Backpack to Singapore

This was my second time visiting Singapore. But the first wasn't counted since I just transit Changi Airport while heading to Korea. So the second chance we met again, I gonna do exploration there, do backpack, and have fun enjoying the Singapore atmosphere. We departed from Jakarta to Batam, this is the alternative way to reach Singapore with less money. And the second reason was, we wanted to know more about Batam. I think Batam is prospective enough to be developed as a good tourism destination and well-planned residence.

From Batam we continued the tour by taking ferry heading to HarbourFront. The ferry we got on, was not the same with the kind of ferry heading to Bali which carries people and vehicles in one time. The ferry heading to Singapore just carry people and their baggage, so I felt some significant differences when I was in it.

a way to harbor

the ferry inside

After reaching HarbourFront, we continued the journey by taking MRT (Mass Rapid Transit). As we noticed, the MRT in Singapore seemed not different with Metro Subway in Korea. But at least we didn't feel confused since we are used to it. However, the idiot action was unavoidably happened. Yeah, we were like numbnuts who newly learned how to use ticketing machine, until there was a man helped us to operate the machine by always said to us "You know lah!", lol. Before this, we experienced operating the ticket machine at subway Korea, but I don't know why we were like rubes who just came to the big city. It's too idiot to memorize, lol.

After that, we got on the MRT and headed to Farrer Park station to catch Serangoon Road (before this, we didn't know that Boon Keng station was more reachable than it) where our hostel is located there, The Hive. Yeah, this is hostel for backpackers, so our room is mixed up with another overseas backpackers, one room have 10 beds. We were sleeping there with at least 4 western guys and girls, and 1 eastern guy (as I remembered).

The first night at Singapore, we kicked some places not far from the hostel, Little India would be our first coulinary destination. The foods were not too bad, seemed like traditional food from Aceh. But most of my friends disliked it. After having coulinary, we kicked the Mustafa Center to buy some snacks, merchandises, and compared the price of electronic apparatus. Returned from Mustafa, we headed to the Hindu's temple called Veeramakaliamman Temple. We saw the Hindu spiritual worship inside the temple. I'm so excited how they worshipped their gods, it's a brand new experience I had, because I have ever seen the praying ritual from Hindu's people at Bali. And I think even they prayed to the same gods, but how they worshipped, it's maybe totally different.

In the next day, it's time to go to the main destination of Singapore iconic places. They were located arround Marina Bay. But, before reaching Marina Bay, we must taking MRT, got off Rafless Place station and then we drifted through skycraper building and followed the Singapore River. Marina Bay is not far from there, so we just took a walk with taking some photos until we arrived Marina Bay where the Merlion is stood up spraying the water. We can see the Esplanade, Fullerton and Mandarin Hotel, Singapore Flyer, Raffles Statue, and some skycraper building. Unfortunately, we didn't have the opportunity to see Double Helix Bridge since it was being built, in progress.

At the same day, we went to Chinese Garden, located in Jurong region. There were some pagodas, the big one is placed in the front of the entry gate, and the other little pagodas is placed in the backyard. Not only Chinese Garden we could see, but Japanese Garden is not far from there. The environment was really beautifully attractive and fresh.

When the night had come, we went to Singapore Flyer and rode onto it so that we clearly saw the Singapore city light in the night, it was so cool. Be in the highest top, made me like a flying man. Gosh, it's so chic panorama, even it's just a populated city with many crowded neat buildings, but I could feel the same feeling when I saw the greenish panorama with the blue sky and blue ocean. We only had one rotation opportunity, and then we walked to Clark Quay next to Singapore River. There were so many restaurants and cafes where the people usually hang out to or just searching a place and grab a bite to eat while watching how beautiful the environment arround the Singapore River is. Not too crowd, less vehicles passing or maybe just the water transportation passing through the river made the atmosphere really romantic.

On the third day in Singapore, it's time to go shopping in the morning. The first destination we kicked was Orchard and Hard Rock Shop. Not much we did except window
shopping at several department stores Orchard street and then we bought T-shirts from Hard Rock Shop. To complete the day, we went shopping to Bugis Street, we bought Singapore merchandises, with negotiable price :D After satisfied spending much money, we headed to Mesjid Sultan to pray Dhuhur.

After midday, we went to one of our main destination, yeah, it was Sentosa. Sentosa is a little island in the southern part of Singapore. To go there, we took cable car which cost S$ 10.90. It offers some fun attractions, best beaches, and studio theme parks. One of the merlion stand up on sorta hill. I think this is the biggest Merlion I have ever seen and the only one Singapore icon which can be climbed to have a good view from there. We walked around Tiger Sky Tower, The Image of Singapore, The Merlion, entering some attractions, and finally watched the "Song of The Sea" performance. It was really cool. Many attractive places in Sentosa which we can visit but our time's up. Nevertheless, we were really excited of the journey that day.

Tiger Sky Tower

The Merlion of Sentosa

"Song of The Sea" performance

Note:

The flight fare (Air Asia) from Jakarta to Batam : around Rp.300.000
The flight fare (Tiger Airways) from Singapore to Jakarta : S$ 420 for 5 persons.
Ferry from Batam to Harbourfort : S$ 17
Singapore Tourist Pass MRT : S$8 per day


* the photos were taken by Chocky, Wawan, and Eka

Backpack to Ujung Genteng

Ujung Genteng is one of the beautiful places in the southern part of Java, which can be called as southern nirvana, offers beaches and waterfall. As the initiative of some pals, we decide to make travel in the next schedule for Ujung Genteng. Yeah, from Cikarang, it took much time to get there and we must transit at some terminals and continued again the journey just like we did as a real backpacking survivor :D

Our journey was started from Cikarang, got on the bus heading to Kampung Rambutan Jakarta. And then we continued the tour by getting on the economy bus from Kampung Rambutan to Sukabumi frop about 2 hours, got off Degung bus terminal. The journey wasn't over yet. We must continue by getting on the angkot (public transportation, like elf) heading to Lembur Situ. It's not really far, it took for about 30 minutes. I guess we almost there, but the tour must be continued. God, i felt dizzy and tired that time. Yeah, then we got on the elf (public transportation) again from Lembur Situ to Surade for 4 hours non-stop without resting. And seeing the road is really bad to pass and how uncomfortable the elf we got on, it makes me dead inside. We were like riding in the roller coaster or just like rafting but in the harsh road, for 4 hours. Can you imagine that? To avoid the dizziness, i just took some pils and try to sleep.

Four hours later, we were there. The driver took us until Curug Cikaso, our first destination. It's almost 3 AM. God, people were still sleeping under their blanket. Yeah, but it's fun. Unforgettable moment of our adventure ^^


The next destination was Curug Cigangsa. We reached Curug Cigangsa by renting pick-up car and its driver, of course :) You know, it's really fun getting on the back of pick-up car. Wind was fanning hardly, and we enjoyed the harsh road we passed. I called us as Bolang, Bocah Petualang (Adventurous Kids). But unfortunately, when we reached Curug Cigangsa, we didn't find much water there, some people told that it was drought season which caused the curug lost the water. Different from the first curug we've just visited, now we were walking on Curug Cigangsa in the upper side. Gosh, it's so high to take a look at the bottom of it. I thought Curug Cigangsa is more huge than Curug Cikaso, but just dry as drought season.


Next destination is Ujung Genteng beach. We decided to stay at the hostel near the beach. It was Pondok Adi. We took a rest there, having talk in the terrace while waiting for the sunset. You know, when it happened, it's really cool. Take a look at the picture below.


In the night, we did the barbecue thing. Not really barbecue, we just bbq some fishes for the dinner. Yeah, we are just amateur to do that, Although we didn't succeed to burn whole the fish, we really enjoy the meal under the blurred light, makes it so romantic. But when we finished the meal and brought back the dishes to the owner, i realized that the fishes weren't still all ripped yet. I saw pink flesh under their skins and surrounding the bone. OMG, i just pray that I will be OK, no stomachache or anything like that.

Note:

Cikarang - Kampung Rambutan, get on Agramas bus : Rp 6000
Kampung Rambutan - Sukabumi (Degung Terminal) : Rp. 16.000
Degung Terminal - Lembur Situ : Rp. 10.000
Lembur Situ - Surade : R. 23.000
Surade - Curug Cikaso : Rp. 7.300
Pick Up Curug Cikaso - Curug Cigangsa and Ujung Genteng : Rp. 20.000


The next day, we hunted the sunrise in the east beach. We woke up at 4 o'clock. It takes about 5 minutes to reach east beach from our hostel. Yeah, it's the coolest sunset i have ever seen in this life.


After going back to the hostel, some of us decided to swim in the beach, not far from hostel.

The next destination is Ombak Tujuh. Ombak Tujuh is popular for the huge waves, one of the beaches which is used to do surfing. To get there, there are two ways. By motorcycle or by water boat. Because it takes so long time when we go there by motorcycle and harsh road, so we decided to get on the water boat. Some of us felt scary to get on it because they weren't able to swim well. But, the rest of us make sure that it's safe enough to ride, and then we just went without worrying anymore.

When the night had come, we took a meal and continued the tour to the virgin beach which has some turtles to go nesting. The beach is called Pangumbahan Beach. Usually the turtle's babies should have been released in the 5 PM that day, we missed it. So we just saw the turtle nesting in the white sand.


Note:

Water boat to Ombak Tujuh : Rp. 400.000 / boat (4-5 persons)
Rent Car to go seeing turtle : Rp. 200.000 / car

*the photos were taken by Dina, Chocky, and Sindu.

Traveling to Ciwidey

The vacation in this time is very very colorful. Why could i say that? Because Ciwidey is I am talking about. Yeah, first of all we headed to Kawah Putih (White Crater) which is very blue, and then on the way of the journey we stopped the car to make a rest-time in Tea Garden of Walini which is very green. After felt satisfied and fresh, we continued heading to the Situpatengan Lake which is so brown and green and foggy. And finally we reached Kampung Daun as the final destination which like a village in the center of forest, with full of green and traditional cabin, makes the place harmoniously chic. That's why I say that my vacation is really colorful.

We departed from Cikarang on 8 o'clock by rental car, luckily we didn't get traffic jam on the way. As reaching Bandung, we exited to the highway gate of Kopo, then we continued going along the road, through Soreang and Ciwidey for about 1 hour. Thanks God, we didn't find any crowded jam. We passed several strawberry gardens at Ciwidey, which we can pick the strawberry by ourselves, directly from their stems. We didn't get off the car to do that because we think it will be worthy if we chase the time to visit our main destination. We just worried that we weren't be able to make it. Yeah, some of us felt dissapointed for a while, but it's OK ^^

Not much time we need to arrive in the first destination, Kawah Putih (White Crater). Kawah Putih is the southeast crater of the Mount Patuha which has greenish-white crater lake. Mount Patuha itself is a twin stratovolcano in the southwest of Bandung in West Java, Indonesia. There's sulfur mine in the Kawah Putih. When we get there, actually we didn't endure the stinky odor of sulfur, but we just forget it by taking many pictures :D

Here we go the pictures of us.


Located at an altitude of about 1600 m above sea level, Situ Patenggang is an enchanting panorama. Green carpet like tea gardens of nature, coupled with the cold air and clean and warm sun, giving the impression of peace and tranquility itself for visitors. From the side of the road to a quiet location, appears to be a lake behind the tea plantations of trees face the sky. The location which crosses the lake is quite interesting that is called Batu Cinta (Stone of Love). Batu Cinta is said to believe will provide the continuity of love for the couple who came to visit there.

When the sun went down, we planned to having dinner at Kampung Daun. It was far from the site we have visited before. Kampung Daun is located in the north of Bandung. Even it is quite far from center of Bandung, but it is amazing place. Since we went there after dark, we can feel different ambient. There were so many threes and small waterfalls along the street. The foods were quite expensive but were worthy enough with the panorama it has given and you didn't have to wait so long because they served well, each location has their own kitchen.

* the photos were taken by Dina and Chocky

What-The-Hell Estafet Short-Story

I want to come back in time, when it feels like don't need anything to make serious, just fun we did. Yeah, one of them is our little project. Very undefined project, it is an estafet short story which I and my pals wrote when we're less of job that time ...

We followed the rule as we agreed here. So, this work is dedicated to you, Elly, Rizka, Dina, and Mpit.

I'm sorry if any of you don't know the meaning since we used our language here.
It leaves memory until now, make me ROFL (Rolling On Floor Laughing or anything :D). Thank you guys, for making me laugh until this time.

Here we go ...


1.30 AM
13 oktober 2006,
SARITEM, Bandung.

Aku terbangun dari tidurku, terkejut. Bayangan itu masih berdiri di beranda kamarku. Seekor kecoa berlarian di bawah kolong tempat tidurku. Kepalaku menoleh ke samping, klienku masih tertidur lelap. Langkahku gontai menuju wastafel, membasahi mukaku.

Buliran keringat membasahi baju piyamaku, Dingin tapi panas. Kulihat bayanganku sendiri di cermin, basah, kusut, berantakan. Tiba-tiba ada sekelebat bayangan melintas di belakang pintu. Aku berbalik cepat, tubuhku merapat pada wastafel, mataku membelalak mencari sumber bayangan itu.

"Daniel..." suara lembut itu memecah keheningan, Fyyuuh... client cantikku itu ternyata. Tante Sri, yang masih terlihat cantik di usia kepala empatnya mulai berjalan...mendekatiku dengan manja.

Tante Sri memeluk pinggangku mesra lalu memasukkan beberapa lembar uang ke dalam celana dalamku, "Ini bayaranmu untuk malam ini." Aku menuju kamar mandi, meninggalkan wanita paruh baya yang masih di ranjang dan berbenah sendirian.

Di kamar mandi, aku berfikir... mengapa aku bodoh sekali membuat kamar yang wastafelnya beda tempat dengan kamar mandi... aku heran!. Keherananku tidak berlangsung lama, karena sejurus kemudian terdengar ketukan di pintu kamar mandi. Aku berani menebak bahwa itu adalah Tante Sri yang menyuruhku untuk segera keluar dari kamar mandi karena memang jam-jam segini jadwal dia untuk nyetor ke WC sekaligus mandi besar.

Aku berlama-lama di kamar mandi, jijik akan diriku sendiri. Daniel..apa yang telah kau perbuat??... Setelah Om Doni, sekarang Tante Sri? Bukankah kau dulu yang menjadi saksi pernikahan mereka berdua..setelah pernikahan pertama Om Doni dan pernikahan keempat Tante Sri yang gagal. Tetapi kenapa kau lebih menikmatinya bila melakukannya bersama Om Doni? Aku mengingat kembali wajah dan pesan ibuku, ajaran-ajarannya, argggh aku sungguh..sungguh hina.

"Daniel sayang.. aku harus pulang... sedang apa sih kamu di dalam, Hon?" Teriak manja Tante Sri membuyarkan lamunanku. Aku menggerutu di dalam hati, aku masih ingin berlama-lama di kamar mandi..tak kuhiraukan teriakan Tante Sri. Aku ingin kabur dari tempat di mana kenistaan ini tumbuh tak berakhir. Aku mengambil pistol yang sengaja aku simpan di dalam penampungan air toilet. Oh iya... pistol ini sudah lama aku simpan dengan dibungkus plastik, biar gak karatan. Kulihat pistol itu lamat-lamat, masih terukir inisial DB di pelatuknya.

DB, aku tak tahu apa itu? Apakah mungkin itu adalah merknya? Kutarik pelatuknya.

"Desssinnng...." kulihat tante Sri dihadapanku, berdiri terpaku seperti menahan sakit, Darah membasahi selimut lorengku yang ia kenakan. Aku terkejut, kenapa tiba-tiba ada tante Sri disitu, padahal pintu kamar mandi sudah aku kunci dari dalam? Mungkinkah....

Dalam seketika aku langsung pingsan karena aku tahu semua kejadian itu tak masuk akal bagiku, masih mistis, dan susah dijelaskan oleh logika. Aku berusaha membuka mataku, ku lihat samar-samar bayangan orang duduk di samping kiriku.

"Niel..daniel.. bangun lw!!...Heh!! jam 7 Bro!! katanya suruh bangunin..., gwe mo cabut nih" samar-samar kulihat sosok itu... si pengkor... teman sekamarku. Si Pengkor menggoyang-goyang tubuhku dengan semangat "Bangun woi...ato elo mau ketinggalan mata kuliah Bu Sri yang tuwir tapi bahenol ituh??"

Tiba-tiba aku terbangun dengan mata masih belum fokus, lalu berpikir dalam hati "Sejak kapan Bu Sri jadi bahenol?" sampai kusadari bahwa aku masih berada di toilet, lalu ke mana tadi si Pengkor?

Aaarrghh.... masa iya aku juga tertarik sama si pengkor?? God..dammit!! terkutuk sekali aku.. si pengkor?? Febri?? pria gay itu... Ya tuhan ada apa dengan aku??.. Tapi sedetik tadi aku merasa bahwa Febri terlihat ganteng sekali..aaaarrrrggghhh,,sepertinya hari ini aku harus berkonsultasi mengenai kemungkinan aku tertular kelainan seksual karena tinggal sekamar bersama pria gay.

"Heeeeeey, gue masih normal kaleeeee," jeritku lantang, "Tante Sriiiiiii, katakanlah kalau kau sangat menikmati permainan ranjangku beberapa saat lalu!"

Tiba-tiba Pengkor A.K.A Febri masuk... dari sosoknya yang tegap dan tampan tiba..tiba... "Hey..hey... knp kau meneriakkan namaku.. Tante Sri itu nama malamku niel... Tentu sayang..aku sangat ingat permainanmu... begitu..menggoda... EEeerrrr..." Febri alias Pengkor menggeliat2 dihadapanku... tidaaaakkkkkkk

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