Waktu aku masih dalam perjalanan tur di Eropa. Di salah satu hostel di Belgia, aku kenalan dengan salah satu backpacker di sana, kita ngobrol setelah sarapan. Cowok yang keliatan kek orang latin dengan mata berwarna abu2 dan senyum kek iklan pepsodent "cling" manis deh buat di sruput sama kopi..wakwak.. ngawur...
Dia asalnya dari Brasil. Seumuran sih, tapi setelah liat ID nya ternyata dia 2 tahun lebih tua dari aku. Dia memulai percakapan waktu aku sedang lihat peta Brussel dan lagi mencari tahu apa yang bisa aku lihat hari ini, yang kebetulan hari Senin - karena kebanyakan museum tutup pada hari Senin di Eropa. Jadi mesti sadar hari heheh...
Kita berbicara banyak tentang tujuan wisata di Eropa dan dia bercerita tentang pengalamannya di beberapa negara sudah ia kunjungi. Kami berbagi cerita tentang Thailand, dan beberapa negara Asia yang kami berdua kunjungi sudah kunjungi. Sangat di sayangkan dia belum pernah ke Indonesia---piye toh maass!! Dari penjelasannya yang menyebutkan begitu banyak negara yang di kunjungi, dan tanpa kata2 "trus aku pulang dulu kerumah baru pergi lagi" aku iseng tanya ; "udah berapa lama traveling?" dengan kalem dia jawab sudah 3 tahun. Wow.... lambreta juga doi di jalan. Aku tanya lagi, kamu gak kangen sama rumah? sama keluarga atau apapun tentang Brazil?? jawabannya singkat, tapi dalem...buat aku mikir lagi tentang segala sesuatu yang tadinya beda konsep dengan yang aku dengar dari dia.
Dia bilang "rumah adalah dimana "hati" kamu berada" aku magut2 diam aja.. dia senyum, kamu pernah dengarkan pribahasa ini? aku jawab iya pernah, trus pernah liat di gantung2 di rumah orang poster atau fotonya di frame gitu tulisannya. Dia tanya, kamu tau maknanya? aku bilang yahhh bukannya artinya rumah adalah tempat orang yang kita sayang? rumah itu tempat kita di besarkan oleh keluarga kita? tempat orang tua kita berada? heheh doi ketawa.
Yah memang gak salah sih katanya. Tapi, menurut aku makna dari pribahasa itu adalah; rumah adalah tempat dimana passion-gairah, dan cinta kamu berada. Tempat yang kamu paling rindukan, tempat yang kamu bakalan bilang--yah nanti saya pasti bakalan balik ke sana. Tempat yang kamu paling sering pikirkan setiap hari.
Dia bilang, selama traveling dia merasa gak gitu rindu rumah... humm...mengherankan. Liat muka gue mengkeret heran, dia ketawa, dia bilang lagi bahwa dia milik setiap negara yang dia kunjungi. Aku adalah warga dunia katanya sambil merentangkan tangan lebar dan tersenyum. Tiap negara adalah rumah aku katanya, termasuk Indonesia, kalau aku kesana. Aku nyengir kuda ajahh...
Dia bilang, di Brazil dia masih punya ibu dan saudara perempuannya di rumah, tapi ia menemukan kecintaan dan merasa lebih hidup dan bergairah ketika dia melakukan perjalanan keliling dunia. Perasaan yang membuat dia lebih bahagia ketika berada di suatu perjalanan ketimbang di rumah.
Itu membuat dia rindu buat traveling setiap kali ia berada di rumah. Akhirnya, dia berhenti dari pekerjaannya sebagai tentara nasional Brazil dan sejak 3 tahun yang lalu dia traveling dari satu kota ke kota lain, dari satu negara ke satu sama lain. Sangking gak percaya gue minta di tunjukin kartu militernya hahahah dan doi kasih liat.. memang bener hahha!
Tiba2 dia tanya ke aku; jadi Fika, di mana rumah kamu??
Aku ketawa kek orang gila.. what kind of question is that??? aku ngetawain pertanyaannya. Tapi muka dia serius. Siall.... terdiam dan sruput kopi yang dah tinggal dikit. Terkaget dengan pertanyaan itu. Aku jawab... sejujurnya... aku gak tau di mana "rumah" aku yang sebenarnya. Dia cuma senyum2 aja. Aku masih mikir... di mana yang gue sebut rumah?? tapi jauh di lubuk hati, dengan berat dan penuh dengan penolakan, aku tau pasti aku juga punya perasaan yang sama seperti dia.
Bagaimana aku kangen traveling waktu aku sedang duduk di meja saya di kantor, ngeprint gambar2 pantai atau kota tertentu di belahan dunia lain. Buat gambar desktop komputer dengan kota atau pantai yang gue gak tau entah adanya di mana. Aku rindu traveling, dan setiap kali aku ngerasa gitu aku bakalan ubek2 paspor aku dan wow.........bisa mengingat pengalaman yang aku dapatkan dari setiap setiap stempel imigrasi negara di sana sambil senyum2 kek orang gila.
Aku rindu untuk jadi "bule"/orang asing di kota atau negara lain yang aku kunjungi Dan aku juga rindu perasaan menyenangkan ketika aku ketemu teman baru, yang bisa sharing adventure, yang kadang aku gak tau namanya, belajar bahasa baru, dan melakukan hal-hal yang kadang gak aku lakukan di negara atau kota aku sendiri.
Dengan satu tarikan napas..... aku membatin.... Aku rindu menjadi diri ku sendiri, mengekspresikan perasaan aku secara spontan.... dan melakukan kegilaan in the name---ohhh terserahlah kalo gue kek orang gila... toh mereka gak bakalan liat gue lagi besok2.... *contoh bikin foto2 aneh di tengah kota Paris, atau bergantung di angkot Phuket kek nya propesional banget-padahal di negara sendiri ogaahh* aku rindu "nyasar" di jalan batu di Paris, aku rindu perasaan penasaran di tiap tikungan lorong pasar Catuchak di Bangkok... sebab di tiap lorong pasti bakalan ada hal menarik yang bakalan aku suka. Aku rindu dengan semua perasaan itu....hiks......
Aku rindu dengan beberapa orang teman baru yang aku temui di perjalanan aku melebihi apapun. Aku rindu dengan semua kenangan singkat yang kami buat bersama, aku rindu rasa petualangan yang aku dapatkan ketika aku dapat masalah di sana--not that im trouble maker, cuma rindu dengan thrilling sense... perasaan dalam pilem horor atau kek dalam pilem gitu deh. Aku rindu dengan perasaan mandiri dan percaya diri, percaya dengan keputusan yang aku ambil, aku rindu dengan segala kemungkinan yang mungkin terjadi di jalan. Aku rindu traveling.........
Memang... aku traveling gak sebanyak sebagian besar backpacker yang aku temui selama perjalanan aku. Mileage aku yang pasti sangat kurang di bandingkan dari sebagian besar traveler yang nulis blog kek blog gue. Tapi....... aku sadar, entah bagaimana.... cara aku berpikir, menyelesaikan masalah dan cara aku melihat segala hal jauh berbeda dari diriku humm let say .... misalnya 5 tahun yang lalu, sebelum aku mulai traveling.
Setiap kali aku selesai melakukan perjalanan, setiap kali hari terakhir dari suatu perjalanan tiba, maka kata "rumah" seharusnya aku tersenyum gembira, dan berpikir wow akhir perjalanan aku! akhirnya pulang ke rumah!!... tapi mengapa akhir2 ini ketika aku bepergian, dan lihat tiket pulang kembali ke Indonesia aku ngerasa sedih ...nyesek banget.... sedih sebab perjalanan sudah berakhir??
Terbang di pesawat, kok berasa kek berkabung gitu?? dan hahah gilanya malah mikir.. ohh ok next.. selanjutnya gue mau ke..... hahhaahah pesawat aja belum landing bow!!
Aku memang terkadang merasa rindu dengan rumah orang tuaku ketika sedang traveling, tapi hanya untuk hal kecil seperti ketika aku dengar salah satu lagu bahasa Indonesia diputar, atau ketika aku rindu salah satu makanan Indonesia yang pedasnya dahsyat....atau ketika aku lihat harga sepiring nasi dalam nominal Euro yang sangat menyakitkan--teringat nasi dalam ricecooker yang di masak sama si mama minimal 3 liter perhari... buanyak tapi gak seharga beras satu karung.
Aku rindu rumah waktu aku berada di hostel dengan kamar dorm khusus perempuan, waktu malam kadang kalau sudah akrab pada punya sesi gosip sedikit atau minimal diskusi soal cowok paling keren di hostel, atau siapa yang cinlok dengan siapa---mengingatkan aku dengan saudari2 aku yang kelakuannya nyebelin kadang.... Aku rindu Indonesia waktu aku berada di jalan dan mengalami hari yang berat, melelahkan, dan oh mi God... kenapa tidak ada yang senyum?? cemberut semua! gak ada satupun yang menyapa aku dengan ramah di jalan, kecuali cowok iseng yang bikin mood makin jelek!
Apa aku rindu Indonesia sebanyak aku rindu traveling? mana yang lebih berat?
Secara fisik aku berada di tempat yang aku sebut "rumah", tapi secara pasti aku tau, hati dan pikiran saya berkelana ke tempat lain. Aku ngerasa seperti jadi pengkhianat, sebab aku dengan mudah bisa menjawab; aku lebih senang berada di tempat lain selain kampung halaman tempat kelahiran ku. Aku berada di negara asal ku sendiri, tapi aku merasa tidak lebih berbeda dari perasaan jadi wisatawan yang terdampar di kota asing. Di tempat yang aku merasa tidak bisa membaur. Ini adalah negara asal ku, tapi...... sesuatu yang aku tidak bisa sangkal atau bohongi... rumah adalah tempat hati Anda ...home is where your heart at.
Ketika perjalanan saya di Eropa berakhir, aku ingat... aku nangis di depan pemeriksaan imigrasi, dan bilang berulang -- aku gak mau pulang, aku mau tetap tinggal disini - oh well i cant!! aku tau dan sadar visa aku bakalan expired dalam waktu kurang dari 24 jam dan kalau aku tetep keras gak mau pulang bakalan kena overstay dan aku bakalan susah apply visa lagi....hiiikkkkkkssssssss..... Tapi aku benar2 berharap aku bisa tetap tinggal di sana dan tidak terbang kembali ke Indonesia.
Sekarang, kalau ada orang di bandara nanya sama aku: kamu mau terbang ke mana? pikiran aku selalu ngingatin aku tentang si cowok Brazil dan tentang konsep "rumah" yang baru aku pahami, aku bakalan jawab pertanyaan tadi dengan jawaban "oh, saya akan terbang ke Jakarta" aku gak lagi menjawab dengan "saya akan kembali ke rumah".
Bagi aku, ini masih sebuah pertanyaan kecil yang sangat menarik yang mungkin gak bakalan pernah mampu aku jawab. .. di mana adalah rumah aku sesungguhnya?
Tell me now guys..... bisakah kamu menyebutkan dengan jujur....di mana RUMAH kamu??
Rumah adalah tempat di mana Anda datang kembali, dicintai karena diri anda sendiri, ketika seluruh dunia menolak Anda, ini adalah satu-satunya tempat di mana Anda bisa datangi. Rumah adalah tempat di mana Anda benar-benar menemukan kebahagiaan Anda. Rumah adalah tempat di mana Anda bisa menemukan diri Anda sendiri. Rumah adalah tempat di mana Anda bisa menemukan cinta Anda.
" Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." ~ Miriam Beard
Traveling itu membuka mata kita... bukan cuma mata yang dikepala tuhh.. tapi juga mata hati kita... kita bakalan melihat segala sesuatu dengan cara berbeda setelah kita berpergian/traveling.
Selama perjalanan aku di Eropa, mulai dari saat aku mendarat di Munich tanggal 19 May 2011 aku menyadari banget kalau orang di Eropa sangat care dengan orang2 cacat/kebutuhan lebih ataupun orang2 tua. Orang2 yang gak bisa melihat atau mendengar... aku melihat ini semua jadi sedih...sangat sedih sekali kalau bisa di bilang..
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| Ramp buat naik tram di Strasbourg... |
Betapa mereka membuat semua bangunan dan fasilitas dengan baiknya dan dengan pemikiran bahwa ada orang-orang dengan kebituhan khusus yang juga pengen melihat tempat2 wisata dan beraktifitas seperti orang biasa.. dan orang2 tersebutpun kalau aku lihat beraktifitas seperti biasa.. nenek2 dengan kursi roda listrik mereka yang ngebut banget, lengkap dengan klaksonnya--gue ja hampir ketabrak gila! gak ada batasan buat mereka untuk pergi kemanapun, dan beraktifitas seperti layaknya orang lain!!
Pergi berenang, bermain sama2 duduk2 di taman... aku aja sempat malu sebab aku ngomongin dua cewek yang males banget ngambil sendok yang jatuh dari mejanya.. dan ketika mereka selesai makan, dua orang cewek ini keluar dari restaurant dengan kursi roda tanpa bantuan atau bimbingan orang lain!!
Di setiap bangunan ada tempat landai untuk kursi roda dan bukan cuma bangunan, di tram dan bus ada tempat special buat mereka dan ada ramp otomatis atau tempat khusus buat mereka naik sendiri ke dalam kereta. Dan aku takjub betapa mandirinya orang2 ini!!
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| Tempat khusus di dalam kereta untuk kursi roda |
Di tempat dengan jalanan batu, seperti di Brussels, mereka punya side walk yang bisa di lalui oleh kursi roda.. banyak juga kok nini2 sama aki2 yang pake kursi roda listrik wara wiri dengan kecepatan tinggi ... mereka belanja di supermarket.. atau duduk rumpi di taman dengan kursi roda masing2... nonton pertunjukan dansa di jalanan.. mereka sepertinya senaaang banget...
Aku sedih.. andaikan nini2 kita sama aki2 kita bisa liat ini semua... bisa ngerasain ini semua.. mereka mungkin masih beraktifitas seperti mereka disini.. having fun semangat sampe ajal menjelang...haduh.. pastinya senang liatin mereka deh..gak tergantung dengan orang lain, mengerjakan semuanya sendiri.
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| Pintu khusus untuk kursi roda di check in Lufthansa Munich |
Di Brussel juga kali pertama aku lihat ada cowok nyetir mobil sendiri... dan parkir mobil dengan sempurna, ketika dia keluar.. oh.. dia pake kursi roda!! kalau di Indonesia barangkali gak bakalan deh di kasih sim!!
........ yang buat aku sedih dan malu...?
Sering banget aku bilang sama Mr T kalau bangsa kita tuh peduli dengan orang lain, perduli dengan orang tua, dan tidak individualis. Bangsa kita hangat, penuh kasih sayang dst... Sekarang aku liat kita beda jauh banget dengan apa yang kita percaya.... kalau memang kita bangsa yang baik seperti yang aku percaya.. kenapa kita suka jahat banget dengan orang yang punya kebutuhan khusus atau nini2 agtau aki2 kita??
Apa susahnya buat tempat landai/ramp buat masuk museum? apa susahnya buat fasilitas umum yang friendly buat orang2 tua??? kenapa kita sombong banget, buat gedung gede2 bagus2 tapi gak bisa dinikmati buat semua orang??
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| Toilet khusus buat kursi roda di dalam kereta |
Bukan cuma di fasilitas umum, tempat wisata juga seperti itu.. aku bicara dengan 2 orang yang berkeliling Eropa dengan Kursi roda.. cuma berdua aja!!! bayangkan!
Kalau di Indonesia.. haduuuhh.. mau ke kantor camat ngurus KTP aja susah masuk kantornya kali.... dan ini di Indonesia loh.. negara yang katanya hangat penuh cinta dst.. blah blah...orang dengan kekurangan banyak yang cuma tinggal di rumah dan gak ngelakuin apa2... yang tua2 udah deh.. duduk di beranda rumah paling jauh!!
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Ramp khusus untuk naik bus
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Waktu di Munich, duduk di jendela lantai 3 apartemen sewaan kami... (nyangsang kek kucing) aku liat dua anak laki2 dengan kursi roda.. dan mereka tuh jelas banget dari wajahnya dan bentuk fisik, sama kek orang2 down syndrome... mereka tuh beriringan berdua ketawa2 dengan kursi roda mereka bercanda di trotoar. Sampe di lampu merah mereka saling melambaikan tangan, yang satu tetep jalan di trotoar yang satunya nyeberang jalan dengan kursi roda... dan high 5 ssebelum say good bye!
Hiks.. aku bandingkan lagi dengan Indonesia.. ya Allah.. yang ada mereka pasti di teriakin "idiot" atau teriakan2 jelek lainnya, di ejekin .. boro2 jalan dan aktifitas sendiri!! yang ada keluarganya takut buat ngelepasin mereka keluar dari pekarangan rumah!! aku sedih ngeliat mereka tertawa senang.. sangking sedihnya sore itu aku nangis sampe buat Mr T bingung dan nanya ada apa.
Waktu aku ceritain Mr T gak percaya... aku bilang di Indonesia.. jadi cacat kek hukuman mati aja dari lingkungan sosial dan keluarga... banyak kok yang malu dengan keadaan anggota keluarganya kalau ada yang cacat.... Kami berdua akhirnya cuma duduk dan makan tumis kacang yang aku buat ... terdiam...
I can not help to feel sad and envy... i wish one day Indonesia will be like that, someday my country will be more fair to those who in needs, and more caring to senior citizen. I could only wish........
Sebenarnya kalau di tanya, " Mbak kok berani sih ke Eropa backpacking, pasti modal duitnya gede ya?"
Aku pastinya jawab, ............................gak juga.
Kalau temen aku dah bisa punya rumah (kreditan-bayar 1 jutaan perbulan), motor (honda tiger berapaan ya sekarang? 21 jutaan dapat gak??) ataupun tas prada aspal yang hampir satu jutaan, ataupun koleksi EMAS betaburan... kenapa aku gak mampu nyisihkan uang 10 juta per tahun buat liburan??
bisa dong!!
Hitung punya hitung, kalau tuh kreditan motor atau perumahan bisa paling ngga Rp 600.000,- sampe Rp 1.000.000,- tiap bulannya, bayangin kalo satu tahun 12 juta ke kumpul bisa ke mana aja?? kalau aku bisa 5 juta aja 3 negara tahun 2007 dulu?
Emang rejeki orang beda2... hobi juga beda. Walaupun diriku gak punya apa2 tapi ada kepuasan tersendiri di balik traveling itu. Investing good, but traveling is one of a good investment!! memperkaya diri bukan dengan harta aja... i feel its more worthed than a Prada or Gucci bag. Tapi tiap orang beda.. balik lagi ke rumus di atas, kepuasan masing2 itu gak bisa di ukur loh!!
Banyak juga karyawan yang gajinya di atas 20 jutaan tapi mereka tetep gak ada NIAT buat jalan2. Jadi uang bukanlah segalanya...
bukan modal utama!
Jadi sebenarnya apa sih modal utama jadi backpacker cewek? cewek sama cowok sama aja sih, cuma aku berasa jadi cewek sedikit lebih ribet di beberapa hal.. yah.. mahluk special ciptaan tuhan sih.. (hehe yang cowok gak usah sengit gitu deh!).
Modal utama untuk tiap petualang/backpacker pastinya beda... wong beda orang beda prinsip dan prioritas hidup! sudut pandang pastinya beda juga toh?
Kata orang segala sesuatu berawal dari
NIAT, atopun kemauan/motivasi. Kalo kamu dah niat, dah punya kemauan gede buat tarveling, pasti ada aja cara buat pergi. Mo wisata domestik mo internasional.. kalo gak ada niat, gak ada kemauan pasti kaga bakalan pergi deh!
Sia2 banget kalo duit ato modal punya tapi kemauan gak ada. Baru kena masalah di pembuatan passport ntar dah keder deh! gagal lagi berangkatnya... yahh... kalo gak ada niat apa2 udah bobo aja di tempat tidur gak usah ngapa2in!
Kalau aku yang utama:
INFORMASI.
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| Information, thats means cheaper way to travel! |
Semakin banyak informasi soal tempat yang di tuju semakin baik, semakin banyak modal di bagian ini semakin sedikit jumlah uang yang bakalan di hamburkan... hehe...
Bayangkan kalau kamu ke suatu kota/negara, kalau kamu punya informasi di mana tempat makan halal yang paling murah? moda transport yang paling hemat apa? punya salinan line kereta api/metro/bus jadi gak sia2 waktu sama uang gara2 harus beli tiket lagi....
Itu sedikit contoh aja dari pentingnya persiapan, pokoknya
INFORMASI, gunakan rumus komunikasi 5W+1H (who, what, which, where, how?)
Masih ora mudeng? ini contohnya:
Who? contact person lah, ada yang bisa di hubungi gak di kota itu? hehe mana tau dapat tempat tinggal gratisan, atau dinner gratisan... (ngarep dot com).
What? apa aktifitas yang mau kamu lakukan? sight seing? hiking? sepedaan? tour?
Which? moda transport mana yang mau kamu pake?
Where? kalo gak ada kontak person di tujuan, mau tinggal di hostel mana? di kota mana? di mana lokasi pasti hostel kamu? dimana lokasi pasti terminal bus? di mana lokasi kedutaan besar kita?
How? bagaimana kamu menuju suatu tujuan? bagaimana cara survive gak pake nasi 18 hari?
Masih banyak deh dengan rumus ini, ajaib banget, gak sia2 gue kuliah..huahauhauha....
Kata dosen aku dulu,
"siapa yang menguasai informasi, akan menguasai dunia" so watch out guys... this girl will conquer the world (huahauhauh ketawa ala mak lampir!).
Selain bisa ngirit gara2 bejibun informasi, kita juga jadi lebih pede kalo kita jalannya cuma sendiri. Pada prinsipnya ini alasan aku ngeduluin informasi di atas segalanya. Berhubung gak ada "side kick" kita jadi bergantung sama diri sendiri.
Nyasar sendiri, kehabisan duit juga sendiri.. lahh susah senang juga sendiri. Jadi kalo gak mau susah, yah persenjatakan-lah diri kalian dengan informasi. Kalau bisa detai kecil kek alamat kedutaan Indonesia sama nomor polisi tiap negara deh... sama bahasa setempat incase of emergency.. itu juga namanya informasi!!
Kalau persiapan sudah ok... yah rasa "takut" atau keder berpetualang sendiri pasti hilang. Toh kalian sudah antisipasi kalau ada hal yang melenceng...
Setelah informasi yang buaaanyaak di dapat, yah kita olah deh, bikin planing yang simpel, yang masuk akal, yang bisa kita raih.
Create a good plan! a good plan is a plan with lots of back ups!! kalau buat rencana jangan buat satu aja, buat bakc up juga dong non! jadi kalau rencana kita gagal, bisa jalanin yang lain. Cuma gara2 hujan deras, jadinya tinggal di hostel aja seharian?? gak banget deh!
Buat itinerary yang jelas dengan back up plan yang bagus!
Contoh kalau kita pake couch surfing, jangan ngarep dot com sama satu host aja, kirim request sebanyak mungkin, mana tau--kek pengalaman gue, si host harus mendadak keluar kota satu minggu sebelum kita berangkat, dah ngira semua aman, damai, tentram.... jadinya kocar kacir juga! jadi create back up plan, sediakan at least 2 host!! sama 2-3 alamat hostel di kota tersebut!!
Ibarat pilem Ocean Eleven yang tenar, mereka bisa sukses sebab ada banyak back up plan... banyak escape route nya! jadi susunlah rencana yang etrbaik, yang memungkinkan buat kalian!
Contoh, kalau memang bawa tas koper yang beratnya 20 kiloan lebih, jangan deh buat rencana PP/pilang pergi naik METRO di Paris... gak tega gue!! kalau sudah dapat informasi kaliabn pasti tau kan.... di sana itu gak ada eskalator atau lift ya Non!
Jadi kalo kamu bukan atlet angkat besi gak usah deh mikirin METRO. Nyusahin orang ajah nanti... (pikir aja naik tangga lebih dari 20 step di 3 METRO station paling sedikit...).
Memang ada sih beberapa traveller yang bisa traveling gak pake rencana, modal tas di punggung doang, dan pergi deh kemana angin membawa (cieee) tapi sanggup gak lo dengan segala konsekuensi yang mengikuti?? konsekuensi kelaparan dan tidur di emperan?
Ada beberapa cara sih buat ngumpulin duit, buat makan dikit2.. contoh ngumpulin botol bekas buat di jual di mini market di Jerman.. lumayan.. beberapa botol bisa buat beli roti sama kopi... tapi mampu gak lo travel se extreme itu??
Mungkin masih banyak yang lain, tapi aku tulis sampe disini dulu... nanti lanjutannya!!
Jun 4th, 2011
Aku sampe di Singapore jam 3 sore waktu setempat (jam 2 siang di Indonesia). Campuran jet lag sama capek luar biasa gara2 liburan yang panjang dan di geber abiss tuntasss demi keuangan dan pemenuhan hasrat (ciee.. berasa apa aja kaleee).
Di Changi aku baru sadar kalau airport ini baru selesai di renovasi. Bagian sebelum imigrasi (ke tangga turun ke pos imigrasi di bagian transit itu loh) berubah tempat.. sampe nyasar.. atau akunya aja yang udah lama gak ke Changi kali ya? jadi sedikit nyasar (dikit doang!--hehe hampir ke stasiun kereta antar terminal dikitnya.. hohoh).
Setelah imigrasi, aku ngambil bagasi, duduk2 bengong sambil baca2 peta gratis yang aku ambil di rak dekat pengambilan bagasi aku baru ingat... poster dari museum Porsche ku yang tercinta TERTINGGAL di PESAWAT!! HUAAAAHHHHHHH!! padahal dah selamat dari Stuttgart ke pesawat, kanapa juga bisa tinggal!!! padahal aku dah dobel check, sumpah! dobel check compartemen di atas tempat duduk itu loh, memang SUDAH TIDAK ADA BARANG lagi yang tertinggal di sana.
Campuran bingung, plus capek sama jet lag, aku dapat tas ungu dengan pita kuning norak yang segede gaban itu... langsung cari "Lost and Found" masuk ke sana langsung di ladenin sama mbak2 dengan logat malaysia... tapi doi cepet juga. Aku bilang keknya tinggal di pesawat. Cuma poster tapi aku pengen kasih buat oleh2... hiks hiks.. secara budget kalo ada yang gratisa lumayan buat oleh2 mahluk2 yang cowok di Indonesia. Jauh loohh....
Nunggu kira2 setengah jam buat ngambil barang itu aja, ternyata petugas di sana mesti hub security dulu baru pihak security hub petugas Lufthansa yang masih ada di pesawat.. haduh ribeeett...
Hampir satu jam-sampe sempat ke toilet buat cuci muka sama pipis (cewek, beser bo...) balik lagi aku dah liat poster itu dah ada di meja belakang cewek itu.. wahh syukur deh...
Langsung ke terminal MRT yang menuju ke kota. Aku masih simpan kartu MRT Singapore yang aku sempat tukarkan tahun 2007 dulu. Masih ada kredit kira2 S$19 masih cukup lah buat transit. Oh ya buat ngecek jumlah kredit bisa pake mesin yang sama buat beli tiket MRT itu. Gampang kok buat top up/isi ulang...
Dari stasiun Changi Airport, kita naik dan setelah melewati stasiun Expo kita turun di stasiuin selanjutnya yang merupakan "interchange" Tanah Merah. Setelah itu ganti lagi ke MRT yang menuju JOO KOON (line nomor 2 yang warna Hijau).
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| Singapore MRT Map 2011 |
Berhubung aku dah booking
A Beary Good Hostel di Chinatown (dengan pengalaman yang lalu) jadi aku turun di stasiun
Outram Park (stasiun ke 11
setelah Tanah Merah) dan ganti ke
line 7 yang mengarah ke
Punggol (warna ungu cuy!) dan turun 1 stasiun berikutnya di stasiun
China Town.
Keluar dari exit A MRT dengan selamat, langsung menuju Hostel yang jaraknya kurang dari 100 meter dari exit MRT tersebut. Tapi perjuangan bo! tangga untu ke resepsionis yang ada di lantai 2 cukup lumayan apalagi kalo lo lagi ngesot pake tas koper 22kilo plus satu ransel 5 kiloan sama tas baju ganti yang kira2 1 kilo!!! gilaakkkkk!!!
Sampe di resepsionis gue lega banget... tapi you know what this kid say about? errh have you check your email? we sent an email said we are over booked. Eh?? masih gak nyambung, sumpah gue sampe bilang sorry gue rada slow, jetlag plus 13 jam di pesawat nguras energi terakhir gue.... dia bilang over book? WTF emang masalah gue apa??? gue bilang i book this room since months before, how come its over booked??? emangnya gue care gitu?? emosi gue naik sebab capek sama ngantuk!!!
Dia minta maaf sambil bilang soal bakalan bantu ke hostel cabang mereka yang satunya lagi di Chinatown juga. Gue bilang, yes i know the other one BUT I WANT TO BOOK THIS ONE. Gile apa!! gue maunya di sini kenapa gue yang di oper ke sana???!!! dia bilang, i already sent mail yahhh... they should think that NOT ALL people could check their FREAKIN MAIL every single day during their trip!!
Gue nunjuk tas koper gue, sorry gue gak sanggup lagi bawa tas ini turun ke bawah, gue dah capek banget!!
Dia keknya ngerasa bersalah (yepp he should!!) dan bantu gue bawa tas. But sorry guys, i had to give you bad review. I never book anything like over 500 meter from the MRT, i could book other hostel if you OVER BOOK!!! gue muaraah!!
I cooled down, check in at
Beary Nice hostel. i
CARELESS if this hostel had elevator, had separated toilet between sexes, had bigger room etc, this is not what i book, end of story.
Masih aja jaraknya hampir 800 meter dari stasiun dan gue harus melewati emperan toko. Kebayang besok gue bakalan lari2 ngelewatin toko2 ini sambil bawa semua barang gue menuju MRT. SIALAAANNNN!!!!
Gue kecewa banget sama A Beary Good Hostel, i am very disappointed..... seharusnya kalau mereka over booked, mereka liat dulu dong who comes first/book first they will got prioritized. How come i book from long time and they told me to go to other hostel?? and such short notice/within 2/3 days???
Belum lagi..kok suasananya beda banget ya... lebih banyak "Asia"nya... i don't know about you guys... gue ngerasa lebih asik aja kalo dengan bule2 sebab mereka lebih friendly dan cuek, dan TIDAK NGE GAP/NGELOMPOK!!
Ini yang paling aku gak suka apa lagi dengan turis yang kulit kuning, napa juga bergerombol gitu dan bicara dengan bahasanya sendiri>>>sirik dot com... gue sama kak Mari kalo jalan malah sering ngobrol bahasa Inggris... tapi lain orang lain prinsip.. ya ya i know....
Mungkin aku cuma masih kesal aja dari awal... trus tambah lagi penduduknya mayoritas Asia dengan logat masing2 (Thai, Chinese, etc).
You know whats the other worse thing happens? sekamar sama cewek asal China yang ngeluuuuhhhhh terus. OMG whyyyyyyyy God!!! THIS IS WHAT I DISLIKE MOST!!grrhh!! hobinya ngedumel pelan sama narik napas panjang ya Ollooohhhh ngesalin!!
Aku dah coba buat conversation berhubung aku tidur di bunk bed atas... tapi ketusnya reekkk! bodo lah.. aku tidur jam 1an gara2 jet lag masih semangat aja, cowok2 lain juga tidur sekitar jam 12an.. dia aja gak ada suaranya.
Demi ngejaga perasaan tamu yang lain, aku dah nyiapin pakaian dari malam, sekaligus sama peralatan mandi jadi kalau bangun pagi sekitar jam 6 aku gak bikin banyak suara.
But you know what happen??
I woke up at 6 am, and sit down abit, collect my phone, and charger and jump off bed when suddenly this Chinese girl stood up and say to me "CAN YOU PLEASE BE SILENT?? OR GO BACK TO SLEEP?" udah spaning gue naik!!!!!!!!!!!
Gue bilang "NO" langsung di hadapan MUKA dia. Dia ngeletakin tangan di dadanya sambil bilang "we have to sleep here so please be silent and go back to sleep" pala bapak lo peaaang!! gue bilang "sorry i had to go to harbourfront for ferry, can't go back to sleep" dah sopan gue ya jawabnya, ehh biasa, dia ngedumel belakang pake bahasa cang ceng cong nya!!! bodo amat!!
Gue ambil alat mandi yang udah gue siapin sama pakaian. I don't even made a sound, emang dasar manusia aneh. To all who read this, moral of story??
IF YOU CAN NOT STAND A TINY SMALL SOUND, GET YOUR OWN FREAKIN' ROOM. DO NOT BOOK A DORM!!! OR GET YOUR SELF EYE MASK AND EAR PLUGS PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!End of case.
Mandi air hangat nyenangi ati cuy... langsung sarapan. Gak lama ehh bangun tuh cewek sarap (SAMBIL NGEDUMEL NGELINTAS-cang ceng cong ceng etc.. etc) ya Allah, kasih gue kesabaran, anggap orang GILA aja lah....
Makan roti bakar doi duduk di
DEPAN GUE sambil dengan muka masam pegang hape, cuihhh ngerusak pemandangan... napa juga coba?? masih ada 3 sofa lain depan tipi, ada 5 kursi lain... kenapa dia mo nyiksa gue dengan duduk depan muka gue bangeeettt???? gue langsung pasang ipod di kuping, tapi masih keliatan mulutnya komat kamit ngedumel SENDIRI kek orang gila beneran. Masih muda dah sakit.. kasian...
Udah gitu gue CUCI PERALATAN MAKAN yang gue pake sendiri setelah gue selesai sarapan. Mahluk "antik" itu??? sampe gue check out PIRING SAMA SENDOK yang dipakenya MASIH DI MEJA MAKAN.
Rule buat HOSTEL yang punya dapur ya sodara2 please notice:
CUCI LAH SELALU SEMUA PERALATAN MASAK/MAKAN YANG TELAH ANDA GUNAKAN
Jadilah manusia BERADAT jangan jadi manusia biadap kek satu itu ya... Padahal dah ada tulisan lebih dari satu yang nyuruh nyuci (errhh gue kok emosi banget ya?) gimana gak emosi, resepsionis ngira itu piring gue yang pake!! gue bilang aja, tuh little chinese "lady" yang ngelonyor aja...
Sutralah... segini dulu update penuh emosi gue.... sorry ya guys... gue kalo ingat suka marah soal ini... mudah2an ngebantu... TT.TT maafkan saya yang penuh emosi... (hormon kali...hohohoh)
Those who visit foreign nations but associate only with their own country-men change their climate but not their customs. They see new meridians but the same men; and with heads as empty as their pockets return home with traveled bodies but untraveled minds ~ Caleb Colton
...................Gare de l'est Paris to Gare du Midi Brussels....................
The bus driver drive the bus with moderate speed... for sure Indonesian bus driver go twice faster than this bus driver.
Next to me an asian girl, seemed shes a student, but she didn't talk much. I don't know what happen to asian people when they go to Europe. Seemed their polite and friendly nature as in Asia are gone. She's obvious a chinese decendent, but i can't really sure where shes come from. From her english she could be from Malaysia or Singapore, as i could hear the "Sing-lish" a bit on her tone.
I remember my friend Lee also agree with this. Without pointing as certain races, we agree some asian doesn't want to gather with other races, or even speak with local languages or try to get along with other people outside their races. I can not understand why.
Why you travel so far away while you only want to be with people from your country? i thought when you travel you want to see new people, learn new languages, food, customs etc (eating rice at Europe seemed bit.. weird--once a while its ok),
Anyway, i enjoy the view.. enjoy the huge grass field... seeing horses, farms... everything so different than Indonesia. I don't want to sleep! i want to see more...
On my ipod i listen to Angel by Sarah McLachlan, i feel so happy i had the chance to see all of this. First Paris, and now the outer part of Paris on the way to Belgium...
I wish i could record all of this in my head and play it back when i go back to Indonesia.. this is all beautiful on its own way... flowers are different, street signs...
I feel so lucky i met good peoples a long the road so far... i just wish i had my best friends and sisters to see what i see now... the wonder of different part of the worlds...
It is something when you see the world in a humble way...
Been there done that...
I want to be that person who say those most of times.... and traveling gave me chance to kept saying that to my friends--maybe in the "quite annoying" level. Hehehe... i am glad i did traveling that i had chance to do things i haven't done, or things that i thought i wont be done.. errhhh not necessarily against law of course!!
I had those lovely memories, lots of new friends.. and its all precious!
But sure i had bad experiences also.... things i don't want to remember.. and just want to forget soon as i was on holiday and don't want to think (or using my brain accordingly!) just trying to relax and away from trouble!
What happens to me most of time.. and prob happens to other traveler to is getting late to get to the air plane!!
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| RRRRUUUNNNN to the gaaattteee!!!! |
It happens to me twice.. and uncountable "almost" left by the plane. Some happens when i went to airport at very last minute, another time happens when i got lost in airport--yepp pretty silly indeed!!
But hey.. thats what experience is!
I try my best to made that not happen, wake up early, get to airport early... try to wonder around too far.. but..TT.TT it happens!! the plane gone...
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| ...its like watching horror movie when this is happens to you!! |
But once i got left by Sriwijaya flight from Jakarta to Jambi, they change my flight ticket for free for noon flight. I think its because i already check in.. and late for 5 min from the departure.. erhh long story that related to J.CO at terminal 3 and the free shuttle bus of course!!
Another time, i was late at Jambi airport when the plane is actually ready for take off.. it back again... wow... amazing.. i beg them because its the last flight from Jambi and i actually did use the excuse they change the flight time! and no sms or any phone call saying it was changed! so... they back again for me.. i had to run to run way with a guy carry my bulky backpack! it feels like joining the amazing race!
I never plan that and i don't want that to ever happens...
If i look back again.. this hobby also started wrong... wrong in terms i did start it that way... first time traveling in January 2007... i was 15 minutes late that i also had to run to run way.. where the flight is waiting, i rush i run, and on board... there he goes..
MY BOSS at one of the passenger seat.. i said "..uuuhh hi boss!!" he hide his face under newspaper that he read!! hahahahahaha....
When i arrive in Jakarta.. and get my luggage he was there standing next to me and whisper... i don't want to know you because you are very late arriving! i didnt know that we were waiting for you!! hahaha i don't know if we were on the same flight because i don't even notice the flight that he request few weeks ago before i went on my days off!
So.. i think i need to say sorry to all those passengers that wait for me.. and most of indonesia/domestic flight attendant that already very patience waiting for this girl with her huge backpack... i am so sorry guys...
I will keep trying not to be late when ever i travel.. i just hope that i wont be on the same flight with one of my readers here (hehe di lempar sama sandal jepit gue huahauhaua! maaf kan sayaaaaaa!)
Eventually there are few reasons why passenger could possibly late for their flight and missed the flight!
There are 8 top reasons why people actually late for their flights! and i found few tips and solutions for those.. i hope this could help you all out! because missing a flight could possibly very expensive mistake for a budget traveler!
These tips should help you get where you’re going on time.
Problem: Misread and misspelled documents
Solution: On receipt of your documents check the name, spelling and flight details are correct.
Problem: Flight schedule changes
Solution: Check your latest paperwork for any changes. Remember the times on the ticket will be written using the 24 hr clock.
Problem: Traffic delays caused by road accidents and road works or engineering works on railways
Solution: Check with local authority or just radio broadcast, accidents or engineering works that may affect your route and if need be find an alternative route.
Problem: Denied permission to travel due to incorrect passport or expired passports
Solution: Review your passport in advance to ensure it still has six months to run after your return to the UK. Also remember to pack your passport in your hand luggage.
Problem: Essential medication needed urgently is packed in the hold luggage which has been checked–in
Solution: If your bags do not join you on the aircraft you run the risk of missing your flight. Make sure any prescribed medication is packed in your hand luggage just in case you need it before the flight departs. Most airports have a chemist but they may not stock your particular prescription.
Problem: Too late to check-in
Solution: Add more time – Airports are big and somewhere you might not be familiar with. Never under estimate your timings, make sure you have left plenty of time to get from the airport car park, (which may require a transfer service) to the terminal and into the correct check-in zone. Remember there may be a queue at check-in. Make sure you know which terminal as some airport have more than one and airlines can also fly out of more than one terminal.
Problem: Not allowing enough time to get to the departure gate once checked-in
Solution: Airlines are requiring their passengers to arrive at the gate for their flights earlier than in the past. Plan on getting to the gate at least 30 minutes before your flight departs and remember some gates can be as much as 25 minutes away from the main retail area. If you’re late they won’t wait.
Problem: Flights not connecting
Solution: Connecting flights are the most difficult to negotiate. If there isn't a nonstop flight, then build extra time into your itinerary for the connection. Don’t take the connecting flight that gives you just 45 minutes to change planes at a busy airport; instead, ask for a 2 to 4 hour layover to make the connection. You may not be able to do this online, instead call your travel agent or the airline directly. Please remember if you have bought two separate flights your connection is never guaranteed.
.......... time has comes for me to pack my things in a 50 liter back pack and start a brand new adventure!
Bangkok and Singapore here comes FIKA!!! ciiiaaaaattttttttt!! (gaya kung pao master!)
Bangkok
There was something about Bangkok or Thailand that i like. I don't know how to describe it, but i found it romantic, with all of its bustle and sound, also smell and the look of lady boys (he he he). I found it all very fascinating. Tuk tuk, taksi the wat's chao phraya, the humidity, the heat, the sweat, the dogs... ohhhh... all about Bangkok hate and love, made me want to go there again!!
At 2009 i book a flight through Air Asia, with their FREE SEAT, i got flight from Jakarta to Bangkok with price of Rp 30,000,- (about US$ 3,-) well it should be free, they actually charge Rp 30,000,- for my extra 15 kg's luggage. (Lu boleh jealous dah ! huahuahuahauhauha!!!!) Nope, i sit in a leather seat, full ac, and its not a single 80 years old propeller plane. Its normal 100-200 seated flight (maybe fokker, i don't understand this one), but its normal plane for sure, no plastic chair, i don't have to sit on the floor too, or jump off the plane with a parachute!! (yeah they tease me with these when theyt found out about my flight price!!).
My flight start from Jambi at 11 am with Batavia air. There were delays for 30 mins, but its normal in Indonesia (geezz.. i dont know how i see delay as normal... but it is pathetic!!). When you said "delay" as a "not normal" thing ladies and gentlemen... if you're an expat, you better know, this is one of sign you've been TOO LONG reside in Indonesia. If you are an Indonesian, please peeps... change this mind set, DELAYs are not OK!!!!
I arrive in Jakarta on lunch time. Switching terminal from domestic to international, using the airport free shuttle bus (yellow bus). And go down in Air asia counter, check my flight from the small monitor on every each air asia counter. Theres several lines already.After check in at Air Asia counter and pay Rp 150.000,- for airport tax (around US$15/Person), oh i got help from two pretty lady in red, on self check in machine infront of traditional checking counter, it was very easy and comfortable! All i need is my booking number (ticket print out) and passport number. No need to queue, less than 5 min they gave me the check in sticker that printed on that machine, i attach it to my printed ticket, all i need to do after that just goes to "special queue line" that had big banner said "self check in" to scale/drop my bag, tag it and thats all! next will be finding an official fiscal office, not far from the counter.
I get my "free fiscal stamp" at my boarding pass from fiscal booth near immigration door on the same floor not far from there (about 100 meters from Air Asia Counters). I don't have to pay "fiscal" when ever i leave Indonesia since i had my NPWP. These days everyone that work have to had NPWP, even my youngest who wasn't work last time she went to Malaysia she made her own NPWP card at tax office and its very easy! (Read my writing about fiscal rules).I fill in the "Indonesia Departure card" that was given to me by air asia counter/check-in guy (you will always had this card when ever you leave or enter a country, every country had their own departure/arrival card, oh its just one card by the way) and go to immigration queue line (for Indonesia passport) for stamp in my passport (hand off the departure card to the officer when you give the passport).Oh, another tips i could give is, use the air asia "web check in". It is the best resolution for people like me i think. I get "lost" on my way to airport sometimes. But the rules is it could only be done 2 days up to 4 hours before departure. You could do this with your cellphone too. So there's no chance for you for getting late to airport for check in as the counter will closed 1 hour before departure!!
I still had at least one and half hour to go before my flight. It was a great time for having the most expensive sandwich that i ever had in my life and a bottle of water at Soekarno Hatta-Jakarta International Airport. I know i should stick to Mc D or or other junk food joint.My flight with Air Asia was at 4 pm afternoon. My fingers are cold, because i was too excited to start this all!! i ask the check in counter if they could seat me near window seat so i could take pictures. Hehe.. she gave me emergency exit seat... good for my long legs!! hehe thanks JKT Air Asia crew.. no worry guys... i am tough enough to open those emergency exit, God Forbid that happened, but yaaayyy!
I fed up with local girls with their caucasian bf/guest/daddy what so ever, if the age gap over 25-30 years, thats not normal, and uuuhhhh... i hate too much PDA (Personal Display of Affection>> kissing smooching, grabbing, hugging tight, petting, etc). Whats wrong with these people!!! I had to listen to whispers and giggles, its disgusting! and its still Jakarta to Bangkok.. and Patayya is on my list.. i roll my eyes.. what ever... i use my eye patch and listen to my MP3 until time the stewardess minds me to turn off my MP3 because its nearly landing. Oh... i take Nasi Lemak Pak Nasir as my dinner menu on board, not bad actually... pretty nice. Its because i am hungry too! I landed nearly 8 pm at SuvarnaBhumi in Bangkok, i was amazed. Wow.. pretty clean! and futuristic, a little bit like Changi tho...
It was the very first time i landed in Suvarnabhumi. I went to Thailand several times but i was landed in Phuket, Krabi, or leaving from Changi. So... never been to SuvarnaBhumi. The arrival gate and the immigration check is quite far, and wow... its bigger than Changi! the lines consist of Thai passport and International passport. I pick the one that on the very left part, as the first 4 on the right was very looooonggggg! the immigration officer pretty helpful for traveling family with small kids, they short of made them priority as they come to them one by one and guide them to the "special boot" for the kids. Ok thats pretty cool when you had more than 3 kids running around or crying... you wont think its nice to stand on queue over 35 people. Its nuts. So yeah.. good for those mums and dads.
And i learn very good thing... please don't laugh ok... first i have to explain how small my town airport is: Jambi airport only had two luggage belt at the arrival, and its only less than 20 meters long (got the view?).
Here in Suvarnabhumi you will see over 25 luggage belt. Its huge, its crowded and.... confusing!!! I was jump around, try to see my flight number on the 3 belt that i just passed until a guy short of ask, what the hell i were doing that time, and i said it, i don't know which belt my luggage was! and he point at an electronic board, just exactly the same as the flight announcement (well.. ok.. i thought it was a flight announcement board) you know that blinking board that said which flight and numbers and arrival or departure time??? yepp... that one.
This one show the flight numbers, city of departures, and time of arrival, and ...bingo!! the luggage belt number!!! But i guess i am not the only one who look the luggage the "traditional way" which ill call "visual check" way hahahahha! Well it only work if you only had at least 5 belt lines!!! but over 25??!! ok that wont work buddy!
I was the first one who arrive on the belt! hahaha! pretty cool.. i took my luggage and goes to the "green" line exit which said "no goods to declare".Outside, i go to the atm for the cash in baht as i didnt change my money to baht before. I just use my ATM from BCA well.. i use that for years since 2006. I went to 2nd floor to Starbuck as i see many people use laptop there... i thought they had free WIFI.... but i was wrooong!
Even Suvarnabhumi look as sophisticated as Changi but they don't have that free wifi!!! come on... even Jambi had free wifi!! why there is no wifi!! as the gadget freak, i feel so upset there! After a mocca latte grande and sitting for a while at Starbucks try to made a draft for this blog, finally Lee come with her big smile! she looks pretty like a super model just the same like i met her before in Singapore (remember the Ryan Cumpston and Richard Stewart "journey" back in Singapore?? the US navy guys from DDG 82/USS Lassen??). We sit for a while, and she order her cup of coffee.
Anyway, we walk down and we finally see free internet at THAILAND TOURISM boot on the first floor! there are two computer that people could use for free for browsing internet! and i ask for a Bangkok map also use the computer for a while, the girl could speak moderate English, convenient thing to know actually..... , and we met an Oz girl that very nice, she browse flights for Lee, but we had lack of choice as the flight price goes up to 3000 baht (to Singapore). When we go to level 4 for AirAsia counter, it was closed already (it was 11pm i think), so we go back down on basement to get a bus to our hostel.
To get to the bus station to town, we had to go to the exit number 8 near the taxi boot on first level, just look up for the sign said Airport Express Bus. We took the bus direction to Silom Area (AE1). The price for the bus to Sala Daeng Sky Train are 150baht (our hostel at Decho Rd not that far from "PATPONG" area!). It is cheaper than if we go by taxi, which is 400-500 baht and it still depends on the traffic too! so it could be much more!
The hostel name is Lub.D. I would highly RECOMMEND you this hostel, due to lots of reason ill tell later hehehe.... Oh i book the hostel from the Hostel Bookers website. They got he cheapest price and no additional charge too! I would recommend bus for airport, as the bus is very fast, and its comfortable and clean too. And i do think its safe! I do heard there was MRT from airport to city centre too, but the service is only until 7pm, so its not an option for us.
We leave the airport with the bus at nearly 10pm. The journey began with Lee. The city at night was very calm. I had my camera ready on my hand, i want to see pictures of what left behind the deadly demonstration few months ago. What Bangkok looks like in the eye of visitor/tourist for the very first time after they land in SuvarnaBhumi? It turn out to be a normal night in Bangkok city. Nothing that i see wrong, its not that Bangkok a spotless place, but there are things that not rihght and you could spot it easy as the prostitute and lady boy walk on the street or on a motorcycle. But its still one of the city of Bangkok "landmark" hehehe... so.. nothing strange about it.Then i see it the burned malls stood in the dark.. covered with some green nets, looks like they're moving forward and try to fix it as soon as possible.... ok... its very fast actually.. Indonesia took longer time to recover from Bali bombing. Of course it was something different.... but still.. it was burnt few weeks ago but everything looks so normal, and feels normal too!We were arrive around 11pm at the Sky train terminal. But its actually quite shady area, some local Thai guy drunk, come closer to us and we decide to go inside a 7/11 to ask direction. Because ts common for me to be disoriented at very first day when i was i arrive in a new city. And alas! the 7/11 cashier not speak english that well. And i forgot my other Thai 101; Thailand people never say "no" or "don't know" (sorry i generalize Thai people here...but that's the fact i experienced so far!), when we ask something they will try to point a direction or just pretend they don't really hear what we said. Geez... so instead of lead us to the right way they often get things even worse! We finally took a taxi from sofitel hotel, if only we know its so close!The room we stayed in is a dorm, when we arrive theres none there. But its 8 bunk bed there. And we could see the bed "tag" (like the bag tag from airport) from the hostel show only 4 of the bed are occupied.We went out at 2 am since Lee want to have a sight of Patpong and we dont even feel sleepy! So we walk around and see small traditional market not far from Patpong, its all GREAT! we walk until the end of the road and decide to go back to hostel since it was 4 am! and even the drunk girls are on the way back home. It was safe to walk at night in Bangkok.Well... matters safe or not actually it depends on us, how we carry our self, how you behave how you dress, how you talk, etc. If you use your best "i am not into trouble" look/behaviour, i think it will be ok anywhere.Its was pretty funny to see the drunker walk back home, you could see their drunk smile, walk tipsy, some are cute, some are just sleazy (haha we only spot guys! hahah!).Over all my first night are pretty awesome!!Untuk yang baru merencanakan jalan2 ke LN ini yang aku lakuin di airport:
1. Siapin passport sama uang Rp 150.000,- untuk airport tax (Soekarno Hatta segitu nominalnya). Check in di counter penerbangan (air asia, tiger, garuda etc). Dapat "Departure Card".
2. Siapin copy kartu NPWP, pergi ke loket "Pelayanan Pajak" di dekat pintu masuk cek imigrasi. Kasihkan passport, boarding pass sama ticket trus fotocopy kartu NPWP tadi. Nanti petugas bakalan kasih stempel di boarding pass. Kalau punya NPWP bakalan di stempel "NO FISCAL" kalau gak punya hehe... bayar Rp 2 juta!!
3. Isi form/kartu keberangkatan/departure card selengkapnya (perlu liat passport dan tiket, buat ngisi nomor passport sama tanggal expire, trus nomor flight yang ada di tiket/boarding pass).
4. Ngantri di imigrasi, liat line untuk "passport indonesia" kasih passport sama kartu keberangkatan, boarding pass, ticket.. semua dah!! Passport di stempel sama boarding pass/fiskal
5. Sudah di stempel, tinggal pergi ke "gate" keberangkatan alias ruang tunggu. Kalau masih banyak waktu bisa liat2 toko2 di sana, harga "katanya" sih lebih murah sebab duty free alias bebas pajak...
6. JANGAN SAMPE TELAT BOARDING! hehehe... keasyikan window shopping kadang buat lupa waktu. Gate air asia rada jauh, jadi yah... tolong diperhitungkan lah waktu buat jalan ke sana!
7. Adios! Bon Voyage! jangan lupa oleh2 cerita nya yakk!
Di akhir masa traveling yang fun banget kita sering kali bingung, mikirin oleh2 apa yahh yang paling bagus buat keluarga? Sangking binunnya kadang malah kaga kebeli hehehe... (paraaahhh)
Oleh2 itu cuma tradisi di indonesia, tanda kalau kita sang "pengembara" teteup ingat sama keluarga kita atau temen2 walaupun kita jauhh di sanah. Cuma yah itu kadang sampe bingung sendiri milihnya.Pilihan aku kalau mau beliin oleh2 pastinya merhatiin berat/ukuran dari oleh2 itu.. trus hehe HARGA cetak tebel ya bo! secara ini backpackingan, gila aja kalau lo minta bawain patung godzilla yang beratnya 3 kwintal!!!
At the end of our joyous traveling journe (or perhaps in the middle?) we often kind of being nice and consider to give some "insight" about our journey by giving our loves one something unique from the places where were traveling to.
Good guideline about this gift i think... well.. if you traveling on budget, you should consider about the price and the size/weight of the gift. Being in budget means you could only bring limited stuff on your luggage, since most of budget airlines limit the luggage weight and also the size and weight of bag that you could bring on board. Its sucks.... hehe. So make sure you wont bring any heavy stuff such a bulky godzilla statue!!
Aku suka kagum sama expat yang aku kenal... mereka gak ambil pusing soal oleh2...
Contohnya.... ada yang bawa balsem caplang sampe 4 dus ke negaranya!! buat tetangga, anak, bibi, sama keluarga yang lain... balsem gitu loh!!!
I know for some people unique stuff from places where they go could mean something different than others. Could be key chain, tshirt, snow globe, sticker, fridge magnet, food, or something that as weird as a linggam (hehe read my 2007 traveling adventure in Krabi).
I like the way western did it, they bring some weird stuff.... well weird enough for me, such as rub balm or chilli sauce!! lol..
Ada lagi yang bawa sambel botolan... berhubung di negaranya ada saus sambel tapi gak pedas kek di Indonesia.. jadi alhasil tiap kali ke indonesia dia borong sambel botol sebanyak yang bisa di bawa di tas kopernya! coba mak gue di bawain sambel... hidihh gak kebayang musibah apa yang bakalan terjadi hahahahah! (peace mom!!)
