Field Trip to Cinangneng, Bogor, Indonesia

 Grade 4 field trip today! I was so excited. We went to Cinangneng, Bogor. We bathed the water buffalo, planted rice, painted hats, learned traditional dances, and learned how to play traditional music! I've planted rice before, but I haven't done the rest. It was great!
  We used a bus to get there. The ride took about 3 hours. Before we did the first activity, they took us on a tour and showed us around the area. After that, the exciting thing happened; planting rice! The mud was surprisingly soft and was quite squishy. To my friends who went with me, I was a daredevil. They were all screaming and shouting at the sight of dragonflies and snails, whilst I was calmly stepping in first. Did they realize there were tons of dragonflies, snails, and spiders at school? Since I was brave enough, everyone gave me their rice. Geez guys, can you at least try planting one?
 

Pre-planted rice field

  Next, we (covered in mud) went to the river to bathe the water buffalo. We also took a tiny bath. The buffalo was actually quite nice and was tied to a rope, so no one was too scared of it. Some people got small scratches from the stones and got splashed in the eye, but it really depends on who you go with (most of the boys were rowdy and were the main cause of injury). After washing the buffalo, we went to wash ourselves. We took turns in using the shower.

The river

Can you see the buffalo?

After showering, we had lunch! It was noodles, rice, chicken, soup, kerupuk (a traditional cracker most of the time made with shrimp paste), and watermelon for dessert. It was really yummy!

After lunch, we went to paint farmer hats. We were allowed to keep it. We left it in the sun to dry.

Then we learned to play traditional music called Gamelan. Gamelan is similar to a xylophone, but it's plates are made of brass, and it is traditionally from Indonesia.

Next, we went to do a traditional dance. It was a dance with a scarf. What they taught us was a simple choreography. It was fun, yet a little bit difficult.

After the dance we went back to the place that we had lunch, and made special pandan cake and ginger candy. It was quite interesting and simple to make.

Then it was time to go home. It was the best field trip I have ever experienced!