Wooden Houses Jalousie Windows

by Charles Roring

Earthquake resistant wooden houses in tropical region often use jalousie windows (usually located above or beside the glass windows) as ventilation system for the cooling of rooms. Generally, glass louvred jalousie windows are installed at the front walls near the verandah or at the living room where house owners receive their guests. The louvre windows brighten the indoor rooms because they allow not only the fresh air to enter the houses but also the sunlight. 

Since the day temperature can reach 31 degrees Celcius at night and 27 degrees Celcius at night, the ventilation holes will be not fully closed. This is different from houses in northern and southern region of the earth where the temperature can reach zero degrees Celcius or where there is snow during winter season. 

To filter the dust from the street from flying into the rooms, house owners usually install transparent curtain sheets or drapes behind the glass louvred windows. 

Green and flower plants are natural air filter that people in tropical region usually grow at the front-yard of the houses.

The curtain also improves the privacy of the house owner because people cannot easily see the interior of the house except at nights when the lamps are on. The glass windows can be covered by curtain if the owner does not want people from the street to see the interior of the house. Hardwood jalousie windows can usually be seen in the walls of bedrooms. 

Typical Wooden House in Tropical Indonesia

Glass-louvered windows

The combination of jalousie hardwood ventilation holes with glass-louvre windows is the most common type of ventilation system in tropical houses. Because wooden houses use timber for the frames, walls and windows, they have to be specially treated. Wooden structures need to be covered with paints or varnished to protect them from water vapor that can cause them to rot. 

In tropical region, jalousie windows are considered environmentally friendly because they don't need electrical energy to enable air circulation. This ventilation system allows trade wind to flow naturally into and out of a house. However, malaria is a serious disease in tropical region, all of the jalousie louvre windows have to be covered with mosquito nets to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house, especially the bedrooms at nights.

If you are interested in seeing the design and construction of tropical wooden houses in Minahasa regency and want me to accompany and guide you, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp through the following button:

Also read:

• Tropical wooden houses
• Wooden House of Minahasa - An Earthquake Resistant Construction

Tropical Rainforest a Great Tourist Attraction

Tropical rainforest - an attractive tourist destination

I don't know whether you agree with the above title or not but as a tourist guide, I have been escorting tourists hiking around the tropical rainforest of Manokwari city of Indonesia. They traveled from such countries as Russia, Norway, England and the Netherlands to watch birds, butterflies, as well as orchids in their natural habitats. I always write my experience traveling with them at my blog Ecotourism Manokwari Papua. Tourists who come to the rainforest of Table Mountain or Arfak Mountains will have the change to see the beauty of the wildlife and the forest vegetation that cannot be seen outside tropical region. For example, the sulphur crested cockatoo and the birds of paradise have always been great attractions to nature lovers. Birds are the most effective seed dispersers. It means they are the ones that expand the forest area or that restore the deforested region. So, when travelers go hiking in the tropical rainforest, they do not only enjoy the beautiful scenery, breathe fresh air or take photographs of wild animals but also study the functions of each component of the forest ecosystem.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo from Rainforest of West Papua

Snorkeling and Coral Reef Preservation

A German tourist was snorkeling in West Papua's Raja Ampat archipelago

Snorkeling is a water sport activity where you swim on the surface of the water while wearing mask and snorkel. With this device, you can see things under the surface of the water and protect your eyes from irritation.

The best snorkeling experience can be achieved when you swim over coral reef. This marine ecosystem is the habitat of various species of ornamental fish and corals. Use underwater camera to take pictures of them. People who cannot swim may enjoy snorkeling by wearing life-jacket.

Scaly-breasted Kingfisher

Scaly-breasted Kingfisher

This is the photograph of Scaly-breasted Kingfisher (Actenoides princeps) that I saw in the forest of Mount Mahawu several kilometers from Tomohon town. I organized bird trip for 4 Taiwanese tourists at that time. We were walking along the trails inside the forest when we saw the bird roosting on the branch of a tree around 1.5 meters above the ground. It was a very good sighting because the bird stayed on the branch for more than 5 minutes.

The bird is an important target among birders who want to see endemic avifauna of Sulawesi. As a tourist guide, I run birding tours to this region for visitors who want to go to Sulawesi for watching birds or seeing the natural beauty of its landscapes. In addition to watching birds, visitors could see local people who are working in the farmlands, or making traditional palm sugar or even see how local villagers make metal farming tools.
Also read: Great-billed Kingfisher

Wisata Nonton Burung di Hutan Sorong

Beberapa waktu yang lalu, saya memandu 3  wisatawan pengamat burung dari Inggris. Mereka adalah Alan, Jill, dan Alison yang perjalanan wisatanya diatur oleh Naturetrek. Kami pergi ke hutan-hutan di pinggiran kota Sorong dari kawasan pantai hingga wilayah perbukitan. Kami mencarter sebuah kendaraan untuk melakukan perjalanan wisata ini. Kami membawa binocular, dan spotting-scope. Di hari pertama tur pengamatan burung, saya menjemput mereka di Pelabuhan Usaha Mina. Jalanan nampak sepi. Mobil Toyota Avanza yang membawa kami bergerak laju ke luar kota dan terus ke daerah yang ada hutannya.

Burung Luri Kepala Hitam

Health Benefits of Regular Walking Exercises

I regularly do walking exercises. I usually start walking at 15.00 local time. I do not have specific walking duration or minimum walking distance that I have to reach. For me, I just want to enjoy my time doing a healthy sports.
Endurance - In the past I liked to jog. I could run around the soccerfield for 6 to 8 times. Now I reduce my jogging activity and replace it with walking exercise. The main reason is to prevent unnecessary burden on my knees.
I could feel the difference in my body endurance between regular exercise and not doing exercise for at least one month. I could get better endurance in my daily activities if I also did regular physical exercises. I will not easily be attacked by bacteria or virus.

Swiss tourusts were walking along the sides of Mesirrokow river

Health Benefits of Fruit Breakfast

sliced watermelon

We need fiber in our food

Eating a combine mixture of sliced fruits is healthier than drinking fruit juice. Most of the fruits contain sugar. When they are consumed as juice, they can suddenly increase levels of blood sugar in our body. Fruit juice is liquid that is lack of fiber. When we eat fruits as sliced ones, they still contain fiber. Sugar will be absorbed by our body slowly or gradually. The fiber will also pass through our digestive system.  The fiber cleans our intestines. The micro-nutrients or vitamins are gradually released when we work, drive or do sports.

Cycling in Manokwari

I like riding my mountain bike in the afternoons as my way to refresh my mind after the usual 9 to 5 working time at my work. For me cycling is my hobby. I can spend one hour exploring the coastal road on the west of Manokwari town. I usually leave home at 4 and reach the Bakaro beach at around 5.15. I will sit there for a while at a gazebo to see the waves landing on the rocky beach before riding back to Kompleks Missi. The bicycle that I use is the Cozmic DX 2.0. It is a dirt jump bike that was manufactured by Polygon. Polygon is a famous bicycle manufacturer in Indonesia. The company has produced various types of bicycles from the ones that are suitable for office workers to the mountain bikes that are good for terrains in West Papua's north coast.

British student was cycling in Manokwari

Bike Commuting

How can we promote bike commuting or urban cycling among city dwellers who are used to riding motorcycles or driving cars? This is an important question that all of us need to answer.
Percentages of Bike Commuting Lifestyle
On page 7 of Making Cycling Irresistable: Lessons from the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany written by John Pucher and Ralph Buehler, I found some interesting figures. Bike commuting (travel to work or school) accounts for 28 % in Germany, 32% in the Netherlands and 35% in Denmark. These are technologically advanced states in Europe where car ownership is almost universal. Most of their citizens have got cars but they take up cycling as their preferred mode of transportation due to its health, economic, social and environmental benefits.

Some women were cycling in Makassar

Mountain Biking in the Rainforest

I like to ride my mountain bike to rainforest. The destination is Table Mountain, northern and southern coast of Manokwari. This is a beautiful coastal city in West Papua. As a matter of fact, West Papua province in Indonesia is a very nice place for cycling and mountain biking tours. There are several routes that I like to pedal through including Southern Coast, Northern Coast, Mount Soribo, Pasir Putih and Cape Bakaro. These places are suitable for mountain bikers.

Mountain Bike Community in Manokwari with an Italian Tourist

Cycling in Manokwari

I like to ride my mountain bike to rainforest. The destination is Table Mountain, northern and southern coast of Manokwari. This is a beautiful coastal city in West Papua. As a matter of fact, West Papua province in Indonesia is a very nice place for cycling and mountain biking tours. There are several routes that I like to pedal through including Southern Coast, Northern Coast, Mount Soribo, Pasir Putih and Cape Bakaro. These places are suitable for mountain bikers.

Mountain Bike Community in Manokwari with an Italian Tourist

Makanan dengan Nutrisi Anti Stress

Ilustrasi makanan yang sering dijumpai
di mall-mall di Indonesia

Ketika kita sedang bepergian setiap hari, sepenuhnya mengandalkan kafé-kafé, dan warung di mall atau di pinggir jalan untuk makan, hal ini akan mengganggu manajemen gula darah, sistem kekebalan dan pencernaan kita. Jika kita tidak memilih makanan secara bijaksana, hal tersebut akan terjadi.
Memahami bagaimana tingkat gula darah berfluktuasi sepanjang hari adalah hal utama yang menentukan bagaimana kita makan dengan baik. Apa yang kita makan akan mempengaruhi kondisi tubuh kita dan apa yang kita rasakan. Kemudian, kalau kita bisa menggabungkan makanan yang meningkatkan daya tahan tubuh dengan yang melawan racun (toxin) maka tubuh kita dapat berfungsi dengan baik secara emosional maupun biologis.
Ketika berada di kota besar yang penuh polusi, kemacetan, dan tingkat stress yang tinggi, kita bisa secara bijaksana memilih makanan sehat di toko atau restoran. Mari kita lihat gaya hidup di kota dari seseorang yang sibuk dengan usahanya sendiri atau bekerja di kantor. Karena tidak memiliki waktu untuk sarapan di rumah, ia akan mampir di warung makan pinggir jalan atau di dekat tempat kerjanya. Mungkin dia akan membeli kopi/ teh manis, makan kue tradisional, nasi rawon atau nasi goreng. Meskipun rasanya enak, energi dan gula yang disuplai oleh makanan itu kadang berlebihan.

Hindari Sarapan Pagi dengan Gula yang berlebihan
Jika Anda hanya bepergian keliling kota sambil duduk di dalam mobil, kemudian mampir di salon kecantikan, tukang pangkas rambut serta toko baju, sarapan pagi Anda yang cocok adalah sepotong kue tradisional, atau roti, serta teh tawar. Mengganti minuman panas yang terlalu manis dengan yoghurt, air putih juga baik. Jika Anda akan bepergian ke lokasi wisata dengan berjalan kaki yang lama di dalam hutan yang berbukit dan banyak tanjakan terjalnya di bawah terik matahari, maka makanan yang mengandung karbohidrat seperti nasi goreng, pisang goreng atau roti panggang isi selai adalah pilihan yang baik. Jangan lupa membawa sebotol air mineral, biskuit, dan minuman pengganti ion tubuh seperti pocari sweat di dalam tas.

Nutrisi anti-stress
Bepergian di kota yang padat penduduk, dan semrawut bisa mengakibatkan seseorang mengalami stress. Ada banyak makanan yang mengandung nutrient-nutrient bermanfaat bagi tubuh untuk melawan stress. Ketika seseorang stress, kelenjar adrenal dalam tubuhnya akan melepas adrenalin, yang kemudian akan melepas gula darah yang tersimpan sebagai energi; hal ini memicu pelepasan insulin yang berguna untuk menjaga agar tingkat gula darah tidak naik terlalu tinggi.
Jadi makanan mana yang cocok untuk melawan efek negatif dari stress? Nutrisi utama yang dibutuhkan untuk kehidupan masyarakat urban adalah yang mengandung magnesium dan vitamin C. Keduanya mendukung kelenjar adrenal dan dibutuhkan terus-menerus. Pada jam-jam sibuk dan saat menggunakan transportasi publik, jalan terburu-buru untuk mengejar bus, berbondong-bondong di bandara untuk nail pesawat, atau kereta api adalah stress yang umumnya dialami seseorang yang sedang bepergian baik di dalam kota besar, antar kota maupun ke tempat-tempat jauh.

Makanan kaya magnesium

• Tahu dan tempe
• Kacang-kacangan
• Sayuran berdaun hijau
• Ikan
• Alpukat
• dan lain-lain

Makanan kaya vitamin C

• Jeruk
• Nanas
• Mangga
• Kiwi
• Pepaya
• Strawbery
• Pisang
• Buah-buahan segar lainnya
• Cabe Merah

Makanan kaya vitamin B

• Sayuran hijau
• Beras merah
• Produk mengandung susu
• Telur
• Hati
• Jagung
• Kacang kedelai
• Wheatgerm
• Bijih bunga matahari
• Lentils

Nutrisi anti stress juga bermanfaat bagi siapa saja yang melakukan perjalan penuh tantangan di alam terbuka.
Saat ini dunia kita sedang dihadapkan pada penyebaran virus corona atau Covid-19 yang menjangkau hampir seluruh negara di dunia. Oleh karena itu pemerintah masing-masing negara menerapkan pembatasan pergerakkan penduduk dan meminta setiap orang untuk tetap berada di rumah selama wabah penyakit ini masih berlangsung.
Karena terlalu lama tinggal di dalam rumah, orang mulai bosan dan stress. Selain menikmati sejumlah makanan anti stress, yang tersebut di atas, setiap orang dapat melakukan aktivitas lain seperti menulis, menggambar, olah raga dalam ruangan seperti basket mini, senam atau membersihkan rumah dan memperbaiki peralatan rumah tangga yang rusak.

Sumber:

• Surviving the City: Maximum Health for Urban Living
• Foodnetwork.com
• Health.com

Baca juga: 

Health Benefits of Fruit Breakfast

Marine Life in Sansapor

During the Pacific War, Sansapor was a small village. It became the base for American forces who landed there in 1944 to fight the Japanese forces in the region. Warships, fighter planes and bombers were stationed in the islands of Amsterdam and Middleburg as well as the nearby Werur village. The war has been over for very long time. Sansapor is now called Sausapor and has become a small coastal town. In this peaceful environment, coral reef in Sansapor waters has grown again teeming with a lot of marine life. This can also be seen in the above islands.

Adventure in Tambrauw regency of Indonesia

Two hours by speed boat from Sausapor to the east, there is a beach called Jen Womom. It is the nesting ground of leatherback - the largest species of sea turtle. The nesting season has come. Hundreds of leatherback and other species of sea turtles land on the beach to lay their eggs.

The rainforest around Sausapor town is also a highly recommended destination for visitors who like trekking. It is the habitat of a lot of unique tropical plants including arboreal and terrestrial orchids, glowing mushrooms, bamboo, and hardwood trees. I used to see a terrestrial orchid  flower that was emitting fragrant smell. Its petals were white.
I organized a number of rainforest and coral reef tours to Sausapor region several years ago especially in Syuan river, and Syugrar river. We spent 4 to 5 days camping there. It was a nice experience, we did riverwalk trips and watched Blyth's Hornbill, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Black-capped Lory, Little Egret, Grey Crow, and a lot of other birds that live in West Papua's forest.

Tambrauw regency has got a lot of beautiful sceneries both in the mountains and coastal areas.
Indonesia has closed access to foreign tourists who want to travel around this country due to rapid spread of coronavirus. In the future, when this "Covid-19" storm has been over, visitors can visit this regency again. - written by Charles Roring
Also read:
Adventure Trip in Tambrauw
Marine Life at Sra-Oseri beach of Mansinam island