Backpacker Girls

"Lets wonder wheres the wifi is weak...."

Tulisan ini, aku buat sebab rada jengah ngeliat banyak pertanyaan seputar "kartu simcard lokal", sewa wifi (kekya desperate banget), sama pengalaman aku yang di stereo type soal traveller Asia yang tingkat narsisnya mengkhawatirkan. Kok ribet banget ya mau backpacking hari gini?

Alasan paling tinggi buat beli simcard local sama jadi fakir wifi;

1. Biar bisa kontak keluarga
2. Kontak kantor
3. Biar bisa upload foto dan update status di Facebook, instagram, dll biar kekinian
4. (?)

Tapi yang iya alasan nomor 3 yang paling jujur deep down inside (please dont lie to your self at least).

Reason yang pertama okelah, memang harus kasih informasi kekeluarga kalau kita udah landing safely, aman2 makan cukup, tempat tinggal ok.

Untuk yang ke 2 rasa2 ngga masuk. Aku sama kak Mari dulu juga pernah ngebahas soal ini. Dan kami sepakat kalau cuma sekedar kirim sms ke keluarga ngga masalah pakai nomor Indonesia aja toh mereka sudah tau kita traveling. Begitu juga dengan kantor--izin cuti sudah di approved, email kantor udah di kasih notifikasi "away" trus yang biayain liburan juga bukan kantor jadi kita ngga perlu lapor sama bos kegiatan tiap hari---kecuali kalo lu yang punya kantor ya ahahaha.... alias buat monitor apa aja kerja nak buah lu (punya kantor tapi ala2 backpacker kere ngapain boss?)

Sejak 2007 pertama kali backpacking keluar negri, gak kebayang berapa banyak jumlah foto yang sudah aku buat. Aku ngga punya hapeeehhh yang kek sekarang. Masih HP Sony Erricksson P1 itu dah yahuud banged. Kameranya kodak poket yang 8mp. Tiap balik ke hostel, nongrongin PC yang ada di communa room, ganti2an dengan traveler lain. Pake kabel data upload ke mana coba? dulu gue belum punya FB ahahah apalagi soscmed lain. Letakinnya di YAHOO BRIEFCASE (yang sekarang udah gak ada lagi).

For me from very beginning; "Traveling is not only about arriving, but enjoying it"

Di trip 2009 antara Singapore-KL-Thailand ada ekitar 350an foto. Maklu masih pakai kamera kodak yang memorinya di bawah 1giga (256mb udah ok). Waktu itupun hp masih sekedar untuk telepon dan sms. Sedangkan kamera masih di vga atau di bawah 3 megapiksel ngga secanggih sekarang.

2011 traveling solo ke Eropa pertama kali. Modal cuma bawa tripod kecil ukuran 30cm, sama kamera kodak yang udah lumayan uzur tadi (cuma kisaran 8 mega piksel kok), sama netbook Toshiba buat nyimpan foto2 tiap hari. Ambil foto seadanya.. lebih banyak buat nandain jalan biar kalo nyasar bisa di telusuri balik.

Tahun 2015 nge trip ke Eropa, backpacking berdua Kak Mari, Start dari Amsterdam (Sciedam, rotterdam, Den Hague)-Paris-Switzerland-Inssbruck Austria-Budapest Hungaria-Roma-Pisa-Milan. Julah foto dari HP (yupp aku nggga pernah mau ribet bawa2 gadget kebanyakan) sekitar 900an foto termasuk selfie yang acakadut atau blur.

Not to judge badly gue ngga abis pikir liat "backpacker" Asia atau traveler yang bawa dslr di leher, plus 2 HP yang ngga berenti foto2. You truly missing things out man! belum lagi bahaya copet dan jambretnya. Esensi backpacking, carry less, lu bisa gerat lebih leluasa, jalan kemana aja tanpa kerepotan bawa tuh barang, ketakutan di copet, naik turun bus, tram, kereta tanpa takut tuh barang2 kececeran.

“He who would travel happily must travel light.” – Antoine de St. Exupery

Gue udah liat di banyak tempat ketika mereka sibuk dengan semua gadget ini mereka miss essence di duatu tempat. Duduk, diam, nikmati... contoh di Eiffel tower... jangan cuma di liat Eiffelnya, suasananya, how the air feels, gimana dinginnya suhu 12c mana gerimis, langit abu2... tapi kalau gue tutup mata gue sekarang gue bakalan ingat semua.

Take your time, sit in silence. Gunakan semua panca indera---itu yang gue sebut "memory".

Iya ini tergantung dengan travel style. Untuk gue sayang banget kalo di sibukkan dengan seua gadget tapi ngga bisa nyerap suasana di sana.

Memang sih semua pada bilang, sayang kalau ngga ada foto2 di sana... iya.. gue juga hobi di foto, siapa yang ngga. Tapi somehow deep inside kalau kamu percaya, kamu pasti bakalan balik lagi kesana, you got to believe it!

Ngga masalah mau foto, cuma kala per berapa menit udah foto aja alias excessively, you got to ask why you travel, what for?

Naaahhh lepas dari masalah foto2 ini berlanjut ke masalah telekomunikasi.

2007, ke South East Asia aku ngga pernah beli simcard lokal. Waktu itu bawa kartu Indosat sama Telkomsel dengan roaming DIMATIKAN. Yupp.. tuh HP cuma case emergency aja. Ingat HP jaman dulu cuma buat sms dan telepon aja.

Setiap hari aku kirim satu sms ke adek, just so she knows im ok.

Keluar dari hostel, pakai peta yang masih kertas, telusuri Singapore sendiri. Takut nyasar? ya namanya traveling pasti nyasar. Ngga ada namannya traveling ngga nyasar. Mau di Singapore atau bahkan di Jakarta sendiri... masa belum pernah nyasar di Jakarta?? hahaha... sampe sekarang pun kalo aku di turunin di Jakarta Barat bingung dah gue dimana.

Banyak tempat2 yang aku notice sampai hari ini ngga gitu di eksplor sama backpacker yang datang ke Singapore. Pernah dengar Betel Box? sudah pernah ke water reservoir Singapore? udah pernah jalan ke Jurong? bukan bird park nya aja...beneran wanderless jalan2 aja. Chinatown udah kemana aja? tau ngga d sana ada toko dessert enaaakkk banget. Little Inda udah ke tiap lorongnya? tau daerah Geylang? yang dibilang red distric itu... tau ngga ada majid gede di sana? makanan Malaysia/halal paling banyak di sana loh... tau ngga dari hotel Fulerton itu undergroundnya ada passage ke Merlion? lumayan masuk dan gak panas2an langsung tembus ke Merlion.

Put down your phone... see around you, you will see more!!

Aku ngga nyangkal sering jadi "fakir wifi" apalgi waktu trip Eropa 2015 kemaren. Tapi nngga bikin sampe kek mana gitu ya.... kalo ketemu ya syukur, ngga ya sudah. Kita sepakat toh di masing2 host airbnb kita punya wifi (kita tanya dulu dong sebelum datng). Jadi kalau mau update status atau mo upload foto ya tunggu sampe di penginapan. Kalaupun ada kita dapat wifi biasanya kalo numpang pipis di restoran kek McD **fakir banget** atau tiba2 nemu free wifi di taman (girangnya naujubilah dan batre langsung drop gara2 semua notifikasi masuk sekaligus!) namanya juga backpacker ya pelita hati sama duit ahahah.

Aku traveling buat diri sendiri... susah loh ngumpulin duit, planning traveling berminggu2 bahkan berbulan2, tapi yang di pandang nanti cuma screen hp sepanjang jalan... jadi ya aku ngga ngerasa ada kewajiban buat posting foto tiap 1 menit dan update status tiap 2 menit. Just think about it.

Wifi pun wakttu ke Eropa lebih kepada peta, nge download offline map, google soal interesting place selain yang sudah kita jadwalkan. Untuk peta kita ngandalin Ulmon sama google offline yang bisa nyala tanpa paket data cuma ngandelin GPS dari HP.

You could do it... lepaskan diri dari ketergantungan HP foto2 sewajarnya aja (bukan selfi pose 30 kali di tempat yang sama). Enjoy your trip! its kind of sad loh... apalagi kalau yang backpacking nya ber dua dan sama2 mukanya di HP melulu. Ini yang di celetuk sama temen2 aku yang dari Eropa.

Aku pernah makan di restoran di Jerman, jadi temen aku nunjuk ke meja lain, ada keluarga asia 6 orang. Food on the table, its dinner. Tapi satupun ngga ada yang ngobrol semuanya pada fokus sama gadget masing2 termasuk orang tuanya dan keseluruh anaknya termasuk  toddler. Makan pun di suap ngga liat piring tapi fokus ke monitor. Temen aku nyeletuk "typical asian" dan menurut dia itu ngga sopan sama sekali di Eropa kalau di keluarga makan tapi pegang hp sepanjang makan. Gue cuma bisa nyengir doang. Mo jawab apa? memang rata2 sepanjang perjalan itulah yang gue liat.

So, tulisan ini sekedar uneg2----kemungkinan besar ada yang kurang sependapat, but hey... aku cuma mau kalian enjoy dengan trip kalian without missing things...

Rekor terlama kita tanpa beli2 simcard atau wifi adalah 3 minggu! kira2 kalau traveler sekarang ada yang bisa lebih dari itu ngga yaaa?? ada yang bisa lebih dari 1 bulan mungkin?

I think "Lost in Translation" is always funny"

Listen some gossips at tram-its a confusing cool!

Result of language barrier

Thank you-simple but show lots of respect

I never thought i will ever had the "Street Wise" title. I am still a traveler with less mileage as i said over and over....


I went to a short journey to Singapore few days ago. For the sake of my book writing and also i need to do some med check at NUH a hospital there in Singapore.


I meet new people, things that i enjoy during my trip. I always remember a shy version of me will never talk to anyone i know hahaha so.. a stranger would be a no option for me. I am not that very social and chatty. I had VERY LACK of self confident. Zero social skill... all i do i put the mad face-dont talk to me or ill do a mad thing to you kind of face. Not quite friendly... but everyone had their own issue i guess.


As an adult and travel by my self.. i gain more and more confident to talk with many people with different background and point of view. I know how to made a debate i know where the point i just had to shut my mouth and just keep my own opinion, even if i had to bite my own tongue.


I dont know if i could categorize that as a street wise either.


I learnt lots of lesson every time i go.


I went to Singapore because i feel im not good enough with looking for a treatment for my "facial paralysis" something that i got over 22 years because of a silly accident with my backyard iron swing. It hit side of my head and apparently cause damage to one of my nerve. Nerve is damaged cause my muscles not work and the muscles work less better then the other side---there you go... you see me smiling "differently". Not that i would like to.... but hey.. i wrote this not to made you feel bad.


Anyway... when i went to hostel in Chinatown called  "A Beary Nice". I met this girl.... sitting with her laptop on, on lower bunk bed of mine. I was arrive almost midnight that time. Soon i realize she can't walk right and wear a crutches, i didnt see it before, but to be honest she got that very nice smiling face that light up the room when you see her. I envy her.... i didnt talk to her that night, just small normal conversation "can i put my luggage under your bed?" such that conversation. 


Day 3 after a long day at hospital and i feel the world not so kind to me, i just cant help it but talk to this girl to find out that shes ALSO FROM INDONESIA. We talk a lot that night.


She said more than once a compliment over my achievement as a traveler, i could see that she think i am cool...... but deep down inside... she doesn't know that ME, i adore her because she travel by her self with her disabilities. She just cant walk since she was born... we had same thought about our condition that made us feel different and how its very hard to talk about our condition with our family... as they feel the guilt as well....


I adore her... because she is very strong and smart girl. I knew her for just few hours and yet i knew... she is much stronger than i am... (i weep while i wrote this).


My result came, at the end of my trip. I knew i CAN NOT do the surgery that i wanted to, to get my smile back... because the total sum of the surgery is out of my reach (over US$33000). Where on earth i could get money that much??? i cant spill all details here.


Its bit personal, but i had to write this.


I cried... i did... its hurt to know you able to do this kind of stuff to made you feel better but you dont have the tools to do so.


But i remember that girl. I remember lots of people that i met on street.. while in Germany, while i was in Thailand... i cried till my heart out i think... it was hurt... but thinking about the girl (sorry i forgot your name) that i talk with at the hostel... made me feel better... the way she look at me, made me feel stronger.


I knew i cant smile, but i knew i could brought some lights into some people life... i knew.... my stories matters for some... i knew when i look in to their eyes... i could encourage them to do the same.


I feel thankful to all people i met on street.... they change me... some made me stronger....


I know you might think you're not perfect--just like i do, but that doesnt made me not to think of you less perfect as an angel for giving me strength when i need it.


Kind of remind me of a quote;


When people think of angels, they think flowing robes and halos. But in the Bible, they also look like ordinary people. Why not today?
Joan Wester Anderson-In the Arms of Angel

To the girl that i met at hostel, (i knew SHE READ MY BLOG because once she said she did, and she knew one of my writing....)

Start from March 23, 2012 Indonesian International gates (airport and sea) dismissed the rules to fill out the embarkation and disembarkation card! Indonesia now becoming one of the 44 countries that apply the border control management.

buh bye Indonesian embarkation card!

But this is only for local/Indonesian citizen and not for expatriate or tourist that come to visit Indonesia :)

You could see the full news in Indonesia language here.

I haven't see what kind of device they use to create data for the incoming and outgoing people from Indonesia but i hope its just like the one that they use in Malaysia (finger print scanner). Its sure will safe sometimes and also will eliminate the "fear" for some people who just like me---loose the card somewhere on my journey!

No more spending time to wrote the tiny cards and no more worry when you loose the card..... yay!! all you need to do just to show your passport and boarding pass to the immigration officer and instead of the card they will add more stamps to your passport... hehehe and its fun to see the stamp as it seemed like you travel even more hahah!





Note:
Pictures taken from this address.

When i was traveling to Europe. At a hostel in Belgium i met a fellow backpacker and had morning conversation after breakfast. He was from Brazil. He was about my age, 2 years older actually. He start the conversation when i was looking at Brussel map and try to find out what to see on Monday--as most of museum closed on Monday.

We talk a lot about destinations in Europe and he told me about his experiences in some countries he already visit. We share stories about Thailand, and some Asian countries that we both visited. I ask him how long had he been traveling? he said its been 3 years.



I ask him again, don't you miss home? his reply short of made me think again about everything, he said "home is where your heart is" he said he didn't miss it that much, surprisingly. He said he belong to every country he traveled to. He still had his mom and sister at home, but he found his passion to travel around the world beyond those. It made him miss traveling even more when he was at home. He quit his job and just on the road from one city to another, from one country to another one.

He ask me, so Fika, where your home is? i was laugh at his question. I said i don't know, but deep down, i had this same feeling like him. How i miss traveling when i was sitting on my desk at work, i miss traveling when i open my passport and could remember experiences i got from every each immigration stamps i got.

How i missed to be a stranger in a new town that i just stepped in. And the fun when i met new friends, learn new language, and do things i never done in my country. And be my self, express my feelings and just enjoy the details i see in every corner of streets.

i miss the small narrow cobble street in Europe

I do miss some people that i meet on my trip more than anything. I miss the short memories we've made, i miss the sense of adventure i got when i meet troubles there. I miss the feeling being independent and believe in my own self and judgement. I miss being a traveler.


I travel less than most of the backpackers that i met during my trip. I had very less mileage  than most of travelers who had traveling blogs like i do. But i know somehow the way i think and the way i see things are much different than i was....say 5 years ago. Whenever i travel back then the sound of "home" made me smile, and think wow my journeys end! why these days when i travel, and see my return ticket back to Indonesia i feel sad because the journey is end?

can you point where your heart is??

I do miss home when i was away, but its just to tiny small details like when i hear one of Indonesian song played, or when i miss one of those blazing spicy Indonesian food or when i see the price of a plate or rice in Euro nominal. I miss home when i was in a hostel female dorm and the girls just had this little gossip session or discussion which guy is the hottest one there---reminds me much of my sisters. I miss Indonesia when i was on this hard day, and no one smile or greet me on street. But do i miss Indonesia as much as i miss traveling?

Physically i am in a place i call home but my heart and my mind wondering to somewhere else.

I do feel like being a traitor because i could easily answer i love being away rather than being at my hometown. I am at my home country but i feel no less different than a stranded traveler. In place that i think i will never know. It is my home country, but But its just something you cant deny... home is where your heart is...

When my journey in Europe ends i remember i was crying in front of the immigration check, and say over and over--i dont want to go back home, i want to stay--oh well i cant stay as my visa will be over in less than 24 hours. But i do wish i could just stay there and not flying back.

When someone at the airport ask me: where are you flying to? my mind remind me of this "home" concept that i just learn, i told that person "i am going back to Jakarta" instead saying "i am going back home" its still an intriguing small question that i never be able to answer... where is my home truly are?



Home where you come back to, loved for who you are, when the whole world reject you that's the only place where you could go to. Home is where you found your truly happiness. Home where you could find your self. Home is the place where you could find your love.

Dear my Precious Readers! help me to win the IT Traveler contest by voting my profile here! the closing date of this contest is 9 August 2011!

Thanks a lot!

Fk

...Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;Strike the bell and bide the danger,Or wonder, till it drives you mad,What would have followed if you had...

I wrote this because i know there are thousand people traveling solo in this world every day.

There were times where i said "Lucky me, i'm traveling by my self!!" or when the itchy feeling inside my chest when i see something amazing, like sunrise on a mountain top, or beautiful night city view from a high tower...moment when you think "what the heck am i doing here by my self??"

There are more than once i get my cellphone and dial a number of my family member but then cancel it--errh its very expensive to pay... but i just want to share the experience.. and i really ..really feel sorry because they can not experience what i had while on my trip. Just an sms to someone that i know sometimes help.. like saying "hey finally i see Eiffel tower, its huge!" silly sms that i sent to a friend although can't express how i felt that time.. but sharing the momento is kind of fun.

Grow up in a tiny town in Sumatra, i could count by fingers girls that traveling solo abroad since 2007. Its just our culture not really think a solo female traveler is a good thing. Even a guy in Singapore say it blunt, he will never allow his daughter traveling by her self.

I never meet any Indonesian traveler during my trip for 20 days in Europe. I didn't talk with Indonesia language beside time when i met my old friend Niklas at Stuttgart. Its kind of silly when you missed the small thing at home while youre away and when you back to your country... its kind of..nah.. i want something else (like Germany soft cheese or fresh spargel).

Landed in Charles de Gaulle... i could feel what every what we call "bule" a call for caucasian in Indonesia. Staring eyes. Little children look at you and smile.. very cute. I am not the average asian girls with 173cms height (5.67 ft), i look more like Chinese somehow but my skin darker. Its just the Sumatra girl type of look.

When i say i am from Indonesia, while in Brussels one of the traveler say, can't be! hahah because he went to Java island, and Bali.. but not to Sumatra. We had different ... kind of looks. Most of us more taller, and the skin is more lighter. I think its the ancestor more to mixed of Chinese and Arabic as Sumatra is a trading island, close to the Malacca strait its one of the "silk road" for traders (if you read history). The girls in java more shorter and had darker brown skin.. mine more yellowish/light brown like sunkissed tan (this is what my friend describe hahah).

Ok back to the topic.


I just feel stranded and all alone. Like... oh wow.. i am very different here! even with some asian i met in Europe just once i passes by a young family with malaysian dialect talking out side the ANZ stadium in Munich, must be the Bayern Muenchen fans for sure. But that girl is the only girl that i met with same skin color and dialects that i know :(


And i am not even going to the moon yet! hahaha


I tried not to loose my identity while im traveling.. why? for me this is important.... i stick to the note i am from Indonesia, and i had my own culture.. i try to tell other travelers things about Indonesia. The cultures... the fact that BALI IS PART INDONESIA as one of our 33 province and its a huge country also the majority beliefs is moslem there.


I always proud to say i am from Indonesia, even if at the end they will talk about the Bali Bombing and also the bombing happens in Jakarta, all i could say is so many mean people in this world, you could fiind it in India, UK, and most recent in Norway, a peaceful Nobel country!


Why generalize all Indonesian because one maniacs?? why made any different than things in India, UK, Japan... is that made everyone not like those country? No.


Ok no politics debating here.


How to deal with loneliness while you traveling solo?how do you cope with those?


First i will try to look back why i did it. Reason why i travel solo. Because i want it, for sure! then like my boss said once "suck it up" i did. For better or worse this is what i choice.


I will try to find new connection, new friends on road... which you will find easier to get while you're traveling solo! this is how i met Mr T and loads more my friends on street. We got lost and we share maps and itineraries.

A small "hi" and a smile would help very much! i am a very shy person... especially to people i just met. But hey.. when youre traveling by your self you can't do the shy thing! when you get lost you need to interact with other people to ask directions, dont forget to thank them! and hostels... is also the best place to find new friends.. try to mingle!

I will also try to think nice reason why i travel solo.. i could do things that i like, also no schedule no itineraries... just let loose!

Traveling solo is also a good way to see inside your soul, to think about your life... things that you took for granted like family, friends.. everyone that you wish that could be with you that time. You could only send sms say "thanks for being my friend" its overwhelming feeling to know that back there at home you s till have them, and you being alone just during your travel time only.

Try to made your schedule pretty tight, or do something productive, drawing, taking tons of pictures, i always bring my ipod with me, i could listen to music and play game while on tram. But if you want to friends on road i am not suggesting this hahaha.. last thing i want is to bug someone with earphones stick to their ears. It short of saying "let me by my self would you?!!"

Also i would try to do some sport, running, swimming.. its good after a long trip, to get rid the jet lag.. and btw jet lag i thin is the main cause of the "oh i feel so lonely" depressed feeling!! and i just get rid that away quick.. like while i was in Paris, just go and walk i wont stay in hostel bed and feel sad of being in a strange city! i will explore! (Fika the explorer hahahah!)


Just open your map, your lonely planets your itinerary.. dont let your self not doing anything.. unless if youre having vacation at a small island and youre next to this beach, lying down in white sandy beach under a tree with a book half read on your tummy and youre enjoying the sun, then i am very sure of this, you're doing just fine not doing anything ,...but that!


There are thousand things to do to cope with your loneliness... i know you had your own way on the street.... its sad that you travel by your self.. but hey.. its your choice and you are in place where you want to be!!


Cheer up!

When i am about to leave Indonesia to Europe, my bedroom just like a sinking boat everything scattered around. Errhh ya i know my mom will say thats pretty normal hehe..

pilah-pilih pakaian buat liburan

But i did it for my suitcase. I am not really a big fan of traveling with suitcase. I think i prefer to use 60-80 liters backpack rather than the 60" wheeled suitcase.

Packing is the most essential thing in traveling, i wish i could give you a packing list here, but hey everyone had different needs. Some of my friends think high heels is important rather than a comfort boyish sneakers. Its just different for everyone, had to suit the needs and the personality.

pack your belonging wisely....

1. Clothes
I think the best is to know the details about where you about to go. You have to know about the weather and humidity. Why this is important?? you don't want to wear short at 13 degrees temperature-been there done that!! anyone from tropical country like me consider 13 degrees like -1.. exaggerate things? heheh for those who laugh at these i bet you had 4 season there... try to walk in Singapore for more than 2 hours at mid day.. then if you're not swearing because of the high temperature.... then don't laugh at me!! a good dress that according to weather would be matters!!

The other thing about clothes?? ladies and gentlemen... when you travel to another part of the world... please do respect other culture... we don't need to see your thigh inside a mosque, temple or other sacred places. If you want to go to this kind of places, please do dress accordingly!! prepare for something more closed, long trouser, jeans, something with sleeve, or jacket perhaps? even if its at boiling heat... in the name of respect please do dress like others.

Also when you pack and finish it... take everything out and try to reduce half of it... you wont need half of the things you bring! in my case it work this way! i get rid a red dress, a heavy doc marc Boots, another sneakers, and some sweaters. I prefer to use double dress, you could use two shirt at same time if its too cold!

All you need is 8kgs of bag/suitcase the max... i know they gave you 15 kgs.. but come on!! its too heavy! do weight your luggage before you go to airport... and do remember not all places like in Paris--as example-- they dont have escalators.. theres no such thing as lift as well at the metro station!! you will be lifting those heavy luggage every each of painful stairs that you goes to!! so watch the weight!!

And do leave fake stuff sista!! im talking about the fake Prada bags or Gucci shoes that you bought from a tiny shop down town of Hongkong. If you don't want to get hose stuff held by officer in any Europe airport. Safe your time and at least no shame!

2. Meds
Once my friends said, when she saw the whole medications that i bring during my trip said i was about to get arrested in airport as drug smuggler. I bring the whole plastic bag of medications that i use. Flu meds-check, antibiotics-check, antacid-check, diarrhea meds-check, high doze of vit C and other supplements-check, and the list goes on. The last thing i want is getting sick in other countries... i rather to had meal in a luxury Paris restaurant rather to buy an antibiotics for my food poisoning--maybe hahaha... but health is important! thats the point. Not all of our medications are sold free in every country.. example even in Singapore i can not get a panadol for my flu because they INSIST on doctors prescription which is i can not get because i am not seing any doctors (God know how much cost for a doc visit in Singapore!!)

In another note, please do check if the medications you bring is allowed to bring inside the country. There are several medications also banned in some country but allowed in other country. The last thing you want is to get arrested as drug dealers in airport--as i mentioned before!

3. Beauty Kits Ecetera (Girls section--most of it)
Helloww princess.... you know you will get your monthly timers (sorry guys...) so be wise... last thing you want here is to try to get a feminine pads while you're grabbing your tummy and walking in pain to the nearest drugstore just to find ANOTHER TAMPONS.

Tampons-eekkk... whats this?? (never seen it in Indonesia)

Yes... tampons... i don't know what the heck is that when i see it my self when the cashier hand me a box of that.. and i see it.. and say.. no... i don't know how to wear this because i dont think in Indonesia people use it!!! lucky its not a great flow that i could use my daily pantyliners.

What every girls needs!! the emergency leakage first aid!

In Indonesia we know feminine pads, and we find it hard to get to know "tampons" its another kin of the..errhh same thing heheh... well it goes same to some other countries... they only know tampons and rarely sold the feminine pads. And the price??? ohhh hahah.. don't ask.. i swear its more expensive than my undies (that bought in Indonesia!!) don't do a foolish mistakes its worth one meal perhaps!

Please bring your own fave one... don't make a mess please....

Ok.. general stuff??
Bring your extra moist hand and body lotion if you go to a 4 seasons country... its cold there.. its true.. but its also dry!! very dry! its not like tropical country where you could walk and sweat like in the sauna. In Germany i run from bottom of hills to the Neuschwanstein and had no sweat! if its in Indonesia i would barely breathe and swimming in my own sweat! this is included a lipbalm... and guys.. dont pretend to be too tough for this.. you had the same lips like girls, and last thing you want a chopped ugly lips yikess... not a major attraction guys.. not healthy either! better if it had sun blocks too! mine comes from Nivea, works just nice (no need one with colors..haha)

Winter doesn't mean you can not had the sun burn. Hiking on a snowy mountain the same!! i got darker skin after i spent whole day at Zugspitze! and its -1 degree!! bring your sunblock!

Another note that i took is... when i was back in Indonesia i was  thinking of taking a small package of toiletries... shampoo etc. But then i am glad i didnt do it. First of all, back to the price again...  my journey total in 20 days, and almost everyday i wash my hair.. i took my one bottle of shampoo... as hello i dont want to use others shampoo and the price also..ck ck ck.. different!! unless you had unlimited money then go ahead buy your Loreal's shampoo from champ Elysees.. i dare you!

4. Foods-Snacks
I like my MILO pack... its sweets, and its cheap. I also like oreos, INDOMIE, noodles, ENERGEN cereal and Veggies Jacobs. I bring small packs all of those fave snacks. Just in case i can not find any  halal food. Or in case i dont have time or small money to do breakfast. Breakfast is awesome in Europe, you could buy fresh bread in Paris and drink it with your own NESCAFE and keep half for lunch... well they had huge bread!! i bring my own SARIKAYA jam also, and share it with Mr T and he love it!! haha they don't have that there in Europe.

I bring some gado-gado paste also.. this is from Indonesia, we could mix this for veggies, just like salad dressing also you could do it with beef or meat and it becomes satay seasoning, or just eat it with plain rice!! very easy.... i bring two cube of this and give it to my host in Paris as gift.. he went to Indonesia several times so he knows about this gado-gado seasoning which is peanuts mixed with red/palm sugar and some chilli.. very nice!

Bring some of snacks and your fave food.. in case if you missing home, or if your host ask if you could cook your traditional cook... why not!!


......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........

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...

I want to be that person who say those most of times.... and traveling gave me chance to kept saying that to my friends--maybe in the "quite annoying" level. Hehehe... i am glad i did traveling that i had chance to do things i haven't done, or things that i thought i wont be done.. errhhh not necessarily against law of course!!

I had those lovely memories, lots of new friends.. and its all precious!

But sure i had bad experiences also.... things i don't want to remember.. and just want to forget soon as i was on holiday and don't want to think (or using my brain accordingly!) just trying to relax and away from trouble!

What happens to me most of time.. and prob happens to other traveler to is getting late to get to the air plane!!

RRRRUUUNNNN to the gaaattteee!!!!

It happens to me twice.. and uncountable "almost" left by the plane. Some happens when i went to airport at very last minute, another time happens when i got lost in airport--yepp pretty silly indeed!!

But hey.. thats what experience is!

I try my best to made that not happen, wake up early, get to airport early... try to wonder around too far.. but..TT.TT it happens!! the plane gone...

...its like watching horror movie when this is happens to you!!

But once i got left by Sriwijaya flight from Jakarta to Jambi, they change my flight ticket for free for noon flight. I think its because i already check in.. and late for 5 min from the departure.. erhh long story that related to J.CO at terminal 3 and the free shuttle bus of course!!

Another time, i was late at Jambi airport when the plane is actually ready for take off.. it back again... wow... amazing.. i beg them because its the last flight from Jambi and i actually did use the excuse they change the flight time! and no sms or any phone call saying it was changed! so... they back again for me.. i had to run to run way with a guy carry my bulky backpack! it feels like joining the amazing race!

I never plan that and i don't want that to ever happens...

If i look back again.. this hobby also started wrong... wrong in terms i did start it that way... first time traveling in January 2007... i was 15 minutes late that i also had to run to run way.. where the flight is waiting, i rush i run, and on board... there he goes.. MY BOSS at one of the passenger seat.. i said "..uuuhh hi boss!!" he hide his face under newspaper that he read!! hahahahahaha....

When i  arrive in Jakarta.. and get my luggage he was there standing next to me and whisper... i don't want to know you because you are very late arriving! i didnt know that we were waiting for you!! hahaha i don't know if we were on the same flight because i don't even notice the flight that he request few weeks ago before i went on my days off!

So.. i think i need to say sorry to all those passengers that wait for me.. and most of indonesia/domestic flight attendant that already very patience waiting for this girl with her huge backpack... i am so sorry guys...

I will keep trying not to be late when ever i travel.. i just hope that i wont be on the same flight with one of my readers here (hehe di lempar sama sandal jepit gue huahauhaua! maaf kan sayaaaaaa!)

Eventually there are few reasons why passenger could possibly late for their flight and missed the flight!

There are 8 top reasons why people actually late for their flights! and i found few tips and solutions for those.. i hope this could help you all out! because missing a flight could possibly very expensive mistake for a budget traveler!

These tips should help you get where you’re going on time.

.......... time has comes for me to pack my things in a 50 liter back pack and start a brand new adventure!

There was something about Bangkok or Thailand that i like. I don't know how to describe it, but i found it romantic, with all of its bustle and sound, also smell and the look of lady boys (he he he). I found it all very fascinating. Tuk tuk, taksi the wat's chao phraya, the humidity, the heat, the sweat, the dogs... ohhhh... all about Bangkok hate and love, made me want to go there again!!



At 2009 i book a flight through Air Asia, with their FREE SEAT, i got flight from Jakarta to Bangkok with price of Rp 30,000,- (about US$ 3,-) well it should be free, they actually charge Rp 30,000,- for my extra 15 kg's luggage. (Lu boleh jealous dah ! huahuahuahauhauha!!!!) Nope, i sit in a leather seat, full ac, and its not a single 80 years old propeller plane. Its normal 100-200 seated flight (maybe fokker, i don't understand this one), but its normal plane for sure, no plastic chair, i don't have to sit on the floor too, or jump off the plane with a parachute!! (yeah they tease me with these when theyt found out about my flight price!!).

My flight start from Jambi at 11 am with Batavia air. There were delays for 30 mins, but its normal in Indonesia (geezz.. i dont know how i see delay as normal... but it is pathetic!!). When you said "delay" as a "not normal" thing ladies and gentlemen... if you're an expat, you better know, this is one of sign you've been TOO LONG reside in Indonesia. If you are an Indonesian, please peeps... change this mind set, DELAYs are not OK!!!!



I arrive in Jakarta on lunch time. Switching terminal from domestic to international, using the airport free shuttle bus (yellow bus). And go down in Air asia counter, check my flight from the small monitor on every each air asia counter. Theres several lines already.

After check in at Air Asia counter and pay Rp 150.000,- for airport tax (around US$15/Person), oh i got help from two pretty lady in red, on self check in machine infront of traditional checking counter, it was very easy and comfortable! All i need is my booking number (ticket print out) and passport number. No need to queue, less than 5 min they gave me the check in sticker that printed on that machine, i attach it to my printed ticket, all i need to do after that just goes to "special queue line" that had big banner said "self check in" to scale/drop my bag, tag it and thats all! next will be finding an official fiscal office, not far from the counter.

I get my "free fiscal stamp" at my boarding pass from fiscal booth near immigration door on the same floor not far from there (about 100 meters from Air Asia Counters). I don't have to pay "fiscal" when ever i leave Indonesia since i had my NPWP. These days everyone that work have to had NPWP, even my youngest who wasn't work last time she went to Malaysia she made her own NPWP card at tax office and its very easy! (Read my writing about fiscal rules).

I fill in the "Indonesia Departure card" that was given to me by air asia counter/check-in guy (you will always had this card when ever you leave or enter a country, every country had their own departure/arrival card, oh its just one card by the way) and go to immigration queue line (for Indonesia passport) for stamp in my passport (hand off the departure card to the officer when you give the passport).




Oh, another tips i could give is, use the air asia "web check in". It is the best resolution for people like me i think. I get "lost" on my way to airport sometimes. But the rules is it could only be done 2 days up to 4 hours before departure. You could do this with your cellphone too. So there's no chance for you for getting late to airport for check in as the counter will closed 1 hour before departure!!

I still had at least one and half hour to go before my flight. It was a great time for having the most expensive sandwich that i ever had in my life and a bottle of water at Soekarno Hatta-Jakarta International Airport. I know i should stick to Mc D or or other junk food joint.

My flight with Air Asia was at 4 pm afternoon. My fingers are cold, because i was too excited to start this all!! i ask the check in counter if they could seat me near window seat so i could take pictures. Hehe.. she gave me emergency exit seat... good for my long legs!! hehe thanks JKT Air Asia crew.. no worry guys... i am tough enough to open those emergency exit, God Forbid that happened, but yaaayyy!

I fed up with local girls with their caucasian bf/guest/daddy what so ever, if the age gap over 25-30 years, thats not normal, and uuuhhhh... i hate too much PDA (Personal Display of Affection>> kissing smooching, grabbing, hugging tight, petting, etc). Whats wrong with these people!!! I had to listen to whispers and giggles, its disgusting! and its still Jakarta to Bangkok.. and Patayya is on my list.. i roll my eyes.. what ever... i use my eye patch and listen to my MP3 until time the stewardess minds me to turn off my MP3 because its nearly landing. Oh... i take Nasi Lemak Pak Nasir as my dinner menu on board, not bad actually... pretty nice. Its because i am hungry too! I landed nearly 8 pm at SuvarnaBhumi in Bangkok, i was amazed. Wow.. pretty clean! and futuristic, a little bit like Changi tho...



 
It was the very first time i landed in Suvarnabhumi. I went to Thailand several times but i was landed in Phuket, Krabi, or leaving from Changi. So... never been to SuvarnaBhumi. The arrival gate and the immigration check is quite far, and wow... its bigger than Changi! the lines consist of Thai passport and International passport. I pick the one that on the very left part, as the first 4 on the right was very looooonggggg! the immigration officer pretty helpful for traveling family with small kids, they short of made them priority as they come to them one by one and guide them to the "special boot" for the kids. Ok thats pretty cool when you had more than 3 kids running around or crying... you wont think its nice to stand on queue over 35 people. Its nuts. So yeah.. good for those mums and dads.


 
And i learn very good thing... please don't laugh ok... first i have to explain how small my town airport is: Jambi airport only had two luggage belt at the arrival, and its only less than 20 meters long (got the view?).

Here in Suvarnabhumi you will see over 25 luggage belt. Its huge, its crowded and.... confusing!!! I was jump around, try to see my flight number on the 3 belt that i just passed until a guy short of ask, what the hell i were doing that time, and i said it, i don't know which belt my luggage was! and he point at an electronic board, just exactly the same as the flight announcement (well.. ok.. i thought it was a flight announcement board) you know that blinking board that said which flight and numbers and arrival or departure time??? yepp... that one.



This one show the flight numbers, city of departures, and time of arrival, and ...bingo!! the luggage belt number!!! But i guess i am not the only one who look the luggage the "traditional way" which ill call "visual check" way hahahahha! Well it only work if you only had at least 5 belt lines!!! but over 25??!! ok that wont work buddy!



I was the first one who arrive on the belt! hahaha! pretty cool.. i took my luggage and goes to the "green" line exit which said "no goods to declare".

Outside, i go to the atm for the cash in baht as i didnt change my money to baht before. I just use my ATM from BCA well.. i use that for years since 2006. I went to 2nd floor to Starbuck as i see many people use laptop there... i thought they had free WIFI.... but i was wrooong!



Even Suvarnabhumi look as sophisticated as Changi but they don't have that free wifi!!! come on... even Jambi had free wifi!! why there is no wifi!! as the gadget freak, i feel so upset there! After a mocca latte grande and sitting for a while at Starbucks try to made a draft for this blog, finally Lee come with her big smile! she looks pretty like a super model just the same like i met her before in Singapore (remember the Ryan Cumpston and Richard Stewart "journey" back in Singapore?? the US navy guys from DDG 82/USS Lassen??). We sit for a while, and she order her cup of coffee.

Anyway, we walk down and we finally see free internet at THAILAND TOURISM boot on the first floor! there are two computer that people could use for free for browsing internet! and i ask for a Bangkok map also use the computer for a while, the girl could speak moderate English, convenient thing to know actually..... , and we met an Oz girl that very nice, she browse flights for Lee, but we had lack of choice as the flight price goes up to 3000 baht (to Singapore). When we go to level 4 for AirAsia counter, it was closed already (it was 11pm i think), so we go back down on basement to get a bus to our hostel.





To get to the bus station to town, we had to go to the exit number 8 near the taxi boot on first level, just look up for the sign said Airport Express Bus. We took the bus direction to Silom Area (AE1). The price for the bus to Sala Daeng Sky Train are 150baht (our hostel at Decho Rd not that far from "PATPONG" area!). It is cheaper than if we go by taxi, which is 400-500 baht and it still depends on the traffic too! so it could be much more!

The hostel name is Lub.D. I would highly RECOMMEND you this hostel, due to lots of reason ill tell later hehehe.... Oh i book the hostel from the Hostel Bookers website. They got he cheapest price and no additional charge too! I would recommend bus for airport, as the bus is very fast, and its comfortable and clean too. And i do think its safe! I do heard there was MRT from airport to city centre too, but the service is only until 7pm, so its not an option for us.

We leave the airport with the bus at nearly 10pm. The journey began with Lee. The city at night was very calm. I had my camera ready on my hand, i want to see pictures of what left behind the deadly demonstration few months ago. What Bangkok looks like in the eye of visitor/tourist for the very first time after they land in SuvarnaBhumi? It turn out to be a normal night in Bangkok city. Nothing that i see wrong, its not that Bangkok a spotless place, but there are things that not rihght and you could spot it easy as the prostitute and lady boy walk on the street or on a motorcycle. But its still one of the city of Bangkok "landmark" hehehe... so.. nothing strange about it.

Then i see it the burned malls stood in the dark.. covered with some green nets, looks like they're moving forward and try to fix it as soon as possible.... ok... its very fast actually.. Indonesia took longer time to recover from Bali bombing. Of course it was something different.... but still.. it was burnt few weeks ago but everything looks so normal, and feels normal too!

We were arrive around 11pm at the Sky train terminal. But its actually quite shady area, some local Thai guy drunk, come closer to us and we decide to go inside a 7/11 to ask direction. Because ts common for me to be disoriented at very first day when i was i arrive in a new city. And alas! the 7/11 cashier not speak english that well. And i forgot my other Thai 101; Thailand people never say "no" or "don't know" (sorry i generalize Thai people here...but that's the fact i experienced so far!), when we ask something they will try to point a direction or just pretend they don't really hear what we said. Geez... so instead of lead us to the right way they often get things even worse!

We finally took a taxi from sofitel hotel, if only we know its so close!

The room we stayed in is a dorm, when we arrive theres none there. But its 8 bunk bed there. And we could see the bed "tag" (like the bag tag from airport) from the hostel show only 4 of the bed are occupied.

We went out at 2 am since Lee want to have a sight of Patpong and we dont even feel sleepy! So we walk around and see small traditional market not far from Patpong, its all GREAT! we walk until the end of the road and decide to go back to hostel since it was 4 am! and even the drunk girls are on the way back home. It was safe to walk at night in Bangkok.

Well... matters safe or not actually it depends on us, how we carry our self, how you behave how you dress, how you talk, etc. If you use your best "i am not into trouble" look/behaviour, i think it will be ok anywhere.

Its was pretty funny to see the drunker walk back home, you could see their drunk smile, walk tipsy, some are cute, some are just sleazy (haha we only spot guys! hahah!).

Over all my first night are pretty awesome!!