This is actually my first time to be in Vietnam, and to be exact.. in Ho Chi Minh city, which was supposed to be the most developed city in Vietnam.

Here are the interesting facts that I learned during my one week stay:

1.       HCM is a busy city and full with motorcycles. They are everywhere around the city, going straight, passing you by and definitely A LOADS!

March of the Motorcylers

Need a special skill to across the street!

2.       Their street foods are great! The most interesting part is their small/short table+chair that they used.

I love their street food! =D

Vietnamese sandwich is the best! my daily snack

3.       They don’t have any tissue anywhere, everywhere! I can’t believe it! Even in the restaurant, they only have wet tissue, which you need to pay if you use them.

4.       Their city is actually very nice for walking around. The pedestrian walk is spacy and the city itself is clean.

Let's Walk!

5.       Unfortunately, the electricity cables are everywhere. It’s kinda hard to take a good picture without having the cable in it.

Front: cable. Back: Main Post Office

Everywhere cable!

Anyway, here are some landmarks of the city:

The Notre Dame of HCM

The Main Post Office, find beautiful collectible stamps here!

The City Hall

The Benh Tranh Market, where the art of bargaining is fully needed

And here are the food that will carry you away! Tasty..!

Yummmmmmm....!

All the sweet dessert! just point and nod

The Coconut ice cream! Perfect after too much walking =P

Crispy France Bread + fresh veggie and slices of meat

Last but not least, Vietnamese Broken Rice

More of the city’s pics??! You bet!!!

Night Time

With the tallest building on progress *on the left side*

More info about the city: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho_Chi_Minh_City

I have more.., but I gotta go now to get my pho for breakfast! will add some more later! C ya

The city is called “Paris of Spain“  by Hans Christian Andersen for its beauty and culture.

Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)

Torre de Calatrava

This communication tower, designed by Santiago Calatrava for the 1992 Olympic games, was built for thr Spanish national telephone company (Telefónica de España) to transmit the TV coverage. It has 136 metres high and it despicts an athlete holding the Olympic Flame

Winter in Barcelona

I want one of this corner apt

Another Apts...

You know, what I like about Barcelona other that the city itself.., I love the building! it’s like you are in a completely different country because apparently everything seems different in a good way!

Of course, for the football lover won’t miss the stadium! Actually, everywhere I went, there’s a soccer field with some players practicing. Morning and night, winter and summer, they are still there playing around. WOW, imagined the love they have, eh?!

F.C. Barcelona

Welcome to Paradise

O..Holiday..

My typical getaway is going to the beach!

That’s why when my bf was asking me to have a holiday in Bali, I was easily agreed Our days back there weren’t a typical tourist day. We had our adventure in a motorcycle and exploring the unexplored… From the cotton road, to the sideways of western Bali.., we had it all! Those beach hunting days were captured in some pictures below:

Still Virgin

Our first beach was Balangan Beach. The beach was still clean, not too crowded, and had a white sand.

Fetching

Discover a hidden path

Horizon...

Nature's calling

And finally, we reach the hidden gem

My Ipanema Bunchen!

The sand was the best!

How to get to Balangan Beach:

• Straight up the Bukit Peninsula Hill
• Pass GWK
• Small Intersection (to the left: Bali Cliff, Jl. Uluwatu)
• Take right (small road next to Nirmala Supermarket)
• Follow road of cotton trees
• Find a small metal fence to the beach parking lot

Ok, move on.. after exploring Balangan Beach, where we can also see Dreamland/ its new name “Klapa”, Our second beach was Padang2…

When we arrived there, we were so hungry and thirsty from the sunshine heat! We simply ordered sandwiches and nasi goreng telor + BEER, which were so PERFECT for that time!

We love Padang2 so much! and it wasn’t like an Indonesian beach, cuz I think we were the only Indonesians there (excluding the warong’s owner) + no more Asians too! We don’t know how could it be like that, but that’s real… nobody but us! We felt SPECIAL haha =D

In celebration of our adventure!

BeachSide "Warong"

There goes the beach path...

The "IT" Beach

Never tasted a beer like this! Perfect timing i guess..

Padang Beach from the above

After re-fueling our energy in Padang Beach.. (it was really perfect for swimming! and was also famous known for Oakley and Rip Curl Surf Competition).. Our next beach destination is Geger Beach.. where we could find many interesting sea sport activities + seaweed farming

Into the Blue!

Seaweed BeachLace

Even the cow loves the beach!

The sand of Geger Beach

Side Beach Pizza, was a great idea!

How to get to Padang2 Beach:

• Its location is between impossible and Uluwatu beach
• Bypass towards Nusadua
• Turn off @Uluwatu
• After passing Dreamland/Klapa, turn off
• Right hand turn towards Bingin
• Downhill to Padang2

Driving from Kuta takes 25 minutes

How to get to Geger Beach/ Menggia Beach (20 min from Kuta):

• Take direction to Grand Hyaat/ Inna/ Hilton hotel
• Pass the main gate
• Right turn off at the bypass
• Follow the road,
• Through: Bali Gold, Country Club, pass the Bale & Sekar Nusa to a narrow gang (alley)

Yayyy!!! we lovin’ it!

It’s really great to have the dream holiday with your best friend, and it’s even greater if you could really spend a valuable quality time together, and took out some lesson from the journey.

Throughout this beach journey, we mostly learned about “exploring the unexplored” haha.. it’s very interesting to find out that the most exotic, natural, and untouched part of our beaches are covered by the foreign people. Although the road seemed far and not too comfortable, they really go for it! Compared to our local tourist who mostly were looking for the “popular” spot, the one that is convenient with full service. It’s a pity for me, as Indonesian, to realize that other people appreciate and are willing to “sacrifice” more than us. If they can care about our beaches, why can’t we?!

The beaches might be an ordinary things for you, but they are really extra-ordinary for me. I call it “my precious memory”, where the blue sky blend in with the blue of the ocean, along with the shimmering magical moment of friendship and love.

Love for the ocean, beach, sky, air, and all of the beauty creation.

Errr.. I always thought, isn’t it boring?! you just go there, and woohoo.. go back again in a couple of months! and do the same stuff all over again!

It turned out that I was wrong.

Bali is not just another fantastic place to have a holiday, it has its culture, it has many kind of varieties of holiday type that you would like, and obviously it offers different kind of adventure for all of explorer and traveller from this world.

From low budget kind of holiday to high luxurious one!

From culturistic to top adrenalin one!

From family type to the solo type!

All at once on Bali ^___^

Which one is you? You tell yourselves!

Island of Gods

Alrite, last year I got the chance to explore Bali all in one for 4 days/3 nights holiday with my beau and sister. We went there for vacation and actually to celebrate my beau’s graduation.

We were lucky because we had friends over there, who could “informally” guided us in choosing the activities that we wanted. Although we were there in a mission of “bungee jumping of a lifetime”, we were also hungry for other kind of adventure that we could have.

So finally, with the main theme and final destination of bungee jumping, we also did some culinary exploration, and further… had a little island stopover in Nusa Lembongan.

Let me get the details through the pictures below ;0

Bali Map

Our day #1, we did some exploration to the “non-beaches” place.. we went to Ubud, Kintamani, and BAS Bali coffee Plantation:

Ubud Kingdom

Other than fascinating Ubud Art Market, they also have a lot of good cafe (middle-up price) and the Kingdom of Ubud, where you can find original Bali architecture. There were a lot of temples too.

We had our lunch in Warung Ibu Oka, where it’s famous of its suckling pig. It seemed that the word had spreaded out among the international tourist too Basically, when we ordered the food, we got rice + roasted pig + crispy pig + green chilli. I repeat, green chilli. For those who couldn’t eat spicy food, I recommended to “kick out” those green chilli.

Ibu Oka - Suckling Pig

After the lunch, we went up to the “hill” and found this:

Mt. Batur

Lake Batur

Those two above pictures were taken from Kintamani, which have colder temperature than the beach/normal city you would imagen.

After that, in the name of  “coffee lover“, we were so excited to get here, BAS Coffee Plantation:

We got to try 6 kinds of coffee! yay!!!

We could see the "coffee process" on site

Those "fried" coffee

AND FINALLY, WE GOT INTO OUR MAIN PURPOSE TO BALI:

Swing Baby, Swing!

haha.. during sunset time, it was perfect to do it! We went to double six and to be honest, I almost walked away when I was in the receptionist table (and seeing the height of the tower and the distance of the lift to reach the top). My beau and sister insisted, “it’s a lifetime chance!” errrr… “it’s a youth celebration!” errrr… and finally, I made up my mind on: “now or never!”

Well,,, I guess I made the right choice, although I’m not quite sure that I want to do it again haha..

For your information, you could bungy jump with your bicycle + motorcycle + and other CRAZY stuff! I had the chance to see one with bicycle x)

Say HI to FUN in the SEA

The next day… we went for a day trip cruise to Nusa Lembongan

A view from Nusa Lembongan Island

We got the chance to do many activities in the cruise: banana boat, diving, deep sea viewing, snorkling…

But what I love most was the island exploration: seeweed plantation, village tour, underground house and yes… playing in the cyrstal clear beach!

Village Tour

Seaweed Plantation

When our day trip was over in Nusa Lembongan, we went back with a high-speed boat, and was overly excited with the fact of “bump-bump-waving affect” in the sea! It was like riding a roller coaster with better thuding.

Our last day in Bali, we spent for shopping around and checking out the “cities” which was Kuta (beach), Legian (mall) and Denpasar (factory outlet). I was “impressed” with Kuta Beach (not in a positive way though), I was surprised to find out that the beach was very dirty, very crowded, and was changed dramatically unsophisticated.

Kuta Beach

Tagged a sexy MAN in Kuta

So, that’s a part of my 2008 Bali Trip.. a little here and there of culture, sport, and fun activities.. Hope that you fellas enjoying them!

it will be continued with my next blog of Bali Beaches! After all, who could resist this..:

I'm into the BLUE

Tau lagu ini?

Pulang ke kotamu, ada setangkup haru dalam rindu
Masih seperti dulu
Tiap sudut menyapaku bersahabat penuh selaksa makna
Terhanyut aku akan nostalgi saat kita sering luangkan waktu
Nikmati bersama suasana Jogja

Di persimpangan, langkahku terhenti
Ramai kaki lima menjajakan sajian khas berselera
Orang duduk bersila
Musisi jalanan mulai beraksi seiring laraku kehilanganmu
Merintih sendiri, di tengah deru kotamu

(Walau kini kau t’lah tiada tak kembali) Oh…
(Namun kotamu hadirkan senyummu abadi)
(Izinkanlah aku untuk s’lalu pulang lagi)
(Bila hati mulai sepi tanpa terobati) Oh… Tak terobati

Musisi jalanan mulai beraksi, oh…
Merintih sendiri, di tengah deru, hey…

Walau kini kau t’lah tiada tak kembali
Namun kotamu hadirkan senyummu abadi
Izinkanlah aku untuk s’lalu pulang lagi
(untuk s’lalu pulang lagi)
Bila hati mulai sepi tanpa terobati, oh…

(Walau kini kau t’lah tiada tak kembali)
Tak kembali…
(Namun kotamu hadirkan senyummu abadi)
Namun kotamu hadirkan senyummu yang, yang abadi
(Izinkanlah aku untuk s’lalu pulang lagi)
Izinkanlah untuk s’lalu, selalu pulang lagi
(Bila hati mulai sepi tanpa terobati)
Bila hati mulai sepi tanpa terobati

Walau kini engkau telah tiada (tak kembali) tak kembali
Namun kotamu hadirkan senyummu (abadi)
Senyummu abadi, abadi…

KLA Project

Hehe.. ada apa sih Di Jogja, selaen gudeg, bakpia n Malioboronya???

Istana Air Taman Sari

Keraton Yogya

Statiun Yogya, Penantian ke Solo

Dari Yogya ke Solo, perjalanan dengan kereta api ditempuh selama kurang lebih satu jam saja di dalam kereta api ekonomi yang penuh sesak dan dijejali penumpang yang “terlatih” untuk menggelar plastik dan koran di gerbong2 yang ruangnya lapang, hanya dengan bangku di pinggiran.

Sesampainya di Solo…

http://museumbatikdanarhadi.blogspot.com/

Es Ronde menggugah selera *dkt keraton*

Keraton Solo

The Famous Serabi Solo

Ayo ayoooo kita ke Yogya dan ke Solo untuk wisata kuliner, belanja di pasarnya, dan belajar ke-etnik-an budayanya =)

Everybody was wearing yellow shirt, t’shirt, dress, jacket, everywhere yellow!!! Bright and Sunny ^___^ Later on, we found out that it’s the King’s color, and it’s a way of the people to show their love to their King.

I went to Thailand with my little sister in December 2007. It was our “early” Christmas holiday and definitely office break for me! This Thailand tour was an extra-ordinary one; we went to Northern Thailand: Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, and did our exploration on the areas, culture, and of course its famous night market! *GRIN*

What I love about Thailand was: their fresh fruit, their night market, and definitely their “little stuff” (anything everywhere, there must be cute stuff to buy!)

Wanna see some pictures from Chiang Mai?

Those Gold Temples were everywhere

All Goldie

Ring the Bell *you wish!*

Maesa Camp

Those elephants could really draw!!!

One of the home industries that we visited (and shopped):

Before silk was invented =P

The silk yarn need to be cooked!

Blue Sea of hand-painted Umbrella

On the way to Chiang Rai, we visited:

Natural Hot Spring

for boiling the eggs?!

In Chiang Rai:

Golden Triangle

The Mekong River's Explaination

Left is Myanmar and Right is Laos.

At the very most northern of Thailand

And finally we learned some cultural stuff:

Entering Hill Tribe Village

LongNeck Tribes

2nd tribes

3rd Tribes

Those tribes were so wonderfully entertained us with their songs and dances. we were lucky to meet them!

Going back to Bangkok, and we still managed to enjoy these:

View from Wat Arun

Before going up

Chaophya River

And finally we went to the famous Chathuchak Weekend Market and found this:

Guess what?!

This was actually taken for my bro

That’s all for now..

Happy Shopping! Happy Hunting! and Happy Learning, folks!

1st Building seen from the Rome Airport

Waiting for the train

Ok, first thing first! I got my first Europe B&B experience in Rome. After taking the train from the airport to the central station, I just realized that since the central station was so big, I had to walk all the way to get my next train which led me to my B&B place. The crowd, the distance, the luggage, and finally the steps, were all my challenge back there!

Early morning's crowd

As soon as I arrived in the station of my B&B place, I had to walk all the way up (surely, it was the longest evaluator I’ve ever seen and rode!) from the bottom of the subway, to finally saw the ray of sunlight, ah.. so delighting!

A moment of surprise! I tried to find my place (which supposed to be only 2 minutes walking as it was described in the internet), but I couldn’t! I tried so many times to ask the people who was walking by, believe me… Nobody could speak/understand English! I was so terrified. When I finally found the place, I couldn’t open the door. When I finally could enter the building (it was a little sneak-in way), I couldn’t find anybody to help me in getting into the B&B room. I walked here and there, back and forth, only to find that nobody could help me. Because of that, I tried to find a way to speak/call the B&B’s owner. Amazingly, no public telephone, the paid-telephone center was broken, the mobile shop was closed, nobody seemed carrying/ understanding that I was trying to find/borrow their phone…  I spent about an hour walking around, carrying my luggage till my hand felt like it’s almost broken x( I was completely desperate… and I started to went into any store, one by one, asking for telephone. Other than the language barrier, apparently not so many people will allow stranger use their phone. That, I couldn’t disagree!

My miserable moments were quite long (about an hour or so), until a kind-hearted woman, who accidentally over-heard my question to one of the store lady. She offered me her mobile phone, and actually called my B&B’s owner. What a relief!

The experience was not finished there. After getting some instructions from the B&B owner, I understood that I should find the building’s manager, and got the key from him. Surprisingly, when I finally could re-enter the building again, he told me to get the keys at his door, where he was there with his boxer and looking uncomfortably patience. I bet he was with someone inside his place, and I definitely “interrupted” his break time.

I was horrified, to be honest! I didn’t know anything and found a half naked man with my key. It’s just not “right” you know?! Doesn’t it mean, it’s very easy to enter the B&B and my room?! X(

After getting the key, I went to the apartment room, which eventually was the B&B, and realized that I was by myself entering the place, my room, without knowing anything nor feeling any presence in the apt; behind the other locked bedrooms. The thought of it made me feel a little scared, but I was there.. and that was my decision. I had no choice other than walked forward and checked on my bedroom.

The good news was, the owner finally came later in the afternoon! I was so much relieved to meet her, talked with a “real and presence” human being, and getting the fact that there will be two other renters who were coming in the evening. I didn’t have to spend the night by myself alone =)

Another thrill and surprise of Rome is the attention I got from those Italian young men. It seemed that they didn’t really get exposed with Asian women’s appearance. I got many compliments on my look, and there were three guys asking my number. I couldn’t help but wonder, am I that attractive, or is it because I look “different”? haha..LOL anyway, thanks for the attention, I enjoyed them!

"you are my smile of the day" is the best compliment!

Having shared them, please enjoy some pictures of my Romantic Rome Discovery:

Care for a coffee?

From the center window, the Pope blesses the faithful gathered in the piazza below.

Inside St. Peter's Church

Michelangelo’s Pieta is created in 1499, when Michelangelo’s 25.

The 137m dome, designed by Michelangelo, wasn’t completed until 1590.

Baldacchino (1624), Bernini’s extravagant barogue canopy stands above the Papal Altar.

Statue of St. Peter: the 13th century bronze’s foot has worn thin from the kisses of millions of pilgrims over the centuries.

This is where the fun begins

On the way Up (it's getting narrower as it's reaching its top)

Piazza San Pietro

Catholicism’s most sacred shrine, the vast, marble-encrusted basilica draws pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.

my Lunch view

Castle Sant’Angelo (began in AD 139) was the Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum.

Spanish Steps

You are supposed to throw your lucky coin into the fountain to get your luck! I did! and I threw my Indonesian coin

Trevi Fountain was completed only in 1762.

The central figure is Neptune, flanked by two tritons which symbolize the two contrasting moods of the sea.

Colosseum: Rome’s great amphitheater, was commissioned by the Emperor Vespasian in AD 72. It has 80 entrances allowing easy access for 55,000 spectators.

Colosseum

My last advise will be:

No need to drive, walking is the easiest way to negotiate the city narrow’s street.

Long way to Rome!

Bed and Breakfast is just like a “homestay” thing.. The owner will greet you, and you’d get the key to the building-house/apartment-and eventually your room!

Here are some ideas for you:

Hello Room!

My bed in Rome

This is way much “more” than I expected:

Welcome to the real Tuscany B&B

Sunbathing Option

me want!

Morning Sunshine

Fresh HOmemAde

Couldn't resist those pastries

Here are some pics from the other -Florence B&B-

Open the door..

Was lucky to get 3people room instead of single x)

Bright and BIG

Finish em all *rugi yg punya gw sbg tamunya* haha

Explore those Italian B&B, Highly recommended!!!

Michael's famous David

View from the Duomo's terrace

I have dreamed about Firenze and its beauty, thanks to my friend and national geography magazine I finally got the opportunity to visit this fall season, and are very much glad to be there in my life.

My journey started from Jakarta-Dubai-Paris, and from there, I managed to find a cheap flight to Rome (and spend a couple of days there), took the train to see the Tuscany landscape along the trip, and finally arrived in Firenze.

From Rome Termini

A meter away from the Sunflower Field

Finally Firenze!

Once I got there, I was surprised to see the tourist excitement and crowds, it’s just like in a city (well, it is technically a city), but I thought it’s going to be an “old-style” one.

As soon as I got out from the train station, I started to get more and more stunned as I walked my feet farther. There was no ordinary building, everything looks beautiful and pretty, and artsy and crazy x)

Extra-ordinary door

When I got into my first B&B, it’s everything that I have expected and I have ever dreamed! A Tuscanian House, with the family, greet, warmth, and interior design x) I always say that I have an eye with architecture and beautiful things, and those are just as perfect as I wanted it to be.

love at the first sight

My Tuscany Room

My first evening, I spent it by walking along the Arno River toward the famous Ponte Vecchio. The view was gorgeous as the sunset was arrived. I couldn’t help but wonder, if only I can hold hands and walking side by side along the river with someone that I love, it will be perfect!

Walking towards..

The next morning, I spent my days exploring the city, of course to the most important thing of the city’s trademark: the Duomo or as well as known Santa Maria del Fiore, The Neo-Gothic church, which its marble fascade by Giotto (architect).

Simply... nice..

I walked myself to the terrace of the Cathedral, to the top of the dome, and was fascinated by its surrounding breath-taking view. I felt like I’m on the top of the world. Only this time better, with the addition of breathless condition because of the hundreds of narrow steps to get there.

Having satisfied with my moments of self-resurrection, I continued my exploration to the other churches of the town, and believe me, it’s all over the place!

Santa Maria del Fiore

Santa Maria Novella

The Gothic Basilica of Santa Croce

After 2 days full of museums, and (to be honest with you) ran out of money paying those entrance fee (yes, nothing’s hardly free), I started to look for something “outdoor”. I actually crossed out some of my ‘place to go” list and I made a new decision there to visit these outdoor places:

Giardino di Boboli (Boboli Garden)

View from Piazzale Michelangelo

Since Firenze is a small city, everything was walk-able distance for me.  That’s why I stayed in B&B: other than it’s better and suitable for my budget, it also gave me opportunity to experience/more exploration (although it’s a bit off from the city).

My last day in Firenze, I decided to stay in the ‘real’ hotel, and it’s nothing close to compare with my previous B&B experiences. Sure thing it had the hotel facilities, but who care anyway since we are going out the whole day?

Boring old hotel room

Overall, I highly recommended Firenze for those who love art, especially Michelangelo fanatic fans you belong there! Other than those sculptures, Firenze has a lot to show from the music, paintings, even poems museum.

In the middle of the road

The place is also good for shopping. From the local market to high end retail, they have them all. Their specialties are in leather product and gold (esp on the Ponte Vecchio, they are all gold jewelry store).

Bridge of Gold

For your stomach, don’t just feed them with regular Italian food! Go for authentic Tuscany food, it’s fresh and very much delicious! On top of that, gelateria is everywhere! Those gelato are my biggest temptation there, more than I could handle =P I ate gelato everyday when the portion was 4times bigger than our Indonesian’s regular size. It’s good, really great though!

zuppa

Traditional Tuscany Trattoria

Baccala Alla livornese

Temptation!

everyday ice cream =D

Italian or I should say, Firenze local people are quite friendly. Compared with the metropolitan Europe Country, they are certainly warmer and friendly. Although not so many of them speak English, but they are trying to understand and speak back to you…

And again, here are the basic survival words that you need:

Hello: Buongiorno!

Bye: ciao!

Excuse me: mi scusi

Sorry: Prego

Exit: uscita

How are you: come va?

Thank you: grazie

Merenda

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

Mi chiamo Melisa

Come va?

Me piace viaggriae, fare dello sport, fare passeggiate.

Colazione

And for the things that I now know how to say, because I used it every day:

Brioche (croissant)

Colazione (breakfast)

Pranzo (lunch)

Merenda (snack time)

Cena (dinner)

Uno (1)

Due (2)

Gelati (ice cream)

Dolci (cake/dessert)

Minestra (soup)

Pane (bread)

Libreria (bookshop)

Biblioteca (library)

Vino (wine)

For the food thing, I just want to say that those Italian breads are way more yummy than any other bread in the world. I couldn’t stop eating the bread over there

Haha.. Ok, stop wondering about the bread anymore, you are full anyway!

Happy Exploring!