SAWADEE KA

This was the second time i visited Thailand. I went with route Krabi - Phuket - Bangkok for 9 days with my friend. I packed light this time, no baggage, only carry on backpack.

Departed from Kos Banjarsari, jakarta at 3.30 am, got in the airport around 4.30 since our flight was scheduled at around 6 am to Kuala Lumpur, so better be early.

We went inside the aircraft on time, but hey.... it was so hot inside! Apparently the air- conditioner was off. So everyone was sent out back to the boarding room. And, we had to wait until around 8.30 am. Siighhh... My friend and I planned to had Nasi Lemak and Teh Tarik for breakfast in LCCT didn't happen since we arrived in KL at 11.30 and our next flight to Krabi was at 1pm. We were hungry, worse, the food in that flight was sold out. Good part about this Jkt - Kl - Krabi trip was that we met a new friend. So it was not that bad.

Krabi

I was sleeping all the way to Krabi with hungry stomach. But it was worth it, first time we arrived in Krabi, we went straight to eat. Krabi is not like what i thought. It was quiet.

The view in one of the corner in Krabi.

Krabi Beach

The next day, i went to Riley beach. I had to take the long-tail boat which can be found in certain lockets. ticket is 1500 THB one way. It was cloudy, i was a bit scared because i was not offered life jacket

the long-tail boat ride to Riley Beach.

On the way to Riley with the view of dark cloud.

In Riley Beach, it was not as advertised. I thought i can swim in it, but there were too many boats. It was interesting and i could take some good photos.

There is a spot for cliff climbing.

One view at Riley Beach, walking a bit further from where i got off the boat.

Row row your boats...

View in Riley Beach

But I am happy that i got there, i found a beautiful beach, Phra Nang. To go to Phra Nang, i had to walk about 10 mins, passing a stalactite cave. I was just wandering around, not sure what to see. This is what i like about travelling, explore new place.

The Stalactite cave, there are some monkeys seen here.

Phranang Beach. Green and clean water.

Here people can swim.

There is a cave by the beach, for fertility pray.

Phuket

My friend and I got to Phuket by ferry. It was 600 THB including hotel-the port-hotel transfer. This price we got from the tourist shop at the downtown corner in Krabi. The transfer vehicle was a pick up truck, like a bigger tuk-tuk, and i got the very edge seat. The ferry ride was about 4 hours.

This is the seats, and my travel companion, in the ferry.

The port in Krabi

We stayed at Phil's Boutique Hotel on the street just across BangLa Road. It was nice and clean, and very centre. First destination after we put our bags in the hotel room was eating! 

Eating at the food court at Bangla Road.

Then we went out around the hotel area a little bit before we passed out on the comfy bed with a very hard pillow.
Next day, we were just relaxing at the beach, Patong just 5 minutes from our hotel. Patong is more beach for games and attraction, also to watch sunset.

one attraction i saw, a dog's having fun with the sand.

The waves in Patong, quite good for surfing.

We rent a chair for 100 THB.

Aaahhh... relaxing.

One of the attraction in Patong Beach.

After sunset's gone, we started to walk back, found this landmark. Can you spot me?

Phuket is famous with the night life. Bangla Road is the centre of the night life.

One bar at Bangla. As the night is getting late, the more crowded it gets.

The next day in Phuket we rented a motorbike. It was 450 THB/24 hours. We drove to Phuket Town and got lost, got stopped by the police, but managed to get away because we were tourists. We went to the Big Buddha on top of a hill. 

along the stairs were hung lots of bells.

With the scooter, we also drove to other beaches near Phuket, Kamala and Kata Beach. Here we could actually play with the water and waves.
Next time i go to Phuket area, i will stay in Patong area but go to Kata and Kamala more during the day. The accommodation is cheaper in Patong, and easier to find more stuff and activities.


Bangkok

The last destination was Bangkok which we reached by plane. From Patong to Phuket airport we paid 400THB, the receptionist took us there because he was going to the airport direction.

The journey to the hotel we've booked is a long story. We tried to take public transportation. We took airport bus to the city, costs 30 THB/person. Then the bus driver told us to get off at the metro/MRT station. But the information we got we should take another bus. The bus to Khaosan Road, where our hotel is, only stopped at specific bus stop. We were walking up and down that street to find the stop. We finally got the correct bus, without knowing where to stop. We asked the passages, but at first no one could speak English. Arrghhh... i was so stressed. The best part of backpacking, getting lost and not knowing where to go is the adventure. Well, we got to our hotel safely because finally we got helped from some passengers. Baan Chart is the hotel name. It is very nice, in very strategic location.

And as usual, when we arrived we looked for food first. Walking along the Rambuttri and Khaosan road, there are many street food vendors and live music cafe. I love the spring rolls, worth to try, also the sticky white rice with mango.The music performers have good voice and sang nice songs.

In Bangkok we went for tuk-tuk ride to Wat Arun, The Lucky Buddha temple and to jewellery factory (this destination, the driver had the initiative).

Tuk-tuk ride for 30 THB for one trip around.

The long-tail boat ride along Chao Phraya.

Wat Arun area

Wat Arun area

Chao Phraya

One of the special food sold in Bangkok.

Me and tuk tuk

Jade Buddha

The dogs living at the temple. Cute!

The road around Khaosan has this for getting rid off the evil.

One of the corner of many street food stalls.

One small shrine in a park nearby.

Our last day was spent to walk around and visited another temple, Wat Pho, around 1km from our hotel. In Wat Pho there is this famous resting Buddha from gold.

The visitors can put coins in all the copper pots.

Over all, this trip was amazing, will definitely come back here, especially to the beaches.

The Party in Valence

Hey, I came back to Europe!
A year after my first trip to Europe, i came back to this continent, with longer trip time, 1.5 months
Started in Paris, went down to Valance, Grenoble, Lyon, Dijon, back to Paris. That was in France.

Flew to Paris with a famous airlines from Malaysia, Tisa and I got our flight from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur delayed, our transit time was only 1.20 minutes. That means we had to run from arrival to departure hall in KLIA. We could run and got in the next flight on time. 
We arrived in Charles des Gaulle airport in Paris also on time, wait for the bags before catching the train to Valence. We waited more than an hour, but our bags were not seen!  We found out because of the delayed, our bags were left in KL. I was confused, everything is in the bag, i could't imagine travelling without my bag, my clothes and everything else..
But we couldn't do anything, just had to wait for the bags to be delivered to Grenoble, in three days! So, off we went to Valance, to a party without any clothes to change into.

But it was fun in Valence, the party, a birthday party of Thierry's brother's, Pascal's 40th birthday. There in France (apparently also in all Europe) when someone is having 20, 30, 40 or any with zero birthday, they celebrate it big.

Helping out by cutting tomatoes for salad.

After hanging up the decoration.

Picking cherries and eating them!

Delicious cherries!

Our room in Valence, four beds in mixed dormitory.

Tisa's costume.

entree: Salmon fillet, hmm.. yummy!

Well, even though we didn't have our bags, we still had fun. So, travelling very light is possible.

Marseille, Baby! - Day 1

The second city i visited in my Europe trip was Marseille. It is the second biggest city in France after Paris. Marseille is in the south of France, an old port city which is more relaxing than Paris.

Marseille from the aeroplane.

After spending time in Paris, i was not sure of going to Marseille because the hosts i contacted didn't reply my emails. I was confused because i don't know where to go. Also, I enjoyed Paris so much, but it would be a waste since i have booked the flight. So, i decided to go, no matter what happen and if no host, then i had to book a hostel. I just decided to go and happy that i chose to because Marseille is beautiful.

I went to the airport from Antoine's flat by the metro and bus to Paris Beavuis airport. I booked Ryan Air for about 45 euros including the 15 kg baggage. Ryan Air has it's own airport (like Airasia), and the location is not easily reached. I had to take a bus that takes only to the Paris Beauvis airport and back. I usually got lost, but the route Thierry and Antoine gave me is very clear, so even a dumb girl like me arrived safe and sound at the bus stop. I had to pay around 15 euros for the 45 mins bus ride. While checking up in the counter, i had to wrap my baggage with plastic bag from them. I had difficulty carrying my bag, moreover to lift it up and put it in a bag. But luckily there was a guy who helped me, a fellow handsome and kind traveller ;-).

Arrived at MP2, I had to take another bus to the main station in Marseille called "SAINT-CHARLES GARE". So, i bought return bus ticket to go to the city and back to the airport because it's cheaper. I couldn't find the bus stop at first, then i asked a group of young people where to find it. Tips, do not be afraid asking and try to look for people who seem to be able to speak English. Well, easier if you can speak the language though.

My phone was still not working, i was desperate how to contact my host. Then i saw this guy who was helping in Paris to put my baggage in plastic bag. And i saw that he travel alone. So, i planned to sit next to him, just hoping that the seat next to him is empty. And Voila!!! no one sat there next to him, so i asked nicely,
"Excuse me, may i sit here?"
And he said, "Yes, of course."
So, i started to chat with him. He is nice and helpful. His name is Luis from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Wow.. i was reading John Grisham's novel and remember the name of that city came up in the novel. Luis was studying in Paris and before coming back to Brazil he travelled. I told him that i stay with a host from Couchsurfing but he has not contacted me yet. I asked if i could use his phone to send SMS to Jeremie (my host). And he said "Yes, of course". Lovely!

We parted after arrived at the gare, and try to stay in contact to meet up in Marseille. (We didn't meet at all, but still in contact until now.)

I checked my email and i got two replies from my candidate hosts. I was confused which should i say yes to, feeling reluctant to say no to the other because i was the one who asked. Then i decided to stay with the single one, my first choice. Feeling so dumb and apologetic to the other host who had said yes to me, i took metro to the metro station i would meet Jeremie.

I was too early, so i waited outside the station with no phone to contact Jeremie. i looked so lost, people were looking at me, at a glance or stare longer. I never have people look or stare at me in Indonesia, new experience there :-). Finally at about 18.00 which didn't look like 18:00 in Indonesia at all because the sun was still shinning so strongly, i met Jeremie. He's tall and so quite. He walked fast that most of the time i walked behind him or ran to catch him up.

He lives in a neighborhood called "La Panier", is the historic heart of Marseille, the site where the Greeks founded the city.  The meaning of La Panier is "basket", from the sign of the inn called "Le Logis du panier" in the 17th century.

La Panier neighbourhood.

That's another reason i chose to stay with him because of the location is in the center of touristic place. His apartment is in the 5th floor, which the 6th in Indonesia. With no lift, i walked upstairs carrying 13 kg and 5 kg bags front and back. Huh, i can do this!

The climbing was worth it because Jeremie's apartment has a very beautiful view, the Old port and a century-old church. NICE! After putting the bags and had necessary cleaning up time, Jeremie took me around La Panier and the old port. Oooh.. oooh... it's so pretty. Then we sat in a plaza and drank some beer, Marseille speciality, which shamely, i forget the name :-(.

The Plaza in the middle of La Panier.

Another view to the Old Port.

One of the views from Jeremie's apartment. I saw a big cruise ship was at the port.

The port with many yachts, sailing ships and the chatedral on top of the hill.

After some more chatting, we went back and Jeremie cooked me pasta for dinner, and we ate in the balcony with the nice breeze and stunning view. Aaaahh..... life! By the time the sun set, it was 10 pm, and we decided to call it a day.

Anything tastes as a five-star meal with this kind of view.

4 Things I Like About Airports

I found airport as an interesting place. Some reasons why like to be in the airports are:

1. Sight seeing

Most airports have shopping area, some even have lots of them! Duty free shops are mostly found in the airports. Sometimes they offer cheaper price than shops in the cities. The stuff sold in the airports are sometimes can be difficult to find outside, for example wines and perfume (original ones) are difficult to find in Indonesia.

2. Waiting time - Reading, sleeping, listening to music
Sometimes i have to wake up very early to catch a flight. In that case, i always feel sleepy. If so, i get to bearding area as fast as i can and take a nap there. Or, i will have the time to read my favourite books while listening to music. Make use of the boarding time will bring an excitement activities. Sometimes we can meet old friends in the airport or even new friends, while waiting, we have to keep the chances open ;).

3. People watching
 Airports means travelers, traveling in groups or solo. It's very interesting to see different types of people or families in the airports, their fashion styles, their carriages, how they handle the children or parents. There are people who loves taking pictures, lovers, or friends. It's always amusing to see all of those.

4. Airports means going somewhere!
What i like the most about airports is the feeling it gives to myself, the feeling of excitement that i am about to go to another place, means holidays! Aaaahh.... the excitement that in 2 hours, 3 or even 13 hours more, i will be in a different city, country or continent. Moreover, if i go abroad, the immigration in the airport will stamp my passport :), more stamp collection added!



 

Europe Series - Bonjour Paris! (Part 2)

The second day, i took the busy metro (subway) in the busy line. I had to stand up among tall people. I was a bit confused where to look, i mean, how i should position my head. The best i could do was looking down, looking over my left shoulder. Antoine took me to the meeting point, forget the line name, but i had to wait for Thierry and Ros in front of Virgin music shop.

I had to buy another ticket, but this time Antoine helped me and instead of the day pass, i bought the zone 1-3 ticket, and it was only 4 euros. Hah! that's was much cheaper. But i couldn't have that from the airport to Paris because the airport is in zone 5. The farthest is zone 5, and the most expensive.

So, i met my team, and we explored around a bit. That day i prepared more, i got my rain coat, water bottle and was wearing longer pants and t-shirt with sleeves.

Me in complete costume, minus the hat and the rain coat :).

This is another area in Paris, the post modern.

We went on the metro to go to Musee D'Orsay. Actually we wanted to go to Musee de Louvre, but Antoine, Maud and Thierry said that the museum is unhuman, won't be able to see all in a day. So, Musee D'Orsay was a good choice.

The metro line we took to go to Champs-Elysees and Musee de Louvre.

The exit bars, we have to tap the card and it will let us go through.

Inside the metro line 1.

The road sign that tells we are close to Musee D'Orsay.

We spent almost 5 hours there. There was a special exhibition from Degas, a French painter who liked to paint nude women. But it was a good one to see. This museum was a train station long time ago.

Inside the museum. The roof and the big hall are still kept in orginal shape, the train station.

The entrance fee for Musee D'Orsay is 12.50 euros, that's including the special exhibition. So many paintings and sculptures made by famous artists. I was a bit overwhelmed with the art work, didn't really have time to see and interprete. I could only spend 30 secs to 1 mins enjoyed one. The art teachers i know must be drooling to visit this museum.

After Musee D'Orsay, we went to see Musee du Louvre, the most visited Art museum in the world ( in 2011, there were more than 8,8 millions visitors). However, we canceled to go because the line to enter the museum was very looong.

The queue in Musee du Louvre.

So we ended up just relax outside the museum and having a photo session.

Posing in front of Louvre with Ros.

The building at the back is some part of Louvre's building.

Yoga pose

 After the long walk that day, we were hungry. And this time, Thierry didn't make any sandwiches, so we bought our lunch. I bought ham sandwich, yuuuumm...

We ate lunch in a park. There are many parks there, and free, and no food sellers around. It's really a relaxing place. And that time we had some sun, after cloudy and cold morning.

The first sun i had in Paris. Even it was just a sandwich, it tasted so delicious.

We were resting in the park for a while, then headed up to Notre Dame de Paris. On the way, i saw a beggar with a dog. One of my friends said that some people keep a dog for a pet because the governement gives money to people who have dogs.

Beside the beggar and the dog, i saw some roll royce cars were parked. There was a wedding in that area. So, i had the picture of the car taken, with me in it :).

I found everything in Paris at that time was so interesting, including the trash bin, or plastic. Paris uses plastic bag for trash dump instead of bin because it's more simple and practical.

Arriving at Cathedrale Notre Dame, it was around 6pm, but the day was still bright.  No fee entrance (Yay!). The church is so beautiful and well maintained.

The outside of The Notre Dame.

The inside, so beautiful.

After the Notre Dame, we walked again to another church close by. I forget the name, but Thierry said it's popular among people, especially the youngsters for relaxing (what? a church for relaxing?) Well, the front side is grassy field where people can sit and enjoy the view and sunshine (when there is sun).

The view from the church.

There was a perfomance by some guys. These guys were cool, they played ball on the wall with music in the background.

Then, we thought of going to another place, but on the way the rain was falling. Quite hard, so we had to stop. Lucky me, we stopped at a souvenir shop. Well, i ended up buying some things, just fridge magnets, each was 3.5 euros, I asked for discount, and i got 2 for 5 euros plus bonus Eiffel key ring :).

Then i saw a wine shop, we stopped there and the view was jaw-dropping. Hundreds of wine from all over famous wine regions, with unbelievable price (compare to indonesian price). You can get one bottle for 3 euros only!!!!

The price of these wine made me wanted to buy some. *edited by Tisa.

After the rain was a bit lighter, we were heading to Thierry's apartement. We had dinner there, the sun set at about 10 pm, and i stayed until 11.30 pm.

I had so much fun there and had a great memory. Thanks to Antoine, Ros and Thierry - who took 2 days off of work to be our guide. I am going to come back, because i left a part of my heart there.

Europe Series - Bonjour Paris! Part 1

In the plane on the way to Paris, i got fed a lot by Malaysia Airlines. About an hour after taking off, the flight attendants went around with salty peanuts, followed by drinks, from water, juices, coke, beer and wine, open tap :). Then dinner, then snacks, slept a while, drinks again, coffee or tea. Slept for a liitle while, and woke up because breakfast was served :). Man, i ate a lot!

Arriving at Charles De Gaulle (CDG), Paris at 6.40 am, 12 hours flight which i didn't really feel, i didn't have phone signals, both Indosat and Telkomsel. Oohh, i was so confused how i can contact my host. I tried the public phone, all in French :(. Rather than spending time on figuring out, i decided to go to his place asap. So, i went straight to the metro tickets seller and bought my one day pass for 21 euros. There was a couple of oma and opa from Australia who were in the same flight and going to same direction, Gare du Nord . So, i went with them.

Here is a website for CDG to Paris: http://parisbytrain.com/

My host's apartment is around 10 to 15 minutes walk from Gare du Nord, supposedly. I have had the map i printed at home, and the direction. I still got lost. I had to ask around, and the people were trying to help, even their English was not good, some even didn't speak English.

I met Antoine and he's very welcome me to his place, explain some things about his apt, and called Thierry so that we could meet easily. Then he went to work (he was actualy waiting for me!) I went with him to another closer metro station - Gare de L'est. 

At about 11 am the phone was ringing, and Ros and Thierry were in front of the apt. So, off we go to the first destinantion, Palais de Versailles. I used the one day pass metro ticket. The entrance fee for the palace was 25 euros.

Ros, me and Theirry in front of  The Grande Palace of Versailles.

The musical fountain at the palace.

We had lunch at this area. Thierry made us some French sandwiches, i had the ham :) Yummyyy..

I was still eating, while Ros is taking the photo and Thierry had finished his, was preparing his dessert. 

After more than 4 hours at the palace, we went to see The Eiffel Tower.

The tower was too high that it could fit in the photo from close distance.

The three of us in front of Eiffel Tower.

I didn't get to go up because we were in hurry, we had to come back to Antoine's for dinner, he was going to cook for us :).

So, after took some more pictures of the tower, we went to see Arc de Triomphe and the famous street Champs-Elysees. But i could only take photo of the arc. It was raining and we didn't bring umbrella or rain coat. But we saw many tourists were around the arc. Ros and Thierry said most of them would be Asians.

The rain was getting harder (but still nothing compares to the rain in Bogor), so we decided to come back to Antoine's apt earlier.

Antoine also invited maud, his friend who had visited Indonesia before. So, we were sharing stories about Indonesia. Antoine cooked Salmon, he said it was a simple dish, but for me it tasted very delicious. I had to try French wine and beer as well.

At about 11, Maud said good bye, then Ros and Thierry left after we made plans for the next day. That day was amazing. I met wonderful people and had an amazing new experience.