One Day in Himalaya, When I Did Nothing

When

15 – 16 May 2011

Travel Mate/s

Nian 

Itinerary

15/May/2011 New Delhi (India) - Kathmandu (Nepal) - Nagarkot (Nepal)

16/May/2011 Nagarkot - Kathmandu


Travel Notes

I entered Nepal from Kathmandu, departed from New Delhi by using budget Airline. It was started with..we almost miss our flight. Our flight schedule was 7.50 AM from Indira Gandhi International Airport; I arrived in airport around 7.30 AM. Fortunately we still allowed to check in somehow, then queuing for the security check for more than 15 minutes. Right, I did not get any exception. The walk itself from the security gate to boarding gate was almost 10 minutes by running!  Arrived in the aircraft, found that we still wait for another people. Pffiuuuuh! (Later on found out that in the aircraft, they announced name of passenger who were late. I guess we were a little bit famous back then ^_^)

The Canal of Amsterdam: Our First Stop

The decision to have our first travel together would be to Europe was taken 8 months before our trip. Triggered by coincidently discounted fare from Garuda Indonesia - a well known airline from Indonesia - on return ticket to Amsterdam from Jakarta. We booked the ticket on early June 2011 while our flight was on March 2012. It was quite a long time to wait.

Until on March 13, I received phone call from the airline; told me that our flight to Amsterdam in March 15 was cancelled (on departure day minus 2!!) and will be transferred to the next day on March 16. On March 16, we should be in our way from Amsterdam to Paris using our 80% discounted Thalys ticket. What did I do then? On March 14 I went to Garuda Airline Sales Ticketing Office in Soekarna Hatta International Airport in the morning (around 6.30 AM before went to office), only 30 minutes from my office thus I took a cab. In that particular morning, surprisingly there was no traffic jam. From there, I managed to get transfer to Day minus 1 flight which was in March 14 (night). Yes we went earlier!

That would be our story on our departure to Europe, full with rush and some strategic decision, complete with tactical action since we only have 4 hours to finish our preparation ;)

Europe by Train: Along the Way

Norway Flam Route - taken from travel.nationalgeographic.com

As I mentioned in my previous blog post related train travel in Europe which always about experience. It will give your eyes and mind a delighted treat; gaping out the window and absorb the new experience.

Europe has several famous scenic train routes. The Bernina Express, Trans Siberian and Glacier Express are some of the routes. Did I take those routes during my trip?

Europe by Train: The Budget Challenge

Harry Potter with his Hogwart Express which depart from platform 9 3/4 in London King's Cross train station or Mission Impossible with its roof top view from Budapest Nyugati Railway Terminal are 2 of many movies that capture a normal part of European routine: train travel, hustle and bustle in a grande railway station.



taken from http://lair2000.net/

But it is true when you are in Europe (at least when I was there), you are never too far from a train station - either it is 'Gare' in Paris, 'Bahnhof' in Berlin, 'Nadrazi' in Prague, 'Estacio' in Barcelona, 'Stazione Ferrovia' in Venice and not forget to mention local train station such as Metro or RER station. Europe is densely integrated with Railway, making the train or 'renfe' or 'spoor' or 'tren' as the best transportation method to weave the way around there.

Europe: My Fairytale Land

 

taken from http://q-riouser-and-q-riouser.blogspot.com/



Yes, we are back from our first travelling as a couple. In March, we travelled to several countries in Europe for 17 days! Left my footprints in Europe before I reach age 30 is one of my dream. And it deserve to be included in my dream list since Europe is so far away from my country where I live now - Indonesia and considering the rumor related with high budget required looking to the fact that I am still just an ordinary girl :).

A Family Vacation In Orlando – Disney And Beyond

By Alexandra Jacobs

Orlando, Florida screams Disney World, but when you pack your family up to enjoy a vacation, you need to know that there is much more to do than just the Magic Kingdom, home of Mickey Mouse. If you are planning a week’s vacation, Disney World needs to be on your list. But so does Universal Studios as well as some other great destinations throughout the city.

Just as you would find Hamptons rentals if you go to New York, you can find Kissimmee or Orlando rentals when you come to Florida. This will be the most affordable way to stay in the city and avoid paying all the high prices of hotels. The benefit of rentals is that you have more space and a full kitchen to do some of your own cooking in, too.

Ancient Ayutthaya: A day trip from Bangkok

When
20 August 2010

Travel Mate/s
Atrie & Mik

Itinerary
13/Aug/2010 Jakarta (Indonesia) – Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
14/Aug/2010 Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) – Chiang Mai (Thailand)
15/Aug/2010 Chiang Mai – Overnight in train to Bangkok
16/Aug/2010 Bangkok (Thailand) – Siam Reap (Cambodia)
17/Aug/2010 Siam Reap
18/Aug/2010 Siam Reap (Cambodia) – Bangkok (Thailand)
19/Aug/2010 Bangkok City Sightseeing
20/Aug/2010 Bangkok – Ayutthaya – Bangkok
21/Aug/2010 Bangkok (Thailand) – Jakarta (Indonesia)

Travel Notes
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya is full name of Ayutthaya, one of the city in Thailand, near Bangkok. My first impression about the city name - Ayutthaya: Ancient-ly Beautiful.

Reading the history of the city that confirm my impression above then later on found that it is included in UNESCO World Heritage Site, significantly increase my desire to visit the city during my trip to Thailand in 2010.

Absurdly Beautiful: Mui Ne Sand Dunes

Personal Notes

After almost 6 hours on the bus from Saigon, we arrived in Mui Ne at 9 PM. It was already dark. Checked in at our hostel then we went to search for any food. In a second I know that Mui Ne has way different of tone compare to Saigon. Mui Ne is laid back and very relaxing beach town. I feel the holiday-vacation atmosphere. Tourists is normally everywhere and there is no typically Saigon hustle and bustle of course.

My main activities in Mui Ne was to see its Sand dunes. Coming from tropical country, never saw any Sand Dunes for my whole life, I had no expectation on what will I see in Mui Ne. Best time to visit the sand dunes would be either in Sunrise or Sunset when the temperature is not too high. I believe that each hostels have the sand dunes tour, just make sure that the price is normally fair. You need to get 4WD if you want to explore the sand dunes.

A blink and A glimpse: Saigon - Vietnam

When
6 – 9 December 2009


Travel Mate/s
Jack & Sat


Itinerary
6/Dec/2009 Jakarta (Indonesia) – Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
7/Dec/2009 Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnel – Mui Ne
8/Dec/2009 Mui Ne – Ho Chi Minh City
9/Dec/2009 Ho Chi Minh City – Jakarta (Indonesia)


Travel Notes
Why I go to Vietnam then..it is all because of the spontaneous attitude toward the budget airline fair price and a friend invitation, a great opportunity combine with a tempting offer. And suddenly I have booked the ticket ^_^


Are you sure to have a holiday in Vietnam? Don’t you worried about the war? Yup that was my mom first reaction when I told her about this plan. The fact that Vietnam is famous because of the war which inspired some of great movies. But now Vietnam is an interesting destination for travel, because of its rich historical sites and nature beauty.

My Prayer Journey - Saigon (Vietnam)

When
6 – 9 December 2009

Travel Mate/s
Jack & Sat

Itinerary
6/Dec/2009 Jakarta (Indonesia) – Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
7/Dec/2009 Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnel – Mui Ne
8/Dec/2009 Mui Ne – Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City
9/Dec/2009 Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City – Jakarta (Indonesia)

Personal Notes
What always make travel interesting would be: travel often placed us in an unusual condition to do our usual activities. And it will change our perspective on our usual activities forever.

Visit Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) - Vietnam in 2009 exposed me to new level of traveling experience. I am a moslem, Saigon was my first visit to a city which moslem is not the majority unlikely in Jakarta (Indonesia) or Malaysia. The challenge was higher related with the food and my routine prayer.

Thailand – Cambodia Crossing the Border by Land: I dare you!

When
13 – 21 August 2010

Travel Mate/s
Atrie & Mik

Itinerary
13/Aug/2010 Jakarta (Indonesia) – Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
14/Aug/2010 Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) – Chiang Mai (Thailand)
15/Aug/2010 Chiang Mai – Overnight in train to Bangkok
16/Aug/2010 Bangkok (Thailand) – Siam Reap (Cambodia)
17/Aug/2010 Siam Reap
18/Aug/2010 Siam Reap (Cambodia) – Bangkok (Thailand)
19/Aug/2010 Bangkok City Sightseeing
20/Aug/2010 Bangkok – Ayutthaya – Bangkok
21/Aug/2010 Bangkok (Thailand) – Jakarta (Indonesia)


Travel Notes

Back to year 2010, as part of my Thailand trip, I had a chance to insert a short trip to Siam Reap, Cambodia to see the majestic Angkor Wat.

The easiest and most comfortable way going to Cambodia from Thailand would be by Air. BUT at that moment (and might be until now), the airline cost from Bangkok to Siam Reap is high. One way ticket can cost me USD 200 more or less for only 1 hour of flight duration. This happenned due to the monopoly of Bangkok Airways (through Siam Reap Airlines as its affiliated) for the route.

It's the Climb - Mt. Kinabalu

When
17 – 19 May 2009

Travel Mate/s
Nian & Astri (my best Gals)

Itinerary
17/May/2009 Kota Kinabalu: City Center – Mt. Kinabalu
18/May/2009 Kota Kinabalu: Mt. Kinabalu
19/May/2009 Kota Kinabalu: Mt. Kinabalu – City Center

Travel Notes

(Happy Climbing)

Climbing Mt. Kinabalu – 4,092 metres above sea level – was my main reason going to Kota Kinabalu as part of my 2009 new year resolution to do something ‘extraordinary’ (refer to previous blog post: ‘Pack My Backpack to Kota Kinabalu’).

Pack My Backpack to Kota Kinabalu!

When
16 – 21 May 2009

Travel Mate/s
Nian & Astri (my best Gals)

Itinerary
16/May/2009 Jakarta (Indonesia) – Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)
17/May/2009 Kota Kinabalu: Sunday Market in Gaya Street – City Sightseeing – Mt. Kinabalu
18/May/2009 Kota Kinabalu: Mt. Kinabalu
19/May/2009 Kota Kinabalu: Mt. Kinabalu – City Center
20/May/2009 Kota Kinabalu: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park – Philipino Market – Waterfront
21/May/2009 Kota Kinabalu: Mall Hopping – Kota Kinabalu Airport – Jakarta (Indonesia)

Travel Notes
Why to go to Kota Kinabalu?
It was a part of my new year resolution back then in 2009, to do something extraordinary. Climbing Mount Kinabalu (4,092 metres above sea level) – located in Kota Kinabalu) which is a prominent & the tallest mountain on the island of Borneo (Kalimantan), the 20th tallest mountain in the world (*refer to wikipedia) and include in top 5 highest peak in Asia..well it should be one of the definition of ‘something extraordinary’ :)

And yes again, Mount Kinabalu is known to be the most accessible mountain in the world. It means no specialized mountain climbing skills required to conquer it. It is perfect!

It IS my First Time – Singapore!

When
14 – 18 February 2008

Travel Mate/s
Ata (my best friend in work)

Itinerary
14/Feb/2008 Jakarta – Batam – Harbourfront (Singapore) – Orchard Road (Singapore)
15/Feb/2008 Singapore: Bugis Village – Chinatown – Kampung Gelam – Suntec City – Merlion
16/Feb/2008 Singapore: Vivo City – Sentosa Island
17/Feb/2008 Singapore: City Hall – Raffles City – Clarke Quay
18/Feb/2008 Singapore: Harbourfront (Singapore) – Batam - Jakarta

Travel Notes
Yup Singapore, was first place for my overseas leisure trip as budget traveller.
Excited! I still could recall my feeling clearly toward our trip :)
Come from Jakarta, a crowded city, city of hustle bustle complete with its endless traffic jam during workdays (sometimes also in weekend), Singapore is like the opposite:)