Tired but happy in half Myanmar

 Why I said half, as I just went to Bagan and Yangon city in limited time. But it has already represented my happiness.

Flew at 16 August 2019 to Myanmar, to Yangon a big city in Myanmar which previously was capital city, before moved to Naypyidaw. Today, I don’t know how Myanmar condition after having hard war. Brother’s war.

From Juanda Surabaya with Malaysia Airlines to KL first, arrived at KLIA1, enjoying the airport for the 1st time. Then strolling around Mitsui Outlet Park first by free shuttle bus, to see discounted apparel, but I didn’t buy anything. I thought apparel in Indonesia was also same as there and had 11-12 price. Then I had lunch soy ketchup kweitiaw then moved to KLIA2 as the second flight was departed from there. Then continuing AA to Yangon. Delay for some hours, arrived at almost midnight. Picked up my my friend. She worked there as Civil Indonesian teacher in Indonesia embassy.

17 august morning we attended Indonesian Independent day celebration at Indonesia embassy. I was wearing batiks there I was really happy to celebrate our Independence day in overseas. 

Anyway Yangon got freedom from British at 1948 therefore the city was grown up a bit fast even though we were still experiencing an old school style of people and buildings. After that we went to Rangoon tea house, eating Mohingar, traditional food almost same as soto, walk around, passed Sule Pagoda, the biggest pagoda in Yangoon,  then shopping to Bogyoke  Aung San Market then at 5 pm I went to Aung Mingalar bus station to go to Bagan by bus. JJ express. 19 usd/way. Stop by at KFC, tried mash potatoes, which was not available at Indonesia KFC.

 

Arrived 6 am in Bagan, around 9 hours, then take a rest for 2 hours in Innwa Motel. Lucky that no visitor in one room so I can sleep alone, as this is small motel, backpack style, price was counted by one bed instead of room. Eating black and white sticky rice then going to reach some temples by electric bike till evening, again it was my first time driving electric bike. I had to aware for batteries capacity, avoided battery used up in streets. 

Tired, as I had to get back to Yangon again by bus at night. Only a day return. I slept totally at bus. 

Bagan one of district which has a lot of beautiful temples that worth it to be visited.

Old Bagan was full of temples. This was I have ever visited:

1. Tha Kya Pom

2. Shwezigon Pagoda. Noticed that Shwe means gold, was built to enshrine one of the four replicas of the Buddha tooth in Kandy SriLangka.

3. Ananda temple. The best part is the tower. 

4. Shwegu Gyi Phaya, couldn’t climb till top. It was forbidden as the building is not tough anymore. Can ruin anytime.

5. A Lo Taw Pyae

6. Mya Zedi Pagoda

7. Bupaya temple in front of Irawadi River

8. Hti Lo Min Lo Pagoda

9. Mahabodhi temple

 

Morning has come, stopped at Aung Mingalar bus station again, having a hot tea for refreshed my body. Talked using google translate to ask tea for 300 kyat, at that time 3000 rupiahs. Cheap, right? 

 

I took taxi to go to Airport then flying to KL by Malaysia Airlines. Funny habit/local culture is tanaka, wet powder was used by local people, put at their faces, man and woman, like little kids in Indonesia use that put by their mom. I saw much in airport,  and sarong also was wore by man there. In Indonesia we often saw at village or when man went to pray at mosques.

 

Arrived KL at evening, one night stay at hotel, A very small room. It was fine for staying for sleeping only. After struggling to wake up very early, checked out at Tune Aeropolis at 4, backpacker hotel around airport belongs to AA airlines, having free shuttle bus to KLIA2 for free instead of paying taxi for Myr 42, a bit back and forth as I didn’t familiar to find location, morning exercise, took 15 minutes on bus, arriving to check in at 5, waiting in queue for about 20 minutes, then going to immigration for 10 minutes, and finally to waiting room to wait to fly. Arrived noon then went to office to work. Directly from overseas. I was so loyal, weren’t I? It was ok. As I had much work to do. As long as I could work without disturbing my health I was fine.

Mall to Mall in paradise market of Bangkok

 ASEAN JOURNEY

 

 

I should write in 2019, as I visited some countries in ASEANexcept Laos and Brunai Darussalam, but I was suddenly not in the mood to write at that time. I was busy in my IG. What a very late story but I feel I have to write it, with whatever memories in my head. Someday I will keep in mind I have ever been there.

BANGKOK

4th was Bangkok, from Siam Reap. Arrived late night. We ordered pick up transportation from hotel, we stay at Bangkok Loft Inn, great hotel according to tripadvisor. A bit expensive rate but we were lucky to have a promo thus we got some discount. This was our 2nd time after a year ago. We should go to Laos, unfortunately the air fare was expensive and the flight schedules was not meet our itinerary. Maybe next time. Still have much time.

In the morning we went to the tallest building King Power Mahanakhon with their glass walking. 74fl. 

Then to mall till night. My friends wanted to buy some gifts to family. Platinum, Pratunam, Greyson Mall, Big C, Central World. Mall to mall. A bit bored for me but I also had no idea to go where thus I had just followed. At least I bought some souvenirs from Naraya store, famous local brand in Bangkok. Not bad. 

At the next  morning we went to fruit local market, Clean traditional market Tor Kor Market at Kamphaengphet road. Some big fruits and vegetables were displayed there. Then we Lunch at Krua Khun Yay Sathorn, moslem restaurant close to a mosque which my friend was able to pray first. Fried rice Thb50. After that we were back to mall, bought some souvenirs and gift again, besides my friend was curious to buy a branded bag but at the end she canceled and thought it wasn’t wasting money hahahah.  It was really tired in bak and forth around mall. Well maybe the best theme for Bangkok this time was mall to mall

Next day came to be back to reality. Woke up in the morning, hotel wrapped the breakfast for us and we were to go home. Took Airasia again, Stop by at KualaLumpur at KLIA2 , eating asam laksa, first time for me for cost rmy5.90. Delicious, I thought so. 

Ah thank you Bangkok for ending my happiness travelling. See u next time with another itinerary and maybe another travel mate!

Tom Rider of Siam Reap

 SIAM REAP

 

3rd was Siam Reap, at 7 June 2022, in continuing my travelling for Manila, story of 2019, we arrived late around 9 pm. Tuk-tuk who picked us had already stand up. . It was raining. We couldn’t see outside, all covered by some fabric around tuk-tuk. Street was still and dark. A bit afraid as we were just two women which was never gone there. God always with us, we arrived hotel safely.  The tuk-tuk guy was polite and kind. One friend already waited us at hotel to join in next 2 days journey. 

Woke up earlier to catch sunrise at Angkor wat, took by tuk2. We had ordered tuk-tuk some time ago, referenced from Facebook from people which had used them lately. Actually the hotel had prepared tuk-tuk to be ordered, sorry, we didn’t know. 

Arrived Angkor Wat was a magical experience for me. It was really beyond my imagination. Amazed chuckling back and forth when seeing the Angkor itself. So many pictures were made there. The tuk-tuk driver was also as guide helped us to take some pictures and explained the story behind. There were another wats we visited. Wats complex was in outside city. It was so green and cool as so many trees and one lake. We felt sleepy while passing the areas from one wat to another wat as wind touched our body smoothly. There were, perhaps, 10 wats but we just visited the big and popular wat only. Bayon was  a Thousand Faces temple, we could see big faces of Buddha,  and Angkor Thom was a temples with big root of trees surrounding. Noticed actress Angelina Jolie had ever been movie shotting there, the well known Tom Raider.

 

Had lunch At evening in Halal restaurant. Muslim Family Kitchen. I chosed Laklak chicken rice and sauté broccoli. 

At evening we went shopping close to Pub Street by online tuktuk. I meant we ordered via online. Then stopped by at HRC and had some dinner. After that we went to Pub street, This is a short street, perhaps just 60-80 metres in length, yet lined with bars offering up cheap draught beer and cocktails, music, karaoke and hangout spots. Red Piano, Something liked Kuta, Seminyak at night I guess. I didn’t really comfortable as I went there with the “polite and religious’ friends, LOL then took a rest. 

 

Next morning we went to TonLeSap lake, 12 km from city, proclaimed as a 2nd biggest lake in Asia.The largest fresh water lake in south east asia. This lake has length 250km, width 100km, depth 10 mtr. It connect to Mekong river, the largest river in South East Asia. Started with boat to reach floating village in the middle of the lake, in the very hot weather. Stop at Pnom Krom drink stall, with water lily/lotus  garden. Tried hammock at the first time of my life. Huffy. Had lunch in Kirin Marry Angkor Villa eating Kuew Youw soup, I might say it looked like soto ayam (chicken soup at Indonesia) for about usd2.5. It was really fulfill our tiredness. Three of us. 

In the evening we flew by Airasia to Bangkok. Just 2 of us as my another friend still spent time for a nite. 

City of Catholic people

 ASEAN JOURNEY

 

 

I should write in 2019, as I visited some countries in south east asia except for Laos and Brunai Darussalam, but I was suddenly not in the mood to write at that time. I was busy in my IG. What a very late story but I feel I have to write it, with whatever memories in my head. Someday I will keep in mind I have ever been there.

MANILA

2nd route was Manila. Flew from Changi at midnight. then arrived in the very early morning at 6 June 2022 by Cebu Airlines. It was very heavy weather. Hard rain made the plane was up and down. Turbulence I thought. My friend confessed she was very scare and kept praying at that time. Long queue at immigration section. No idea why. It was different comparing with Singapore style. Finished around 9 in the morning. With sleepy eyes and heavy head feeling, and bit long waiting for pick up car, finally we arrived Aloha hotel, old building feeling but it was not vintage style. In a glance enjoying Manila city while in car towards hotel, which was same as my hometown Surabaya, messy. Typical of big city of development country. Bright atmosphere.The good day. Cars were run in right line was new sight for me, as I got used to see left line. 

After some rest, we prepared ourselves to go to Old City Intramuros. This site was designated a National Historical Landmark in 1951.

We went by online car. Grab apps could be used there. It was very hot when arrived site since we were going at 11 am. Sun shone very bright. Moving around with pedicab, trycicle public transportation. Driver is drive next to us instead of back from us. Chosed some package of how many sites we wanted to go including the fare, negotiated with the pedicab, and some spot we visited were:

1. Baluartillo de San Fransisco Javier

2. Fort Santiago

3. Philip II king of Spain monument

4. Puerta and Revellin del Parlian

5. The Manila Cathedral, enjoying ice cream 30 php.

6. Palacio de Goberdanor.

It was about fort, bridge, church, museum, old building. We felt being jumped to Spain 400 years ago. In Indonesia I will compare with building at Old City Jakarta and Semarang. It is almost have same meaning and story. After finished visiting we went to have lunch at KFC close there as we were extremely hungry while going to mall was still far and took some time again.  chicken sisig bowl and rice for php 124 including tea drink. I read at Wikipedia that sisig was liver, thus chicken sisigwould be mixed of chopped meat and liver of chicken.

Enough with old building we continued our journey to new building, the biggest mall in Manila till evening. Mall of Asia, at SM Mall, by taxi instead of jeepney, the traditional public transportation. As we had no gut to try it.Didn’t know the route either. Bought some souvenir at souvenir store there. We often seeing some armies with long gun. Checked Wikipedia again, it seemed an criminal increased there. 

Unfortunately I got very headache, couldn’t enjoy all out, maybe I was too tired, lack of sleep and got hot sunshine, hot potato haha, and ended the night with some rest at hotel and eating Jolybee take away dinner, a kind of local fried chicken restaurant but famous there. It cost 98 php.

The next morning was back to same mall, this mall had a big area, we had to finish another building, but in back side was a beach. Seaside Boullevard Moa Pasay City. With coconut trees along the beach. Then went to HRC bought t-shirt as  I was a collector. Talking about HRC store I checked this store at Makati and announced close. I was so sad, luckily I saw teh banner of HRC at this area. Thanks God. Well, ended this noon we walked to mall again to buy some food to be brought to plane. I also bought Kenny Rogers Roaster salad at airport, NAIA airport terminal 3. At evening we flew to Siam Reap. I forgot with what flight, whether Cebu Airlines or Airasia. Bye Manila, thank you for your hospitality 

Singapore again at 5th times

 ASEAN JOURNEY

 

 

I should write in 2019, as I visited some countries in south east asia except Laos and Brunai Darussalam, but I was suddenly not in the mood to write at that time. I was busy in my IG. What a very late story but I feel I have to write it, with whatever memories in my head. Someday I will keep in mind I have ever been there.

SINGAPORE

Fly at Tuesday 4 June to Singapore by Airasia, even though my holiday was started 2 days before, but I gave time to my friend who celebrated Eid Al Fitr first to meet her family some days before the Holy day.

 

Arrived Singapore around noon, took a taxi to go to hotel 88 at Geylang. Why taxi? As we brought big suitcases since we would go for a week to some countries, it was really distressed if we went by public transportation. 

After check in, we went out and had a lunch-noon almost to evening- first. Mushroom prata, flad bread, curry sauce was my choose at Mufiz restaurant at Geylang, 50 mtr from AljunedMRT. 

 

Stomach was full, mind was happy, thus we were going to Marina Bay Sands. The mainstream destination, because mostly people would choose to go there first. This was my 4th visited there. Saying hello to merlion in advance before started to fulfill the itinerary visiting bridge. We found Helix Bridge and Fullerton Bridge close to Fullerton Hotel, atomix bridge and jubilee bridge.

 

Next morning, 5 June we went to Botanical Garden by MRT, it was a big garden but we didn’t walked whole day around the place, just went to some catchy parts to take some photos. Time was limited, also we weren’t a kind of female athlete which were able to have long distance walk. 

 

Continued the plan to Masjid Sultan to see fanfare of Eid Al fitr, then walked to Haji Lane, instagramable alleyway, cafes, mural and some clothing stores there,  then shopping at Orchard. Not me actually, my friend was. I had no plan to shop. Expensive goods was not included in my budget, beside some things were same as in Indonesia, already available in my country,  just buying small key rings and refrigerator magnet, then sat down enjoying snacks and light drinks. 

 

Close to evening, we decided to dinner at Tang mall, small plate of Penang Char Quey Taw for sgd 5. Off course, enjoying the ambience for a while, then buying some bread as our food stock while on the way to be back to hotel. Well, we had to pack again. We were going to check out and move to another country. Yuhuuu. After sleeping for an hour, we were ready to check out. Took a taxi, unfortunately the driver brought the car a bit reckless. I felt dizzy. Huft.

 

Arrived Changi, we faced new technology when we had to scan the ticket, passport and to immigration line. But we met some troubles how to execute, but some officers had already been ready to help the passenger including us. Well, at the end we didn’t get stamp of Singapore departure in our passport. Should we sad or not?

Solo travelling to MELAKA, awesome!

 ASEAN JOURNEY

 

 

I should write in 2019, as I visited some countries in ASEANexcept Laos and Brunai Darussalam, but I was suddenly not in the mood to write at that time. I was busy in my IG. What a very late story but I feel I have to write it, with whatever memories in my head. Someday I will keep in mind I have ever been there.

 

MALAKA

 

Flew in February 14 to KL in the very early morning. First flight with AA. Arrived KLIA2, airport looked lively with combination decoration of Valentine Day and Chinese Lunar day, pink vs red. After short walked inside, then I took a bus to Malaka city. Yup I didn’t go to KL as I have already been there when I watched car race at Sepang a year ago. 

 

Stopped at Malaka bus station then had a lunch first, many restaurant with cheap price. The terminal area was clean. Then catched next bus to the city. It was different bus. 

Walked to fame sites before check in hotel. Off course I walked with my big bag pack in my shoulder. I got lost. First plan was check in, but it ended with walked around. Lost in finding hotel brought me a bless. I could see another part of city besides the famous places. The stores, Banks, Hotels, markets, red brick church.

 

After finishing the visit, thanks God I finally found my hotel. My mistakes as I didn’t use maps on my phone as I didn’t turn on my internet. I didn’t apply. I broke at that time LOL but I insisted to go with limited money. How brave I was at that time.I didn’t worry to not have enough money if something happened to me. Don’t repeat that silly decision.

 

Rested for a while, restore energy. It was evening. I was hungry too. Walked along the river, tried local menu Hainan rice, famous culinary, took some pictures also. Actually I wanted to buy HRC t-shirt but as I said previously I didn’t have money, I had to skip it “cry”. Anyway, I was back to hotel after I felt tired and sore legs and slept tight like a baby.

 

In the morning walked again to visit some sites. Tried cendolice. Then got back to hotel and went with old taxi to bus station to be back to KLIA. Didn’t go with bus, the cheapest fare because time was limited to wait the bus passed. From bus station to KLIA2 by bus again. Enjoy the ride, seeing the scenery of way from Malaka to KL. Finally I Went home by AA to at late night, and arrived home safely with sleepy eyes and feeling fly haha.

SALAD oh SALAD

 

Well, I love to take a picture of my salad today or yesterday or some days ago because I want to get some ideas to make my own. It is a kind of motivation to see the look a.k.a appearance instead of only reading some recipes.

Anyway this is simply Caesar, see the plate full of lettuce, boiled egg, chicken cutting and dry bread with sesame dressing as an excuse as it should be mayonnaise. The look is so tasty, isn't it?

To be honest I must reduce my habits to consume frying food too much but they obviously tease me. At the end age is not the number anymore in relation with health. We have to realize that we are entering "beware phase", the era of picky in consuming food, must consider what is goos or forbidden or able to in small portion.

Eating salad now is a must. But, to be honest price of salad is expensive for my "pocket", around 50 box up. Thus I usually buy in the early month when I have just received my salary and I am still feeling rich. After that I must make it by myself some simply salad to reduce the cost. Off course the looks and taste sometimes lower than expectation of buying in restaurant LOL. Make a broccoli or pakcoy stir fry is a cheap option, only with olive oil, garlic and pink sea salt.

#disclaimer: As I am a bit lazy to think what kind of word I have to write at this moment, I have just copied my thought in IG :-) and add some words.