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.

Europe series - the transit KLIA

 Since days before, I was packing my backpack (well, actually it’s not mine, but Tisa’s – Thank you so much!), but never finished. The night before going on the trip, I had to sleep late at night for finishing packing. Sigghh..  Trying to be organized never work for me.

Finally, all were packed. I looked at my two bags, big one (12.9 kg) and smaller (I don’t know how much the weight is), and tried to carry them, on on the back, the smaller I carried in the front. OOohh, so heavy! Great, this is the load I will be carrying for 28 days. With the gravity theory, I will be shorter after this trip.

I left my super messy room  at the same time with Tiwi at 7.15. She’s going to Rezy’s house, while I was heading to Damri bus station. Waking up at 5.20 am, I was nervously ready for my trip, first time having long trip by myself (usually I go with Dini, Tisa or others).  I took 7.30am bus to Soekarno-Hatta airport. As usual, by the time my butt touched the flat soft surface, I fell asleep at once.

My bags and I before in the beginning.

Waking up at around 8.45, and found out that we were still at the toll road to the airport. There was bad traffic. Luckily I still had more than 2 hours before my flight to Kuala Lumpur boarded. I got to 2D terminal safe and sound and still had some times to go to the rest room and updating status J.

When I was on the plane, I couldn’t help but inspecting the passengers who some of them were still turning on their phone. Remembering Sukhoi tragedy, I was freaking out and kept praying. When will these people realize that what they are doing is very dangerous?

Thank God, the plane landed safe. I arrived at KLIA at 14.45 (Malaysian time, +1 hour of Jakarta time), then got lost when looking for the baggage claim. Apparently in KLIA, we have to go in a monorail to get to the baggage section. Ok, I got off and looking at the signs leading to the baggage claim, to find out that there were so many baggage rails. I tried to find the one with Lion air’s load, but couldn’t find it. I started to become panic. Luckily I met the family who were in the same flight from Jakarta. Phew, it was far in the H section.

Got the bag... still heavy. Contemplating what to do next, go to KL or just wait in the airport. Considering the traffic, the hustle, weather and the probability I would get lost, I decided to stay in the airport. I wanted to eat Nasi Lemak while in Malaysia, but they didn’t have it in Food Garden. So, I had my favourite food ever, Nasi goreng and telur dadar, plus the tarik.

The waiting continued, I got online, did some internet stuff with free wifi KLIA provided for 3 hours limits, was exploring the airport a bit and tried to stay away from shops.  And stuck in a food court without internet access just because I need to recharge my netbook.

It’s getting colder, and I changed to my longer pants. Hopefully it won’t be this cold in the plane. 

2 hours before the boarding time, i managed to eat nasi lemak.. yay! But it didn't taste that good since i ate it in hurry. And i forgot my tooth brush, tooth paste and my hat are in the big bag.

Tomorrow when i wake up, i'll be in another continent. Yay!

Au Revoir

Salah satu teman baikku, sahabatku, Detty, pulang ke Jogja hari ini, for good. Kami akan bisa bertemu lagi sangat lama, saat aku pulang ke Ambarawa dan aku mampir Jogja. Biasanya tiap hari kami selalu bersama, berangkat kerja, masak, makan pagi, pulang kerja juga. Tiap hari kulalui dengan dirinya.

Detty, anak yang selalu tertawa dan gila itu tidak akan tinggal serumah lagi denganku. Sedih sekali, tapi semua ini untuk kebaikan masing-masing. Dia akhirnya bisa bersama suami tercintanya, yang selama berpisah telah membuat Detty sedih dan sakit-sakitan.

Satu lagi yang kebersamaannya akan kurindukan adalah Tiwi. Dia akan menempuh hidup baru bersama seorang laki-laki (untunglah!) bernama Rezy. Tapi kami masih akan bertemu karena dia akan tinggal di Jakarta (Yes!). Tidak ada lagi kamar sebelah yang selalu bisa ditongkrongin dimana orangnya ngomel tapi kami tetap cuekin (dia sebenarnya suka kalau Detty dan aku datang ke kamar, tapi Tiwi sok jual mahal).

Memang selalu ada perpisahan dalam hidup ini. itu yang membuat kita kuat dan berharap untuk bertemu kembali. Tiba-tiba jadi ingat lagu: "What doesn't kill you make you stronger...."-nya Kelly Clarkson.

Paling tidak, masih ada Tisa yang akan tinggal lebih dekat dan akan kujadikan tempat curhat. Hmm... apa sebaiknya aku tinggal sekos sama dia, ya? Jadi kalau stres oleh pekerjaan bisa melampiaskan ke dia? Bisa merencanakan the next trips juga. Yahooo!