Malaysia, Boleh!

This is my second trip abroad after Singapore in 2009. Quite long time since my passport was lost and I just processed it back in 2011. It was accidental trip actually. We got promo tickets to Penang. And from many travel forums I found out that Penang had become a tourist attraction in Malaysia. Many backpackers have visited this place. So, I was wondering what was up there? It turned out Penang was famous for its UNESCO heritage site and also the culinary tour. So, here we go.

We visited two cities in Malaysia, Georgetown and Kuala Lumpur. Georgetown is the capital city of Penang. Overall, Penang is a small island. You can just go over the island in one day with bus. The bus goes all over the island, and is very cheap. If you love photography, you will find many heritage buildings here with cool spots to capture. I will admit that in this trip, I did not do much exploration in the historical sites. We just passed by actually. So, I cannot tell you much about that. On the first day we visited Bukit Bendera and also Batu Ferringhi.  Bukit Bendera is or is called Penang Hill is a hill with the height of approximately 800 M above sea level. It is pretty high and we can see Malaka strait on top of it. We went up to hill by train. Malaysians will have to show their IC and they just need to pay RM 8. Foreigner is charged for RM 30. The view above the hill is amazing. You can see the whole Penang Island, Malaka strait and also the bridge that connects Penang and KL. We made a lot of photo sessions back there. Batu Ferringhi is coastal area in Penang, it is like Anyer in Indonesia. Many luxurious condos and hotels are located here. The area is pretty quiet. I must say this is the high class area in Penang.

Penang’s main transportation is bus, it is called Rapid Penang. The rate is between RM 2 up to RM 3. There is also free shuttle bus to explore the heritage sites in. The buses are air conditioned and very clean. We spent very much time on the bus to explore the island. People here are mostly Indian and Chinese. Not many Malay race lives here. The city is not a busy one and life is pretty laid back here. We found out that at 10.00 PM, the road was quiet and many shops were closed already.

We did much eating in Penang. And the food is pretty cheap. The prices are ranged between RM 1 – RM 8. These were what I ate: Nasi Tom Yum, Laksa, Tea Tarik, Nasi Kandar, Nasi Lemak, White Coffee, Roti Canai, and also Murtabak I love Malaysian food; therefore I was pretty satisfied with the food experience back there.

Kuala Lumpur trip was not much told. We only spent around 7 hours in KL. We went there by bus and got back to Penang by plane. In KL, the Malay races are more dominating than others because Kingdom rules here. We found out that poor people in Kuala Lumpur are supported by King. Kingdom will find them a housing, monthly fee, free school for kids, and even they will pay for medical expenses. That is the reason why this country is pretty much developed. However, as Malaysia applies federal governmental system, every state has different rules. Not all states are supported by Kingdom. Other states might have to struggle for poverty by themselves. In KL we visited KLCC Twin Tower, Central Market, and Bukit Bintang. We did many shopping here. Backpacker rules slightly failed in KL.

Overall this trip was city sightseeing. Not much natural sites that we visited, because it was less indeed. What I love in this trip is that my friends who are joining this trip are all city lovers. I got the new experience like: we watched Puss in Boots in Georgetown and in the middle of the movie there was someone gasping three times so loud and so annoying. Instead of exploring the heritage sites, we explored malls and found out that it was so difficult asking for direction because Malaysians have various accents. Seriously, it was difficult to understand what they were saying. Even the English was also unclear. The funniest moment was when we would like to buy food for dinner in one of hawker food stall there. People stared at us and we were wondering why. And when we ordered, the seller said “It is all pork”. We all like “Oh I see”. We were quite ashamed, since two of us were wearing veil. And we also laughed when a taxi driver told us that there are three titles for a man. Young man is called “abang”. Middle aged man is called “uncle” (you can identify this by less gray hair). And old man is called “Pakcik”. Very funny indeed. Lastly I must say, a trip with the people you like is always a worthy trip. See you on next trip!

Penang International Airport

Nasi Kandar

White coffee, we can find many in Penang

Nasi lemak

Nasi tom yum                                                                                










View up above Penang hill

Magazine Road, Georgetown, in the morning

Old buildings are the main attractions in Penang

KLCC Tower in Kuala Lumpur

J'adore Sophie!

Ever since I knew Sophie Kinsella's books, I began to admire her talent. First, I read Confession of Shopaholic, then I could not stop. I have finished reading all her books by now. Here are the list:

Confession of Shopaholic

Shopaholic Takes Manhattan

Shopaholic Ties the Knot

Shopaholic and Sister

Mini Shopaholic

Can You Keep a Secret?

The Undomestic Goddess

Twenties Girl

Remember Me

I love the way she writes. Her novels are all easy to read and funny. It is like when you unfold one page, you do not want to stop. Her main characters are all women living in London. Oh yeah, I begin to love London once I read her books. She always pictures about how a career woman in London copes with her job and relationship. But the bigger picture is, she is trying to say that women can cope well with all that problem. That after a huriccane always comes a rainbow (this one is Katy Perry's lyrics). I describe some of her heroines below:

Becky Bloomwood (Shopaholic The Series): working as a financial journalist, she does not quite fancy her job, and is trapped in credit card debts. She manages to change her career path into TV news reporter, personal shopper in Barneys New York, and the last one is still as personal shopper in The Look, London. Her passion is on shopping and fashion, she finds out finally. She is also described as a wife and a mother in later series.

Emma Corrigan (Can You Keep a Secret): an assistant marketing in a sport drink company, she has colleagues who like to underestimate her and rarely listens to her opinion. And she does not have a courage to struggle for her promotion. Finally she finds a way to get her ideas acknowlegded by her company and get promoted into Marketing Executive

Samantha Sweating (The Undomestic Goddes): she is a high-powered lawyer in London, working 24/7, has no home life, and cares only about partnership. One of her colleague bertrays her and she then loses her job and becomes a maid in a rich family. When finally her former employer finds out the truth and is willing to hire her back, she makes the biggest decision in her life, stays working as a maid, for a more laid back life.

Lara Lington (Twenties Girl) : a struggling headhunter, she is partnered with her best friend, but her best friend finally leaves her off for holiday. Lara then struggles to build the business by herself.

Lexi Smart (Remember Me): She was once a staff in a carpet company. One moment had changed her life and so she became very ambitious and finally got promoted to be a director. As a director, she is a hard one. She acts like a big boss and loses her best friends because of her attitude. After an amnesia happens to her, she finally realizes her mistakes and changes her attitude.

I love how Sophie Kinsella describes the career complexities. Every career woman must have experienced one of those situations. Sophie is able to drag us into such a situation and also give a problem solving for her character.

One thing I love also from her books is there is always a perfect man for every of her characters. It may sound cliche, but somehow the male character completes the female characters. Just like Becky Bloomwood who is so spendthrift. She gets Luke Brandon, who is financially well managed. Emma Corrigan who is a doubtful one meets Jack Harper, which is completely determined person. Samantha Sweating who is so serious is matched with Nathaniel (I forget the last name), who is so laid back. Lara Lington and Ed Harrison who completes each other, Lara is funny and is always entertaining Ed, who is boring and plain. And Lexi Smart, who is so well driven, and the one who can balances her is Jon Blythe, who keeps her on track.

However, my most favorite male character is Luke Brandon. What makes me love him? May be because Sophie has described him in detail since he is single till he becomes a father. So, I kinda know him very well in person. Secondly, he is not as perfect as other male characters. He is having middle age crisis. He is not close with his parents. He sometimes puts Becky aside of his business. But he always loves her as well as her daughter, Minnie Brandon. There is one quote of him that melts me down: "You don't need to change one hair. One freckle. One little toe. And if it is me that's made you feel you should do this..then there's something wrong with me". Gosh, I want to have a husband like him, please! If only he is real!

Thank you for Sophie Kinsella who: have made me love London, have opened my eyes to see that woman can strive for the best in her careers. The most important thing in life is not making big money, but doing what you like, following your heart. There is also one quote of Samantha Sweating I will always remember: " Sometimes you don't need a goal in life, you don't need to know the big picture. you just need to know what you're going to do next!”

PS: I wish I could meet Sophie in person. I am imagining myself having tea time with her and talking about how she gets the ideas of writing her novels. Then we stride along London street. We shop in Harvey Nichols or Harrods together. We buy souvenirs for each other. We get to know each other well and become best friends. J'adore Sophie!

Green Canyon, Not Grand Canyon

Have you ever watched The Beach? For you who have, you must recognize the scene when Leonardo DiCaprio jumps from a canyon and swim on the waterfall. That’s my first impression when I come to this place called, Green Canyon.

Green Canyon, or in Sundanese is called Cukang Taneuh, not Grand Canyon. If Grand Canyon is located on a deserted area in California, USA, Green Canyon is a name of a river surrounded by canyons in Pangandaran, West Java, Indonesia. I become a part of one of the most adventurous experiences in my life, body rafting. Speaking of rafting, you might imagine yourself on an inflatable boat, paddling and trying to keep the balance to pass the stream. In body rafting, no boat and paddle are provided. It is only your body protected by life vest, helmet, special shoes, and knee protector, floating on the water, and passing each stream of the river. You want to know the sensation, MAGNIFITO! We are of course guided by some experts to avoid any accident. They guide us the way to pass each stream in a safe way. The technique is this way, you lie on the water, keep your body straight; put your hands on your chest, then, woozz, off you go. You can come up with some bruises in your clothes or skin, though, during the rafting. So, make sure your clothe is thick enough so it is not torn apart.

The starting point is from Gua Bau, with the total distance for approximately 10 KM. It takes about 5 hours to conquer this river. During the journey, you will see very wonderful views. High canyon surrounds the river and the green grasses stick on it, group of trees above the canyon, wild roots hang on each side of the canyon, some woods range on the river, and we feel like some beavers trying to make the nests. You feel a peaceful moment there, no voice except birds singing and some crickets chirping. At some areas where there are high rocks, we jump and have fun,…..or fear, does not matter. Green Canyon, everybody, a must visit place in Indonesia!

This is why it is called green canyon!

Floating and floating. Passing the stream.

Full team

For You, Leo!!

"We’re walking by the Revolutionary Road where The Beach and Shutter Islands lie ahead like a Blood Diamond. We both witness the Inception of a Total Eclipse just like a Romeo and Juliet who fall for each other. Oh time, The Aviator of life, Catch Me If You Can for you are the sinking Titanic that brings The Departed to afterlife"

Good Life

"When you're happy like a fool, let it take you over

When everything is out you gotta take it in

Oh, this has gotta be the good life

This has gotta be the good life

This could really be a good life, good life"

What’s gotta be a good life? For me, good life is when I find a situation as follows:

-When I wake up in the morning, and realize that I do not have to go to work. No alarm bugging me to wake up, take a bath, get dressed, and go to office

-Enjoying the first gulp of cappuccino

-A very smooth and steady internet access

-Conference chatting with my best friends, talking about trips to plan. Well somehow, it ends up with whining about soul-mate thingy.. :))

-Karaokeing alone in my room, playing my favorite songs. And karaokeing with best friends too. The point is "singing out loud"

-Getting the cheapest airfare to one place. Even the airport tax fare is more expensive than the ticket

-Winning a bid in eBay. Especially for the items priced high in the market, but the price I get is much lower

-Getting on Transjakarta bus no more than 5 minutes waiting

-Trip by train or plane always excites me

-When my food order in Solaria takes no more than 15 minutes to come

-Finding green colored stuffs in supermarket. I am a green lovah.....

-Getting my hair creambathed and “totok” on my face

-Finding a very soft and mild scarf with a cheap price

-When my order from Wholesale Dress and Buka Buku finally come

-Eating out at Malaysian resto. I am always looking forward to eat Roti Canai, The Tarik, and other Malay food

-Finishing an itinerary and budgeting for my trip

-Listening to Jason Mraz, Coldplay, The Script, and The Band Perry

-Someone compliments me that I am getting slimmer

-Getting lower size clothes which fit in me at the factory outlet

-Everytime my treadmill hits 600 calories per hour

-Jakarta Great Sale. No point of explaining, I do love shopping

-I look good when I am photographed

-Buying a lot of DVDs in Ambassador Mall or Poins Square. Watching them the whole weekend night

-When I am able to swim in a cool, quiet swimming pool. I do not like water boom. Swimming is about relaxing mind, so I need a cozy place

-Uploading my trip photos on Facebook and people envy me of my recent trip. It’s like “Haha, I’ve been there, I am cool” :D

-Having an inspiration to write and update my blog :p

So, what’s your good life, then?

Karimun Jawa, The Islands of Crystal Clear Sea Water

Swimming in Karimun Jawa is just like swimming in big giant pool. The tide is very low and the water is so clear. This is the most delightful experience I ever have. Whether you trust me or not, I never swam at the sea before. It was because I was not allowed by my parents. So, when I went to Karimunjawa this May, this was like the premiere of me swimming at the sea. Okay quite exaggerated, actually.

Karimunjawa are islands located in the north part of Java islands. We can reach there from two places, Jepara and Semarang. There are two ways, which are by fast boats and also ferry. I recommend fast boat because the ferry which is going there is only once a day, therefore, it is always crowded and it takes a longer time, which is 6 hours. Meanwhile, if you're on fast boat, you can save 3 hours. When I got there what I amazed was that the island is so clean and the people there seem quite have a good economic life. The houses are well-built. Most of them offer their house as home stay for tourists. The promotion of Karimun Jawa as tourist destination started from 2005. The government employed the young people to organize tours. That's basically the source of the income of the people. However, the visitors coming there are mostly from domestic tourists. Rarely we saw foreigners joined the tour. Perhaps, it would need more support to promote this place in a larger scale.

Here, the activities were all playing water, of course. We were taken for islands hopping. There are some islands there, such as Pulau Geleang, Pulau Menjangan, Pulau Cemara, Pulau Kecil, Pulau Tengah, Tanjung Gelang, and many others. We snorkeled in those spots and did some swimming. The coral reef were all wonderful. They were all well preserved. There is such an agreement that if one of the tourist steps on a coral reef and destroys it, the tour must be canceled. So, all the guide are very concerned and firm with these rules. We were also not allowed to take anything from the sea and threw any rubbish in every island. They guide would directly warn us if we did so.

Nature is our valuable treasure. That's what I learn from Karimun Jawa people. If we destroy our nature, it means that we can also destroy our life. The Karimun Jawa people preserve their nature in order to preserve their income too. That's the true symbiotic mutualism between human and nature.

Island In The Sun

When you’re on a holiday
You can’t find the words to say
All the things that come to you
And I wanna feel it too

On an island in the sun
We’ll be playing and having fun
And it makes me feel so fine
I can’t control my brain

hip hip
hip hip

When you’re on a golden sea
You don’t need no memory
Just a place to call your own
As we drift into the zone

On an island in the sun
We’ll be playing and having fun
And it makes me feel so fine
I can’t control my brain

We’ll run away together
We’ll spend some time forever
We’ll never feel bad anymore

hip hip
hip hip
hip hip

I recently love this song so much. And I keep playing it on and on like I am never bored :D. And sometimes I dance too, with the clumsiest style, I have. Haha, secret revealed!

This song attracts me to one kind of feeling, FREEDOM! Yeah, how I love that word. Something I always find when I am traveling to a new place. Traveling has become the greatest escape of myself. My routine works allow me to become stressful and depressed. So, whenever I get the chance to runaway from the work, I'll do that with my pleasure. Indeed there is a good effect of it. I have a gastritis problem. It is getting worse when I am on a level of stress. But I am wondering why whenever I am on a holiday, I never feel this problem. It's like disappearing from me. May be it's because of the psychological effect that creates this health problem. So, I promise to myself that I have to keep "escaping" regularly to heal myself. It is the joy I have, when I am visiting new places. New spirit I have to face other bulk of works ahead. And again, this song brings me to think of the places over there, which are awaiting me to come......