Sudden Trip to Bali and meal times

It was Friday night that I supposedly fly to Surabaya by Citilink at 8 pm. When I reached Soetta Airport at Terminal 1 B, the officer on check in counter told me that the flight will be delayed until 10 pm. No one called me about this information. So, I had to tell my friend that I will come late. Anyway, the plane was flying on 10.40 pm and landed at Juanda Airport by 12.00 midnight.

I met my friend at Juanda Airport. Bian, Ferdy and Juju - the only girl - were waiting for me for long already. We drove to Sidoarjo and stopped by near Alun-Alun Sidorajo. We had our supper time by having Rawon. The famous black broth in East Java.

On that time, I told my friends if they wanted to had holiday in Bali for short period. As, our first trip went to Ijen crater. We all agreed went to Bali. On the way to Bali, we passed through the famous Lapindo embankment. At a gas station in Probolinggo before Paiton, we had our rest for couple hours.

We woke up around 5 am and we continued our journey. Passed Paiton power plant, the road was so quiet. I saw mangrove forest on the left side. It's shore. Then we stopped at a wide gas station. This gas station got hotel, restaurant, minimarket and lots of toilet. The good thing they had some VIP toilets. By paid Rp. 5.000, we took shower and hot water plus tiny soap. Our breakfast was only small kebab. We had full enough with our supper meal.

    Billboard about HIV/AIDS in Probolinggo

    The old loco brought sugarcane at Situbondo

    Obama Shop at Situbondo

We had passed Pasir Putih Beach, Situbondo City and Baluran National Parks, at last, we reached Ketapang Ferry Port. Police will check driving license and vehicle registration. It was good to have police check on the ticket counter. It took around 1 hour trip from Ketapang Ferry Port to Gilimanuk Ferry Port in Bali. We sailed through Bali strait. The ferry was not really full, due to, it's not a holiday season. We spent inside the hall on ferry. The weather outside was quite hot.

    Ketapang Ferry Port from our ferry

We reached Gilimanuk Ferry Port. On the way out, we got little bit problem. As my friend didn't bring his driving license, but the police let us go.
Our stomach asked for help, so we had our lunch near the port. We ordered Ayam Betutu - the famous culinary from Bali.

    Our lunch time with Ayam Betutu. Bian, Juju, Ferdy and Me

After lunch, we continued to explore northern Bali. We went to Lovina Beach. This beach was famous with dolphin. And Lovina was so quiet beach. So, it's like a sanctuary for tourist who love quietness.

    At Lovina Beach

We spent only 1 hour in this Lovina Beach. We just walked on the sand and enjoy our time in here. We need to go to southern Bali, especially in Kuta Beach. I was happy, it's my first time that I can visit Lovina beach. I had been couple times to Bali, but I never visit this beach before.

The weather was getting cold, especially when we reached Bedugul lake. The road to Bedugul was like roller coaster. My friend driving skill was so wonderful. While I was so afraid to drive on the mountain like this. When we reached Bedugul, I let Ferdy to had his nap time. He was the only person who can drive very well.

    At Bedugul Lake

In sudden, the rain was hard. Ferdy drove car very carefully and slowly. We couldn't see the road well, eventhough the glass been wiped by the wiper.
After the rain was finished, we had our meal time again at Rumah Makan Padang. We had to eat all the times, as this trip was quite tiring.

    At Kuta Beach

In Kuta, we just spent the time in front of Hard Rock Hotel and Cafe. As, I met my old friend there. We had our dinner time again a restaurant near there. By 10 pm, we left Kuta Beach, we needed to get back to Surabaya very soon.

Not far from Kuta Beach, we had our coffee time at a franchise mini market. We had our coffee and snack. Eat again to fill our stomach. By 12 midnight, we took a rest at gas station and sleep. We had to wake up by 2 am. And drive to Gilimanuk Ferry Port.

By 5 am, we got Gilimanuk Ferry Port. I drove, as we worried the police will check driving license again. I was the one who has it. By 6 am, we reached Ketapang Ferry Port. After 2 hours drove, we reached Pasir Putih in Situbondo. I was first ever in here maybe in around 1977. Had our bakso as our breakfast time. We spent very short time in this beautiful beach.

    Pasir Putih

    Bakso time for our breakfast

After having our breakfast time, we drove again to our yesterday gas station near Paiton. We had our shower time again at the same place for 2 days in a row. What a great place for traveler like us.

Before lunch time, we reached Rawon Nguling Restaurant at Nguling Probolinggo. This restaurant was famous with their rawon / black broth for years. It started by their father establish this business, now the children continued the business. Even they had expanded their business in other cities. What a great culinary business.

    Rawon Nguling standing menu

It's time to got back to Surabaya.
When we reached Sidoarjo, I visited my childhood friend there. She got 3 children already. She served us chicken noodle. It's was nice as the weather outside was so cold. It's good to had our meal time again. Time to said goodbye to her.

Near Juanda Airport, I visited my colleague friend house and again, we had our bakso time for our meal time. Not a dinner yet.While I had to go to Juanda Airport, Citilink called me and mentioned that flight at 8 pm, will be delayed until 10 pm. So, I returned to my colleague friend.
In fact, my flight to Jakarta at 1.20 am - it was Monday morning.

This trip was so tiring and made me exhausted. But I was so happy, Bian was nevver been to Bali before, it's second time for Juju and couple times for Ferdy.

So, I hope I will having holiday with my friend in another places at another times. What a great holiday




 

Tidung and Love Bridge

If in Marmara Sea - Istanbul, there are 9 small islands called Princes' Islands. So in Jakarta Bay, there are around 110 islands called Kepulauan Seribu or Thousand Islands. One of them is Tidung Island.

Backpacking to Thousand Islands ? Off course. We were so brave to do this. We didn't do any booking to a travel agent before. The charge was quite high. And we had to save our money. So, we did it. 
It was 5.30 am when we reached Pelabuhan Muara Karang or Muara Karang Port on Saturday morning. We stayed in our friend place the night before, as we needed to get there together. We passed through fish auction place. So, stink and dirty. Even the concrete pier was so tarnish. Local government need to upgrade this area.  

We got our Phinisi boat or traditional wooden boat. We - 10 pax - sat on the lower place. At the back of the boat - we regretted later on. We dealt with the smell of diesel. The boat was around 20 meter long and 4 meter wide. Due to, on upper place, we have to bow our body. We couldn't stand and the toilet was on the lower place. By 7 am, the captain started the engine and queue to leave the port. We paid Rp. 30.000/pax. Actually, the fee was Rp. 33.000,- (Rp. 30.000 for boat and Rp. 3.000 for insurance), but we bargained. As we were 10 pax. What a lovely bargain.

    Our place on the boat

Lots of people on the boat. And the weather started hot. On the way to Tidung, we passed through some islands. If the air at the port was polluted, now the air was getting clean and fresh. The wave was quite high. Lucky me, I have no problem with seasick. Some of my friends ate medicine and got sleep.

Nearly 10 am, we reached Tidung island pier. We started to look for the rent house. But all full booked already by travel agent. We didn't desperate. We still walked and walked. Until an old man came to us and offered us to look for a house for us. What a nice old man. But he failed to find one place for us. It's OK. Thanks for his help.

We decided to have our breakfast by having meat ball and noodle.While we had our "bakso", a lady on motorcycle approached us. She said her cousin had a house with 3 rooms and the price was Rp. 500.000 / night. We finished our breakfast and followed. After we saw the house, we rented the house for a night. The house was so big. The shower room and toilet were separated. Got kitchen without stove and a water wells at the back without cover. All bedrooms got fan and the only AC provided at living room. And a big screen of TV. 

All of us took shower and after that we slept. We were very so less sleep. Our body was so tired and screamed for rest. By 3 pm, we woke up and decided to see this island.

    The pathway on Tidung island

This island was so small. Smaller than my housing complex. Local people already get used to with visitor from Jakarta. They are Jakartan. But they were living on this small island, not like us living on main island in Indonesia. They were so nice and so welcome to us.

    Drying shrimp crackers

    Local cemetary

    At a quiet pier

On this island, we can hire a bicycle by paying Rp. 15.000 - Rp. 20.000 for 24 hours. But all bikes were rented already. Anyway, before rent a bike, need to check the bike. As the condition of bike wasn't good.
In Tidung island, you can find local hospital, a high school, office of religious affairs, fishery and local government office and even cemetary. Quite complete

    Our style

We walked to Love Bridge area. Yes, I saw the famous love bridge. There was a local belief, if you jumped from the bridge by 7 times, your pray will be answered. Believe or not. Me, I just don't believe it. Lots of people over there. Some of them were jumped from the bridge. Lots of activities were offered by local people. Like canoeing, banana boat, jet ski or rent a traditional boat to see some islands near Tidung island.

    Jembatan Cinta or Love Bridge

    The situation near Love Bridge

I just passed out the love bridge. This bridge connected between Big Tidung island and Little Tidung island. The length of this bridge was around 800 meter. Not that long. The bridge was still under renovation. Some woods got rotten. So, we have to be more careful. Anyway, I loved to explore new thing by myself.

Another belief on this bridge, if you and your partner walked on this bridge return, hopefully both of you will have a long lasting relationship. What a belief. Believe it or not.

    Love Bridge part I

    Love Bridge part II

The water near Little Tidung island was more clearer than on Big Tidung island. Maybe lots of mangrove grew on the seaside. Needed to walk another 10 minutes to reach the middle of the island. In the middle of the island, there was an old building belong to fishery affairs department. But it didn't care well. Too bad, actually the building was liked a small hostel for youngster. 

    Pathway to the middle of Little Tidung island

I was hungry again and there was a small food stall there. I ordered instant noodle and coconut water. I asked the guy to take the fresh one from the tree. Very fresh. Lots of youngster came to this area too. Not so many people came to this place, as liked a sacred place. But, some youngsters were doing camping. Off course, they already prepared well for everything. Especially, relate with water for cook, shower, pee and even poo. Me and friends spent around 2 hours in this place. We went back to Big Tidung island when its got dark.

    Pose on the Love Bridge

There was a funny story when we bought juice from local food stall. A guy just stood near us. He was just laughing and always smile all the times. The lady - owner juice stall - told us not to be afraid of him. The guy was a nice guy eventhough he got mental illness. He just wanted to get free cigarette from us. After we gave him some cigarettes, he left us.

On Big Tidung island, you will find "bentor" or becak motorcycle. Combination from a motor with a becak. Lots of motors on this island. It's better if motor or bentor didn't allow on this island or even other small. It may pollute the air. Local government need to work together with local people on how to deal with trashes. Lots of trash had been thrown by local people and visitor without good handling. 

    Bentor or Becak Motorcycle

At night after we finished our shower time. We just bought cooked rice from our next food stall. And we asked her to fried our sausages and eggs. We ate like crazy. The plates were so clean and nothing left on it. A very high togetherness from us.

At around 10 pm, I woke up and I didn't find one of my friend. I was in the room before. I was so panic and I thought she fell down inside the water wells. As I found her cellphone was charged near it. And no one knew it where she was. In sudden, she showed up from outside. She said she met somebody outside and talked about the price for having snorkeling and renting a local boat for sailing. What a case. Anyway, we didn't plan for it. As we didn't want to spend more money. We had tight budget policy.

The next morning, we only had our instant noodle again for our breakfast. It's all right, the taste was so delicious. We decided to rent a bicycle for Rp. 10.000 and had banana boat by paying Rp. 25.000 per pax. It was fun. And not so many people on the shore that morning. We didn't realize with the time. As we needed to get the boat back to Jakarta at 1 pm. We were in rush to get back to the house and returned the bicycle.

    We with the bicycle

    Banana Boat time

I got the ticket but not all my friends arrived at the pier yet. Due to, the gate already closed and I didn't want to get the boat at 3 pm. I told gate keeper that I must get inside the boat right away. He allowed us to get in. The captain stopped us as he would leave the pier. I told him that we were only 10 people. So, he allowed us. While other people saw us from behind the fence. What a trick to get in. Yeah

    My friends were sitting on the bonnet/machine box. What a hot butt

    Onrust Island

The trip took almost 4 hours. As, the weather wasn't really good and high wave too. But it's OK, as long as we were on the boat. I saw many tired faces on the boat. I was so happy to get this trip. I only spent less than Rp. 200.000. It much cheaper than I have to pay to travel agent. Nearly 5 pm, we reached Muara Karang Port again. The stink came to my nose again.

Our first trip to Tidung island was OK. Eventhough we didn't plan it well before. At least, we showed by minimal money we could have a memorable trip. Especially on Saturday night story.

Lovely trip
 

Phi Phi Island and the other islands

At last, I visited Phi Phi Island and the most famous Ma Ya Bay

Yes, it was on Saturday morning in December - me, my mom and my friend - stayed at a hotel in Krabi town. The hotel owner provided us local sticky rice with warm thai tea for our breakfast. By around 7.30 am, a minivan picked us up. Some tourist already inside the van. Then the van continued to another hotel to pick up some tourist too. The last tourist was a Japanese guy.

We stopped in front of a small travel office. I just realized that morning lots of tourist will go to Phi Phi island and other island. And I just knew that beach called Ao Nang Beach. A "lady" came to me and said Good Morning. He was so nice and so polite. He asked me to write on a paper, our name and our nation. And she told me to passed the paper to other tourist with blue sticker on chest. Some tourists were with blue and red sticker. Blue sticker will go by private speed boat while red sticker will go by long tail boat.

By 9 am, we left Ao Nang beach. The capacity of the boat is around for 20 people. Include 1 boat driver, 1 guide and 1 helper. They introduced themselves so nicely. He told us not to stand on the boat, as quite dangerous. So, we need to sit down all the times. The guide said if we want to take some photo in good spot, he will inform us.

Our first island was Bamboo Island. We passed Chicken Island. There was a high rock looked like a chicken from far. That's why the island called chicken island. Within 30 minutes, we reached Bamboo Island. But I don't see bamboo on this island, but lots of beach pines in everywhere.

    Three of us on Bamboo Island

Only 20 minutes, we spent the time in this island. The trip continued to Pirates Island. Lots of people lived in this island. They stayed inside the cave and they were living there for years already. Their original job was fisherman. But I don't know why people called the island with Pirates. As pirates supposedly always do rob all ships. What a name

    Pirates Island

The boat continued to another side of island. The boat went into a cape. Very quite place and beautiful, it's like a hidden cape. Some tourist were swimming in this cape. Our boat only spent for 10 minutes in this place. Due to, this spot was protected. So, not so many people may have snorkeling.

    Hidden cape in Pirates Island

We had our snorkeling time in the other side of the island. It's OK. The spot was so good and nice. Facing direct to high seas. Lots of fish came to us by threw breads. The snorkeling time was only 30 minutes.

The journey continued to the most famous spot in Phi Phi, it was Ma Ya Bay. Less than 15 minutes, our boat reached the island. The guide told us that we only had 30 minutes in this Ma Ya Bay. As, that time was high season. So many boats were queue there to enter Ma Ya Bay. If it in low season, we can stay longer and enjoy every single moment.

Once, we reached Ma Ya Bay, we went to toilet. Need to have pee. On the way to toilet, lots of good spot.  Include the signboard about tsunami. The direction board was so clear and understandable.
I remembered the movie "The Beach". Starred by Leonardi Di Caprio. Made this island became so famous. Eventhough, in the movie, the lagoon just like surrounded by rock hill, but actually it's an open bay. This island provided some bungalows, so we can feel the experience like in "The Beach".

    Ma Ya Beach

    My lovely mom

    Ma Ya Bay

The trip continued to monkey island. Due to, lots of monkey over there. But, many bananas just scattered on the sand. I thought the monkeys been fulled with banana.

    Monkey Island

Actually, monkey island was still part of the biggest island - Phi Phi Island. Now, it's time to have our lunch at Phi Phi Island. The tour guide said we can find moslem village in this island. Moslem was the major religion in this island. Their ancestors were from Malaysia. So, the food will always halal on the island. No need to worry for moslem tourists.

Our lunch time provided in to buffet. So, we can have our buffet as much as we wanted. But I didn't eat much for my lunch. In this island, we only got 1.5 hours. The guide told us to wait for them at another main pier.
After we had our lunch, we walked to the main pier. On the way to main pier, we passed through the market. I bought some t-shirts for my sibling. My mom bought local shawl for herself.

    The main pier at Phi Phi Island

While we were waiting for our boat and other passengers, the hard rain was down. We had to find a shelter.
After the rain stopped, we continued our trip. Not far from the main island, our boat stopped near an atoll. We had snorkeling time again. But I didn't do snorkeling. Due to, the weather was so cold. The snorkeling time was around 15 minutes, due to, the rain will come again. On the boat, the guide peeled off some pineapples and water melon. The fruits were provided for us. Having fruits for refreshment.

Time for us to leave Phi Phi Island. The hard rain was coming again. And the waves were so high. Poor to some young men tourist, due to, 4 of them must sit on the front of the boat. The boat needed some people in the front. If not, our boat will get capsized. The journey was seemed so long. As, the boat driver must handled the boat and the waves too. My mom was so frightened. I had my personal pray to get saved. After 1.5 hours long, we passed Chicken Island. It meant, it closed to Ao Nang Beach. Yup, I saw Ao Nang Beach. We reached the beach safely.

The trip was so amazing, incredible and so frighten too. Good experience.
The van will drop us again to our hotel. My advice, any tourist may go there on low season. The price will be so cheap, less tourist, more time to enjoy Ma Ya Bay, low wave and no rain.

One of my dream came true

The Magnificent Taj Mahal

My mom told me before I left Indonesia on November 2008. She said that I must see Taj Mahal. As I got job assignment in Gurgaon - India, for around 2 months.

While I worked in India, my boss told me that I must see Taj Mahal while I was in India. From Gurgaon to Agra took around 3.5 - 4 hours by driving. So, I set the day to prepare my day to Agra. On Sunday, by 5.00 am, me and my friends left Gurgaon by company car. The weather was quite cold, as November started winter time in India. We left early in the morning, due to, we want to avoid traffic jam. Our prediction that we will reach Agra by 9 am

We used highway road on the way to Agra, but I saw lots carts use the highway road. Like camel cart, horse cart, three wheels vehicle or even oto with full packed of passengers. It was so surprisingly. We stopped by at a restaurant to have our breakfast. I ordered samosa with curry sauce. Basically, the taste was almost the same like Indonesian food and I liked them.


    My samosa with curry sauce

After finished our breakfast, we went outside to reach our car back. Outside the restaurant, I saw a father and his daughter were wearing local cloths. They were dancing and asking some money. We had photo sessions with them and I saw the girl dance while her father played local instrument.

    Local dancers with 3 of us

We continued our trip to Agra. Lots of thing, we saw on the way to Agra.

    Oto with full of passengers

    Intersection on highway road

By around 9.30 am, we reached Agra City. We passed Agra Fort where Shah Jahan - Mughal Emperor - stayed. At last, we reached Taj Mahal car park area. Local government didn't allow any car close to taj Mahal. They have to avoid the pollution from Taj Mahal. There were 3 options to reach Taj Mahal gate. 1st by walking, 2nd by Camel Cart and 3rd using green vehicle. And we decided to walk.

The west gate was so many people. Due to, this gate close to car park, so many visitors were coming from this car park. We needed to extra walk to find quite entrance gate. We passed through south gate, which this gate was the main gate. So, we walked again to east gate. Quite and not so many visitors.

Price for foreigner was Rs 750, while for local people was around Rs 25. Only foreigner will get shoe cover and small mineral water.    

    Taj Mahal as my background

I'd like to inform if you want to visit Taj Mahal, don't bring big back with many stuff inside. They have deposit counter to keep your stuff. You may bring camera, cellphone, passport and money. The security check was so details. As, the police will do body check. I know why the check was so tight, due to, Taj Mahal was UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. So, India government has work hard to keep Taj Mahal. I still remembered when I was there, there was a terrorism happened at Taj Hotel Mumbay. That's why in strategic place in India, the checking was so tight by the police.

At last, I entered the gate and still need to pass through the great gate. At the end, I saw the famous white mausoleum in the world. It's so beautiful. I can't say a word. Amazing, Incredible and so on.
The famous spot was the bench when Princess Diana sat on that bench. Lots of people queue.

It's turn to wear shoe cover and for local people they have to took off their shoes and place their shoes on shoe rack. It's a mandatory rule when we will enter the main building of Taj Mahal.

                      Shoe cover

There were 4 minarets near the Tomb. Mosque on the left side (west side) and the guest house on right side (east side). The calligraphy on the wall was created by highly taste. I couldn't imagine on that time, people may created something with incredible. And time for me to entered the tomb room. There was a signboard, that we couldn't take photo while inside. The two tombs inside were artificial. The original tombs were placed underground. The room was quite dark and we needed to walk slowly, as lots of people inside the room.

After that we went out to take fresh air at the back of Taj Mahal. Behind Taj Mahal was Yamuna River. I saw unfinished foundation of Black Taj. At that time, Shah Jahan was going to establish his own mausoleum. It called Black Taj. But, his son jailed him at Agra Fort. His son thought, his father spent lots of money when build Taj Mahal.

    Yamuna river and Black Taj from far

That's all my story about Taj Mahal. I have been there for 3 times. And I love this place. My next plan to visit at night time especially on Full Moon time. You never been to India if you never see Taj Mahal. It's very recommended.

I am a Blind Traveler

I am not truly blind. And I am not writing about James Holman - the famous blind traveler from England

I don't really make a plan for my holiday. Maybe it's around 30%. I am just preparing my holiday for the thing that I want to do or visit

One day, I only had a return plane ticket and I had booked a hotel in Kuta - Bali on my hand. Once I reached my hotel, directly, I went out to find a motorbike rental shop. I rented a motorbike for 2 days. I spent my time by see around eastern and southern Bali. I followed my feeling intuition. And I found many something new in Bali, which I never seen it before

Pulau Ubin in Singapore ? I just heard that there was an original kampong in Singapore. So, when I was in Singapore, I visited this island alone. Explore the island by rental bike. I was surprised when I found Kampung Jawa include the old cemetery. This island was famous with their granite mining. Eventhough, the mining was closed, I can see the quarries. Around 3 hours, I spent my time in this quite island

    Pulau Ubin Pier

I still remembered when I was a boy. My parents always brought their children into some places without planning. We had visited many tourism places in Java. Started with the nearest places in Malang and then continued to other provinces.

So, I always think that I will always find something new on my holiday. I don't need to worry. I don't need to create many plan but at the end, I will not fulfill it. At least, by set 30% of my holiday plan, I have to it make it 100% come true.

Traveling with friends ?

Travelling with friends ?

Sure ... why not

Honestly, I don't really like to have traveling with friends. Because, I am just like a solitaire person. But sometimes, I have to deal with this kind of situation. I do love to explore some places by myself rather than with friends.

I have some tips when I must have traveling with my friends

1. Ego
I have to lower down my ego when since the time, I set my traveling time with friends. Before and on the traveling time. I don't want to ruin my traveling time by a small thing.My friends may not have their ego too. They still need to lower down their ego. Just like mine.

2. Discussion
This is very important for me. Before the day, I need to know what kind of things my friends would like to see and do. So, I can do an adjustment for my time. At the same, I inform them my "me time" to them. I still need my time for myself. Discussion may relate with fees, transportation, hotel, etc. The deal must be agreed by all.

3. Communication
This is a very important thing. I don't think on traveling time, I don't speak to other person. Whatever thing happened, a communication is still a good way to solve the problems. I don't think I'd like to have my traveling time with dumb people.

    Traveling at Pramuka Island

That's the 3 things based on my opinion. The most important thing for me before I have traveling my friends. How about you ?