I looovveeee them!
To get a cheap flight ticket you have to book your flights earlier. They gave us more discount on flights fare!
See Tiger Airways website for more details!
Showing posts with label Thailand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thailand. Show all posts
Want a cheap flight ticket?? BOOK EARLIER!
I just saw this promotion from Tiger Airways. Tiger is my 2nd choice for traveling... i use their service several times when i went to Thailand.
I looovveeee them!
To get a cheap flight ticket you have to book your flights earlier. They gave us more discount on flights fare!
See Tiger Airways website for more details!
I looovveeee them!
To get a cheap flight ticket you have to book your flights earlier. They gave us more discount on flights fare!
See Tiger Airways website for more details!
Bangkok-Day4: High End Shopping Malls-Sushi-Suam Lum Solo Adventure
Fourth day...and its a crazy hot day!
Bangkok was still dark when i rush trying to find Lee on the apartment. We had so much fun last night with the movie, i was fall a sleep at 2am, trying to connect to internet and fail, and gave up and get some internet card down stair with 50baht.
Let say we had a morning "drama" since i lost Lee, but then everything solve just fine, she was safe and sound. All bad thought about someone kidnapping her gone. Don't want to tell details. But for sure, i wont let anything bad happened to my travel mate.
We HAVE to know where our travel mate goes, with who, and what they basically do, no need details, just as long as they are safe. Last thing you want just feel sorry because you think your travel buddy was safe and sound while she was battling with her last breathe. Sure you're not their mum, but could you explain what happen when something bad happen to their family or mum? that you don't know where your "friend" is? cause travel buddy suppose to stand back to back (i do sound like a kick ass!).
Today is friday so Joe can not go with us. We are planning to go some shopping and sight seeing, i am determined to show Lee the Erawan shrine! But before that we had to do a very long BTS trip from Rama 2. And start to think again about staying at the apartment, its convenient but not convenient for our budget as we had to hail taxi from the apartment to BTS station and could cost around 90-110 baht just for BTS station. And we have to do like 5 BTS station until the interchange, oh gosh too much! (See the BTS&MRT complete route HERE)
Joes Apartment >>>>Taxi to BTS Wongwian Yai (Silom Line)>>>> 6 BTS stations (Krhungtonburi, Saphan Taksin, Surasak, Chong Nonsi, Sala Daeng, Ratchadamri)>>>> Siam Central Interchange (FINALLY!!)
Anyway, we went to this mall Emporium for some sushi for lunch, why here? i don't know either hahaha.... but we went to the central already before. And because Joe's sms about meeting us on 'ON NUT" station which is only 3 stations away from where we are (Phrom Phong BTS).
But we had time of our own. To be honest this is my very first sushi. Lee a good guide, i like most of the sushi! she sometimes joke around and said something like... ohh thats a sea worm, and i said... what???? she laugh for fun. We enjoy our lunch for sure. The fish sooo fresh and as desert we had green tea ice cream, oh gosh.. so fresh! yummy!! The "damage" is around a thousand baht which is normal as i can see we eat a lot!!
While doing lunch Joe text her and said a friend of his invite for dinner and i told Lee, lets see some clothes here!
They had discount, but when we try and had some Joe calling, i didn't heard it as the phone on my back pack. When we rushed to MRT where Joe's waiting it rang again. He become inpatient hehe ...guys...
When we finally met he was too upset to listen to my explanation; i think i better split with him to avoid misunderstanding. So i am heading back to Siam to chill off left them both at On Nut BTS (Shukumvit Line) and do back up plan while on MRT, and i end up... planning to go to Suam Lum Night Bazaar.
Before going there i went to Siam Paragon for new sim card. I just realize IM3 charge me Rp 6000,- per sms to Lee, as Lee is using Thai sim card! Lee sound very worry..hehe so i reply her and say i went to Suam Lum night Bazaar. I had my self a "Happy" sim card color of the package is red with smile on it... as it had the best rate for internet as i would need for my gmail on phone and ofcourse free sms to some thai numbers (as it said hahaha). Their shop at the 4th floor of Siam Paragon, but i had no time to set the internet because its quite late for night bazaar.
So i head to Suam Lum night Bazaar at 8pm. Its bit late, and gosh the MRT sooo quiet even worse at BTS that i believe if some psyco jump off those one column on the wall and drag me out of no where no one will know!! But then i just think i had to go there because there are so many stuff i could get from there before Chatuchak weekend market. Short of warming up hehehe.... (hasrat belanja lebih tinggi dari rasa takut hahahah!!)
Siam BTS (INTERCHANGE between Shukumvit line & Silom Line)>>SalaDaeng BTS (Silom Line)>>off the station go outside the station by sky walk, down stairs (about 150meters, see the sign) switch to MRT Silom>> stop at MRT Lumphini Station
I use the underground BST, just too bad Lee didn't have this chance to try, but i think she will be all right with Joe.Train nearly empty, i just pick seat near the door. I forgot the fact that the store in Bangkok closed at 9.30PM!! And its major shop like the biggest Siam Paragon, unbelievable! hahahah.... Oh the nght bazaar also close the the Lumphini stadion where you could watch the Muay Thai traditional martial art, we both talk about this and think should be fun to watch this sometimes.
When i get off the BTS i was shock.. it was different than 2 years ago!! like when you got off the BTS you will see the Suamlum night bazaar lamps right on the right side of you, but there's only dark empty scary land there!! where is it??? i stood there for a while, and look around there was only several local bangkok guys prob half drunk, not good to ask, and also two caucasian couple face as puzzle as i am, pointing the empty land, hahaha... same... nasib mu sama tohh...
I was so freak out hahahah!
But i walk to the street.. i think impossible to move such big market... i just walk to the right side when i sad neon lights said "Suam Lum Night Bazaar" and heard sound of local Thai band playing loud i know its promising!! so i walk faster, and hahahahah!! the entrance of Suam Lum Night Bazaar right in front of me!!
So i shop for few bangels and pins and a backpack and two tshirt for my self. And then headed to Joe's apartment in Rama 2 nearly midnight. I was so tired!!
Bangkok Day 2; What a day!
Wake up a little bit late after our night out, i can't wait to show Lee Bangkok. She also excited about the trip. So we take shower in very nice bathroom of Lub.D. She impressed with the hostel since that was the very first time she stayed in hostel and on a budget traveling journey.
What i like about Lub.D (that i regret later didn't take so many pictures on this awesome hostel). It was very clean, and safe as they put multiple door, and the atmosphere are friendly, free wifi, free internet, and they had this bar down stairs that we could had our breakfast and maybe could hang out with the hostel guest at night. Chong Nonsi MRT/Sky Train not really far from there, if you know the map, its less than 15 min slow walk! Its very cool! There also public market not far from the hostel. I love buying food from hawker seller. Its clean, and i think i had more resistance on "un-certified" food hahaha! (sombong!) as long as its not pork, i will be jussstttt fine!
I did a complain, once, when i think i found someone else hair on my pillow (since my hair long and dyed/colored so i know its not mine). They change the bed sheet then.
 | ||||
| Lee waiting for the traffic light near MRT |
Back to our cruise at town. There are two MRT station close to the hostel, Chong Nonsi and Sala Daeng. But we didn't want the same mistake as last night when we get lost and realize that Sala Daeng actually bit far from the hostel. So we took different route.
Today we are planning to do a little bit shopping at MBK. A shopping mall well known among Indonesian. I bought two tshirt last time i went to Bangkok in 2007. It was cheap, and the quality was very good! it does made me regret not to buy more while i were there that time.
From Chong Nonsi station we have to go to National Stadium station. Its quite far from Chong Nonsi but.. it only took less than 20 minutes. I love the Sky Train or MRT in Singapore. I wish they build this transportation someday in Jakarta. (Ngarep gak papa kan?)
Oh, when i arrive at the MRT, i just realize i was become a skimming victim (smile). You know the ATM machine crime? when they copy your ATM card and stole your bank account? yepp.. happened to me! my account left to Rp 28.000 (below US$ 3), thank you very much Mr Skimmer! (weep weep)
Panic? hell yes!! feels like i want to scream, and rolling on MRT floor but i didn't do it. I just stare at the ATM monitor and scared Lee. Hahaha... its really happening to me!
It was my first day in Bangkok i still have like 11 days to go before i land in Jakarta. I only book, half price of most of my accommodation. But all flight tickets are covered tho.
In gasp of panic i try to find at least 5 different ATM at MBK. Lee starve, so we eat our lunch, i still feel like my tummy been kicked hard! hard to chew the food.
But we found this unique cute food!! oh its desert... more to. Its a jelly, small size, soooo delicious looks, inside of it is green beans! very creative! i want to ask Lee.... can it made me high now? because i need it please!! haha but i thought Lee was worry enough to think about the rest of our journey. So i didn't spell it out. She bought a box, and its relaxing tho.... sweet and fresh cold. Not that hard to finish the whole container.
At home mom already contact my bank, and nothing i could do as they said it was a valid withdrawn from Thailand ATM, and they know i am in Thailand. Anyway, it was happened, and i ask my mom to send me money for the day and i try very hard to remember if i did brought my Credit Card or not.
Reason why i don't want to bring my Credit card?
1. I shop a lot (shooooeeeesssssss!!!!!! ruuunnn! discount! ooohhh aawww! madness!)
2. I shop a lot of things i do not need and worse about that, i REGRET IT later, and feel annoyed why i can not hold my seld and bought so many stupid things.
3. I lost things, i forgot things.
4. My CC had no insurance.
5. I just basically don't trust my self being alone in shopping city like Bangkok and Singapore.
Anyway its more to silly personal reasons that worry me. But at last it wasn't proved on this journey tho. You could bring your credit card of course!
We walk at MBK almost all day. Window Shopping for things. So many cute things there. Until i decide time to get back to hostel. So we walk outside and notice the next building to MBK. There are cute cat head and garbage bin in front of the building.
I never been to that building before. Its Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. They had movie exhibition there. We decide to get in and take a peek inside. Its very calming place, lots of painting and art craft and actually unique stuff! there was post card and its hand drawing very unique for collection!
After going for two floor, we become bored pretty easy. I told Lee about Erawan Shrine. Lots of Indonesian business went there for good luck pray. Shes pretty excited to see. So we walk down to the street because the Erawan Shrine doesn't have Sky Walk (pedestrian walk but its placed align with MRT or above the main highway, even singapore doesn't have this!!)
But then this is the first time i passed by Siam Junction. There are more shop there. We quickly forgot about Erawan Shrine and drowned to the shops. Lee had a good taste in clothing i could see that. And most peopel here think that shes a fashion models. We both tall, over 173cms which not average in Indonesia, we are tall girls and not very feminine as lady boy hahahah!
When we walk through the isles of shops there it was... the golden dome the roof top of Bangkok Hard Rock Cafe. I saw it on internet before. So i told Lee about it and she said "lets go there!" so we march down there, made few pictures, between me and mein liebe Michael Ballack, German national football captain (Ich Liebe dich!!). Its pepsi ads. But i could see that the Siam Junction been one of the place where you could watch the World Cup 2010. You still could see flags, posters and pictures along the street. Love German team always... for picture souvenirs (and to irritate someone that been fans of Socceroo... hahaha!) so i take one picture on one of bench with Ballack picture.
Actually before we enter the Hard Rock Cafe, i feel little bit "scared" as the car that parked in front of the Cafe mostly very expensive car (Mazda coupe, BMW, Porsche, etc) freak me out, and think ...ohhh.. only rich people come here, wonder hows the food/drinks price is. Thinking about my less than 3 dollars bank account, basically i am one of those homeless beggars (weep weep).
We sit on table with "John Lennon" and Paul McCartney memorabilia on walls. They even allow us to check the place until the 3rd floor. The 2nd floor actually the bar, it was closed that time and open only at night. The third floor is more like office.
I got my self sundae ice cream, while Lee order glass of mocktail, i forgot the name (haha we want to get bit tipsy in day light!) and set of fries which we gladly only order for 1 set, because it comes in big basket!! too much even just for two girl, but maybe its just fine for guys. And i want a bottle of water after the ice cream. Oh ice cream HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (two thumbs) for the brownies inside the ice cream taste very good. And have to warn you, its also on big cup, as you could see on my picture, so Lee and i trying so hard to finish it, but we couldn't make it to the bottom of the cup! (soooo yummy that it made me drools to remember how it taste...)
We take some more pictures there before leaving. The waitres are very friendly, and actually "too friendly" hahaha. We learn some of thai language from the guy, which is nice things.
Lee then said she want to meet up with her friend "Joe" so, we have to leave! back to MBK because he will go there. So back to MBK, we walk a bit since it will took him about 45 minutes before he arrive.
We sit at Mc D and watch how much students use the McD as place for studying. Its fun to see also some of the (looks like) University Student teach them. Same like in Indonesia, difference that we don't really use McD as place to study, as there are too many distraction!
Joe finally arrive, and he was very nice person!
He ask if we had dinner already, and we both said we had big lunch and still full. But then he took us to a japanese restaurant in Siam Paragon. Its a fancy restaurant! I didn't really enjoy another food because suddenly i had acid indigestion and i didnt bring my antacid!! i always bring that when i was traveling! it must be fall somewhere but its not on my back pack (weep).
So lee and Joe had their dinner while i had a cup of hot green tea (i think it was yamcha). Its calming tho. We had great time during dinner. And then Joe invite two of his friend to come to join us!
It was a blast! they were very funny, and crazy. I feel so full, so does Lee! but the fun was not over as then we went to the top of the mall and play bowling!
It was crazy as i never bowling before! very fun... and Joe was very kind to show me things, and i think i learn it very quick! but of course i was not as good as they are! Even Lee does bowling before!
There was a lot of people, families and young old guys mixed there. It was very fun night! I also found out later that the bowling place also had an ice skate rink! wow...
We are the last costumer went back home from the bowling place! hahaha... feels like we don't want to end the night tho! so we walk Joe friends back home, and then find a taxi to get back to Lub D in Silom.
It was 3 am when we had to say good bye to Joe! it was an awesome night and he think he could join us tomorrow tor the "wat" tours!
Today we are planning to do a little bit shopping at MBK. A shopping mall well known among Indonesian. I bought two tshirt last time i went to Bangkok in 2007. It was cheap, and the quality was very good! it does made me regret not to buy more while i were there that time.
From Chong Nonsi station we have to go to National Stadium station. Its quite far from Chong Nonsi but.. it only took less than 20 minutes. I love the Sky Train or MRT in Singapore. I wish they build this transportation someday in Jakarta. (Ngarep gak papa kan?)
 |
| I forgot how Bangkok could be so hooot! a short walk and my shirt wet! and i am an Asian! |
Oh, when i arrive at the MRT, i just realize i was become a skimming victim (smile). You know the ATM machine crime? when they copy your ATM card and stole your bank account? yepp.. happened to me! my account left to Rp 28.000 (below US$ 3), thank you very much Mr Skimmer! (weep weep)
Panic? hell yes!! feels like i want to scream, and rolling on MRT floor but i didn't do it. I just stare at the ATM monitor and scared Lee. Hahaha... its really happening to me!
It was my first day in Bangkok i still have like 11 days to go before i land in Jakarta. I only book, half price of most of my accommodation. But all flight tickets are covered tho.
In gasp of panic i try to find at least 5 different ATM at MBK. Lee starve, so we eat our lunch, i still feel like my tummy been kicked hard! hard to chew the food.
 |
| It looks delicious, don't know the name, but its a green beans with jelly wrapped shaped like fruits.. amazing! |
But we found this unique cute food!! oh its desert... more to. Its a jelly, small size, soooo delicious looks, inside of it is green beans! very creative! i want to ask Lee.... can it made me high now? because i need it please!! haha but i thought Lee was worry enough to think about the rest of our journey. So i didn't spell it out. She bought a box, and its relaxing tho.... sweet and fresh cold. Not that hard to finish the whole container.
 |
| Delicious, looks very very attractive! (just note the seller name Pa' Lek>>>suspicious its a Java language!) |
At home mom already contact my bank, and nothing i could do as they said it was a valid withdrawn from Thailand ATM, and they know i am in Thailand. Anyway, it was happened, and i ask my mom to send me money for the day and i try very hard to remember if i did brought my Credit Card or not.
 |
| Look in to that troubled eyes.... so much cute things at MBK but penniless! this is crueell! T.T |
Reason why i don't want to bring my Credit card?
1. I shop a lot (shooooeeeesssssss!!!!!! ruuunnn! discount! ooohhh aawww! madness!)
2. I shop a lot of things i do not need and worse about that, i REGRET IT later, and feel annoyed why i can not hold my seld and bought so many stupid things.
3. I lost things, i forgot things.
4. My CC had no insurance.
5. I just basically don't trust my self being alone in shopping city like Bangkok and Singapore.
Anyway its more to silly personal reasons that worry me. But at last it wasn't proved on this journey tho. You could bring your credit card of course!
 |
| Is it a cat head? its cute, and funny, and artsy! |
We walk at MBK almost all day. Window Shopping for things. So many cute things there. Until i decide time to get back to hostel. So we walk outside and notice the next building to MBK. There are cute cat head and garbage bin in front of the building.
I never been to that building before. Its Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. They had movie exhibition there. We decide to get in and take a peek inside. Its very calming place, lots of painting and art craft and actually unique stuff! there was post card and its hand drawing very unique for collection!
After going for two floor, we become bored pretty easy. I told Lee about Erawan Shrine. Lots of Indonesian business went there for good luck pray. Shes pretty excited to see. So we walk down to the street because the Erawan Shrine doesn't have Sky Walk (pedestrian walk but its placed align with MRT or above the main highway, even singapore doesn't have this!!)
But then this is the first time i passed by Siam Junction. There are more shop there. We quickly forgot about Erawan Shrine and drowned to the shops. Lee had a good taste in clothing i could see that. And most peopel here think that shes a fashion models. We both tall, over 173cms which not average in Indonesia, we are tall girls and not very feminine as lady boy hahahah!
 | |||
| Ballack, mein liebe!! |
When we walk through the isles of shops there it was... the golden dome the roof top of Bangkok Hard Rock Cafe. I saw it on internet before. So i told Lee about it and she said "lets go there!" so we march down there, made few pictures, between me and mein liebe Michael Ballack, German national football captain (Ich Liebe dich!!). Its pepsi ads. But i could see that the Siam Junction been one of the place where you could watch the World Cup 2010. You still could see flags, posters and pictures along the street. Love German team always... for picture souvenirs (and to irritate someone that been fans of Socceroo... hahaha!) so i take one picture on one of bench with Ballack picture.
 |
| To the 2nd Floor, basically a Beattles and Elvis "museum" |
Actually before we enter the Hard Rock Cafe, i feel little bit "scared" as the car that parked in front of the Cafe mostly very expensive car (Mazda coupe, BMW, Porsche, etc) freak me out, and think ...ohhh.. only rich people come here, wonder hows the food/drinks price is. Thinking about my less than 3 dollars bank account, basically i am one of those homeless beggars (weep weep).
 |
| Having Extra Large Ice Cream, its a big Lunch desert!! |
We sit on table with "John Lennon" and Paul McCartney memorabilia on walls. They even allow us to check the place until the 3rd floor. The 2nd floor actually the bar, it was closed that time and open only at night. The third floor is more like office.
 |
| Hard Rock Cafe Bangkok 3rd Floor Office |
I got my self sundae ice cream, while Lee order glass of mocktail, i forgot the name (haha we want to get bit tipsy in day light!) and set of fries which we gladly only order for 1 set, because it comes in big basket!! too much even just for two girl, but maybe its just fine for guys. And i want a bottle of water after the ice cream. Oh ice cream HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (two thumbs) for the brownies inside the ice cream taste very good. And have to warn you, its also on big cup, as you could see on my picture, so Lee and i trying so hard to finish it, but we couldn't make it to the bottom of the cup! (soooo yummy that it made me drools to remember how it taste...)
 | |
| I like this..sound like three Musketeers in music! |
We take some more pictures there before leaving. The waitres are very friendly, and actually "too friendly" hahaha. We learn some of thai language from the guy, which is nice things.
Lee then said she want to meet up with her friend "Joe" so, we have to leave! back to MBK because he will go there. So back to MBK, we walk a bit since it will took him about 45 minutes before he arrive.
We sit at Mc D and watch how much students use the McD as place for studying. Its fun to see also some of the (looks like) University Student teach them. Same like in Indonesia, difference that we don't really use McD as place to study, as there are too many distraction!
Joe finally arrive, and he was very nice person!
He ask if we had dinner already, and we both said we had big lunch and still full. But then he took us to a japanese restaurant in Siam Paragon. Its a fancy restaurant! I didn't really enjoy another food because suddenly i had acid indigestion and i didnt bring my antacid!! i always bring that when i was traveling! it must be fall somewhere but its not on my back pack (weep).
So lee and Joe had their dinner while i had a cup of hot green tea (i think it was yamcha). Its calming tho. We had great time during dinner. And then Joe invite two of his friend to come to join us!
 |
| Bowling at Siam Paragon Mall |
It was a blast! they were very funny, and crazy. I feel so full, so does Lee! but the fun was not over as then we went to the top of the mall and play bowling!
 |
| Fun at Bowling with new friends |
It was crazy as i never bowling before! very fun... and Joe was very kind to show me things, and i think i learn it very quick! but of course i was not as good as they are! Even Lee does bowling before!
 |
| Mr. Strike! He really show off his bowling skills! |
There was a lot of people, families and young old guys mixed there. It was very fun night! I also found out later that the bowling place also had an ice skate rink! wow...
 |
| Closing time! |
We are the last costumer went back home from the bowling place! hahaha... feels like we don't want to end the night tho! so we walk Joe friends back home, and then find a taxi to get back to Lub D in Silom.
It was 3 am when we had to say good bye to Joe! it was an awesome night and he think he could join us tomorrow tor the "wat" tours!
The 2010 Bangkok Tales-Part 1 (The Beginning)
.......... time has comes for me to pack my things in a 50 liter back pack and start a brand new adventure!
Bangkok and Singapore here comes FIKA!!! ciiiaaaaattttttttt!! (gaya kung pao master!)
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!!
Bangkok and Singapore here comes FIKA!!! ciiiaaaaattttttttt!! (gaya kung pao master!)
Bangkok
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 "
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!!
Untuk yang baru merencanakan jalan2 ke LN ini yang aku lakuin di airport:
1. Siapin passport sama uang Rp 150.000,- untuk airport tax (Soekarno Hatta segitu nominalnya). Check in di counter penerbangan (air asia, tiger, garuda etc). Dapat "Departure Card".
2. Siapin copy kartu NPWP, pergi ke loket "Pelayanan Pajak" di dekat pintu masuk cek imigrasi. Kasihkan passport, boarding pass sama ticket trus fotocopy kartu NPWP tadi. Nanti petugas bakalan kasih stempel di boarding pass. Kalau punya NPWP bakalan di stempel "NO FISCAL" kalau gak punya hehe... bayar Rp 2 juta!!
3. Isi form/kartu keberangkatan/departure card selengkapnya (perlu liat passport dan tiket, buat ngisi nomor passport sama tanggal expire, trus nomor flight yang ada di tiket/boarding pass).
4. Ngantri di imigrasi, liat line untuk "passport indonesia" kasih passport sama kartu keberangkatan, boarding pass, ticket.. semua dah!! Passport di stempel sama boarding pass/fiskal
5. Sudah di stempel, tinggal pergi ke "gate" keberangkatan alias ruang tunggu. Kalau masih banyak waktu bisa liat2 toko2 di sana, harga "katanya" sih lebih murah sebab duty free alias bebas pajak...
6. JANGAN SAMPE TELAT BOARDING! hehehe... keasyikan window shopping kadang buat lupa waktu. Gate air asia rada jauh, jadi yah... tolong diperhitungkan lah waktu buat jalan ke sana!
7. Adios! Bon Voyage! jangan lupa oleh2 cerita nya yakk!
Air Asia Promotion: Get cracking through Asia from USD 10 !!!!
(just click the banner!)
Fly from Phnom Penh International Airport:
| Booking Period | : |
| |||
| Travel Period | : | 10 May 2010 - 25 August 2010 | |||
| Travel Notes | |||||
| - Advanced booking required. - Fares are not available during embargo period. | |||||
Another fun from Air Asia !!! i love themmmm!
Fly from Jakarta, Indonesia:
Fly from Kinabalu, Malaysia (direct flight):
Fly from Denpasar to Perth (now three times daily!! LESS THAN US$ 3, yaaayyyy!):
Air Asia Promotion March 2010
Low fare from Air Asia flights, start from US$ 3! For most of S.E Asia destination, Australia, and UK!
and...
Vacation again !! yayyyy!
and...
Vacation again !! yayyyy!
Direct flight from Indonesia to Phuket !
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 !!
Cheap flights around the globe (with discount!)
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...)
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...)
Backpacker Jambi - Pekan Baru – Kuala Lumpur – Phuket (Thailand) – Singapore
Ini backpack travel gw yang kedua setelah 2 tahun vakum. Perjalanan cukup lancar mulai dari tgl 21 April – 10 Mei, puji Tuhan. Hanya harus mengeluarkan lebih banyak uang karena waktu kemaren kami berangkat nilai mata uang Rupiah sedang terpuruk…hiks2…
1 RM = Rp 3,070
1 Baht = Rp 320
1 S$ = Rp 7,200
Dan teman gw kemaren bilang kalo foto2 gw waktu backpacker pertama rada culun, semoga kali ini ga ya…hehhehehehe..Met baca aja, semoga bermanfaat!!!!!!!!!
Jambi-Pekan Baru
Anyway perjalanan dimulai dari Jambi, 
Kami check in dan ditawarin duduk di pintu emergency tanpa bayar. Selanjutnya kami bayar airport tax sebesar Rp 75,000 dan menuju ke bagian pajak, hanya bermodal fotokopi NPWP kami gratis fiskal dan ke imigrasi sedikit dicurigai karena dal ransel kecilku ada senter yang terdeteksi ma scanner tapi ga dikenal, akhirnya sedikit bongkar2 dan aman de. Disini juga ada money changer dan bisa nukar rupiah yang aku bawa dengan ringgit
Jarak Pekan baru menuju KL hanya ditempuh dalam waktu 40 menit dan kayaknya cepet banget. Waktu
Satu hal yang sangat terasa berbeda dengan 
Ini adalah mall yang cukup besar banget dan sesuai dengan namanya ‘piramid’ semua dekorasi dari pintu depan dengan patung spinx besar dan gambar raja2 mesir bertebaran dimana2 dan kami disini dari jam 3 sore mpe jam 10 malam. Gw belanja sepatu mpe 3 pasang dengan harga sangat miring karena toko2 itu sedang memberi diskon mpe 70% dan kalo dikonversi ke rupiah wow, murah banget …hehheheh… cukup sulit bagi gw cari sepatu wanita di Indonesia, dengan ukuran 40 ato 8.5 ukuran di KL sedang fika sangat tidak beruntung tidak ada ukuran untuk semua sepatu yang dia suka dan dia mungkin sedikit marah karena sepatu yang dia pengen hanya ada ukuran gw…hahhahahaa… Banyak yang pengen dibeli tapi mengingat kami baru memulai perjalanan jadi sangat tidak bijaksana membawa banyak barang dalam perjalanan. Cukup puas de hari itu cuci mata dan shopping window Kesimpulan dari hasil belanja kemungkinan benar banget kalo 
Karena kami ingin naik ke 
berjalan kaki atau dengan Monorail atau Taxi. Kami mencari hotel satu persatu dan karena saat itu hari Jumat, weekend, agak sulit mencari hotel yang available dengan harga yang cukup fair bagi kami. Akhirnya memutuskan menginap di Hotel Sungai Wang dengan tarif 138 RM/ night untuk berdua. Hotel ini tidak menjadi saran kami untuk stay, kami stay untuk 1 malam hanya karena kami ingat kami tidak akan tidur seharian itu dan benar banget. Lain kali bener banget nginap di hostel daerah Bukit Bintang dengan harga yang miring tapi bener bukan tempat ecek2. Oia, tips buat teman2 yang nginap dimanapun, terutama buat cewek2, tolong dicek kaca kamar mandinya dengan cara jari telunjuk dekatkan, dan kalo ada bayangan berarti itu cermin biasa dan hati2 dengan kamera2 tersembunyi. Setelah meletakkan barang2 dan istirahat sebentar akhirnya kami survei ke Twin tower dengan Taxi hanya dengan 8 RM. Akhirnya gw melihat Twin Tower dari luar sangat gagah dan masuk ke ke Suria KLCC, hati berkecamuk karena 4 tahun sebelumnya gw dan teman2 dijanjikan training kesini tapi ternyata gagal dan akhirnya gw sampai jg dengan duit sendiri, seneng banget. 
Dan ternyata benar didalamnya ada shopping mall yang gede banget. Setelah menelusuri mall dan foto2 diluar gedung dengan berbagai pose dan kami ga dapat foto tepat dibelakang twin tower dengan baik karena matahari sedang berada dibelakang kami so silau semua. Dan dekat dengan suria KLCC ada taman yang cukup besar dan bisa buat jogging. Trus kami main ke
Night life harus berakhir jam 3 pagi dan kami juga harus istirahat karena pagi kami harus berawal dari jam 6 pagi. Hanya tidur 2 jam, kami tiba Suria KLCC jam 6 pagi (tgl 25 April) dan ternyata didepan kami sudah ada yang antri tiket ke Twin tower dengan persiapan breakfast, wow!! Mereka datang jam berapa ya???
Sedang loket buka jam 8.30, bayangin aja dengan rasa ngantuk berat harus antri 2.5 jam. 
Pusing banget!!! Oia, yang paling mengejutkan adalah Syaza dan Ezzat belum pernah ke
Setelah itu kami masuk ke Petrosains berada ditingkat paling aransel Suria KLCC dengan hanya membayar 12 RM. Didalamnya sesuai dengan namanya adalah semua ilmu pengetahuan dan ada tentang pengeboran dan pengolahan minyak bumi dan peralatan yang digunakan dan set lengkap yang ada di offshore. Karena ini adalah bidang kerja gw so tiap foto selalu sok manis gitu, fika sedikit protes, ayo serius donk masa foto ma valve pake senyum2, 
pura2nya operator gitu ?? Gw ketawa aja, ngapain gw pura2 kan gw operator beneran, nah dia yang harus kelihatan serius karena dia operator wanna be…hehhehehh… cukup lama berada didalam sekamir 3 jam dan sebenarnya ini tempat buat anak sekolahan dan bener aja ada tour anak2 SD saat itu dan kami sedikit rebutan ma mereka…hahhahahah….
Sebenarnya kami sudah selesai jam 12, setelah lunch McD (lagi!!) dan menunggu Syaza yang katanya mau jemput tapi ternyata kami harus tunggu Nana pulang kerja jam 3 sore, udah mati gaya kami selama 3 jam, capek banget dan ga semangat lagi buat muter2 ato foto2 karena fika katanya sakit mendadak dan gw jadi ikut2an ga semangat, tadinya gw pengen foto2 didepan tapi juga matahari lagi tinggi dan silau banget. Akhirnya kami dijemput juga dan sampai di rumahnya didaerah PJ dan kami tidur sepuasnya dan jam 10 malam kami diajak dinner. Selama di KL kami selalu kebanjiran makanan dan makan selalu malam banget, hancur semua program diet. 
Keesokannya, tgl 26 April setelah melihat lomba olahraga dari sekolah adiknya Nana, Sofea. Kami diajak ke Putrajaya, ini adalah daerah kantor menteri dan memiliki gedung kantor dengan nilai arsitektur yang bagus dan dengan nilai seni. Seneng aja melihat dan foto dengan latar belakang gedung2 itu.
Setiba dirumah Nana, ternyata pakcik sekeluarga mau datang untuk nganterin ransel besar kami. Makcik menyediakan makanan2 Jepang yang bisa kami nikmati hanya dengan direbus sebentar saja juga stek yang dimasak ma Syaza juga ada pisang yang dihancurkan dan dicampur dengan kelapa yang dibakar dengan daun pisang (kayak godok2 di
Gw set alarm, tgl 27 April jam 7 pagi, mengingat kami belum packing. Ternyata fika belum bangun Cuma hmm..hmmm aja saat gw bangunin dan ternyata semua belum bangun waktu gw turun kebawah mau ambil minum. Packing hal yang paling menyulitkan dan sedikit menyebalkan kadang so kali ini aku hanya memasukkan semua barang dalam ransel besar tapi yang penting 3 pasang sepatuku akan dalam keadaan selamat selama dalam bagasi pesawat KL-Phuket. Keluar rumah kami diajak breakfast tadinya tapi kami keluar jam 11.00 so bisa dibilang lunch di Kanna Curry House, makanan
Setelah dari itu kami mau ke
Sepertinya kurang informasi selama perjalanan kami di
Phuket (
Dari bandara sebenarnya ada shuttle bus yang bisa antar kekota ato Patong Beach tapi berhubung sekarang uda malam dan ga kelihatan suasana luar dan ga nanya so pilihan hanya taxi dengan bayar 550 baht/taxi menuju Patong Beach. Kami ikut hostel hasil searching fika sebelumnya dan ternyata menuju ke hostel kami harus menanjak sekamir 200 m dengan kemiringan 600 dan akhirnya kami harus kembali lagi ke daerah 
Kami janjian dijemput jam 8 pagi keesokkan harinya, tgl 28 April dengan mobil mewah seharga 1.2 juta baht. Sangat beruntung banget karena mungkin kami costumer terakhir jadi kami dijemput pake mobil pribadi. Perjalanan dari hostel menuju pier sekamir 30 menit dan saat tiba di pier kami naik cruise yang penuh dengan turis kayak kami tapi banyak turis
Harus diingat aja kalo biaya hidup dipulau ini jauh lebih mahal dibanding kami stay di Phuket or
Trus kami keliling mencari travel agent mo ikut tour snorkelling untuk besok paginya dan setelah tawar menawar yang sedikit alot dan sempat membuat tante agent travel itu marah (hhahhaha, mpe skr gw ga tau knp dia marah??!!), sepakat kami dengan harga 550 baht/orang. Disini banyak sekali travel agent bertebaran so kudu sedikit selektif dan pinter nawar aja. Akhirnya balik ke hotel dan tidur, hal yang sangat dirindukan badan gw kayaknya...hhehehe… dan sebelum mpe hotel ada yang kasih selebaran clubbing dari Hippies Restaurant dengan dinner gratis jam 20.30, tawaran yang menggiurkan dan sulit untuk dilewatkan. Bangun tidur jam 6 sore dan langsung siap2, sebelumnya keliling kembali melihat suasana malam di Phi-Phi Island dan ternyata sangat rame dengan turis dan berbagai dagangan dan restaurant yang bertebaran dengan harga bervariasi dari yang murah ampe yang mahal ada, tergantung daerahnya, kalo semakin kedalam2 harga akan semakin murah, sedang kalo di tengah pulau yang orang sering lalu lalang, pastinya harganya mahal tapi kadang boleh juga untuk coba2 de. Tapi sepertinya dagangan yang ditawarkan hampir sama. Pernak pernik, kalung gelang manik manik, baju2 pantai bahkan bikini. Ternyata benar ada dinner gratis dari restaurant dan kami cukup membeli minuman 
aja, lumayan banget dan ada atraksi fire show, dimana 4 lelaki memutar2 stik atau lontaran api dengan gerakan yang memukau, kalo kesini kudu saksiin acara ini, hampir tiap restaurant yang dekat pantai menyajikan acara ini.
Tgl 29 April, gw janjian ma fika mau berenang dipantai Andaman pagi2, sebelum ikutan tour, kami keluar jam 8 pagi ternyata pantai lagi surut dan airnya jauh banget hampir 20 m kelaut so rada ciut mau berenang. Jadinya gw-fika jalan2 pagi aja ngitari pulau dan coba peruntungan dipantai lain. Sepi banget euy, semua orang masih pada tidur kayaknya, bahkan yang jualan belum ada. Cukup muter2 selama 1 jam dan balik ke hotel mau siap2 ikutan tour.
Tour dimulai jam 11 siang dan kami naik long tail boat ‘Naemah’, kami memulai dengan snorkelling di Shark Point. Air sedikit keruh dan ikan yang keluar cuma berwarna kuning hitam dan kurang menarik. Gw terlalu jauh berenang dan ternyata kaki gw keram dan dan gw teriak2 minta tolong fika, dia cuma bilang…apa..apa ka mari?.. Sumpah de loh, saat itu gw hampir panik karena saat gw coba berenang dengan kaki keram, gw ngerasa ga maju2 dan gw liat ikan hiu, beneran ternyata namanya. Gw semapt memanjatkan doa terakhir gw ma Tuhan, kalo2 gw ga selamat gw mohon ampun dan Tuhan jawab dalam 10 menit kapal nyamperin gw, ga jadi de hari terakhir gw. Gw marah ma fika, ko dia ga nyahut kalo dia ngerti dengan teriakan gw, dia cuma diam dan mencoba mengalihkan pembicaraan. Thanks God. Tour berlanjut ke Bamboo Island, waktunya makan siang, sekamir jam 1 siang dan kami dikasih waktu sekamir 1.5 jam dan kami bisa snorkelling or berenang dipantai, tempatnya bagus dan sedikit sepi karena orang2 yang datang kesini hanya orang2 yang ikut tour so bisa menikmati pantai sepuasnya. 
Lalu kami melintasi
Tgl 30 April semua bangun siang dan semua malas2an. Waktu gw-fika nyamperin Nana-Ainon, mereka mau coba Thai Massage, boleh juga ne.
Welcome May 1st…Kami harus check out jam 11 pagi so gw-fika bisa bangun telat karena packingan kami uda selesai. Dasar kuli emang ya gw, ga bisa tidur lebih dari jam 7 pagi, selalu terbangun jam segitu walo gw da set alarm jam 9 pagi. Akhirnya gw mandi dan da ready mo berangkat dan nikmati waktu nunggu dengan nonton TV dan jam 10.30, gw-fika keluar kamar dan nitip ransel kami keresepsionis kemudian mampir ke Nana-Ainon dan mereka belum kelar packing. Tepat jam 11 pagi kami check out dan titip semua ransel dan kami keluyuran abisin waktu sebelum jam 2 siang. Kami maksimalkan foto2 di pulau ini dan kami ikut cruise yang sama dengan kami datang kesini dengan fasilitas yang sama. Sampai di
Tgl 2 Mei Nana-Ainon pulang. Gw-fika melanjutkan main dipantai mpe makan siang trus balik ke hotel trus ganti dan keluar agi kami mulai makan siang dengan junk food style kami. Seharian kami muter2 di sekeliling Patong, mampir ke Junceylon, 2 tahun lalu kami datang mall ini belum ada, sekarang menjadi mall baru yang terbesar di Phuket, ada 2 gedung shopping mall yang digabung.penghubung antar kedua gedung terdapat kapal kayu yang besar ditengah kolam air yang setiap jam 9am, 12am, 3pm, 9pm akan ada water show dikolam ini, dimana permainan airnya indah banget de.
Besoknya kami pindah ke Phuket Backpacker Hostel di Ranong Rd. Phuket town, karena kami booking lewat internet so hanya membayar 150 baht/night untuk dorm fan buat berempat dengan kamar mandi terpisah tapi ada hot water. 2 tahun lalu kami stay disini juga. Tempatnya sangat terlindung dari lingkungan luar, kalo mau masuk kedalam harus pake kunci scanner dan ruangan yang disediakan beragam, ada dorm fan, dorm AC, kamar berdua AC. Kami pilih kamar yang sama dengan kami stay dulu tapi menjadi pilihan yang salah karena kamar itu tepat diujung ruangan dan diluar sekarang dijadikan mereka tempat hang out dan hari terakhir, banyak sekali orang yang mengobrol tanpa menjaga volume suara mereka. Diluar dari itu disini seperti rumah sendiri karena disediakan ruang tamu dengan TV plasma gede dan kita bisa nonton DVD dengan sebebasnya ato hanya sekedar baca novel yang tersedia ato bisa warnetan sepuasnya. Tersedia 4 PC yang bisa dimanfaatkan. Tapi juga bagi kalian yang membawa laptop ato HP yang bisa WIFI sangat bisa memanfaatkan fasilitas ini juga. Lokasinya juga sanagt dekat dengan terminal, hanya kurang 10 menit jalan kaki dan dekat pasar tradisional, bisa coba masuk untuk beli buah2an dengan harga murah meriah. Harus tetap dalam kondisi fit donk, gila aja kalo sakit dalam bepergian, apalagi lagi heboh flu babi saat kami liburan. Kami stay dari tgl 3-6 Mei dan selama 3 hari itu kami kembali menjelajah daerah 
Kami kenalan dengan Nini (gadis Indonesia tapi lahir besar di Belanda), dan Franca (gadis Jerman), dengan mereka kami mengunjungi Central Festival (disini kami nonton bioskop, X-Men, Origin hanya bayar 100 baht), Ocean dan Robinson (mall di Phuket town) dan disini kami menemukan gengga dengan harga 150 baht dan pastinya kami tidak melewatkan pasar malam yang hanya ada di hari sabtu/minggu saja, disini banyak menawarkan barang2 dengan harga miring tapi tetap aja ga bisa belanja sembarangan. Hari terakhir kami pamitan dengan
Kami kembali melanjutkan petualangan ke
Kami stay di Empire Hostel daerah Shed Alwi Rd dengan rate dari pertama S$ 11 dan hari kedua S$ 13 tapi ga jadi pilihan dan saran kami karena aneh banget saat kami booking diinternet kami login dengan free 10% service charge tapi ternyata setelah tiba ditempat kami harus membayar 10% service charge lain dan kami tanya service seperti apa, dia bilang breakfast, warnet dll. So ga gratis donk namanya??? Bagi kalian jangan sampai tertipu dengan janji2 manis diawal. Tempatnya juga kecil banget tapi dijadikan buat berempat, ga nyaman de. Di Singapore segalanya teratur dan tranportasi dengan MRT tersambung dari bandara mpe pelabuhan jadi tidak akan nyasar dan bingung kalo kita punya alamat dan kita tau harus turun stasiun mana dan bermodal peta yang kita bisa ambil di bandara dan pastinya nanya2 juga ma orang2 sekitar tapi hati2 ya, jangan2 ntar diantar kemana2 de. Gw suka de kalo naik MRT ini, walo penumpang membludak, perjalanan ga lama2 amat so kita juga ga akan bosan dan lelah menunggu. Mungkin lain kali gw mau naik MRT dari bandara-pelabuhan langsung, hanya untuk habisin waktu. Kami Cuma 2 hari aja disini, malamnya kami langsung kunjungi Bugis Street Market, aneh de ada pasar tepat diseberang mall besar dan pastinya orang2 rame banget datang kemari dan gw masih sempat beli 1 lagi sepatu wanita…hehhehehe…
Besoknya kami mengunjungi Sentosa Island, dari hostel kita naik MRT menuju pelabuhan dan dari sini punya 3 pilihan menuju sana, bus, kereta gantung ato monorail. Kami memilih naik monorail dengan hanya bayar S$3 PP. fika ratusan kali bilang bahwa pulau ini dibuat dari pasir
Trus kami ke 
pasar gitu, namanya Mustafa. Dan barang yang dipajang banyak banget. Cuma heran aja, banyak sepatu2 dengan merk Nike, Reebok tergeletak aja bertumpuk gitu, kirain yang abal2 ternyata harganya mahal bo, sama dengan harga di
Akhirnya liburan berakhir,tgl 9 Mei, bagasi gw tepat 15 kg dan fika 15.1 kg setelah di bandara dia bongkar lagi semua isi tasnya dan titip di tas gw sekitar 3-4 kg (soalnya jadi berat banget bo J) karena ga mau bayar kelebihan bagasi. Waktu belanja dan bawa barang2 dari
Semoga tulisan ini bisa jadi inspirasi buat kalian bepergian dan mendapatkan informasi yang bermanfaat.
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