Backpacker Girls

Paris masih jadi salah satu tujuan wisata favorit di Eropa. Banyak hal bisa di lakukan di Paris. Tapi tetep dong yang jadi tempat tujuan utama dan yang jadi simbol kota Paris bahkan Perancis, adalah Menara Eiffel.

Di Menara Eiffel ada beberapa resto, dan ada juga kafe. Kebetulan kali ini aku mau coba restoran yang namanya 58 Tour Eiffel.


Dinner di sana ada 3 tahapan; Entrée, Plat (menu utama ), Dessert.

Suasana dalam restoran 58 tour Eiffel

Duduk di meja yang sudah di siapinlangsung di kasih list menu dan daftar wine, menu di bacakan sama si waitress. Dimulai dengan welcome drinknya a glass of champagne.  Satu persatu makanan sesuai dengan manu keluar. Makanan seluruhnya western food. Kalau ngga makan pork atau babi bisa di sampaikan kok ke waitresnya di awal waktu dia nerangin soal menu.

Entrée-Trout tartar

Menu ke dua Duck foie grass, quince and white balsamic marmalade with a toasted brioche. Gue udah banyak dengar foie grass dan selalu hindari kebayang gak amisnya… tapi hmmm kali ini ngga berasa foie grass. Foie grass biasa di buat dari hari angsa atau bebek. Yang gue makan hati bebek.

Menu ke 2

Menu ke tiga, menu favorit gue, Scallops “a la planca” butternut squash and onions with champagne sauce. & Poully Fume Le Loriot.  Ingat scallop ingat Gordom Ramsey yang suka teriak2 soal cara masak scallop yang mesti perfect! ha!

Menu 3 dengan scallop

Oh ya in between menu kita pasti di tanyain loh mau nunggu sebentar atau mau langsung lanjut. Kadang ada beberapa yang stop dulu nunggu makanan turun kali ya, selingin sama ngobrol atau bahkan ngerokok di luar (not recommended-kata orang yang hobi makan, malah matiin syaraf perasa kita yang udah di "warm up" dengan pembuka). Kalau gue kebut terus sampe menu ke 3 ini stop dulu sebentar. Waitres kita nunggunya ngga jauh kok hahah ada di dekat kita buat nuangin wine atau air mineral. Jadi kalua kita ready tinggal kasih kode aja.

Menu 4-Roasted lamb!

Menu ke empat,  Red label roasted leg of lamb with a smoked ham viennoise, spinach stuffed macaroni and sautéed Chinese artichoke & Graves-Chateu Haute Graviere. Berhubung aku udah bilang ngga makan pork, hamnya di ilangin, chefnya nongol dong hahahah mau di ganti apa? Hmmm gue bilang ngga masalah asal hamnya di ilangin aja 😃 (ngamuk jedut pala kali tuh cheff-yepp they took cooking to another level)



Overall kalua gue bilang ini ngga musti loh punya bucket list makan di sini, tapiiii yaaah kalo ada para suami yang mau treat istri dinner romantic apasalahnya lah ya 300-400 euro berdua. Kalau untuk para singelist—hahah jangan manyun dipojokan. Ada kok yang makan sendiri tapi dia memang beneran di pojokan loh hahahah its not common or cheap tapi apa salahnya mentreat diri sendiri, yakan??

Hari gini traveler di tuntut buat semakin smart, gak kalah sama gadget yang di pegang.

Tapi banyak kejadian gadget yang dimiliki sudah smart tapi orangnya belum smart-nahh lohh…

Untuk trip backpacking kami kali ini lamanya 18 hari, dan in total kita melalui 8 negara, serta 14 kota. Jumlah yang aduhai untuk 18 hari.

Selama di Eropa kita masing-masing pegang satu smart handphone. Kalau aku simpan satu HP untuk cadangan (backup incase anything worse happened) Nih hp aku simpan di dalam tas ransel (bukan daypack ya).

Aplikasi Peta yang satu ini memang asik, top rated dah! bisa di pake offline pulak!

Kita ngga bawa ipad, kamera digital, laptop dan tetek bengek lainnya. Simpel, makin banyak kamu bawa gadget makin besar kemungkinan kamu jadi target copet atau tindakan criminal lain.

Di kalangan orang Eropa sendiri pun sudah terlalu men cap kalau turis Asia selalu full of gadget. Saku ada 2 HP, leher kamera DSLR dalam tas daypack minimal ada ipad, atau laptop or kindle. Make it simple, hidup kamu ngga bakalan ribet jadi target copet di Eropa.

Cukup satu HP kamu yang paling mumpuni kameranya, cukup kok.

Ini aplikasi buat self guided walking tour, tinggal colokin headset dan jalan sendiri!

Dulu aja kamera aku cuma 5 megapiksel (2011 bokk) dann diisi dengan 2gb memory card, dan dulu hp aku ngga smart2 amat hahahha. Tapi tetep sama aja enjoynya kok. Intinya kita ngga mau di perbudak sama gadget.

Selama liburan juga, kita ngga beli simcard local. Alesan cukup simple, harga dan kita berpindah tiap kota rata2 per 3 hari. Ngga cost effective serta evisien (secara esensinya kita backpacking mau jalan2 nanti malah terpaku sama gadget). Selama kita sudah ada nomor contact penting dan pulsa cukup di nomor hp lokal (aku isi 200rb-catatan roaming tidak aktif dan selalu flight mode).

Jadi kita sepenuhnya tergantung free wifi sepanjang jalan di kota dan  atau wifi dari rumah host. Kita juga menghindari pakai peta print out. Biar gak keliatan turis bangeddd… selain itu kalau tangan kita sibuk pegang peta dan focus ke sana kita biasanya kurang aware sama bawaan kita terutama HP. Dan scam peta adalah salah satu top 10 scam di kota besar Eropa. Scam peta maksudnya ada orang2 yang pura2 bantu nunjukin peta sementara orang yang lain yang buka tas atau ngerogoh saku jaket kita.

Tapi kalau peta kita install di HP dan terus kita pegang, lebih sulit untuk copet ngambil HP (kasus jambret keknya jarang di kota besar Eropa—belum se extrim beberapa kota di Indonesia keknya).

Aplikasi Andalan untuk cari akomodasi murah!

Untuk aplikasi yang kita pakai selama persiapan dan selama perjalanan (kita HP OS nya Android) tinggal di cari aja di google playstore:

Transport:

1. Meinfernbus (so far bus paling bagus dan banyak rutenya)
2. Flixbus (satu perusahaan sama meinfernbus)
3. OuiGo (bus untuk Perancis)
4. GoEuro (untuk banding2 harga bus dan tiket kereta serta pesawat)
5. Rome2Rio (ngga terlalu update cuma pakai sebagai referensi, kalau book kita langsung ke aplikasi bus atau kereta)
6. Captain Train (banyak tiket kereta promo di sini kalau ketemu langsung book aja!)
7. Fahr Planner (untuk tiket kereta, lumayan liat2 perbandingannya)
8. SkyScanner (cari tiket pesawat)
9. Kayak (cari tiket pesawat, lebih update dari skyscanner)
10. Momondo (sama kek skyscanner, kadang ada promo atau error fare, tapi masih kurang cetar kek skyscanner yang bisa cari tiket sampai 6 bulan kedepan)
11. Tiket.com (cari tiket local lah…)
12. Peta MRT tiap kota (PENTING BANGET sebab tiap kota kita lebih prefer naik MRT-faktr kebiasaan kali ya)

Paling enak cari perbandingan harga via aplikasi ini, tapi kadang harganya ngga up to date, kalo ada promo ngga ke detect

Akomodasi:

1. Hostelworld (paling gue suka dulu sebab gak ribet2 amat)
2. Hostelbooker (kalo ngga dapat di hostelworld carinya ke sini)
3. AirBnb (paling kepake sebab harganya murah buat di bagi 2 orang plus bisa pake dapur yang lengkap dan extra di kasih akses ke kulkas mereka hahah)
4. CouchSurfing (aku udah jadi angggota sejak 2006, kepake banget jaman dulu, kali ini cuma buat host di Roma, agak mulai susah cari host sebab kebanyakan beralih ke AirBnb)
5. Agoda (ngga banyak kepake sebab kita cari hostel bukan hotel, disini kebanyakan diluar range budget kita)
6. Tripadvisor (kalo udah mepet banget liat2 di sini akomodasi tapiii masih muahal)

Peta/Self Guide:

1. Rick Steves Audio Europe dari Rick Steves Europe Inc. IT’S A MUST. Kalau ada di antara kota yang mau kamu tuju ada di guidenya, download aja. Banyak detail2 yang di dapat dari audio guide ini. Jadi bukan sekedar liat2 aja tapi kita juga dapat ilmu dari audio guide ini. Paling kepake waktu kita ke daerah red district Amsterdam. Ternyata banyak hal2 kecil yang terlewatkan sama turis yang datang ke daerah tersebut. Semenjak itu yah kita pake terus sampe ke Paris. Lumayan dapat guide gratisan!
2. Semua peta/”Travel Guide” dari “Ulmon GmbH” (tinggal download kota2 yang kita mau, ini yang paling detail dan bisa di operasikan tanpa data atau wifi, tinggal nyalain GPS). Ini aplikasi yang paling bagus untuk peta.
3. Google maps-tinggal download offline mapnya sebelum berangkat keluar rumah. Offline map ini sebelnya kadang kalau kita masuk ke flight mode (buat saving batre lah ya) ngga mau di buka dengan note “need new update” haissshhh…. Tapi sangat useful kalau data offline nya ada dan kita nyasar ini adalah our last salvation, jadi bisa liat arah dari dan kemana. Tapi ya itu tadi asal peta terupdate ada di simpan offline (ketemu wifi sering2 update lah). Peta disimpan selama 28 hari dan automatically deleted later.
4. MyCityHighlight (bisa download kota2 yang akan di tuju, lumayan lengkap dengan peta toilet gratisan atau berbayar—ini penting loh, hahah berasa banget kalo bayar toilet 2 Euro! Sama restoran atau tempat menarik)
5. Zurich Travel guide dari Nexus, ini aku pake cuma di Zurich dan lumayan lengkap

Dan yang lain2:

1. Tripcase-Ini berguna banget untuk menyimpan dan mengatur jadwal perjalanan (kode booking, waktu dll). Caranya juga gampang. Cuma tinggal sign up dan kita bisa langsung kirimkan tiket2 kita semua ke alamat email aplikasi. Nanti aplikasi yang di handphone akan langsung terupdate. Bisa di pakai dalam kondisi flightmode alias paket data di putus.
2. Google drive-Aku pakai ini untuk simpan semua copy dokumen yang penting. Semua tiket, copy passport dan copy ktp, pasfoto dll aku simpan disini. Aku juga buat setting jadi google drive bisa di pake secara offline.
3. Asus weather-nah ini bawaan HP gue, tapi useful banget. Kita yang ngga terbiasa cek cuaca pagi sebelum keluar rumah harus cek dulu kalau di Eropa sebab cuaca berubah2 dalam satu hari (contoh di pisa kita ngalamin dari 26c turun ke 14c dan kemudian kurang dari satu jam naik ke 25c lagi—biar gak saltum juga!)
4. Currency Converter dari Designer Calculator, so far ini yang nyelamatin kalau gue mandek mikir konversi dan mau belanja. Ratingnya sih bagus, dan aplikasi ngga terlalu berat dan gak butuh data package alias bisa di pake offline
5. Wifi Map-Password dari WifiMapLLC. Namanya juga fakir wifi, ini aplikasi bisa ngasih password untuk wifi. Cuma rada yebelin sebab required kita untuk punya akses data (lhaa makanya kita nyari gratisan wifi tohhh) jadi bisa di bilang 50-50 lah useful apa ngga
6. Wifimaps:freewifi+passwords dari 2traces. Sama kek yang sebelumnya tapi jarang aku pake.

Oh ya untuk aplikasi kamera aku ngga pake yang macam2. Cuma bawaan HP aja kebetulan ada mode “HD” alias high definition jadi semua foto yang aku ambil aku set dalam mode “HD” jadi ngga pecah kalau di zoom.

Untuk foto malam, ya pake tangan sendiri jadiin tripod, ngga maksimal sih tapi lumayanlah. Aku bakalan mikir panjang kalo nenteng2 DSLR, sayang hahah kalo di rampok di jalan, atau rusak. 
Tapi….

Eropa, tetep jadi tempat paling bagus untuk kamera DSLR sih, tapi untuk turis kere kek kita yang modal backpack aja… kamera HP dengan gaya foto yang macem2 (mulai dari jongkok2, duduk bersila, naik ke atas pagar dll) demi mengcapture tempat atau orang.

Setelah nyampe di Indonesia dan seminggu kemudian, aku mau delete semua aplikasi yang telah berjasa dalam membuat backpacking aku efisien (waktu dan uang bokk!) sebelum di delete aku tulis dulu deh review di sini, biar kalau ada yang mau ke Eropa bisa liat2 dulu deh kalau mereka perlu nih aplikasi2. Biar HP sama orangnya sama2 smart!

He could arrest me any time..haha!

Previous post was all about me on my journey between Brussel Belgium to Paris to catch my train to Strassburg was a drama. You could see it here.

When they told me to unzip my  luggage i was thinking about the 5 pirates DVD i bought from Kuningan Jakarta, fake Louis Vuitton handphone organizer, and the worse hahah indonesian food like gado-gado pasta, and one plastic bag of my meds and jamu, the traditional Indonesian herbs!! omg! hahaha i was smiling and i know i will be in trouble because honestly forgot if i ever read what kind of drugs that allowed to bring in to Paris. Even some cold meds are prohibited in certain country. Uhmm... not wise!

When i unzipped my bag, there you go everything pops out, first my purple VS bra and the whole thing i wore last night... geez.. i was blushing hahaha... but they seemed relax (he catch it and put it back to my suit case... errhh sure.. its a bra.. so what?) and then one of the dark skin passenger shout in French and some of the police round him.. oh oww.... i tried to focus on my own problem here.

White Vin Diesel search my luggage, his charming friends try to talk with me in French, i trieeddd hard to understand, and most of time said "Je ne compre pas!" he tried again in english, ask where i go, and what am i doing in Paris, and who will meet me there, where will i stay. I said i am just passing by to catch my train to Strassburg. He check my passport, and Vin Diesel found my Indonesia food and smell it one by one. Hahahah omg... you dont smell Indonesian food seasoning!! its too strong! haha and i see his nose hit the smell hahah.. poor thing!

He found my medics plastic bag and check it one by one, ask to me what is it for. The friend, which is nicer always smile ask me if i ever went to Paris before, and i said yes, i told him that i was in Paris before went to Brussel, and he ask again, where did i go, what did i see in Paris, hahahah this is short of flirty convo.. hmmm nice :) but they do made me relax and i feel lucky i didnt get any short fuse officer hahaha i am dead from nervous if i did!

Vin Diesel finally smile and said so sorry to cause trouble and made my travel bothered, they just looking for drug trafficker and illegal immigrant, and wish me a very nice stay in Paris and safe on my journey. Awwww... such sweet guy! i just said "merci beacoup" senyum manis..  his friends smile nice again and leave me with my luggage wide open and messed up... aaaaarrrgghh!!

Thierry took this picture-we finally arrive in Paris!

(if its real Vin Diesel i would beg him to arrest me---ohhh yeah *drools*) keep on dreaming! hahah! 

I had no idea that my journey from Belgium back to Paris would be so tense.
Let me start from beginning.

Brussel.
It was before 8am i was rushing from Van Gogh Youth Hostel to the Brussel Midi/Bruxelles Midi train station. I wasn't able to fine the Eurolines bus office at the train station the day before. Because i was tired the day before and i was thinking it should be there at the train station. Its so huge!

Huge Brussel Midi

I did very huge mistake. I was mistaken between EUROLINES with EUROTRANS. Its huge mistake that i didn't see it very good hahaha.. Eurolines is the bus company and Eurotrans is the train at the train station!! i thought its just like in Indonesia should be the same company etc. But its not.

Eurolines Bus in Brussel

So when i was arriving at the train station i went there, and i ask the security that standing there with very little english he said he doesn't know where Eurolines bus office is! I should check in before 10 am and i made huge mistake.


I was still walking from one end to another at the train station, try not to be panicking to find someone who able to speak english! the main language in here either French or Dutch and both i am not mastered!

And some help comes from those who you never expected..always like that. I went out to one of the train station ends.. because its like a long straight line from one to another. I was at the door, with my purple huge suitcase when i almost step on wet floor that a young guy just moping the floor. I said sorry right away. But he said in fluent English, no problem, and he smile. I was walk away and then think, he speak English! i went back and poke him and said sorry again for bothering! i ask if he know where Euroline bus office is. And he knew!!! he said its outside the train station! hahah thats why i can not find it! he even went to the street and point the directions and distance! omg! On the ticket that i had it only said Bruxelles Midi which is the train station!

Hidden Eurolines Office next to Bruxelles Midi

I was dragging my suitcase, i had to cross the cobble street.... its the Avenue Fonsny, from across the street i could see there is a bus station next to the train station. But the Euroline bus office not there. Because i were there yesterday afternoon. I had my ticket booked before i even leave Indonesia (i use online booking). The bus office is right across the street where the bus station is like that guy said. But its just not that easy to spot too!

After walking about 100 meters passing a hotel (hotel Continental) i finally spot the white door with Eurolines name on it. Its very tiny like 4X5 meters big after a convenience shop. The worse part when i went in the two old guys on the counter not really speak good english. There are two people there beside me a couple from Spain. The husband good enough to help me to translate from english to france, merci beacoup! :) i bet i hurt his ear much with my Eng-French hahah..

Sitting there on the back of the office i was thinking its not that very different than any Indonesian bus office. Small.. at the back of the office there stack of chairs and tables... don't know what was that for.

The guy shout in French i had no idea what he said but seeing those couple grabbing their luggage i went with them and ask if the bus coming, he said yes and we had to hurry... where?? lol i was half running following them, their suitcase bigger than mine! the two old guy not even following us they just stay at the counter office.

We walk back to the road where i came before and cross the street. Right between the train station and the bus office in the middle of road there are short of small pavement. Stood there the winds are chilling! the guy ask me where i came from i said Indonesia, he had no idea where Indonesia is! hahah but i told them its where you got most of 33C degrees the whole year. He said some part of Spain just like that... the wife not speaking english but i know she try to understand our conversation. The husband translate it for her most of time. When he ask if i study here or going with someone else i said all by my self, he explain that to her and she took my hand haha and said something he translate that his wife said i am very brave! haha.. Its very nice of her :)

Not long after 15 minutes our bus coming. I just dont want to made mistake i ask the driver before jump in, is this goes to Paris? he said "oui mademoiselle" ok thats it.. haha there are 4 more people come with us. There is no bus seat numbers on my ticket. I had to show my ticket to the bus driver, he took one of the ticket for him (print it double!! dont forget!)

When i got in... i see the seat mostly full on the back... i had a choice to sit near seemly a father and daughter, a big woman with big curly hair (and pierced lips) and ohh very sour face old woman, and old man who smile too much to me.

I walk in and ok what ever the big lady smile to me she might be my age... so.. i went there and put my backpack on the top compartment and said "excuse moi" she smile, ok thats good sign... i put my ipod on and just try to enjoy the journey.

Soon i start to realize the next person to me not a woman!!! lol when i put my hand next to "her" omg my fingers and palms are much smaller.. i was lol really gasping!! omg! hahah such pretty guy! he look at me and smile again. I end up had small conversation with him. His name is Thierry. Very nice and friendly guy. He was several times look at me before we talk... hahah i was afraid *about psyco girl duuhh* but then he ask me... what are you listening to? so i share my ipod with him.

I introduce him to Anggun, and some of indonesian song, his face was frowning. We still had some language barrier sometimes as he speak in French and i try to understand it. He speak little bit english. He said he never travel to Asia, i said he should try. He check up my play list and laugh when he know a song there, mostly i put 1980-1990 song there especially rock band. I also had huge range of music on my ipod from classical music such as Mozart and Bethoven, some pop Nsync, Michael Buble, Linkin Park etc. He love music as much as i do! Thierry is an artist and he also on his way to Paris :)

My beau new friend Thierry!

It was a very nice journey with a friend to talk with. Event hough most of time he will speak in French and me in English. Its quite funny tho... its a good example about ... hey you shouldn't worry about languages!! haha better if you know French, English, and Arabic etc.. but most of time the willingness to communicate.. at least you try! And it worked for me :)

You can not wait until you brush up your languages abilities to travel around :D would take you ages to travel then!

About one hour the bus stop and i ask him what happened? because we're not even close to Paris, he said just stop at resting area. Its near gas station. So i went down and go to toilet like most of passenger. Thierry ask me if i want to eat anything, i said i am full. He went to eat some frites. I share the story about the best frites in Brussel. All the debate about the best frites comes :D

We had to go back to the bus again when the driver turn on the engines. Unlike Indonesian bus, he didnt count the passenger anymore hahaha in Indonesia bus driver re count the passenger every time he stop incase if he missed anyone! but its not the case there hehehe... i cant imagine what happened if i dont know about this and went to toilet and the bus left me hahah...

I was almost fall a sleep while Thierry still busy with my ipod, when i see the blue and red lights on the bus window and sirens. I was thought... woooww.. a real highway chase!

Soon then i realize they were surrounding the bus from both side and there were loud megaphone sound saying things in French and oh my the bus still running! i was like whats going on? i was panicking a bit, Thierry?? same he say its ok but i know he also worry!

I was thinking something bad like bus hijacking or terrorist on the bus as they were so many police involve!! and the worse the back passenger were starting to yell and very noisy in French language... most of the passenger on the back part of the bus are dark skin-African people. And now i am more worried.

The only thing i was thinking that time--why on earth this driver still driving fast??!!

Then i found out he was trying to find a wide open space, a gas station with few trailers parking there and omg over 6 police cars and the whole troops. Babies were crying other passenger were seemed very worried, and me? i was saying "here we go, i will be on Indonesia news this time"---news flash "indonesian girl among those arrested with the terrorist gank with over 1kgs dope and trafficking guy and illegal immigrants" hahah... *had very active imagination when i am in panic mode*

one of the scene came on my head!! *too much CSI*

Suddenly Thierry said, prepare your passport, its probably just a boarder check. I was like hahah ok grabbing my passport tight! When the bus finally stop. The police rush in, and talk in ..again French language and then German language ohh shuutt.. hahah i dont understand both!!. They said we stay in our seat, and prepare documents-Thierry said. They told the bus driver to open the luggage compartment.

They check our passport one by one and, one of the guy ask me where i came from and why i want to go to Paris etc. After that, they ask all guys come out first one by one. Thierry look at me.. and im in despair omg no translation anymore hahahah.... He said just walk outside when they told you to, and show your passport.

And then after all guys go out, i could peep on window all luggage was on the asphalt on the gas station. One by one they arrange it. What the?

And then a police shout again, and the woman on front move out. I think they ask the woman all out one by one too. They search on us one by one. Policewoman do the search.

The police use complete automatic weapons that i could see on movies, and bullet proof jacket and there are dogs... omg what is this??? **as crazy as it sound they all looks good>>this is my stressed out brain talking**

They point one by one the suitcase and ask the owner to open it up. Check every details of it even the sew lines the back of the luggage. I saw Thierry stand next to his backpack and talking to a police. And when every single suitcase was pointed mine still there and no one check it yet.

A police came and see my suitcase tag and ask around people who stood up next to the bus including me, i raise my hand, i guess they ask whos luggage is this. When i get closer then i was thinking.. geezz this one looks like Vin Diesel with French language, and pretty damn killer smile... *should listen when he said mademoissele* ohh ohhh ohhh... hahahha.... and then his friend came a long gezz... this one even nicer.. and they ask me to open my luggage... darn!! hahah i was sitting on my suitcase to close the zip... hahah.. im dead!

I was thinking about the 5 pirates DVD, fake Louis Vuitton wallet, and the worse hahah indonesian food like gado-gado pasta, and one plastic bag of my meds!! omg! hahaha i was smiling and i know i will be in trouble because honestly forgot if i ever read what kind of drugs that allowed to bring in to Paris. Even some cold meds are prohibited in certain country. Uhmm... not wise!





............to be continued......................

"  Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living."   ~ Miriam Beard

One thing that i did notice since i was landed in Munich May 24, 2011. How people in here so care about disabled person. People with special requirements, in wheel chair, or can't see... its amazing the level of caring that i can not stop feeling sad!!

I see one of these in Strasbourg...

And for those with all special needs, there are NO limitation for them to do activities like other people! go to school, doing sports, swim, going to cafe, had lunch in park, sun bathing.... no limitation!! they could mobile as easy as they could.. i feel so envy!

They build special ramp every where so it could easily accessible for wheel chair, start from castles, bus stop, tram, and trains!

Space for whee chair at Train/Metro

At cities, they build the side walk also accessible very easily for the disabled person. Even for city that had cobbled street like in Strasbourg or in Brussels, i could see many senior citizen with their electric/mobility scooter doing things like normal. Seeing friends, buy groceries.

My great great grandmother who live in mountains in Sumatra never see this for sure. Chance for senior people to do their activity like normal and not to depends to anyone!

Special entrance for wheelchair

This is also the very first time i see someone... who doesn't have legs to drive by him self (in Brussels) its amazed me!

........ i feel sad because.....

This is the countries that me and my friends used to called people "had-cripple-ice cold-emotions" too independent, high individualism and NOT CARE about their parents, and their neighbor. And when i see it now, it changed... if they don't care, they wont build ramps, they wont build things that made the life of those elders and "unique" people MUCH EASIER....

Toilets in train for wheel chaired people

In sight seeing places, there will be hundreds of signs show where these unique people could enter/access the places. Special parking, special entrance... oh my ....

In Indonesia where i thought people much "care" i could see lots of disabled person stay at home, doing nothing, old people on porch just sit on chair, can not do anything.. can not go anywhere as they wanted to... its just sad....

Special Bus ramps for special people ^^

Special kids with down syndromes wont go by them self in Indonesia, people will stare look down, others kids will laugh at them and oh my God... in Germany they could do high five on their wheelchairs and say see you again, and laugh and cross the street WITHOUT ANY HELP!! and no one will disturb them!!

I can not help to feel sad and envy... i wish one day Indonesia will be like that, someday my country will be more fair to those who in needs, and more caring to senior citizen. I could only wish........

I would say most of the transport ticket during my trip to Europe was booked while i was sitting nicely in deep Sumatra jungle a.ka while i was on my working day in remote place and while at home (where i have to sit on the porch dancing with mosquitoes and trying to get full bars signal at same time).


There are more than one traveling website that said we must book in advance to get the cheap ticket to Europe, and it does really work that way. The more you sit and wait to the departure date the more the price sky high!! do not wait, book your Europe trip tickets early! (6 months in advance better!!).

The thing you need for online booking? of course, good internet speed, and a credit card!! ^,^


The tickets that i got online is my return flight with Lufthansa from Singapore to Paris and Munich to Singapore, which is open jaw (i think i will explain about what open jaw is somewhere). Also i got my self a return Eurolines bus ticket from Paris to Brussels. And the last one is the train ticket from Paris to Strassbourg i order it from SNCF website.

For the Lufthansa flight ticket i got help from a travel agent, since my credit card limit only like $500 and the flight total cost is around US$900 (return).

And the Eurolines buses, i did it my self, with my very limited French, yepp i did the website is in FRENCH language maybe that time i was so careless that i didn't see the top right side for ENGLISH language, but the link i gave here already in English.

The same thing happens for the train ticket from SNCF, its all in FRENCH language. Oh dear... do use the online google translator for your kindness if you don't know FRENCH language!! First page is in English but when you about to go to SNCF booking page (when you click "buy a ticket" button on the top left previous web) it doesnt have "english options" well again unless if i really did missed the button of course!!

But the truth, with my very limited French, i could easily book the buses ticket and the train without hassles! its not that hard, really!

Most of the ticket that i got are with cheap fare/promotion rate. For return bus ticket i got it for 18 Euro (Paris-Brussels-Paris) and for the train ticket---well this is the most amazing one, FIRST CLASS on TGV train, which is the super fast train, i got the very last seat offer for 40 Euro only!!! the normal rate for TGV train 1st class is above 100 Euro, and 2nd class is like 36-40 Euro or something so, i got it dirt cheap!!! hehehe.... (the advantage of joining the mailing list!! they will alert you for cheap price!!) sometimes the last minute deal could be this cheap, so keep your eyes open on the website!

For the train from this website you still had many other choice for trains. I think the cheapest train is the sleeper class at night/night train. But from Paris to Strasbourg where  i want to go to its only took like 2 hours and i dont need the sleeper class! oh and also, the 2nd class not that much difference than 1st class, so no worry about the comfort thing.. its only 2 hours trip! (train is very clean and nice also!!)


Don't wait too long! its worth the online booking!! (price & the QUEUE-its killin'!!)

Those who visit foreign nations but associate only with their own country-men change their climate but not their customs. They see new meridians but the same men; and with heads as empty as their pockets return home with traveled bodies but untraveled minds ~ Caleb Colton



...................Gare de l'est Paris to Gare du Midi Brussels....................

The bus driver drive the bus with moderate speed... for sure Indonesian bus driver go twice faster than this bus driver.

Next to me an asian girl, seemed shes a student, but she didn't talk much. I don't know what happen to asian people when they go to Europe. Seemed their polite and friendly nature as in Asia are gone. She's obvious a chinese decendent, but i can't really sure where shes come from. From her english she could be from Malaysia or Singapore, as i could hear the "Sing-lish" a bit on her tone.

I remember my friend Lee also agree with this. Without pointing as certain races, we agree some asian doesn't want to gather with other races, or even speak with local languages or try to get along with other people outside their races. I can not understand why.

Why you travel so far away while you only want to be with people from your country? i thought when you travel you want to see new people, learn new languages, food, customs etc (eating rice at Europe seemed bit.. weird--once a while its ok),

Anyway, i enjoy the view.. enjoy the huge grass field... seeing horses, farms... everything so different than Indonesia. I don't want to sleep! i want to see more...

On my ipod i listen to Angel by Sarah McLachlan, i feel so happy i had the chance to see all of this. First Paris, and now the outer part of Paris on the way to Belgium...

I wish i could record all of this in my head and play it back when i go back to Indonesia.. this is all beautiful on its own way... flowers are different, street signs...

I feel so lucky i met good peoples a long the road so far... i just wish i had my best friends and sisters to see what i see now... the wonder of different part of the worlds...

It is something when you see the world in a humble way...

The worst thing about being a tourist is having other tourists recognize you as a tourist ~ Russell Baker


On last day in Paris i actually made an appointment with Guillaume to woke up and get out of his apartment at the time he leave for work. Its pretty normal for couch surfer host, well for security reason that's for sure. I short of ok with that. But then he said, i could leave later and return the key to him at his work place. I could wake up pretty late and pack my things, while he leave for work

I just can't believe how he could be my host! he trust me, and its an honor! i did clean up as i could while packing and just to show a little thank you for him. I really do appreciate what he gave me (roof and dinners and loads of stories about Paris! also accompany on the tour yesterday!). I can not ask for better host than him!! (he's the best host ever for me!!).

Couch surfing is one of the best thing that i ever done for sure!

After clean up i decide to do my last walk around Paris. Believe it or not the last place is the most important for me; a visit to Arc de Triomphe and Champ Elysees!

From Guy Moquet station (only 100 meter from Guillaume apartment) i went to the Metro station Charles de Gaulle Etoile near the Arc de Triomphe. Walking up stairs from the train station to the road, when i turn my self there it was.... Arc de Triomphe. Now i know how the French aka Parisien feels about their country.

Its a fabulous building, stand there so arrogantly, so beautiful... i just stand still just few mins to stare and look at it, and say..oh wow..

Champ Elysees street on my back (taken from Arc de Triomphe)

The famous Arc de Triomphe and Me!

I went to the passage near the street cross, it goes down the street. Very convenient to cross the busy road! but..errhh its same like every corner of Paris (well most of...) its smell like urine! yucks...

Passage under the street to Arc de Triomphe

And the first thing i did notice like the Eiffel Tower yesterday.. its HUGE!!!

Top of Arc de Triomphe

Names of brave soldiers Arc de Triomphe

Champ Ellyses

Amazing street!!

Narsis di Arc de Triomphe Paris

While i was taking pictures and busy with my camera.. i didn't notice a young guy (cute tho) taking my picture as if he hug me from my side!! and his friends were laughing at his silly act! when i did notice i just stare at him and he said something in French... i don't understand i said in French (je ne comprend pas!) but he kept saying something in French, and his friends laugh even harder!

He ask one his friend to translate but its not much helping so we were lost in translation. He short of saying want to take pictures with me! hahaha i said ok... but then errh why he hug me like that!! ohh (TT.TT) i don't even know his name!! hahahaha! but he and his friends sound fun and they are actually nice! he said something that i understand while holding my hand he said "....tres belle" means very beautiful and i was saying "merci beacoup!" thank you very much while blushing like teenage!

I actually very cautious because a friend of mine said some pickpocket use this same scheme to steal wallets or belongings..but haha my backpack was secured with tiny lock and sling cables hahahah! (but not my heart...awwww!)

The guy who "hijack" me at Arc de Triomphe

After fussy fuss with lost in translation we said "au revoir" his friend said enjoy Paris! i said yes!! and then we walk separately i still took some pictures and stay there for a while... i want to remember how is it feels to be at Arc de Triomphe... because its not like everyday i could come here!!

And i don't want to be that kid of "tourist" that came, took pictures, and go. I want to feel what is it like to be there.... the air, the sky, everything! even the pollution! hehehehe



Marching a long the Champ Elysees... i was so happy! wooow this is the famous street that i've been dreaming to walk at!!



Errrhhh.. why i met with this guy again??? and you know what he said?? he said its a FATE?? LoL whattt?? hahahahahahahah!! nooo!!!

My admirer and his hugging habit-Champ Elysees

I swear if i met him ever again.. hahahahahaha... no i don't want he's kind and funny..but why he can not speak any english???? also.. hehe my heart is somewhere else *wink* (kalo yang single ntar gue daftarin deh!)

Me at Champ Elysees!

oh dont forget macarons on Champ Elysees!

I try to enter one of the branded shop there.. all i could do is grinning... i can not afford even a small tiny pin hahahah! well... so much for shopping here.. i love it.. but no.. i am not into branded stuff..just too bad! hahah i am a "cheap" girl hehehehe

Louis Vuitton Champ Elysees-Paris

After walking along the famous Champ Elysees, i walk pass through the garden that belong to the Palais de Elysees. I walk along the Champ Elysees Avenue and end up in front of Tuiletries Jardin close to the Louvre.

At 1pm i went back to the Guy Moquet metro station and get my stuff at Guillaume apartment..... leave a "Thank You" note for him and went to his hotel and leave the apartment key for him. He was very busy and in middle of a famous movie seminar, and I can't stop saying thank you for him, because he's been so nice!

I went through a painful METRO ride from Guillaume work to the Gare d'est bus station! its a reminder to write here.. girls!! do not bring your huge 26" full luggage if you want to pass through over 6 Paris metro station!!

They had no elevator and no lift!! so you have to lift your luggae along those freakin stairs!! and try to catch the metro. It will be better if you carry a back pack.....

Next will be Brussels!!