14 May 2009

Love Is A Shelter

Thursday, May 14, 2009
“Perhaps love is like a resting place, A shelter from the storm, It exists to give you comfort, It is there to keep you warm, And in those times of trouble, When you are most alone, The memory of love will bring you home”

John Denver (American Singer and Song Writer. 1943-1997)

Shelter is the red line I've been thinking about before writing this post, and I just love John Denver's quote as an opening line. The photo above is still from the series of Safari Garden Hotel & Restaurant. In case you don't know, it belongs to Taman Safari Indonesia, Indonesia's center for reproduction of endangered wildlife. They are actually located at different areas, but stand nearby. May be I should ask those guys there for some sponsorship. Nah, just kiddin'! I love the place so much that I can't stop writing about it.


Back to the photo. It is called a pendopo, which according to my friend Wikipedia is:

A fundamental element of Javanese architecture; a large pavilion-like structure built on columns. Either square or rectangular in plan, it is open on all sides and provides shelter from the sun and rain, but allows breeze and indirect light. The word pendopo Sanskrit word mandapa ('hall'). The Dutch writer Multatuli in his colonial reformist novel Max Havelaar described the pendopo as "next to a broad-rimmed hat, an umbrella or a hollow tree, a pendopo is undoubtedly the simplest representation there is of the concept of 'roof'".

The concept of roof sounds to me as another word for shelter. It is indeed one of the main purposes of this architectural building on the site. You can rent it for family or company gatherings. As matter of fact, a company gathering was where we came upon Safari Garden for the first time. There are also several smaller pendopos in various sizes for free here, but I only had time to take a shot of this one. It is the largest pendopo in the area, and below is one of the signs which leads you to it.


Last but not least, shelter reminded me of natural conservation to protect plants, animals and their habitats. It is also a shelter for ourselves and something that we really should keep in mind. Just look how beautiful, greener and healthier it could be, like at the Safari Garden Hotel & Restaurant. Well, you don't have to do it in a big scale even though that would be very nice. Start with a little spot in your environment to give more space to breath. Have a great day and think green! May shelter be upon you always.
Free Smiley Face Courtesy of www.FreeSmileys.org

Thank you for hosting this great meme, Pamposh


Thank you for hosting this great meme, Gina



This Way Thurs-Way
Meme of roads & its signs, signages, paths, passages,
street scenes & the likes.

Thanks to Jan and Pacey

23 appreciated note(s):

Vicky said...

I like this post, so smartly composed.

venuss66 said...

I loved the way you explained about shelter. You have a wonderful blog. All the best.

2sweetnsaxy said...

What an interesting restaurant. I would love to eat there and be out in the open, at least partially.

Unknown said...

Comforting and safe, in a SHELTER.
Good post!

Zee said...

I learned something new today! A Pendopo! Thanks Rosidah!

bobbie said...

Thank you for this interesting and informative post. I enjoyed it very much.

Unknown said...

this is an informative post...thank you for sharing.

Huzhar said...

Interesting post, a lot I can learn from this post. Thanks Rosidah! And the Quote by late John Denver is so nice..

Anonymous said...

You think you learn from my posts I can't tell you what I learn from yours...Excellent my friend.

Midlife, menopause, mistakes and random stuff... said...

Rosidah......you are such a delight!!! This is a wonderfula post and I love John Denver. Now that song will be in my head all day. Thanks a lot, lol!!

Steady On
Reggie Girl

Anonymous said...

This is a great post, as usual Rosidah. Honestly, I've been learning so much from your blog. Thanks for the nice post and for sharing everything.

penny said...

I always enjoy seeing your photos and reading you wonderful posts, Rosidah. Have a great day :)

Ebie said...

This is a wonderful post. John Denver's music (my era). Love your pavilion.

JonJon Rosaleen said...

Hi..
I like the pic of the 'Pendopo'. Thanks for sharing this nice place. It is so informative and I also like the way you blend everything in one!!! You have such a great writing skill, dear friend.
Have a nice day ya!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Rosidah, I always love seeing your pictures--and I LEARN so much about your area of the world. SO NEAT!!! Thanks!

I love that John Denver song also.. The words are just perfect. We do all need 'shelter' ---whether we are human or animal.

Hugs,
Betsy

Dianne said...

your posts flows so beautifully
so easy to read and understand and so lovely to look at

Unknown said...

Your posts are so happy and inspiring! Thank you so much for this uplifting post for TGT.

Your participation is wonderful! I'm not always as optimistic as you, so I could use your attitude!

Hugs,
Gina

maryt/theteach said...

Love the photo of the pendopo. I perfect place to shelter from the rain and rest from the heat! :)

George said...

Thanks for a very interesting and informative post.

Arlene said...

Interesting explanation of shelter. Nice signs!

amanda guthrie said...

What a great idea, and the words of John Denver very fitting, lovely post!

Pamposh Dhar said...

Love as a shelter from life's storms - what a beautiful idea. Great quote, lovely picture, interesting etymology of pendopo - wouldn't have guessed it's from mandapa, but of course it makes sense. In India, mandapa is now used mainly to describe the place where the wedding ceremony takes place.
Thanks for always joining my Quotable Thursday with such unusual and interesting quotes!

Inday said...

You have some beautiful insights about life which are indepth. A sage woman so young your age. Very interesting Rosidah.