Backpacker Girls

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!

Add to your 2011 traveling plan!

I am looking at a mail that being sent by my mailing group, showing the "Oasis of The Sea" ship. I google it down and find some interesting fact.

The ship had set a record by carrying over 6000 passenger. Its really a floating "small town". With 28 ultra-modern loft suites and 2,700 spacious staterooms, this 16-deck marvel proves that the impossible, is possible (as said on one of the website). Its very glamorous, huge, and seemed fun...some how. And now they are building new ship called "Allure of the Sea".

Once my friend told me that people who use cruise is only retirement aka old people, and its no fun and no adventure. But then these days you could see how cruise pamper young souls!

Check the facility that Oasis of the Sea had:
1. Flying fox/zip line
2. A casino
3. Several night clubs
4. A mini golf course
5. Several bars lounges and bistros
6. Karaoke Club
7. Swimming pools (up to 4!! and 10 whirlpools)
8. Volley ball and basketball courtS (yepp.. more than one sweety!)
9. Theme park

A theme park on a ship, could you imagine how sick is that????!!!! its seemed that they had party all night!


I HAVE to try this cruise sometimes!! hehehe

Oh for young people, you might want to consider thi:

Of the large cruise lines, 4 of them stand out as the best for young adults:

• Norwegian Cruise Line - known for "freestyle cruising" with a choice of restaurants for evening dining
  
• Carnival - the party ships
  
• Royal Caribbean - the newest and largest ships have a wide range of on board activities including wave riders, rock climbing walls, ice skating
  
• Princess - more subdued than the first 3 and great for romance. Several of the ships have outdoor wide-screen movie theaters
  

If your young adults are still kids at heart, you may even consider Disney's ships.

Cruise Lines you may wish to avoid (too many "old people", not enough activities):

• Celebrity
• Holland America (fantastic culinary programs)
  
• Crystal

Note.
From various result of google browsing.

I could say i am quite geeky/edgy. Its kind of weird for some girls (prefer shoes and bags?) but anyway i love those girlie things but we are talking about gadget that a traveler must have.
I've been browse around and found things that i would really have during a long journey !
It should be very light and small, should had more than 1 function, and if its not too hard to ask... please.. i want something chick ! (wink wink). So here we go, the gears that i think travellers should consider to bring during traveling time.


1. Solar Power Backpack from Voltaic



I can't believe i never heard about this before (seriously). But this bag is awesome. I just hope its not as heavy as it look !

Solar backpack is a mobile solar power generator designed to charge virtually all handheld devices with natural sun light. Not only its environment friendly, solar bag charges GPS, Cell phone, PDA, most iPods and MP3 players.

The solar panels are fixed on outside of the bags. These panels are lightweight, waterproof and sturdy. These panels collect the sun energy to produce electricity. The electricity can be used to charge your devices. Some companies claim that the solar panels on their bags can charge a laptop. Some solar powered bags available in the market have foldable solar panels, so it will give you flexibility to get more sun light.

Solar backpacks are best for outdoor activities where it is difficult to get electricity. These bags are for everybody from students to messengers, hikers or boaters who uses their devices until the battery is drained out. They can be connected to their phone with charging by solar backpack. The backpack has different compartments too. You can store your cloths, laptop or any devices in them.

Could you imagine to have one of these bags, its very useful for traveling or hiking (especially maybe to third world countries like Indonesia.. hehe yupp we still have those electricity black out sometimes!!!). My fave Voltaic design ... hmmm you could check it on this website.

2. Solio Classic Solar Charger

Who needs a travel adapter for their iPod or digital camera when they could buy the Solio Classic Solar Charger. The Solio Classic Solar Charger is a pocket sized electronics charger that runs off of solar power. This little solar powered wonder can be used to charge almost any small, hand held device such as a digital camera, iPod, cell phone, and more.

The Solio Classic Solar Charger works by collection light via its solar panels and storing its energy in the inboard battery. Power that has been collected and stored in the battery will be good for at least a year. This way you could charge up the Solio Classic Solar Charger battery and save it for a rainy day if need be.

This charger comes to some chick colors too girls..(wink wink)

3. Doberman Bag Protector Alert

This gadget very useful for a solo traveler, especially girls. This tiny gadget not only could watch your bag when you left it on your hostel room, but it could also use as a panic alarm when you feel threatened on a danger place and could made sound as 100 decibel !!

The Doberman Bag Protector Alert is a uniquely designed dually triggered alarm device, including a motion sensor alarm and a pull pin alarm. The m otion sensor is armed and disarmed via the Bag Protector Alert keypad. Use your preset persona l security code and place the Bag Protector Alert on a bag or valuable. If the protected item is touched, the motion sensor will trigger the alarm to alert you of a possible threat to your valuable. Basically, it’s a like a car alarm for your bags. You set your bag down, set the alarm, and if the bag is moved it will set off a 100 decibel alarm, sure to put off any would-be t hieves. An added bonus too is that it has a special pull-pin feature that can be used as a panic button. Perfe ct, if you’re out wondering around some dodgy streets at night.

4. USB Rechargeable Battery

Allow you to plug in to your laptop so you can charge up your AA batteries without having to pack a charger. Simply pop off the lid to recharge by any powered USB Port. Ideal for use with wireless mice, keyboards, game controllers, and other household products with no need to carry or find a separate charger. Easily rechargeable on the go, in the office or at home. USBCELLs can be charged hundreds of times saving you money and helping reduce environmental waste. USBCELLs are NiMH 1.2v batteries with 1300mAh capacity.



5. Reef Stash Sandals

Its not a hi-tech kind of sandals, but its very thoughtful.. hehe.. i like beach, so i know how its hard to keep swimming and enjoy the water while we have to watch our things at beach !
They have a hidden compartment, just the right size for storing keys, credit cards and other essentials, while you’re out for a swim. It have different co lors, and available for women and men !

6. Sea to Summit Pocket Towel

I looovvveee this towel, its light, "towel like", soft, adsorb quick like 3 times than average towels and the size is tiny ! You could have a big size 24"X 48" to 16" X 32". It had its own pouch so i could search it easily on the back pack.

6. Video Camera from Flip Mino

A cigarette-pack sized video recorder (10 x 5 x 1,6 cm) and weight around 93 grams, that's basically built around a big, fat, red RECORD button: Better to have a cute video camera that you'll toss into your pocketbook and use, instead of a big, complicated beast that stays home. It had four gigab ytes of internal memory provide 120 minutes of record time. A rechargeable battery lasts around four hours and a USB plug built onto the device lets you plug it in to a PC or Mac and automatically upload your riveting movies to Mys pace, YouTube or AOL. With its modest 640 x 480 resolution, you won't be winning any Academy Awards for cinematography, but its good for capturing moments that we will never forget !



7. Universal Power Adapter

Most so-called universal plug adapters aren’t. Universa l, that is. They are capable of converting between the most common outlets like the C-type (used in much of Europe) and the A-type (North America and Japan). But your typical plug adapter can’t conform to the M-type of plug (southern Africa ) or L-type (northern Africa and the Middle East). Some even have a hard time with the “sunken” plugs used in Europe, like the J-type (common in Switzerland) or F-Type (found in Germany).

The APC is one of the few universal plug adapters that can handle every residential outlet type on the planet. And it is by far the smallest and most l

ightweight of those that can. The APC is so efficient because it consists of two parts, each of which can be twisted, turned and attached together in a multitude of ways such that its users can be forgiven for thinking that they are playing with a transformer robo toy!. The design is unusual, but it works. Always. Making the APC adapter one of Spot Cool Stuff’s must-pack items for any international trip.

8. Head lights from Petzl ZIPKA

The ultra-compact ZIPKA PLUS headlamp is equipped with the ZIP retractable cord system. This feature allows the headlamp to be worn on the head or wrist, or attached to any other support, like a tent pole, a bicycle seat post, etc. This headlamp integrates two light sources for versatility: one white, high-output LED and one red LED. The white LED delivers 50 lumens in maximum mode and lights up to 35 meters. In economic mode, it can reach a burn-time of 140 hours. The red LED provides lighting to preserve night vision or to become a blinking light for increased safety, for example in an urban environment, etc. The ZIPKA PLUS can be used with lithium batteries to decrease weight or increase performance in cold weather.






There are so many other gadget that i could write on here.... ill continue to the IInd part next time ok ?!! have a nice trip !!

This is what i've waiting for ! the annual free seat from air asia !! go wild, go crazy !! go on vacation !!! yaaayyy !!!


Some tips from me:

1. Look up for your work schedule and vacation days (how many left?) it will be more than 4-5 months ahead, so planning is very tricky!
2. Ask if replacement to your co worker, ask your boss if its ok for you to leave on the certain date you want to go for holiday (hehehe ..peace boss!!)
3. Check for your destination events, festivals, great sale, etc !
4. Check the weather of your destination place during your travel time. You don't really want to travel during raining season in Asia, because its only means lots lots of WATER pouring from sky.
5. If you don't have credit card.. hmmm tricky borrow from friend (anything that work ! this is once every year !)
6. Try to take deep breathe and plan carefully. Don't made mistake on your name on flight ticket-passport, make sure everything is correct !!
7. During the "waiting period" collect as much as you could info about your vacation destination, book for accommodation, tours, etc trust me, better planning means cheaper price !!
8. Save money, forget those local malls sale.. you are going to have a vacation blast !!

Have a safe trip everyone !!

Its a break through !! I love this add ! it make easier to travel to Phuket from Indonesia.. i just hope that they will add more direct flight from Indonesia to Thailand !! And because its budget flight its cheap !! yay !!

Oh God Help me ! thats what i say when i browse through internet pages, or magazines or my mail inbox.
Its cheap flights information/advertisement from and toa round the globe.. well not all.. but to most places that i want to see the most !!



At least i want to go for some relaxation from working nonstop 20 days in the jungle.. staying at home in Jambi wont help hehehe...

I heard the news about Air Asia X announce about their plan to add one more flight destination to Europe.. and its from Kuala Lumpur to Paris French (aaaww j'adore !!) This is opening more possibility to backpacking with more low cost with airasia. I hope this is will come true and Europe here i come !! (on my mind hehehe)

Jet Star, my other fave budget flights also made the same plan as Airasia X. But they haven't decide yet wether they want to open the flight from Malaysia, Singapore or Bangkok (anywhere guys.. anywhere.. as long as its cheap and available hehehe..i am a dirt cheap traveller).

Also another advertisement that catch my eyes that Cebu Pasific from Philipines have this "Go Lite" sale, with only 19 USD one way to any destination in Philipines (if you buy ticket until October 12, 2009, for flying at November 01 to December 31, 2009).




My most friendly Tiger Airways announce sale for 100.000 seat with fare as low as SGD 0.01 (tax and booking fee are excluded) for flights from Singapore to several other destination like Jakarta, Langkawi and Krabi (booking period start at October 6 untilOctober 15, 2009).

My other fave advertisement is the Jeju Air a flight from Korea. They add more flights from Seoul to Jeju from 24 flight a day to 30 times a day start from October 25, 2009 (aaaww winter sonata here i come !! xixixixixix). They also add more flights from Busan to Jeju island (start to learn Korea language now !).

These are some of the flights that have discount or "light fare" from others that i read from advertisement.. hopely this would help someone out there who's planning to go to these destination.

Airlines Link:
Air Asia
Tiger Airways
Jetstar
Jeju Air (Its not in English...)

Amboooiiiiii ! (hehe) Pesan tiket dari akhir bulan kemaren sampe minggu kedua bulan Juli ternyata "mematikan !!" I can't get cheap flights from Jambi to Jakarta V.V !! semua harganya di ATAS Rp 500.000,- all the price lowest is US$50.. uugghhhhhh !!! Its quite tricky when you book flights on school holidays. Lesson that i learn for sure is to know when is the school holidays ! When they're about to go back to school the price will up once again and then after the school begin the price will slowly back to normal. Its actually a good marketing.. hehe but bad for people who traveling monthly. Its happened to the operators and other employee here. I just check with mandala airways flights, the price is up to Rp 900.000,00 one way.. nearly a million rupiahs (about US$ 100). Masa tiket ke jakarta yang nota bene lama penerbangan 45 menit seharga Rp 1 juta sih ?? gilaaaaaaaa ! Makanya traveling di indonesia syuusyaaahhh huuu huuu!
Rencananya sih mau berangkat di akhir bulan.. hueheuehhe.. tapi belum dapat tiket juga.. sebel kalo di bandingkan dengan Air Asia yang ngeluarin promo2 asik ke luar negri gitu.. napa perusahaan lokal gak bisa ya ? Tiket ke Malaysia atau ke Singapore di bandrol 2 ratus ribuan.. hiks miris liat harga tiket online...
MAHALNYA DIMANA YA ? Huaaaahhhh !

What i don't really like about booking flight ticket in indonesia is, its just the same like gambling, when you book earlier it could be cheaper or more expensive than if you book near your departure date.. it could be very anoyying because the price difference cold up to Rp 200,000,- ! its lots of difference for me ! (Rp 200,000,- could pay international airport tax and lunch/dinner at airport Mc D's.. hehe).

Kayaknya musti sabar nunggu sekolah mulai.. hiks.. hiks.. berdebar takut kehabisan tiket...

Most of our flights ticket are booked through internet booking with cc (credit card) help.
Its a facility that we should use in order to get some fare discount due to early book.
Recently my friend help me book a flight with Air Asia but because of rushing my friend carelessly didn't put my whole name as on my id on the flight ticket.


I read few blogs and the mailing list that there should be no difference between name on the ticket with the passport. My full name at passport is **fika ***iana Ch***ul An*** but instead of write the complete full long name my friend just type **fika An***. Maybe because the space that they gave is so small..or maybe the connection.. uhm.. don't know. I found it out two days after i check the confirmation letters from air asia.
I know that if i didn't do anything to it they will ask for Rp 200.000,- for changing the name, or worse they will ask me to get another flight ticket. Could be a chaos thing if on the day i leave i know about that right on the check-in counter.
So i call the call centre for Air Asia at +62 21 50505088 at 8 am first call the c.s not so welcome about my problem. So i decide to call again. I also had another issue due to i want to resize my luggage and i don't know why there is seemed problem with the website connection (not my internet connection). He ask me to pay for Rp 200.000,- as i expected but then i said i'll think about it and hang up. I call back again nearly lunch time and this time its a nice women who answer the phone.
She was very friendly and i explain what happened. She offer me help by sending her my passport scan and right after i send her about 40 minutes later she issue new flight ticket for me with no charge at all !
Maybe i was just lucky.... and maybe also because the flight ticket that i bought not a promo flight ticket so its a regular fare so they don't made it hard.

So next time just remember to double check, and re-check again before you confirm the flight ticket on e-booking because its really cost you headick and money for sure !


Cheers !

I know its really unfair to compare this both flights.
But after i saw France Airlines incident yesterday i think i had several things that annoying about Indonesian domestic flights that i should write !!

1. Fare
Do you believe if i said, i can't afford flying to Bali, and i rather to choose to fly to Singapore or Malaysia for vacation ?
That's the truth. Because from Jambi (Sumatra) i had to take Jambi-Jakarta flights which average cost will be around Rp 300.000.- one way and the cost flying Jakarta-Bali around Rp 400.000-500.000 (Air Asia).
To Malaysia i only need to take 4 hrs car ride to Palembang cost me Rp 120.000,- with comfy car with air cond. and the flights from Palembang to Malaysia only cost me less than Rp 250.000
If i want to go to Singapore all i had to do is go to Pekan Baru, longer car drive like 11 hrs (this is crazy i know) with Rp 180.000,- and the air plane from Pekan Baru to Singapore will cost me around Rp 250.000- 300.000 and most of the fare that not included airport tax so when we go to airport we will charge with extra money like domestic flights from Soekarno Hatta will cost Rp 40,000,- while the international will cost you Rp 100,000,-. This is very different than flight ticket from Malaysia, Thailand or Singapore we only need to checkin and show our ticket print out and thats it... no additional charge because it is all included into the flight ticket (but this is optional depends on the airways i think...).

That's why i rather to travel abroad rather to Bali or Lombok. I've been to most places in Sumatra and Java, so its not an option for me. Its not that i am an extravagant or had more money, but simply i can not afford traveling in Indonesia with plane !!

2. Service


Do you believe if i say i rather like Air Asia, Tiger Airways flights attendant rather than domestic flights ? well this is subjective of course. Because i do meet several that had given good service and nice to me too. But still... for the country that well known with the best smiling country (and its not Thailand won the best smile !! haha !) the flight attendants RARELY smiling !! more to serious face ! whats up with that euuuhhhh !!
Also i like when i use Air Asia they said "see you again, thank you" or "have a nice day" when we walk out the plane. Why we never heard that from domestic flights ? they just stood on the plane door and .. nod or grin ? errh?

3. Safety
I know this is more to the passengers, and i know lots of people already complaining about this. If you're going to be on Indonesia domestic flights for the first time you had to be ready for the fact that :
a. Some people will still talking or sending sms when the plane on taxing position, waiting instruction for take off.


b. Some people will turn on the cellphone right few seconds when the plane touch down at the airport, the plane still on runway and not stop yet.
c. Most people will stand up, and get their belongings, luggage's bags on upper compartment, less than 5 Min's after the plane landing, and not even parking, and the seat belt light sign still on.
These are the things that i notice with Indonesian passengers. And you know the people that did this not those that had the "hill billies" or "this-is-my-first-time-on-a-plane" kind of look. You will see people who did this look educated and sometimes like important person in government or company (nice look, or with SY's hand bag).

They don't know how danger using a cellphone when plane want to take off or landing or during the flight. Its only for 40 minutes flights for God sake ! we could live without cellphone for that long right ???

And another thing about safety is.... some of indonesia plane are older than me... hehehehe yes they are that "antique".


4. Delays
Oh God... this is the worse... i think Jambi-Jakarta or opposite flights chance to get delay is up to 70%. And once my sister flight from Jakarta suppose to depart at 4 pm but they delay it until 9 pm. I don't know whats the matter with timing in Indonesia.. even the flights are this late !!!

5. etc..
Things like online bookings, which is not all domestic flights had, come on this is 2009 !! not the ice age ! or if they do have booking some of these flights need us to sign in to their website.. hmmm... i don't think thats quite effective but i know they need that prob. for security matters.

This all things that i write here might not happened to you, i am just talking about my general flights experience which maybe quite limited for world travelers. But still i think its good enough to compare !


Important link
Before i end up this post, i should at least give you few of Indonesia Domestic Flights website (mostly fly to Jambi and other Province in Indonesia), as i said before, some could booked online with credit card, some with debit, some only giving information about fare and timetable and destination or route only and you will need to call you travel agent to book.
1. Lion Air (most of the plane are new, and well maintained)
2. Mandala Air (sometimes offer good deals/discounts)
3. Batavia Air (the price is worth to check, i use this flight several times to Jakarta)
4. Sriwijaya Air (Good service, nice cabin crew, the price bit high compare to other flights)
5. Garuda Indonesia Airlines (This is premium flight, its good if you're on company business because they offer very good service, hehe not for backpackers for sure)
6. Air Asia (this is international company belong to Malaysia, but they also had several domestic destination in Indonesia for major cities like Bali and Bandung, and Makassar, etc) This would be my choice for best fare and great service if my destination is available on their route).

Bon voyage !!

Now i am a news addict. Open CNN.com everyday, every morning and afternoon, just to check the latest situation. Today its the "yellow shirt" day, when one of their leader being shot, show its still un-stable situation. I read this here. He's one of the "anti Thaksin" members who found the "yellow shirt" group. He is wounded and they still trying to find the shooter.
I just hope they wont do another demonstration, last year its the "yellow shirt" who manage to close down the airport in Bangkok for days !
Wish everything will be just fine. And the government and the protestant could conciliate soon !


Huaaaahhh ! ada-ada aja sih.. kemaren kaos merah, sekarang kaos kuning.. hikss.. jadi mikir.. mendingan jangan bawa baju kaos warna2 itu kayaknya ! bawa yang putih aja..yuuukkk ! cari aman ! peace !

I browse today i found out that Thailand already change the rules about visa ! yess people ! be careful and do RE-ARRANGE your long stay in Thailand !!
This rules already applied since December 2008... uuhhhh.. i just know this today ! few days before i left.. and lucky me i got some information to share !
Travelers without visa will get only 15 days of stay if they are arriving via a land border checkpoint from a neighboring country. Its means if you're from Malaysia and entering Thailand with bus or train, you will only granted 15 days stay in Thailand. But if you fly down to Thailand, the rules will be the same, you will be granted with 30 days visa.
I can't belief it until i see my self the very own Thailand Gov. website that said about this new visa rules !
Only several countries that listed as exception of this rules like Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Korea, and Tunisia.
For further information you could go to the website i just mention and contact Immigration Bureau, in Bangkok.
Yupp saudara2 baru saja saya temukan perubahan yang terjadi pada aturan soal visa di Thailand. Sebelumnya kita, pemegang passport indonesia bisa tinggal dengan gratis tanpa bayaran visa di Thailand selama 30 hari, tapi sekarang hanya 15 hari ! cateeettt !!
Kalau misalnya kita masuk ke Thailand lewat udara, melalui airport, kita tetap di kasih 30 hari, gak ada perubahan, tapi kalau lewat perbatasan dengan negara lain, seperti Malaysia.. dan dengan menggunakan kereta api atau bus/transport darat, kita cuma bisa dapat 15 hari izin tinggal di Thailand.
Tahun 2007 dulu waktu kita pertama kali ke Thailand, kita berdua dapat stempel visa 30 hari. Hiks...
Untung kali ini kita pake pesawat langsung dari KL ke Phuket.... hehe jadi teteup dapat 30 hari euuyyy ! (kayak mau lama aja di Thailand...hehehe who knows ? wink wink)

We're pretty close to our next journey to Malaysia and Thailand.
Its only one month left. So much to do, and so little time to prepare everything.
Me, i have most of my things packed already on my backpack. Because i will have no ti me to pack next month as i return to home from my job site one day before we're leaving.
Theres not much plan to do in KL because i have my family there. Its good for our budget tho.. hehe.
In Thailand we're planning to do some island hopping. I have few internet resource that said this could be done in budget. First thing first to do island hopping i should have ferry schedule to support us here. So i browse for it and found it here.
I think my cousin want to stay in Railey beach, it is much closer from Krabi. This island is one of the prettiest island in Andaman sea. We're going to be in tight budget so we decide we only stay for short length in Phi Phi. I just browse some of the accommodation and find some fair price guest house with pretty view, the name of the resort is Diamon Cave Resort check here if you want to see the website. Its not really in Railey but it does have good facility, and the price is quite cheap. Our other choice is this.. euuh.. not so convincing place called Yaya Resort. Thats our temporary plan for Railey.
Theres others island that more people suggest to me. Island like Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Naka Yai, Koh Lanta, Similans island (i love this one), Surin island and ofcourse Koh Phangan.
I think we prefer the less crowded places. Me and Maria like to see new friends on road, but not really like over crowded beach. We just want to relax abit after working for two years without vacation (thats me!).
We also plan to spent some times in Phuket and visit some interesting places. We both love Phuket. Its a small beautiful town, smaller than Jambi i think. But its beautiful. I am planning to do some bungee jumping here, sound like fun, hehe.
But we have less budget and less days (less than 20 days) to explore all of the beaches.. so i think Phi Phi will be on the top of all, and i think i will ask Maria if she would love to check on Similan & Surin island at the end of our journey.

I will keep update this post to tell you whats our final decision..hehehe

I could say i am very lucky that i am able to travel these days. Thanks to internet, for giving me so many informations, and also budget airlines !
Few years back, i don't think i have this idea of traveling with low cost.
I grew up in a small city in middle of Sumatra island. The flight ticket from and to my city until 1997-1999 are up to half million rupiahs. Because there's less flight fly to my city.
So i have this concept that traveling is a hobby that i will never have.
Until i went to university, and heard about air asia, and swear that i WILL travel abroad one day when i have good incomes.
And i did... my first time at January 2007. Like i said... i will consider i am lucky to grw up in my generation (considering about traveling of course).
So much choice, so much easy...

Here's few budget airlines or also well kn own with Low Cost Carrier website:
============ ========= ========= =======

INDIA

IndiGo http://book. goindigo. in/skylights/ cgi-bin/skylight s.cgi
SpiceJet http://www.spicejet .com/
Air Deccan http://www.airdecca n.net/
GoAir http://www.goair. in/

INDONESIA
Lion Air http://www.lionair. co.id/
Indonesia AirAsia http://www.airasia. com/site/ in/en/home. jsp
Citilink Garuda Indonesia http://www.garuda- indonesia. com/

JAPAN
(website in japanese, book by phone except Skymark)
Air Do http://www.airdo. jp/ap/index. html
Skynet Asia Airways http://www.skynetas ia.co.jp/
Starflyer http://www.starflye r.jp/index. html
Skymark Airlines http://www.skymark. co.jp/en/ index.html

KOREA (website in korean)
Jeju Air http://www.jejuair. net/
Hansung Air http://www.gohansun g.com/

MALAYSIA
AirAsia http://www.airasia. com

PAKISTAN
Air Blue http://www.airblue. com/

PHILIPPINES
CEBU Pacific Air http://www.cebupaci ficair.com/
Air Philippines http://www.airphils .com/

SINGAPORE
Jetstar Asia http://www.jetstar. com/au/index. html
Tiger Airways http://www.tigerair ways.com/
Singapore AirAsia http://www.airasia. com
Silkair Singapore Airways http://www.silkair. com/mbe/en_ UK/

THAILAND
One-Two-Go http://www.fly12go. com/en/aboutus/ index.php
Nok Air http://www.nokair. com/NokConnext/ aspx/Welcome. aspx
Thai AirAsia http://www.airasia. com
Bangkok Airways http://www.bangkoka ir.com/

VIETNAM
Jetstar Pacific http://www.jetstar. com/au/index. html

AUSTRALIA
Jetstar http://www.jetstar. com/au/index. html
Virgin Blue http://www.virginbl ue.com.au/

NEW ZEALAND
Pacific Blue http://www.flypacif icblue.com/

Bummer !
Air Asia just sent me msgs few days ago and said my flight will be moved at 8 pm ! thats means i would arrive in Bali near midnight !
All the plan walking with my backpack with sunset from airport to guest house are doomed !!
I also post mail to backpacker group in yahoo to ask whats the possibility for me to arrive at Bali that time by my self and first timers (ouch ouch!)
But most of them say no worries and said i should had no problem getting taxi from out side airport. I could get taxi from the airport but it will cost me more.. hehe.. its worth as a night stay on budget guest house !
From the airport it would cost me Rp 60,000 to Rp 90,000 fare from airport to Poppies area. But from outside airport could cost me as much Rp 20, 000 only !
Another thing is.. i also browse few part of Bali that i want to see then i see this east of Bali with tranquil beach, i want to stay there ! its in Amed area. And the guest house not that bad ! i will probably stay there longer than my stay at poppies.

After thinking for several times, i decide to get air asia ticket to go to Bali at April 21, 2008, and stay there until April 3o, 2008.
I never been to Bali before.
At 1998 i did decide to take the invitation from one of Bali University to be their students with scholarship. I won two scholarship, one to Lampung for Communication Science and another one is at Udayana Bali for Tourism.
My mom threat me that she will never ever visit me if i choose Bali. So i choose Lampung. And during 5 years untl my graduation she only went there twice, first to drive me there, and seconde when i got to ICU for malaria extremely high fever (41 C) that doctors said could kill me (yes they did said so).
I ever planned to backpack during my university to Bali, both at the same time when the bombing happened.
So, i haven't been there before....

After i booked the flight at January 20, 2008. I browse and reads things about Bali. I've made plans where to stay, what to do, where to eat, transportation, etc.

I am planning to stay at Kuta, Ubud, Bedugul, and Lovina.
This are the hotels that i might stay in Kuta:
1. Kedins Inn, Poppies lane 1
2. Ayu Beach Inn, Poppies Lane 1
3. AP Inn, Poppies Lane 1
4. Kuta Inn, Poppies Lane 2
5. Masa Inn, Poppies Lane 2

In Ubud I haven't had any plan yet. But been browsing this Guest house called "Teba House" and "Rumah Kunang-Kunang" or the firefly guest house. Like the scenic places like this two... and the price its quite reasonable with the view just like that.


I havent had much info's about the other places that i want to visit. But for sure, just lying at beach not sitting infront of my computer is a huge progress in relaxation. See sunsets, sunrise or stars... ohhhhh.. it even made me smiling now.

But i think i already got some hostels names to think about in Lovina and Bedugul area. Not a big worry since i dont have to think about language difference and i already got my self a Bali map !

I might will meet an old friend there, or new one. This is what i love about travelling.

I'll keep posted up the plan...

Memang ini bukan pertama kali gue berangkat ke luar negri (cieee ! gaya banget ngomongnya !).
Gue gak bakalan melupakan milis indobackpacker yang telah membantu banyak dalam hal informasi terkini tentang backpacking.
Nahh.. gue mau share beberapa tips yang gue pake kalo berangkat ke luar negri.

1. A Good Planned travel/itinerary. Artinya, semua harus sudah terencana, mulai dari budget, akomodasi, dll. Meskipun natinya gak bakalan sama persis, setidaknya kita sudah punya outline, dan gak bakalan buta soal tempat yang akan kita kunjungi. Minimal modal arah dengan peta deh... kalo bisa kumpulin sebanyak mungkin info via internet. Mulai dari tempat penginapan sampai dengan harga makanan (kalo bisa). Dari situ kita bisa punya bayangan soal perjalanan kita. Bila perlu di print segala sampe detailnya. Remember.. contact person disana kadang2 sangat membantu (gak musti, tapi kalo ada bagus juga). Contact person contohnya sesama teman backpackers yang kebetulan ke tempat yang sama, gak ketemuan juga gak apa2 tapi.. well its good to know someone when you're in a strange place.

2. Scan PASSPORT, KTP, SIM A/C, pas foto warna (kalo ada yang digital okkkee) dan upload ke http://briefcase.yahoo.com (kudu punya login yahoo) kalo ada dokumen yang hilang/tas hilang kita masih bisa nge print warna dari internet, gak perlu bawa copy kemana2 (copinya juga perlu sih buat jaga2). Electronic tiket yang biasanya dikirim via mail, tolong mailnya di kasih "flag" biar nanti kalo ada apa2 dalam situasi panik kita bisa dengan gampang menemukan mail tersebut.. lebih bagus lagi semua dokumen yang dikirim via mail seperti konfirmasi booking hotel dimasukin di satu folder.

3. Punya tas/dompet kecil buat ngumpulin semua tiket/boarding pass dan dipisah mana yang udah di pake mana yang belum (di kelipin aja) jadi waktu di perlukan gak perlu ngubek2 tas. Tas kecil ini di simpan di tempat yang aman (backpack).

4. Tas pinggang (kalo gak pake juga gak apa2) buat nyimpan passport, permen, pena, copy passport, kunci tas, dompet sama hape dan obat2 yang penting banget (obat maag girls???). Harus dari bahan yang kuat, dan banyak kantongnya. Uang mungkin dipisah dikit disini, dompet jangan terlalu banyak isinya.. biar gak ngundang niat jahat orang). Eiger bisa jadi rekomendasi (gue punya yang merek export, gak perlu branded lah yang penting yakin tali/penahannya kuat) butuh yang kuat biar gak gampang putus/lepas/di jambret orang. Nih tas pinggang jangan pernah2 di lepas kecuali waktu mandi (dibawa juga ke kamar mandi kali yeee).

5. Tali sling (dari besi) sama gembok tas cadangan. Buat yang ngerencanain jalan ke pantai. Tas backpack yang guede tentu ditinggal di penginapan, dan kita pastinya cuma bawa ransel lebih kecil. Nah guna sling (kabel kayak buat rante sepeda) sama gembok kecil, buat "ngamanin" tas kita kalo kita nyemplung di aer. Kan kasian kalo kita seneng2 sementara seorang temen dikorbanin buat jaga tas... udah jauh2 pergi kok jaga tas ????? Sling ama gembok cadangan juga amat berguna dalam perjalanan dengan bus/kereta api, kalo perjalanannya "overnight" alias lebih dari 12 jam.. kalo ketiduran kan aman berhubung tas di ikat dengan tali sling, jadi gak gampang "dilariin".

6. Pashamina/kain pantai yang bagus (agak tebal) multi fungsi tentunya. Bisa buat tempat dingin, jadiin selimut, bisa buat di pesawat juga kalo gak tahan sama AC-nya (air asia dingin bo !! sampe asepan ac nya)sama buat ke pantai jadiin tempat duduk (buat dililitin di pinggang/jadi kain pantai).

7. Termos. Believe it or not. Termos ini memperhemat gue selama di singapore !! 1 botol air mineral 600ml harganya 5 singapore dollar atau lebih dari 25 ribu rupiah !! sementara gue kayak onta yang haus terus. Setiap ketemu keran gue isi dah tuh termos sampe penuh, air di singapore bisa langsung diminum dari keran (keren !!!) dan gratis pastinya. Kalo kita jalan dari pagi dari hostel kita bawa aja air agak hangat, mumpung free. Lumayan, kalo sakit perut di jalan minum air rada angat bisa ngilangin sakitnya (cewek gitu loohhh). Lumayan hematnya ! Gak usah bawa yang besar.. sekarang kan banyak yang ukuran kecil.

Memang kayaknya ribet banget.. tapi gue ngerasa "aman" dengan semua barang di atas. Sebab bagi kita berdua barang yang di atas sangat membantu.

Planning a vacation is hard enough.. especially if you're on a tight budget. Everything have to be on details.
It is seemed harder if you're planning to traveling in Indonesia.. I know some of you will disagree with this. But with 3 million rupiah i am sure could go to Singapore and stay for a week ! 3 million to Bali ??? less than 3 days for sure.
Not mentioned the accommodation.


Browsing..browsing dan browsing.

Cuma itu yang bisa gue buat sama cari literatur buat the next destionation. Tujuan berikutnya.
Kita niatnya sih ke Bunaken sama Bali. Kita cinnnnnnntaaaaaa pantai dengan semua aktivitas nya.
Ada beberapa destinasi lain yang masuk dalam "perencanaan" gue. Bangka-Belitung salah satunya. Ada teman gue yang asalnya dari sana, dan mereka terus ngomongin soal pantai2 di sana yang bisa bikin gue ngiler.. hehehehe...
Tapi.. terbujuk oleh tipi sama iklan2.. gue niat banget ke Bunaken sama Bali.
Bisik-bisik sama Maria; "bu, kita pergi ke bunaken sama bali aja yokk.." dia langsung cekikikan, and suruh gue cari info2 terkait, berhubung gue kerja di dalam ruangan dan punya akses terus ke komputer (dia kerja lapangan).
Shock !!
Wow.. wew ! wow !
Tiket pesawat aja mahal banget bo !
Dari Singapur ke Krabi kemaren tiket kita cuma 3 ratusan ribu one way ! dari Jakarta ke Manado ?? 700 ribuan one way !!!!!!! ngeri gak ???
Gue mikir ulang.. worthed gak ya??
Setelah di kalkulasi sama biaya akomodasi, dan transportasi liburan 10 hari less than 5 million rupiahs bisa aja sih.. tapi gak yakin... apalagi dengan niat yang pingin snorkeling.
Iya.. iya.. tau.. pasti seharusnya bisa lebih murah lagi... tapi gue coba untuk lebih logis. Jarak dari Jambi ke Manado di peta aja udah lebih jauh dari jarak Jambi ke Singapore.. wajar lah..kali..
Kita memang cari yang murah, tapi gak pengen sampe menderita banget gara2 nyari yang termurah. Ntar pengen cari senang malah susah di kota orang..luntang lantung..hiyy..

Hilang sudah bayangan bunaken dengan laut yang biru.. dan ketenangan di kala tersesat di kota orang (gak perlu mikirin bahasa !)

Browsing lagi...

WHAT ??!!!! tiket murah dari Singapore ke Phuket cuma 3 ratusan ribu.. olalaaahhhh.. (liat situs tigerairways.com) cuma dari bulan February sampe Maret !

Yang gue sesalin waktu ke Thailand (the "sins" list):1. Gak bisa datang ke catuchak weekend market di bangkok 2. Gak bisa datang ke full moon party di Koh Pangan island 3. Gak bisa nginap 1 minggu full di phi2 island buat lenjeh2 males2an

ohh.. godaan untuk balik lagi ke sana begitu besar...
Padahal kulit kita yang belang bonteng belum balik ke asal (waktu pergi sempat dikira orang cina....pulang ? hehehe mirip dakocan nan hitam..hehehe)

Jadi kongkritnya.. ??

Ada niat, tapi belum ada kesempatan.

Waspadalah ! Waspada lahhhhh !!!!!

This August i will go on my backpacking journey.. again !
I will go to Singapore and Thailand with one of my friend Maria. We will start the journey at August 21, 2007 until September 4, 2007.
The travel initerary are:

Jbi-Batam-Singapore-Krabi-Phuket-Bangkok-Chiang mai-Singapore-Batam-Jbi

This is not the first time for me, but it will for Maria.
I hope this journey will be AWESOME. Specially because i never been to Thailand, never been travel with that "crazy" girl, and woooooaaaahhh ! i just can't wait.

Thailand here we come !!

Akhirnya bulan Agustus ini gue berangkat LAGI, jalan2 modal tas ransel guede !
Tapi sekali ini gue gak bakalan sendiri (dueehhh) tapi barengan sama rekan, aliast partner sparing gue huehehe.. Maria. Lumayan gue yang pasti gak bakalan bengong sendiri.. tapi berdua huahahaha !
Mulai jalan2-nya sih bulan Agustus besok tanggal 21. Rapat banget sama jadwal shutdown plant yang bikin kita berdebar2, gara2 mundur terus...
Di awali dengan Singapore-Krabi-Phuket-Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Singapore
Mudah2an aja perjalanannya okeh-okeh aja, oh ya.. ini buat pertama kalinya si anak babeh (Maria) jalan keluar negri. Jadi gue kudu buat nih perjalanan simple and comfort buat dia. Buat kita berdua.
Gak sabar lagi dah rasanya buat njajal the city of angel itu !!