passed was in conflict between the local residents with the government, it did not reduce his intention to pass through the area where the travelers rarely passed. From Thailand, Embang would continue his exploration to the countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa, then it would continue and end up in America. From America, he would sail home to Indonesia. Embang would take the whole of this exploration over three years. (ris)
