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...

Should I come for the 3rd times?

This is a second time for me to go Pangandaran, west Java, and 4th times for Ria, waow! There are some place that I havent visited yet last time, so I do expect I can see all of them.

Three of us, me, Ria n her old friend, please do not say three musketer!, went to Pangandaran, started from Bandung at 2 pm, it was hard rain on freeway but finally stopped out of town. Traffic jam at Nagreg and after that, competed with motorcycle of local people who would go to their relatives. It was Lebaran 1st day. We also stopped at store of Tahu sumedang to buy some as a snack while on the way of travelling. Arrived Tasikmalaya at 7, we stopped by for having dinner at sea food restorant. Big portions of food for 3 of us made we were very full. Travelling would take a lot of energy, thus we needed to have full tank energy to avoid sickness.

Thunder looked bling-bling when we started to continue our way to Pangandaran, signed for rain drop we guessed thus we decided not to go on. The streets was dark, no lamp, remote area, afraid of burglar or nasty people too. We stayed at gas station, closed eyes and rest for about 3 hours. Planned to sleep actually, but we couldnt sleep well. I think, because our body was ready to go, but the condition was not safe for us.

Finally we run, at stil way, we could see some cars also went there. Yupiii...we had friends. Arrived there at 4 am, so early. We looked for hotels but couldnt find it. All was full or in very expensive cost for simple room. Rp 800 thoudsand to 1 mill for actual Rp 250 thousand price. At that moment suddenly I was very tired and sleepy. Wanted to sleep actually, even though only at car, never mind. But R thought different. Thats why she accepted room even though it was not suitable with her style. She tought I was very tired. Oops I was sorry. It was missunderstanding then. Rp 300 thousand for one fan, one big bed, simple bathroom, no shower and hot water, no breakfast, bad smell on bathroom. On normal day, it might be only Rp 50-75 thousand I guessed. The best point for that room was that it on 2nd floor. We could see scenery outside, Pangandaran beach in front of us and the air was better, not feeling hot even at hot beach.


After put some bags inside room, we walked out of Pondok Indah II hotels, at 5am. We planned to see sunrise actually but sun rised from another side. East side, while we were in west side. Couldnt catch it. R rode a bike for a while, me n other drank tea for warming our body. Then me n R went by becak to another part of this beach area. Other was sleeping as she felt not well. Last time I heard she couldnt sleep well as smell of the bathroom was a bit bad. Hiks, sorry for my choosing. We went to east part. Saw sunrise, took a picture at beach, saw some hotels as reference, saw people on tradisional market buying n selling fishes then finally had breakfast at another hotels. Not free, we had to pay Rp 25 thousand for buffee. Not bad, as we could eat everything. Then we were back to hotel to clean body, some rest, some massage. Paid Rp 50 thousand for the becak which already been patient taking us everywhere many kilometers for about 3 hours.

Noon, we went to cagar alam. Too bad, so many people there, sitting, playing, swimming, snorkling, taking picture. Water in beach became dirty. We couldnt see reef, coral in deep, even though the boat guy informed us. I laughed for a while. "what can I see here sir?" We went by boat to cross over to cagar alam. So many people did snorkling between boats. I was just afraid they will bump boats when they were not be careful.It could be an accidents then. Boats guy yelled and made sound of flute as a warning to snorkling people. Cagar alam (reservation place) had white sand beach and some monkey. But when I was there I didnt see the monkey. Maybe they were scared with many people came around.

Enough for taking picture and playing water, we were back to land by boat again, then we had lunch. We could not eat favorite food, had to be on queue and the seller was not expert in serving many people. So, I could not eat nasi timbel. Had to release it. Changed with chicken teriyaki in another resto, which the taste was not really delicious. But we had to!

After that we went by ATV to go to another part of west pangandaran. Not much people there, thanks God, so the beach was clean and good to be taken picture. It was also closed to airplane port of Susi air. It was an airplane service to take sea food goods to everywhere outside Pangandaran and also to drive people to Jakarta and some destination around. Helipad was also available there.

Then, we went by bicycle to east part, rent, to find a food. Oughh...it was traffic jam for this saturday night. Felt upset n missunderstanding. Couldnt enjoy the dinner well. It was raining also. We ended our body at hotel by sleeping. Tired, upset n unhappy mixed on one bowl!. Hiks!

Morning on 2nd day, Ria woke up early and riding a bike by herself everywhere. Me and Luki woke up late then having simple tea at warung close to our hotels, then walking to the beach. Morning at 9, sun was still fresh and healthy for our body. Beach already been full of local village people who came by trucks and motocycle. Oops I just remember, we could not sleep at night to early morning since so much motocycle ran with noise and louder machine. OMG! I also bought a fresh young coconut water at local store which the owner and the waiter were deaf and dumb. thumbs for them who could have own bussiness. One drink was Rp 8 thousand. Not bad. I got real young coconut. Taste sweet and yummie for drinking at beach even the beach itself not support me coz the situation was crowded.

Checking out at 12 from Pondok Indah hotel, to Batukaras about 1 hour for lunch and visiting some places and beaches. Planned to eat at Riverside resto which was at side of green canyon river. They provide us good scenery and good meal. Unfortunately, we trapped on traffic jam. Many people wanted to go and out from Batukaras. It was about 1 hour to reach the resto and again, we had to be dissapointed as the meal was out of stock and the taste was not delicious anymore. Did not know why!

Then, we went to fisherman beach close to Batukaras. It was still beach. We liked it. Scenery was good. Ah...cloudy! we couldnt see sunset, but at least we enjoyed the place. After that we went to Batukaras beach, hmmm it was not recomended. It was very crowded. We felt better to go out quickly. It seems crowded and crowded at the famous beach. Lucky, we were smart,hohoho! We always had idea to find remote beach.

Finally we could have good dinner at sea food resto close to green canyon area. It was also to cheer our feeling coz almost half day we could not get satisfactory on trip.

Green canyon river was dark, not green but on chocolate color. It mean not good. Dinner was fine, at last ,we were really full, but 2nd problem was occured. Traffic jam in Pangandaran. We were stuck for one hour already. Our driver got info that there were another way, alternate via Cikatomas and he wanted to get through that way. But our hotel source, resto source people did not recomend us. Finally we decided to go to alternate way but with praying as it was new street, dark, remote area. Finally we were lost to unknown way thus we decided to use normal way. It didnt matter if we trapped in traffic jam but we were safe. It was weird that the street department didnt provide enough sign n bilboard for this alternate way on this Lebaran. Did it mean they didnt want to help traveller to get smooth journey, right? Finally, we could reach Bandung 6 hours later after back and forth in Pangandaran streets for almost 6 hours.

Well, still, I can not come to all places. Time is not enough? I dont think so as we have enough time. The problem is we have already been upset for the crowded of people, dirty beaches and traffic jam thus it influenced our feelin' and we chose to go home quickly. Also, nature condition like rain made a river became dirty and made us cancelled our visiting to green canyon river so I could not swim to their cleaning water pond. Hopefully someday I can snorkling at "cagar alam", visit east nature "cagar alam", swim at "green canyon river", and visit "karang nini". Ciao..........

For easter or for me on easter holiday?

Enjoyable, tired, happy, laugh, hate, bored, sleepy...All is mixed to be a bunch of story! Salatiga Fresh water and fresh air for our health
bilboard of pecel belut resto
somewhere out there beneath the blue sky of Ambarawa
coffee plant and rawa pening
coffee centre at Banaran
yummiee tahu bakso for breakfast

See...I had an unforgettable journey with my friend Ria. My friends said what I had done was crazy journey as it was really tired but I was fine and I enjoyed doing that. Is it for Easter celebration on different style? I dont think so even though it was on easter holiday, peace for myself!

I took one day leave, flew to Bandung in the morning, at 8 o'clock then arrived at about 9, picked up by R then having bruch siomay bandung, stoped over Ria's home for about 2 hours, bought some things for our travelling like food to accompany us, then we left Bandung at 3pm by car. We went to Semarang via south way first to Cirebon then continue via north way, but unlucky as we were trapped on traffic jam after hard raining. So many fallen trees, landslides and electricity cables had to be repaired. But the scenery was quite good as I never been through this way. I loved it. That's the reason R passed this way. Wanted to show me the richness of west java scenery. If we passed north way only, it would be boring as we only saw long and straight way like Gresik-Lamongan streets. And you know, some streets were repaired along the north way, we were also had to fight to big trucks, buses and containers.

Anyway, Ria drove the car and I became a navigator. She could drive about 12 hours with twice rest only. At Cirebon, while having Lunner -lunch and dinner -combine to be one, :) and at Batang, after Pekalongan, as R suddenly felt not well after consuming antangin and CDR because of her allergic to crab. Her skin became red and itchy. Then we decided to sleep for a while on gas station. And she only slept an hour, short time than me..waow..tough lady! Truck driver and racer are enough to be named to her.

First plan was staying at Pekalongan to see batiks, per my request, but Ria didnt like the hotels style, it was expensive for plain room. So we decided to stay in Semarang, and went to Pkl by travel. Arrived Semarang at 6 morning, first impression of Semarang was not bad. My memories was starting back to past but I could not find something wonderful. Forgive me. Passed Imanuel church at old city, which was well known as Blenduk church, then having chicken porridge at Simpang Lima. I forgot that I could not eat chicken as I had fasting for Good Friday. So, we were not really enjoyed it. The taste was not really great either. Oops.. I forgot to take a picture at Blenduk as my archieve, even though we passed through those place many times.

Arrived hotel, had crazy breakfast. Couldnt stand to eat all food who spreaded out on the tables. We ended on full capacity. It was hotels service, including free breakfast, then took a rest then went out for lunch. Actually we wanted to go to Pekalongan by travel but time was limited as we had to go to church at evening. Besides lunch, we tried to find car wash but it ended unsuccesfully. Pesta kebun resto as our lunch.It was not really special for us. Setting of the place was old Semarang, but I didnt feel like that. The food taste was so so, traditional menu's mix with European menu. Then moved around Tawang train station as I had to buy ticket for home and some taken picture on water castle at old city. It should be nice if the surround was clean, but it was not. Smell and dark color of the water didnt impress me.

After having mass, I walked to jalan Pandanaran to eat ice cream while waiting for Ria picked me up by car. Unfortunately the street was jammed, so she pick me up by becak and returned hotel and changed to car. It was quite far away from her church. We attended different church. Then we went to Kampung Laut near the sea, too bad, we were late, The sea food resto was about to close in half hours. Gee, what should we eat then....All was almost closed, as it near to midnight. Imagined that we did supper. Lucky we could find a small resto. Not bad!

Woke up at 7 then we were out to Salatiga. Had breakfast fried bakso tahu at Ungaran, Tahu woning resto. It was really enough to fill our stomach. The day was wonderful. Sun Shined brightly. We often find 'Solo-Yogya" traffic sign along the way out of town. Lately my friend, who is Semarang residence, explained me that most new comer always get lost there so the goverment build it to help the traveller. We stopped by at coffee plantation Banaran, close to Salatiga. Had a little journey, went around the plant by small lorry, then bought some coffee as gift to friends then we continued to have lunch.

Our lunch was famous warung of eel pecel. I didnt like it, either Ria. We just wanted to see how well known it was as it was recommended on internet. The way was through Ambarawa, passed train museum, rawapening swamp and ended in front of Muncul swimming pool. I had ever gone to this area before while I was on the way to Gedongsongo temple and Bandungan 5 years ago. The way was still same like the last time. Finally we ordered pecel mujair. Not bad. I was just remember, I didnt want to eat mujair fish as menu in my office. Arrogant, was I? hahaha...but at last I had to meet mujair and could not refuse it as no other choice. The warung offered eel, snail, lele and some wierd fish.

After eating, we went to Salatiga. The scenery was beautiful along the way. Hill, mountain, and rice field decorated our travelling. Arrived Salatiga with full confusion, where should we go, no interesting place like we goggled on internet. Then we went on to the hill, to Kopeng. Along the way, we found many churches.Ambarawa and Salatiga had a biggest Christian embraced in central Java due 1st missionaris arrived around this area including Magelang. I felt like I was in Manado, North Sulawesi which has a lot of church than mosque. But, we were dissapointed watching Kopeng. Very plain area. What we find there. Only small swimming pool with small fruit, vegetables traditional market. I had there 30 years ago, hahhaha, my imagination was different. Maybe it is lovely at past time, but not now. On the way back Salatiga, we stopped by at retreat place. We were happy and impressed for the scenery.

From there, we were back to city and got lost for a while. Funny things, we looked for Satya Wacana University and asked some young handsome guys where was the place and they were smiling as the place is only 5 steps ahead hahahahha...Did not know what and where, finally we did some massage, hahaha, for rest, as Ria felt pain on her back, then had a small snack at small resto then we were back to Semarang. It was very crowded at Saturday night when our car came to city. Taman Tabanas resto was full, and we could see sparkling lamps from the higher street. City was below. Trapped on jammed of Simpang Lima. So many visitor and seller around that park. Anyway, we could not remember the streets of Semarang, so we often got lost hahaha...even though we did passed that street many times. Found difficulty to reach Gama sea food at Mataram street. At last, we met it ...but again, I was full, i couldnt finish my dinner. Too late or too full with snacks??

Sunday morning we were going to Ambarawa, to Virgin Mary cave, was called Gua Maria Kerep. I ever went there about 7 years ago and the condition was still same. Nothing change. Just praying there for Easter mood, took a holy water, and I think it was helped for Ria praying there to prepare her new home as tomorrow was the opening and praying. Congratz my friend. This time, Ria brought her office driver by reason she needed to have good performance in her new home party so she didnt want to be tired. I went home by train, Ria took me in hurry as it closed to train time. Thus, we couldnt have lunch at mbah jingkrak resto as we planned before. Hiks...Again, funny thing, we couldnt find that resto as Ria was wrong in spelling mbah jangkrik instead of mbah jingkrak. Thats why nobody knew this place.

Running in hurry to train to go home. Unlucky there were accident on another train to Jakarta this morning and made all schedule was move back to 3 to 5 hours late. Gee...my schedule was at 3.30pm then changed to 6.30pm. OMG! Lucky I brought enough magazines and new camera that made me busy on tinker it. Finally the train came and I was relief. It was fast train so it took only 3 hours from Semarang to Surabaya. I was lucky. It was not useless to spend more money. Imagined if I chose travel. Departed at 7pm then arrived at 4 am morning if no traffic jammed. It was too long. Cheaper but I was afraid I would be late to come to work. By train was Rp 160,000 while by travel is Rp 110,000. For sure if I used travel, I would be taken to home safely. Train? Just stopped at station then I had to take another public transportation to arrive home. When I was in hurry, train was a right choice.
Hmmm...I wanted to tell about this train. It called Argo Anggrek. I was impressed. Fast and clean. Fast as it didnt stop at every station and waited for so long. They also had electricity plug. Great. I could charge my mobile. It was really helpfull as I needed to make some sms with my friend to kill time. I like to use this train again when I am going to Jakarta someday**

A tiny part of beach journey to Salt Island

I love beach. I like playing on waves, walking on wet sands, looking for various sea shell who stay among the sands, watching sunrise and sunset, just sitting down to make some photos and stay still on dreaming…
Most beach offer same pleasure, some has their own speciality. I ever visited beaches overseas like Melbourne and Goldcoast. Nothing special than watching people sun bathing and swimming. So far, Indonesian beaches is the best even though I haven't reached Papua, Sumatra and Kalimantan beaches...

Last time, about 3 months ago, I went to Madura, small island in north of Surabaya, East Java. Through new Suramadu bridge, we went by car, I mean me and my friends, to Sumenep, the tip city at north of Madura. It took about 5 hours from Surabaya to there. Accompanied by beaches and sea at our right side way.

Through remote villages who supplied green color of plantation and tress mixed with brown color of leaves and unirrigated field, finally we arrived at Lombang Beach, about 10 kilometers from Sumenep city. This beach is well known with its cemara udang plantation and white sands. The sands was very clear and clean. It is liked big open field close to the sea. Divided by small clean river too. We came at about 2 pm. Not many visitor there. We did not know why. But it did not matter for us. We liked quite beach so we could do everything. Playing, running, screaming….relief our body and soul, taking a picture, chatting. Seeing small waves as it might be on ebb tide.

2nd beach are visited on next day, it called Slopeng. This beach was quite dirty. It was not good to be played on it. Mostly it was used for fisherman boats. Many boats were placed there. We were able to play on playing ground which was provided there, but this was not nature playground. Man made.

I am quite satisfy as I can visit Madura beach completely, I guess. Proud, huh??… I think there are some that I haven't visited yet but it is not famous. When I was on college, me and college friends visited Siring Kemuning beach. It was good beach at that time. Why I said at that time? Because now it is dirty, my friend explained me. So, thanks God, I had a chance to come and see it on 17 years past. We also visited Mercu Suar Sambilangan, close to some beach along the way home to Bangkalan.

Next beach was Toroan beach close to Pamekasan city. It was special because we could find small waterfall from river who is empty into sea. Good beach, clean and quite. Funny thing when remember my friend couldn’t swim but he acted he could swim, When we saw his drawned, we thought he just pretended to make fool for us. But, actually it was a truth. And the last beach for Camplong beach at Pamekasan. It was good beach too. Just because we went together with friends, we were happy no matter the beach was. But, the best is still Lombang beach.

A tiny part of beach journey in this area have already filled my experience. Journey to Madura is one of the best journey I have ever had. Thanks guys for being together on this travelling. Unforgetable memories.

Kertalangu Village...it had not interested in me yet...

Kertalangu cultural village located in the middle of 80 hectare everlasting rice cultivation at Jl. By. Pass Ngurah Rai-Sanur. This place closes Ngurah Rai Airport, Nusa Dua and Kuta area. The facilities was build in efforts of Development based and community of Kesiman Kertalangu village society.

I didnt know how this place looked like, so I went with my friends in the mid noon. Oops, it was so hot with sun shined over our head. It was not enjoyable to walk along the jogging track as far as 4 km in the middle of rice cultivation, surrounding by fresh vegetables and rice plant. Near entrance place we could see horse playing ground and Bali Handicraft Center to see how the society processed and created various kinds of handicraft product like ceramics, candle, glass, resind, wind chime, earthenware vessels and wood and stone carved.

What else we could see there? Hmmm... There were 9 fishing ponds in the middle of rice cultivation completed with gazebo and restaurant as a family recreation facilities. Tourist could learn and practice traditional Balinese dance, instrument, gamelan or others Balinese culture, an expert and friendly instructure would be ready to train you. SPA and beauty salon were available with complete, comfortable, facilities, and an expert therapists in a luxurious rice view as an other alternative to spoiled our body's. Open Stage Any kind of events could be performed in this place e.g: wedding, launching product, birthday party, exhibition or traditional art performances Kecak and Barong dance. Restaurant was near to beautiful and luxurious rice view with a various kinds of food available, eventhough the menus was not completed enough . The last was photo Studio Complete and sophisticated photo technology to make a picture before wedding or souvenir wearing a Balinese costums.

To be honest I didnt find any enjoyable moment there and did not know what to do except feeling hot in my skin. Sunshine touched and stabbed my lovely white skin. Situation was also so quite and calm. There was not much visitor eventhough it was long holiday.