All is in short time!

Wedding day is a special day for whom celebrate it. This time was my cousin turn. He is the son of my uncle at Depok. Special date with special number 9.10.11 was a great day for him. So, here I was, went to Jakarta again. It was the 3rd times for this year.

I also went to short vacation to Bandung. Too short I think! This time was a bit mess, since my close friend suddenly came to Jakarta thus I need to change a plan again. I could not stay longer in Bandung. I had to spend some hours to meet him before joining a crowd of party. Here was a story.

Went by train at Thursday morning to Bandung. Spent all day by reading a book of Indra Herlambang, seeing scenery outside, also talking with ladies beside me. Arrived Bandung at 7 evening, picked up by Ri, my best friend and her husband, then eating batagor, went to Lembang for a while and spending a night cheat chatting. Friday morning, I went to Jakarta by travel, lucky I did not meet traffic jam, staying at Dina's home for a while at Lebak Bulus just to say hallo, but the truth was she offered me to use her car since she had driver who can bring me to do small walking time, go around Jakarta or took me to Depok, then at noon I went to Pelangi to meet him. Nice to see after 17 years. Time was not enough, still want to talk and talk, but I had to go to Depok. Maybe next time yaaaa....

Party was started at church first for wedding mass. I was at my uncle car, followed the bride. After that, we went to the party place. It was nice and unforgetable moment since I could meet another relatives again, which I have not met before when I was going to Jakarta last time, also met relatives when I was a kid I think. Thanks to my auntie who had concern to bring me to meet all big families. Being busy for meeting and greeting made me headache then migrain at last since I could not enjoy eating well, even the food was marvelous. At least I could eat klapertaart and salad, already shot them to taste it before it went to everybody stomach. Arriving bed and sleeping finally, after all bussiness was over. Very tired.

Lucky I had 2 days on leave, thus at the last day in Jakarta I could take enough rest then my uncle took me to airport at noon to be back to home again. Thanks Jakarta and around, to let me come again. It was wonderful experience I ever had. Short holiday in Bandung, short time in Dina's home, short time in meeting him, short chance in eating party food....

Mall to mall, relatives to relatives....

Who ask you to come Jakarta? (Sapa suru datang Jakarta?) the word is sound familiar for me but I do not know exactly what does mean? Maybe it is for people who comes to Jakarta to find better work but at the end they suffered a lot.

I came there not to find a job but to meet my relatives after off for almost 7 years. After coming on July, I came again at September at Idul Fitri holiday for a week. It was wonderful time. Went by plane, met my best friend, my elementary school friend. Having dinner with her then she and her family took me to Depok to our cousin house, her father is my mom brother.

Went to mall at the 1st day, then visiting our family, my mom big sister, at Serpong. The 2nd day, went to visit our grandma at hospital which was our grandpa little sister, which was passed away some week later, then visit family at Tawakal which was my grandma little brother.

The 3rd day, I went with my cousin Tis, to Somerset apartment to meet my aunty and my cousin, which was my father sister. We went a while to Sency to have lunch. It was great experience at 1st day of Idul Fitri, tried AC economical train which actually was full of people. OMG. Could not feel the cold of aircon. But when we went home at late night, the train was not full, we could sit and felt the aircon. Very contrary sitution with previous experience.

The 2nd day of Idul Fitri a.k.a the 4th day I was in Jakarta, I went with my cousin again to another mall in Jakarta, Sarinah building, Plaza FX, Grand Indonesia, Plaza Indonesia, bought HRC tshirt, meal and off course, took a picture.

5th day was the last day in Depok, before leaving it, I went to Depok Town Square, tried using ojek :) then I was taken to Serpong to stay there till Sunday. At evening, my cousins and my nieces took me to mall in Serpong. I forgot the name. At the 6th day, Saturday, we went to Pondok Indah Mall, stop by at relatives at Pondok Indah, SMS mall and Liwo mall. Tired but happy. the 7th day was the last day in Jakarta. Finally I went home by airplane again.

Nice journey!

OF OUT...aka office outing

Ooops...I kept this story for almost a year, it was held in March actually.

Great. That was the word I could say for that program. Simple but it left some story behind, unforgetable memory. I am not too much talking, it comes deeply from my heart. Thanks to people who made it happened. Nothing is perfect but I appreciate your effort guys...

I attended gathering of my office at Royal Trawas cottage. It is held on Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. We were picked at our home up one by one. Each car brought 6 to 8 persons from each places to Trawas. We got snack and welcome drink as representing of lunch box. Arrived there, affter receiving office red t-shirt and information of program and room number for staying a night, we came into 1st session called coffee break. Fried lumpia, toast banana and hot coffee or tea also chit chating and took a picture were what we were doing. I also walked around the area, found so many villas covering by great scenery and cool air.

At 6 pm, dinner time, even my stomach was still full of afternoon food, but I had to eat. After that we had some games for about 1.5 hours,my group win!, then ended with late coffee break. Is it coffee break? I dont think so as we ate again. Supper I think. Chicken roasted with peanuts sausage a.k.a sate ayam, some boiled peanuts as snack, tea, cofee, also beer...OMG. Then joining the group of friends, singing, dancing, all together, very funny and cheerful.
Session was closed by singing "Kemesraan" at 11 pm.

I was not directly going to sleep. Some friends were still hungry and wanted to go outside. So, cC,me,chris,sisca,arya, went to Tretes by car, it was about 10 minutes, buying roasted corn, cheat chating, drank hot tea, hot ginger, watching people came around back and forth. Then after we felt tired and sleepy, we were back to hotel and fell asleep fastly. Thanks God.



6 in the morning, late to follow group to go jogging but finally we can join them. Healed the fresh air. Then enjoying morning, had a breakfast then continuing small exercise and fun by swimming for ladies while the guys were playing futsal. The last was gathering together again, enjoying lunch and receiving doorprize, but I didnt get it, poor me, then....going home. Goodbye office!

Lourdes or Triumph monument?

Another short journey that left in mid 2011 I guess, geee...it was a long time ago made me forgot the date was. Forgot to put into nice story, sorry!
Came to Pohsarang church complex again, for the 4th time. 1st time was about 15 years ago when new Maria cave was being built.Why I said new? it is because they built new to accompany the old cave. The new cave was inspired by Lourdes Maria cave in Lourdes France. They added statue which is bigger and taller for about 4 metres.
Anyway, at the 1st time I went with my friends from my old lodging house. Then 2nd time I went with my workmate to attend the mass there in Xmas time 11 years ago. The 3rd time was with my daddy 9 years ago.

Sacred place Pohsarang who located right at the slope of mount Wilis, at Pohsarang Village, Semen, 10 km west of Kediri, East Java. They have old church, which was built from river stone and red bricks. It is built by H. Mclaine Pont in the 1930's, was welcomed by the unique church, with church bells and all catholic stuff, including statues. Besides the big Maria statue, this place also offers 14 stoppage of big statues that draw Jesus story before He was sacrified and also some small lovely place for praying.

Well, not much change inside actually but the additional of holy things stores close to the place makes me feel inconvenient. Lucky, I went there on working day thus it was still and calm. Not much visitors thus I could pray and sight seeing and took a picture freely.

before leaving Kediri, who famous with its yellow thick tofu and number 1 or 2 (?) big cigarette factory, I went to Monumen L’Arch de Triomphe. Dont be surprised to get another replica besides Lourdes. It adopts France monument. Actually the name is Simpang Lima Gumul monument. This new Icon states in Tugurejo village, Ngasem, in intersection of Wates,Gurah, Pare and city. It was built on 2003. But I did not understand the reason for buiding this. I should check the history, it might be somewhere stating in building but I forgot to check it.

Since we were not familiar with this place, we needed to pass this intersection many times to find the gate. It became a wierd situation for anybody who saw us. Actually the gate was cross this monument, Thus we could go to monument through underground way, pass the street then come up in the middle of monument. Good idea. It was very nice to take a picture on it even only with pocket camera. Many people were there, same with us, they were taking a picture too.

when I lost

Am impressed, very impressed. After getting through hard situation, in my perspective, someone opened my thought about life. God is working, and always working on our life and we seldom to realize His plan until it is happened.

When I lost, and do not want to accept anything to avoid having lost again, God is disagreed. He gave me unfinished bussiness which need to be settled now. After 17 years, finally I had to know someone's feeling over me. Surprisingly. Lost contact then connecting again.

When I lost, actually I am not really left by someone. That person is still coming around me, trying very hard to fix the situation which was thought as fault, even it was not. It was God's plan and we have to face it. I am really thankful for the effort. God bless u my friend.

When I lost, I believe God decision to build me stronger in facing reality, no matter how hard it is. Even I can not fulfill my aim for future perfectly, my life is running a bit flat but I am enjoying it so far. Could go abroad, could go to east Indonesia, could have much best friend with their unique own style, could go travelling until remote area around Java, could get experience in various job desc.

When I lost, because of lack of caring, passion of parents, finally I have to proud of myself not to be naughty and stupid girl. I had good value in school education from kindergarten to college, I did not make my parents were angry over me.

For some people, maybe it is just a common experience, but for me it is great! Thank you God for your care about me forever...

Uceng n BNS for the 1st time

This journey was happened about a month ago, at the early of July. It was such a lovely journey even it was only at short time.
1st round was Serang beach, Panggungrejo, Blitar, about 40km from city. It was not that far actually, but the road was curve like a snake. Be ready where you do not in fit condition, you will feel queasy. It located on south of Java thus it had big wave n dangerous to swim there. This beach had black sand.

Too bad we started to go when sun already been shined long at her place, thus we arrived beach when it was really noon. Very hot. I had to wear sunglasses and use sunblock to protect my skin not to get dark.
I just realized that I ever went to this place for about 10 years ago, but off course I already forgot the situation before. I just noticed when I saw my old picture when I went there with my collegemates.

2nd round was BNS, Batu Night Spectacular, amusement park, playing ground in Batu, Malang. It left bad memory for me as I could not enjoy the place. It was very crowded, perhaps of school holiday and weekend, and the games were simple.



Please, do not compare it with Dufan Jakarta or even Universal Studio Singapore, it was very far away. But, for people who never know Jakarta or overseas, this play ground was helpful indeed. By paying 15,000 rupiahs, cheap! you can come in and play inside. You may see bombom car, mirror house, devil house, merry go round, sky on ice (fake ice, apparently), and some more. I had no idea what was that since I did not go round to know all.

At least I ever went there, just to add my knowledge about famous place in East Java, so I can tell to anyone who need some info, even only brief info.


But, I liked the culinaire experience when we went to Soto Ayam Lombok at Malang at midnight. How cool it was, eating under supper time. The hot liquid sauce was almost black, added chicken cutting and some vegetables and rice.
Also, we stopped by at a small restaurant which sold special local food of Blitar which was called UCENG, small wader fish, fish from river. It was fried very dry like a chip.

More than that, I actually enjoyed going with friends (four of us, all are in different office now) from my old office which is we seldom do that before, I mean we can count on how often we go out of town together. Usually we gather for some dinner together in town. Laughing, smilling, sharing, taking picture and gaining experience and being togetherness. Very nice.

Jakarta I am coming

Asked permission to leave 1.5hours before office hours stopped, went rush to airport, picked up by friend and took there, even though, the real is I was too early to come there. 4 hours later. Still, the problem is my friend suddenly had some bussiness thus he could not take me on time. I already put my bag on his car the day before to avoid bringing too much bags to office.

Never mind, show must go on. Stepped on my foot to AW first, having early dinner, if I can say that as the actual dinner is still 2 hours later. Then after checking in on counter I went to waiting room, busy to open fb, twitter, sms n bbm to kill time because I did not bring some books to be read.

Clock needle stop at 8, announcer came and asked to be ready to come inside plane. Sit at 9 row but I did wrong, sit on wrong seat number, hiks... Enjoyed the flight for about 75 minutes then plane arrived Jakarta. Waiting for about 15 minutes, my friends picked me up by car then run split the way to Lebak Bulus. I thought it will be run smoothly as it was already been almost midnight. It should not much cars around the way but the traffic was still a bit jam. Welcome to Jakarta....

1st day morning, went to church first by car with my friend. We woke up late as we slept very late last night. No time for breakfast, only drank a cup of hot milk. Welcome again to traffic jam from Lebak Bulus to Bekasi. It was about an hour on Saturday morning. After attending the wedding mass, we went to party building, same city,Bekasi but in the different area, on the contrary. Again, we faced the traffic jam. Need almost 2 hours, OMG.

Arrived party on hungry condition. Be hurry in eating. Huh...finally we could fulfill our dancing stomatch, Lucky I did not get headache like I used to be when I was late in eating. Thanks God. Maybe, because I came to a happy moment of my friend wedding, I became happy too. The sad thing is I lost some delicious food thus this lunch just for raising an energy after stressing of jam. Finish eating, short conversation wz old friends, then took a picture wz a brides, then went home. Not took a long time. Party was held on big building, new building, special for Batak etnic meeting. There was a local Batak customs and traditions. Due I was late, I could not see the ceremony. I also could not see the local food of the said etnic, but I heard there was a pig and dog meat on food, hmmm...like Manadonese customs.

Anyway, after party, we went to Cikarang to see my friend's new house. Bought some bread to be eaten at car. The street is not really hectic like before even though it was closed to Saturday Night weekend. Then, while my friend cleaned their house, we ate some rujak (fruit slices with red sugar liquid sauce). Nice and yummy to decorate our hectic day. After that, we were back to Lebak Bulus, but again, we stopped by at Tahu Kupat Magelang restaurant to enjoy a meal again, in between lunch and dinner, which should be tea time but it was heavy meal. Tahu Kupat is local food from central Java, from city called Magelang. It consisted of kupat (rice steamed on leave), fried tofu, omelete, rice noodle, fried seasoning flour, sprout, onion leave, poured by red sugar liquid and adding shrimp chips. So, delicious....

Evening was coming, we went to supermarket for a while, I accompanied my friends to buy their daily needs. After that we had dinner, nasi uduk. This was Jakarta local food. It was a rice who was steamed with santan (milk squezeed from coconut) and adding fried chicken, meat, tofu n tempe (fermented soybean cake). Nice. Made by my friend nanny. Next program was watching pictures of my friend last wedding but it was ended dissapointed as the player was bad. Hmm...better to go sleep then. See you guys...

Woke up in the morning, it was a bit fresh. Cancelled to go swimming as we woke up late, not in really early morning. Too tired I guessed, coz of yesterday full actitivy. Never mind. My plan was to see my old college friends. It was 15 years ago. We went to TMII then finally I met her there. We were extremely happy even we only had short time to talk. I had to catch flight. You know, Jakarta was well known of the traffic jammed. Better arriving earlier than late. My friends dropped me at BlokM then I took bus to airport. I ate lunch at bus, I bought fried rice first as it was already lunch time. Arrived airport successfully. I think I was late eating, I got migrain.

Arrived my hometown with migrain at evening. Very pain. Thus I stopped by at a fastfood resto to eat and drank pain killer first, then took a bus to Bungurasih then changing taxi to my home. It was cheap instead of directing by taxi to home. For sure, directing was fast as I did not need to wait for bus was full of passangers, and no need to find taxi again. But, as long as I was not in hurry, why not? I could save half cost...

Update and update

I am a person who likes telling everything by writing down on paper last time, I had a diary. But now I already burnt it together with memories inside because I do not want everybody read it. It was my secret, as I can write what I am thinking of, my opinion, my sadness, my happiness, my experience and so on. As secret I have to keep it not to fall into open public.

After that I seldom write anything and it is running very long until the social network called facebook comes. Ahaaa, I have a media to share my tought and everything and being read by friends who become my list. But lately, I found some wierd attention among friends in responding my words, my subjective thought, thus I became very careful on writing and automatically it decreases my habit to write down there. Besides, lately some friends who are a good customer in responding my words seldom comment either. Another reason is why I seldom update from FB? coz everybody will know what I have done all the time and can build different images that I do not expect... So?

When I have new gadget, I start to write on twitter very often. I have already done it via computer anyway. I can write some words only, no need too long as I do in Facebook. Note, I write long words in FB as my style and I keep it till now. I like to update status from my T coz it is simple but I often get dissapointed while the connection is down thus I have to rewrite and makes me lost of mood to do it even though there are much ideas can be shared.

I like to write under my short knowledge of everything. I have a blog to write even not much stories there as I do based on my good mood. Last time I often wrote something and sent to news and got small reward but now I never do that. No time? Not in the mood? Both I think...

Shijack?esmasuk?selat Solo?

The day was coming. Wedding day of my best friend in Solo, central Java. She invited me and some friends. We had to go. I liked it. I already imagined and had short plan about what we should do there. Travelling? of course. But, plan was plan. Closed to the day, one of friend could not stay overnight. Thus, plan was changed. By car, we went on very early morning, still accompanied by misty road on the way long there, to catch wedding mass at church then went back home after that. Again, plan was not fulfilled. We were late arriving Solo due traffic jam and a minute stop to have breakfast. Nasi pecel. It was still same product with my hometown dish. No need to tell you. Still contain of vegetables, rice, liquid peanuts sausage and soybean chip.

First arrival, went to Alun-alun (big hall of Surakarta kingdom), then went to Pasar Klewer just in a glance to see batiks. But I was not interested in as they sell also modern clothes too. I prefer to Bringharjo Yogya, more completed. Then, we stopped by at Surakarta kraton (Kingdom palace). I did not like it either. It was not really good. Dirty, dark, sounds no life there. How can we support hospitality aim in Indonesia? Keraton Surakarta as one of the stronghold of Javanese culture place is opened daily, actually, to be adored by visitors. They can visit museum, art gallery where some precious collections were exhibited such as dagger (keris), masks, leather puppets, batiks fabric.

Well, it was enough to feel sorry about our culture and history place. Lets go eating. Then, we went to have lunch at Esmasuk restaurant. Traditional food, javanese, Solo taste of course. We got the information from internet and recomendation from some friends.

Selat Solo was we ordered first, actually it was one of the more famous dishes. Selat Solo was basically an Indonesia-nized version of beef steak.
It actually looked more like stew than a steak. Indonesia was colonized by the Dutch for more than three centuries so this was one of those dishes that is a hybrid of Dutch and Indonesian cuisine. It consisted of beef steak, potatoes, green bean, baby carrot, "sosis solo", sweet soy sauce, and some sour ketchup, mixed. This restaurant offered 2 menus. Selat Solo original and galantine. It looked like beef wrapped by egg omellete.

Second food was timlo solo. This food tasted like soup, not chicken soup flavour but javanese soup. It consists of flour noodle slices, mushrooms, carrots, snow peas, inocarpus blossoms / Javanese sausage and finaly splash with warm sauce which allows to be a very delicious food to be tasted.

We also tried to eat the traditional snack called sosis solo. The shape was like a sausage but it was mixed by egg,vegetables,spices,egg, potato, carrot, oil, salt, young bamboo then wrapped by lumpia skin sheet. To end this noon before taking a rest we drank fruit ice, even the fruits was not complete, not assorted and not much but we thought it was enough to end our lunch.


The Noon run to evening then night. It was time to leave this city after attending the Javanese wedding party at Dana Hotel which placed in main road of this capital of Central Java. Some traditional dancing, traditional ceremony, traditional music and food were represented there. It was completely great. I got new experience on how Solo traditional wedding party was held. We were enjoying. Met and greeted with old friends, also took some pictures to memorize ours.


Before leaving, we stopped by at ShiJack, fresh milk restaurant at sidewalk.


It was recommended by friend.It was very famous. It was not worth it to go Solo if we did not go there. You might be agree with me. Thanks to friend who took us there. As I never know this place from web? Is it? Had some small snack and drank big glass of ginger fresh milk, after choosing the funny menus that stated on their banner. Well, it was enjoyable for Saturday night. stomach was full, energy was fulfilled, it was time to be back home.

Finally, arrived hometown was welcomed by sun rise at the east.Thanks Solo, we will be back again soon, who's next wedding party? Wondering... Even this story was happened a month ago but I am still remember my short experience.

Green and green for a while

I am looking for green and fresh outside. After getting bored with hectic of city, when time is coming, I am going out with friends. Thanks to orchid, green grass, trees, wind, air, car, driver to take me out for a while. One day is enough to reenergize my body and soul.

Just going around the hill, eating traditional lunch, tempe penyet, sayur asem, avocado juice and water, breath fresh air. Smell fresh flower, cool air and rice field.

Passed flat road with good asphalt and seeing trees on right and left.

Feelin' the nature house, construction from trees. When I was there, rain dropped very hard then it less a bit to be spitting rain, leaving a mud and water..really nature. fresh for me.

Great journey

It was very cold n spitting rain on 4 March when I stepped out of the ORD airport. Lucky, I entered the airport taxi very soon so I didnt get freezy. 1st impression of this city was ordinary city with casual building. Dark, brown square buidlings. It was not glamour, no traffic jammed, no hectic, no rush.

After some taking pictures close to Comfort Suites hotel and along North Michigan street, we were going to our booth at McCormick building to prepare some products to be displayed for these 3 days. We also did store visit on some of our customers. I have experienced using taxi, train and shuttle bus which I never done before. I have experienced in eating mexican food, chinese food, japanese and American foods.

I like mexican foods. Mixed of rice, red beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and mayonaise. Yummy.
I got bored on American foods as so much bread and bread, but I like omelette, smoked ham and sausages. Also bananas, apples and yoghurts. Still, I bought mcdonalds, even I can find it in Indonesia. Same! But no chilly sauce. Chinese food has big portion. I always shared with my friends. Japanese foods, I did not really like it but I had to eat in flight since I was very hungry and thanks God I could eat it. Even though I was kind of person who was not easy to eat strange food and vegetables.

Chicago had strange season. It should come to autumn but I could still feel winter. Sun shone a bit, Stingy to show her gold color. Besides hard rain and hard cold wind, it was also snow. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. I could feel snow and grab it. Yuppiiiii....I always wore many layers inside before ending it with winter jacket. Then sometimes I wore gloves and hat to cover may hands and head. I wore thick sock and covered shoes too.

Flight started from day 1st from Surabaya to Singapore by Jetstar for about 2 hours at 3pm. Then staying at Changi lounge till midnight to continue with ANA to Narita Tokyo. ANA was Japan airline.

I flew for about 7 hours. Then arrived at Narita for about 3 hours and continued for about 11 hours to Chicago. It was very tired actually even though we were able to sleep but it was different than sleeping at bed. Absolutely! All tiredness was gone when I arrived ORD. New place, new scenery, new season, new experience. Very impressed and deep think that finally I could put my foot there. Hyperbolic, huh!

At the 6th day, we were back to Indonesia, used same way like our departure. When I was in Narita, I bought some gifts for friends and family. Off course I also bought gifts when I was in Chicago. Not much as my money was not much either. Simply gifts but I hope it would make the receiver felt happy. Besides my luggage was heavy so it helped me not to buy anything so much. Heavy of files, coat, suits and cookware samples.

I did not directly go back to Indonesia. Friends and I extended 2 days in Singapore and left at the 3rd days. It was the 1st time, again, went to Singapore. I had no idea where to go first. Just followed my friends which were many times there.

So, Chinatown, Bugis street, Orchard street (of course! Full of shopping mall along the Orchard street, from cheap to expensive brands.) and Universal Studios Sentosa Island (movie characters like madagascar, shrek, jurassic park, waterworld) became my destination. It was not enough but at least it could cure my curiousity. Took a pictures became our main activity since we would like to have something as a proof and to be told to everybody.

Took a picture at Changi as the best airport in the world would be great honor for me. They have skytrain to move from one side to another side.
They also decorated the airport with live orchid. Not artificial. Smart Idea. Good program! It makes the airport fresh and healthy against the air condition.

Here I come again...pictures shot mode ON

Cold. It was we felt when we went by bus from Surabaya to Yogya at night of 30 Dec. The Air condition was very cold. Three of us, on the spot trip, but still lucky as we could get fine public transportation while it was a holiday moment which hotels and public transportation was usually full order.

Arrived at 5 morning. It should be at 3.30 but traffic jammed otw Yk. Never mind. We were still not able to enter the hotels room since our booking was 12am later. Bus brought us to hotel then we put our luggages there and did some self cleaning like toothbrushed n facewashed.

Walked to pasar Bringharjo on foot, far enough to strech out the legs after sitting for about 8 hours, found nasi pecel for breakfast. Forgot how much it cost but we enjoyed, even in my heart I was a bit worry to eat this food in open air. Food was not covered by some shelf. Bewared for the fly around.

The journey was continued by buying some gifts for relatives of my friends. I was not. I planned to buy it later if I still had enough money. Not on plan actually. Came into pasar Bringharjo, then around Malioboro and Mirota. Back and forth due it was not easy to find the models per requested and bargained down to the lowest prices. We bought it first as we did not want to miss it later as we realized our time was limited. Why we had to wait later if we could do now.

Next itinerary was taking some pictures as our main plan. Vredeburg fort, old building (now BNI and post office), also the castle. For me, going to YK and put myself in this area made me bored as I was often there. Almost every year. So, took a picture as our main activity really cheered me up. Honest. My friends were also great in taking a picture and they were anxious to act in any styles like supermodels. Me? act in funny and wierd styles. Bored to be nice and sweet. Thanks for R influences.


Hot weather, sun shines so brightly touched us and made us became feel tired, a bit sleepy and weak quickly. Off course. Not enough sleeping then continuing a millions walk, is it?, Hotel, Malioboro, back and forth and stop over to castle. How many kilometers is it? Just being positive way. We could be healthy. I agreed. At the end, I was better since I got flu when I planned to go on vacation. Medicine, fresh mind and body changed it. Thanks God.

Castle looked as ordinary place and quite dull. Not much interesting properties there. And also, again, tired body did not support us to explore this area completely. Already given up! Less pictures could be taken as the consequency.

When sun stay above our head precisely, we went back to hotel by becak. Hotels were far away. Not really far actually but we had to through long way, turn around as the street has one way only. It was really relief when we could meet bed and took a bath. So fresh. Even the room was so simple, 2 beds, 1 extra bed, small tv, small bathroom, old AC style. Hungry. but we had no energy to go out. Hotels did not prepare it too. Wondering, in this high season, they did not give good service. Maybe they thought we needed them more than they needed us. Indeed. Just ordering simple fast food delivery without complaining then sleeping. zzzz....

Enough rest! At 6 evening we started to go to Malioboro to have dinner and prepared for new year eve. Unfortunately the Malioboro mall closed. Where should we eat? Only mcdonals opened. We ate it at noon. We did not want to eat at 'lesehan". expensive, too much street singer and not really delicious actually. By eating there, visitor only bought the malioboro air instead of the taste itself. We also did not want to eat at sidewalk handcart. Sometimes it was not clean. We needed to be careful since our body was just recovery from stomatchache n typus, for me actually. Even some foods was sound delicious and it offered traditional taste like gudeg, kupat tahu, ketoprak. Then we just walked and expected to see some restaurant around there. Finally we got it but...OMG..it was expensive. We felt sorry for paying a lot when it tasted casual. Fried rice, small "pastel tutup", fruit juice and ginger tea was enough.

Time was near to 8, we walked to intersection of Malioboro-castle and found small corner in front of the gate of president building to be sit to enjoy the night. Great night. No rain at all. So many people already been there, had some purpose like us. Time went by so slowly. Nothing we could do except waiting, talking, taking some pictures in the dark and yawning many times. Sometimes we could see firecrackers in the sky, I thought it was as practical moment before counting down of new year.

Finally time run to midnight so fast and met the end of 2010. Happy New year!! Firecrackers flew to the sky, so fantastic, horns was heard many times together. Very loud and bright! I like it. It was like some years ago when I went to this place with someone. This time it was enough with some good friends. Thanks God for having them.

Struggled for survive began since the street was full of people. We had to walk slowly and sometimes had to push somebody else not to ruin our path. We did not want to get separate of each other and loose the way home. After entered the first street, we took becak to go home. My friends asked how to buy bakpia to the becak driver then he offered to take us to the store. We were surprised. Did the stores open at midnight? We doubted it but we just followed the becak. The driver was very anxious. We just scared as he broke the traffic rule, took us on the opposite traffic. OMG. The stores was closed, he tried to knocked the store, maybe to woke them up. We said 'no need sir' but he insisted as he said he could take any guests anytime. And he was a bit dissapointed when all stores was closed, meant he did not get fee.

January 1 was coming. Fried rice n shrimp chip breakfast filled our stomach. We went to Prambanan at 9 by Transyogya bus. Full people on bus. Far destination. Arrived Prambanan area, we had to go by motobecak, new style I think, to reach the locket. A bit far from our last bus shelter. Since it almost noon, we decided to have lunch first. Gudeg looked great but I did not order it as i wanted some watery. I chose soto ayam, but it content less chicken n vegetables. Hiks, it was not enough.I was still hungry, but I felt full to eat again. Some snacks were enough to add energy.

Anyway, we were impressed with the prambanan and sewu temples. I had gone there many times long time ago. But making some good pictures was really fun, moreover now we used digital camera which was able to shoot many times to find the best pictures. After earthquake on 2006, Prambanan has to be renovated again and it hasn't finished yet till this minute. It was not easy to combine every single stone and stack it one by one correctly.


Then we went to Ratu Boko temple, Our 1st time. It was 3 kilometers far from Prambanan. At the highest hill I guessed. It had great scenery, rice fields around the way. We could go by shuttle bus which was coordinated by Prambanan site.

Sun set and a bit cloudy at 5 when we ended our journey thus we could not get sunset images like some magazine told us. Had to accept this as this was nature arrangement. Went back by bus again. Had to wait about 45 minutes at shelter with a lot of people. At least our tiredness was paid finally. We could sit n felt the cold air. Closed to Malioboro, it was traffic jam. While waiting for, we noted some travel agent bilboards along Mangkubumi street. We tried to call some as we havent got the transportation to go home yet. I meant if we could get ticket, we did not need to go to bus station early morning to catch bus and struggle among passanger to get a seat. As Sunday was the end of holiday season. Lucky, we got it, we got it, yupiiii...My calling by mobile phone was not useless at last and the phone bill was not expensive. This time I had to give thank n thumb to Mentari for helping me. It was cheap also when I had to call mc donal delivery although I did interlocal phone since I used my origin city number instead of YK number.

Arrived Malioboro mall for dinner on tired condition. Entered a small restaurant with plain taste on their food. Fried rice n noodle. Fine. We did not care anymore. As long as we could eat on clean area, it was OK.

After that we bought some additional gifts for relatives and friends. Me too. Spitting rain outside, when we went back to hotel. Energy was back a bit as we had to edit some pictures we made these 2 days. Then, go sleeping for waking up early morning.

Travel picked us up on 7am, arrived our home town at 3pm. At the end, we had to leave this area. It was a lovely short journey even not much place we could visit. We passed the beaches and Merapi area due we had no enough money to pay car rent to take us there. Hiks. Our fund was limited due plan was also builded in very short time. Beaches could be visited next time as they were not changed, but Merapi area could be changed to better environment. Now, we had to accept seeing the remain after eruption by pictures on TV only. Do not feel sorry not to seeing the truth tragedy. Just praying for them who suffered a lot.