JUAL HTC Touch

Beberapa waktu yang lalu, kita dapet hadiah berupa PDA phone merk HTC Touch dari Quiz yang diselenggarakan oleh Menbudpar dan indo.com. Hadiah pun udah diambil 9 Feb lalu (juga sebuah handphone Sony Ericsson W200i). Waktu itu, karena ngga enak kalau ketahuan ternyata suami istri yang menang ;_) kita masuknya satu satu ke kantor indo.com. Setelah Natz keluar dengan HTC-nya, baru gue masuk untuk klaim W200i-nya hehe. Sempet puyeng juga nyari nyari kantornya karena serupa dengan rumah tinggal, apalagi no rumah di daerah sana (Jl. Abdul Majid – Cipete) ngga berurutan dan amburadul mana muka mana belakang ngga tau, abis no 39 bisa lompat ke 42, abis itu tiba tiba muncul no kecil lagi, walah… puyeng 19 keliling ! Untung ada bapak bapak yg lagi nunggu angkot, nunjukin, di situ loh indo.com, yg depannya ada warung… Thank GOD.

Hadiah didapat. Hati senang. Kita lanjutkan dengan makan siang di Tamani Pondok Indah. Dulu, kita sering makan di daerah sini (dpn RS Pondok Indah) waktu ngaudit di JIS (Jkt Int’l School). Hadiah pun dibuka dgn diikuti decak kagum, wah canggih amit nih PDA hehehe, maklumlah kita ini rada gaptek. Mulai timbul ragu ragu, ni barang mau dipakai sendiri, atau dijual aja. Keputusannya, kita tes drive dulu, suka: pake, ngga suka (atau tepatnya ngga bisa pake hehe): jual.

Senennya gue berangkat ke Palembang, HTC-nya gue bawa tes drive 1 minggu di sana. Asik juga sih, apalagi di lobby hotel Quality tempat gue nginap, ada fasilitas wifi. Lumayan, bisa ngecek e-mail di yahoo dan juga buka friendster. Ngga cuma itu. Keren aja bawa bawa PDA yang kecil, tipis, layar lebar dan warna hitam. Test drive 1 minggu memberi kesimpulan. JUAL AJA. Lho, kenapa? Katanya keren? Begitulah, keren, dengan puluhan applikasi yang OK banget, seperti PC yg punya word, excel, windows media player, bisa wifi, Bluetooth, bahkan bisa flight mode, alias dipake di pesawat terbang. Namun setelah timbang timbang, semua itu belum diperlukan pada saat ini. Sony Ericsson W810i gue masih sangat memadai untuk saat ini. Ditambah, sebentar lagi, kantor akan keluarin Laptop baru untuk departemen gue :_) yang lengkap dengan wifi, webcam, Bluetooth dll. Yang artinya gue tetep bisa ber-internet ria di lobby hotel hehe.

Keputusan sudah diambil, tinggal ngejualnya nih gimana. PDA merk HTC tentu lebih susah jual daripada merk O2 yg udah terkenal. Apalagi ini udah ngga segel dan garansi < setahun (dapet dari indo.com-nya begitu). Garansi 1 tahun mulai dari November 2007.

Pertama kita coba jual melalui acara Sunday Marketnya Sonora. Hehe, bodohnya mengira acara itu ada yang dengerin, nyatet no HP kita, lalu telp. Jangan harap deh, yang nyatet penawaran gue aja (via phone) ngga ngerti apa itu PDA, wifi, even Bluetooth. Dan ketika gue bilang harga yg gue tawarkan empat setengah dikiranya 450 ribu. Mungkin untuk menghemat gaji, Sonora hired anak SMA kali untuk jwb telepon dan nyatetin. Yang bacain juga ngga kalah konyolnya, kan gue bilang dapetnya darui quiz, makanya masih baru, e, malah dibacanya, “baru beli tidak jadi pakai” oh oh oh my God.

Senennya, gue coba telepon ke Glodok Shop, Bhinneka.com dan Sentra Ponsel. Dari ketiga-nya cuma Sentra Ponsel yang menerima customer yang mau jual barang. Dari dia juga gue jadi tau kalau ada 2 type HTC Touch: HTC Touch (P 3450) dan HTC Touch Dual (P 3452). Bedanya di memory RAM-nya (Dual 128, punya kita cuma 64), dan yang Dual ada keypad yang bisa slide out/in. Yang punya kita sama sekali ngga ada keypad, jadi semua mengandalkan touchscreen. Penawaran Sentra Ponsel sangat mengecewakan, cuma 2,5 juta dan 2,8 untuk yg Dual. Alasannya sih karena sudah ngga segel. Paling mentok mereka mau beli dengan harga 2,8. Kalau setuju, sore itu juga bisa dijemput barangnya oleh mereka. Duh, ngga deh. 2,8 mending gue pake sendiri. Karena pasaran (baru) masih di atas 4 juta.

Besoknya, gue iseng browse ke situs situs yang bisa posting penawaran secara gratis. Gue ketemu situs Bursa HP.com, disitu registrasinya free dan postingnya pun gampang. Ya udah, iseng aja gue posting, tapi ngga begitu berharap juga. Kalau ngga ada yang telp, ya Sabtu/Minggu ini jual ke Roxi. Saat itu, walaupun udah tau di Roxi harganya bakal ditekan dan jatuh abis, rasanya itu satu satunya jalan kalau mau jual.

Dugaan meleset, ternyata Bursa HP.com lumayan juga, walaupun ngga terlalu wah. Mungkin karena produknya memang ngga terlalu banyak yang nyari. Dalam 1 hari adalah 2 orang yang telepon dan 1 yang SMS. Harga yang ditawarpun beragam, dari 3 juta sampai 3,5 juta. Terakhir, hari Jumat yang lalu, ada 1 penelepon bernama Benny. Dia nawar 3.4. Waktu gue kasih tau penawar terakhir 3.5, dia naikin 3.6. Namun, masih ngga gue lepas, soalnya gue maunya 3.8 he he. Karena rumahnya juga daerah Kb. Jeruk, maka gue ajak ketemuan dulu, liat barang biar sreg. Ketemuannya di CL, biar bisa bareng Natz dan bisa agak santai.

Jadilah malam itu, jam 7.30 kita makan di Pasar Senggolnya CL sambil nunggu yang namanya Benny. Ohya, sebelumnya, ada yang SMS nawar 3,65, tapi orang Bandung, nah lho, gimana ngambilnya? hehe. Yang datang ternyata di luar dugaan, gondrong, berbaju kaos dan celana jeans dengan tas sebesar tas pinggang, hehe, kirain eksekutip rada tua dengan penampilan rapi, salah. Ternyata umurnya pun masih muda, baru kerja 2 tahun di perusahaan IT (pantes bajunya bebas, rambut gondrong), ternyata butuh PDA (yg bisa wifi) untuk keperluan kerjaan juga. Setelah liat barang, ngobrol ngobrol dan tawar menawar, jatuhlah di harga 3,65 (spt penawaran dari Bandung). Bayar melalui ATM BCA, salaman, beres :_)

3.65 JT is not a bad deal at all. Malah gue udah bersiap siap ‘ngalah’ di roxi berapapun penawarannya. Barang memang masih gress, brand new, tapi tidak segel dan garansipun < setahun (sampe Nov 2008), sehingga dimanapun, orang akan bilang “… tetep aja itungannya seken …” yah mau bilang apa. Untung si Benny ini orangnya sangat fair. Pengetahuan mengenai PDA dan dunia komputer dan internet-pun tingkat tinggi, sampai sampai mau di hi-jack sama si Natz ke perusahaannya hehe. Begitulah, kalau jodoh ngga kemana. Tapi tetep salahnya Indo.com atas semua kerepotan dan “kerugian” ini, soalnya di awal quiz, hadiahnya bukan PDA, melainkan mentahnya, alias uang tunai 5 juta ! Gara gara dituker, kita sendiri deh yang harus meng-uangkannya dengan susah payah, rugi 1 juta lebih lagi… Ngga deh… rejeki mah biar berapapun tetap harus disyukuri… :_) Thanks ya Indo.com, sering sering ya, ngadain quiz :_)

Ohya, W200i-nya ngga kita ‘uangkan’ melainkan kita kasih sebagai tanda cinta buat mama. :_)

VALENTINE 2008

This valentine, we celebrate at Happy Day, daerah Harmoni sana. This is the second valentine kita sesudah merit. We used to have our celebration at Pizza Hut (Citra II), sudah 3 tahun berturut turut. Kalau inget pertama kali kita valentine di sana, hehe, romantis banget. Hari itu 13 Feb 2005. Esoknya, gue berangkat ke Purwakarta (tugas kantor) dan menginap disana sampai 2 minggu. Rasanya berat sekali meninggalkan Natz. Ngga nyangka, pekerjaan sekarang menuntut lebih banyak meninggalkan Natz, bahkan kadang sampai sebulan. Semakin berat, namun menjadikan cinta kita semakin erat dan perasaan rindu selalu menyertai perjalanan rumah tangga kita.
Valentine at Happy Day

PALEMBANG ASSIGNMENT 11 – 14 FEB 2008

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Palembang it’s all about Pempek, Kerupuk dan Sungai Musi. Sebenarnya, secara budaya, makanan, dan tutur bahasanya ngga jauh jauh amat dengan Bangka, terutama Belinyu, wong masih sama sama rumpun Melayu. Apalagi my Natz sendiri asalnya dari Palembang. Jadi, assignment kali ini, secara kebudayaan, bahasa dan makanan, gue, cocok banget! Dan pengalaman di Palembang ini, mirip lagu yg sering dilantunkan saat kanak kanak dulu, “….. tidak berhenti makan” ha ha ha.

Memang bener ! Setelah Flight dari Jakarta mendarat dan dijemput seorang teman dan langsung dibawa makan siang. Siang itu, kita diajak ke rumah makan Sri Melayu, yang menu utamanya menyajikan, tak lain tak bukan, Pindang Patin khas Palembang. Terletak bersebelahan dengan istana Gubernur, tak jauh dari jalan utama (Sudirman), rumah makan ini memang ditata dengan nuansa Melayu yang kental dengan menampilkan pelayan pelayan yang juga berpakaian serba adat Melayu. Pindang Patinnya pun sedap bukan main. Rasanya mirip Tom Yam ala Thailand yang kecut kecut pedas, dengan ikan patin yang empuk dank has rasanya. Bagi yang ngga suka ikan, juga tersedia pindang iga sapi yang ngga kalah sedapnya :_)

Begitu pula sesampainya di kantor. Jam belum menunjukkan pukul 3 sore, sepiring pempek Palembang sudah tersaji di atas meja di ruang kerja kita. Wah wah wah, keramahtamahan khas Palembang :_) Pempek telor, adaan, keriting dan pempek isi pepaya muda dengan saos cuka yg aduhai. Ditambah dengan makanan ringan berupa kerupuk, semprong dan kue bangkit.

Perut belum terasa lapar, kita sudah diajak makan malam ke restaurant Padang yang paling nge-top di Palembang, RM Padang Pagi Sore. Tempatnya sangat rame, yang bungkus aja disediakan ruang tunggu mirip ruang tunggu di rumah sakit lengkap dengan TV segala. Rame gini biasanya enak nih, dan bener aja. Sekali gigit rendangnya yg empuk dan yummy, gue langsung ngerti kenapa tempat ini rame banget. Belum selesai makan, tiba tiba ada rombongan yang masuk. Berpakaian kaos putih bertuliskan “Juara Liga Djarum Indonesia”. Wah wah wah, ternyata rombongan dari Sriwijaya FC, pemain, pelatih dan officialnya, yang baru memenangkan dua trophy, Piala Copa Indonesia dan Juara Liga Indonesia, yang baru tiba dari Jakarta pada hari itu (penerbangan siang setelah kita), yang baru saja diarak bak pahlawan di jalan, langsung mereka menuju ke restaurant ini untuk makan malam. Mereka aja begitu nyampe langsung makan di sini, berarti ini memang yang paling TOP :_) Tapi kalau gue perhatiin bule bule nya (yg kebanyakan orang negro – Afrika), ngga pada makan dengan lahap, paling nyicip nyicip doang. Suasana di luar restoran sudah sangat ramai dengan masyarakat yang antusias. Anehnya, kita malah foto foto sendiri, he he, bukan penggemar sepakbola Indonesia sih. Too bad.

Malamnya kita dianter ke Hotel Quality, di Jl. Sudirman. Hotel baru, kata bell boy-nya. Baru dari quarter terakhir tahun lalu. Pantes aja masih bersih dan terawat banget. Resepsionis pun ramah dan helpful. Mereka bilang, ngga lama lagi semua kamar akan ada fasilitas internet, tapi mereka ngga jelasin apakah dengan kabel atau dengan wi-fi. Yang jelas, lobby-nya bisa wi-fi. Gue udah coba he he. Dengan HTC Touch yang baru dapet hadiah dari Quiz itu loh he he he. Rate-nya juga ngga mahal untuk ukuran bintang 4, ngga nyampe 400 ribu per malam untuk kamar standard.

Esok paginya, breakfast di hotel menyediakan makanan khas Palembang yang namanya Celimpungan (bacanya pake ‘c’ bukan ‘k’). Itu pempek dengan kuah kuning yang aromanya santan banget. Makanan lain pun ngga kalah enak, standard hotel bintang 4 lah. Pokoknya OK.

Siang itu, kita diajak makan siang ke PTC (Palembang Trade Centre), ke tempat makan yang namanya Brasserie, menyajikan Chinese Food tapi standardlah. Setelah itu menuju ke Pelabuhan Sungai Musi. Ngga nyangka, sungainya gede banget dan dalam, kapal kapal yang sandarpun bukan kapal kapal ukuran sedang, tapi juga ukuran besar (tanker). Nah dari situ, dari kejauhan, keliatan jembatan Ampera, yang merupakan icon kota Palembang, kebanggaan kota Palembang yang amat disayangkan. Nanti akan diceritakan.

Abis cape panas panas ke pelabuhan, di kantor sudah disambut dengan Kelapa Muda seger dari kebun belakang. Wah deh pokoknya. Belum cukup segitu, sorenya, pesta duren Palembang di ruang tengah. Bersama temen temen yang lain, menikmati buah duren yang dibeli sama mami, sang kepala tanki. Duren Palembang kurang lebih kayak duren Lampung, yang manis manis ada pahit pahitnya dikit.

Malamnya, kita diajak ke daerah yang namanya Kambang Iwak (iwak = ikan, dlm bahasa Palembang), makan seafood di resto yang namanya Raja Sari Laut. Katanya daerah situ deket daerah bencong kayak Taman Lawang gitu, tapi jangan bayangin bencongnya yg gemulai, disini, weleh, katanya serem hehehe, gue sih ngga tau, cuma dibilangin aja. Habis pas lewat sana masih jam 8, belum muncul bencongnya ha ha.

Malam itu juga, kita diajak ke Jembatan Ampera. The best viewnya adalah masuk di Benteng Kuto Besak. Belum belum udah di tarikin Rp 2000 oleh sekumpulan berambut gondrong. Ada karcis sih, tapi kok kesannya ‘maksa’ ya. Di dalam, pas lagi foto foto, eh, ada lagi yang samperin minta uang ‘parkir’ Rp 2000 lagi. Sama temen kita orang Palembang, setelah berdebat, dikasih Rp 1000. Ya, kita juga jadi berasa ngga tenang. Mending ngga lama lama disitu. Itulah kenapa gue bilang amat disayangkan. Benteng Kuto Besak itu lapangan nya luas, dengan penjual makanan kecil dan ada resto apungnya, kiri kanan pun penuh hiasan lampu warna warni dengan view utama jembatan Ampera yg dikasih lampu berwarna merah. Sangat nyaman untuk sekedar nongkrong dan view yg bagus untuk berfoto. Tapi ya, itu tadi, dengan kehadiran ‘preman’, perasaan kita jadi ngga tenang dan amat ngga nyaman. Kalau dikelola dengan baik, bukan ngga mungkin bisa spt jembatan di Liuzhou, tempat nongkrong kita tiap malam waktu di China. Sayang banget, padahal lagi ‘visit Musi 2008’ lho. Ngga heran pariwisata Indonesia begitu jebloug.

Keesokan harinya, harinya oleh oleh :_) Kerupuk Palembang, Kemplang, kerupuk mentah, terasi, dodol duren dan kue semprong antara lain yang kita borong untuk saudara dan temen temen di Jakarta. Belum lagi pempek yang dihadiahin mami buat kita, termasuk pempek panggang yang jarang ada di Jakarta. Wuih, Palembang emang syurga makanan :_)

Ada 1 toko kerupuk yang terkenal banget, Toko 301. Tapi titipan sang mertua, cari toko yg namanya Bola Dunia. 2-2nya di daerah Dempo. Kalau menurut gue sih, 2-2nya sama enaknya.

Siang itu, kita makan di Bakmi Dempo Aloy/Alay. Ini terkenal dengan mie-nya yang menurut gue mirip mirip mie Bangka. Mienya lengkap dengan tambahan jeroan dan darah babi, pangsit ikan dan juga bakso ikan. Mantap. Abis itu, kita menuju Es Mamat. Selain RM Padang Pagi Sore, Bondan, sang maestro kuliner, juga pernah datang ke sini untuk mencicipi es mamat. Jangan bayangkan resto atau café deh, tempatnya benar benar pinggir jalan, dengan gerobak sepanjang jalan. Selain gerobak es, gerobak gerobak lainnya menjual model, tekwan, gado gado, martabak telor dll. Model merupakan makanan khas Palembang, yaitu pempek isi tahu. Spt kata Mami, “Kalau di Jakarta model bisa di ‘pake’, kalau di Palembang, model bisa di makan” he he dada aja.

Malemnya kita diajak ke Ayam Goreng 288. Ayam goreng lunak seperti ayam goreng pada umumnya di Surabaya. Yang punya restonya orang Bangka. Enak juga, tapi karena di Palembang, makanan ini terasa ngga special alias ngga ada sentuhan Melayunya he he.

Esoknya, baru bener bener jalan jalan nih :_) Kita berkesempatan untuk ngunjungin pulau Kemarau (P. Kemaro dalam logat Palembang). Pulau ini sebenarnya sebuah Delta, yang terbentuk dari endapan dasar sungai ribuan tahun yang lalu. Dan ini bukannya delta yang kecil, ngga cukup lho 1 jam naik getek (perahu dengan motor) ngitarin seluruh pulau. Di sana ada sebuah kelentang dengan pagoda yang dalam tahap penyelesaian. Waktu kita ke sana, sedang persiapan, bersih bersih menyambut Cap Go Meh. Kata Natz, kalau lagi Cap Go Meh, akan ruame sekali, dengan orang dimana mana dan sulit bergerak spt halnya lagi borong di Mangga Dua. Dan mata siap siap perih oleh hio dan dupa yang menyala tak henti henti. Selepas dari sana, kita sempetin putar putar sedikit dengan getek melihat sisi lain p. Kemarau. Ada juga lho penduduk yang tinggal disana, juga sepanjang pinggiran sungai Musi. Penduduk miskin yang rata rata bermata pencaharian mencari ikan dgn jala. Mereka nyuci dan mandi dari air sungai musi, probably minum pun dari sana, tapi tau deh. Ohya, sekali sewa getek untuk ke sana 75 ribu PP, ditunggu sampai selesai, ngiter2 pulau juga boleh. Itu lagi musim sepi, kalo lagi rame (Cap Go Meh atau Cap Sa) mungkin lebih mahal. Tapi denger denger, mau ada jembatan getek, jadi getek sambung menyambung ke dataran yg terdekat, jadi orang bisa tinggal nyeberang. 1 getek muat lebih dari 5 orang.

Setelah itu, siap siap deh ke bandara. Sebelumnya, mampir dulu ke Rumah Makan HAR. Ini specialis jualan martabak telor ala India, dengan kuah kental berwarna kuning yang isinya kentang dan beraroma kambing. HAR = Haji Abdul Rozak, asli India, sejak 1947. Ini sebenarnya kesukaan my Natz. Setiap kali lewat di jalan Hayam Wuruk (Jakarta), pasti sempetin bungkus martabak HAR, yang katanya cabang dari Palembang. Nah, kali ini gue mau bungkusin HAR asli dari tempat asalnya :_) Gue sih kurang doyan, dan menurut pengakuan beberapa orang, memang hanya orang Palembang (dan perantau-nya) yang suka.

Siang itu, karena ngga sempet sarapan. Kita sarapan di executive lounge ElJohn. Ohya, bandara Palembang masih baru dan masih bagus banget. Denger denger sejak PON beberapa tahun yang lalu. Dan jadi bandara internasional juga baru baru ini. Pokoknya Palembang makin maju.

Pengalaman yang menyenangkan, ditutup dengan surprise dari sang istri. Kebetulan hari itu tanggal 14 Feb.

Video kita jadi Video FAVORITE :_)

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Coba deh ke link ke http://kontes.my-indonesia.info/video/index.v.php(mudah mudahan link-nya masih valid)

Kontes Video 1 Menit Seputar Indonesia diselenggarakan oleh Departemen Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata Indonesia dan www.indo.com (dalam rangka visit Indonesia year 2008)

Dan Pemenang Video Terfavorite nya!!! Keindahan pulau Dewata, disubmit oleh: Natalia.. My oh my... Itu kan Video waktu kita ke Bali tahun 2006 yg lalu hehehe
Walaupun yang milih cuma 7 orang, tapi sudah yang terbanyak lho...Mungkin karena ini baru penyelenggaraan pertama. Yang penting hadiahnya dong hehe PDA HTC TOUCH, yg worth 5 juta !!!

Ada lagi lho, salah satu dari 3 Lucky Viewer: Andijaya!!! hehe, hadiahnya: Sony Ericsson W200i lho, worth 1 juta lebih. hehe. Tapi baru Sabtu mau ambil hadiahnya ke jl. Abdul Majid, ketemu dengan mba Cinta.

Bukan cuma dapet itu lho... Awal tahun ini, menjelang imlek kayaknya berkah deh, lagi banyak dapet gratisan hehe. Kemaren gue dapet majalah DestinAsian gratis. Hari ini malah Natz dapet bingkisan hadiah macem macem dari Tropicana Slim, sirup, gula dll deh, sedus gede hehe. Ngga tiba tiba sih, dengan effort juga lho. Ikut ikut quiz gitu lho.

Awal Imlek banyak berkah, sepertinya Sepanjang tahun tikus ini OKEH nih...

SingMaThai DAY 7, 8, 9: Singapore – KL – Genting – KL - Jakarta

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From China Town start at 8.30 to catch the bus at 10.20. We start with breakfast noodle at the back-side of the mall (below the People’s Park Centre is a shopping mall, in fact, everywhere is a shopping mall in Singapore). We forget where to stop to go to Lavender bus station. We bought MRT ticket one station ahead, lucky, still can go back without additional charge. Should be stop at Lavender, we stop at Kallang, Natz thought closer to bus station from there than from Lavender. At the station, me and Natz walk to gas station next to the station, to the small shop (Cheers or something, Fair Price network) to by top up card for M1 (Singapore) for Hacu back in Jakarta (titipan). The saleslady quite surprise when we very happy to know she sale the card, but we only bought one :_) Then, I took Today (free newspaper), when I asked her how much, she said, “Today is free, tomorrow expensive” with a smile from her face.

From Sing to KL, 6 hours. Right time for sleep. At about 1 PM, the bus stop at Johor for lunch. This is the worst lunch the whole trip. Natz bought Soto Ayam (In fact is Indonesian food, Malaysia should learn harder how to prepare Soto), Me, dad and mom eat Nasi Lemak, but very very bad, much worst than nasi lemak 1 ringgit near Puduraya. But we have no other choice than to eat there. This is the same place we stop by last time from KL to Sing. Also there’s a toilet 20 sen per person.

Arrived at Puduraya at about 4.30 PM. A Pakistanian girl who happen to be in the same bus, come toward us and ask whether she can borrow my phone to call her friend. She (named Husna) study in Singapore and visit a friend in Malaysia. Oh, my Indosat bill will be up high this month because of int’l roaming. But for helping people, it’s OK. After off the bus, again she borrow my phone, make me and mom separated from others. Again, I use the phone to call dad. My oh my, hope the bill is not too high :_(

At Puduraya, we bought ticket to Genting for 5.30 PM (RM 8.5 per person include Gondola). We have 1 hour to go to China Town Inn (2) hotel, again, to change clothes to bring to Genting. This time no time and also no need to took shower, since we can took shower at Genting (First World hotel), and from KL only about 2 hours to Genting. Again, we stop by to buy nasi lemak 1 ringgit, 10 wraps :_)

To Genting was fun. That day, the weather was clear, so we can see the hotels from below. From bus stop to the highland was more fun when we took Gondola, to the top. Dad was a bit afraid, whereas, he and mom aver to the higher Gondola when visiting China.

First World Hotel is where we stay. It located at the back side from where Gondola stops. So we have to walk quite far, follow the instruction, there’s icon to follow. After check-in, took bath and rest for a while, we go out at 10 PM. Where else beside the Casino. First, we enter the smaller one, win about RM 30 hehe, then to bigger Casino, Casino de Genting, loose all RM 100. Me and Natz not gambling, only 2 moms and dad. Actually Natz wanted so mush to play Kino, but I don’t allowed her, I kept all the money :_) At the Casino, we took a lot of small cute pencil which written “Casino de Genting”. I thought it funny for give away to friends back at office :_) For dinner, we had KFC, since other place already closed. Already 12 midnight.

In the morning, we had breakfast at First World Restaurant, actually the voucher only valid for 2 person each room, so we have only breakfast for 4, but the restaurant staff were too busy due to very crowded, so we slip away for paying additional breakfast which cost RM 42 per person :_) The food were a lot but not one delicious :_(

We’re not playing at the Indoor nor Outdoor Theme Park, since none of us still young :_P Moreover, me and Natz already play at Outdoor last time. So, where do we go? We thought might be fun to go to Chin Swee Cave Temple, a Buddhist Temple. Paid RM 5 per person for van that took us from Highland Hotel to the temple. No need to reserve, first come first serve, but no worry, not many interested to go, or they don’t know. I think many people don’t know this temple.

The temple is OK. Lucky us, the weather was fine (12.30), not foggy like last time. “Tak ada kabut, cantik” said the driver. Yup, very nice view and great for photos. There’s image of Buddha, Kwan Im, Son Go Kong and friends, 18 shaolin, Pagoda, and Kelenteng. Also, there’s relief of ancient Chinese life, and, this one is the most interesting, there’s an illustration of what happen in Chinese version Hell, from level 1 to ten, before reincarnation to become human, high, middle, or lower level, even reincarnation become animal. Quite scary. They gave us 1 hour 15 minutes in the Temple, but it seems not enough.

Back to the hotel, we already check-out before to temple, we left our luggage to the concierge. We had our lunch at Hou Mei, restaurant, just like last time. After taking our luggage, we going back to KL. First, we must buy Gondola ticket to reach the bus station, RM 5 per person. At the Gondola stop, before taking bus, there’s store that sale sweets and snack for gift. There, you can try the food before you buy. From there, 3rd floor of the building, headed down, to the ticket box to buy ticket to KL, RM 3.5 per person.

Arrived at KL, check-in to China Town Inn (2), took shower and then out for dinner. Raining hard that night, so we just get to eat at the easiest place, can not chose. We ate at the place that we walk by everytime going in or out the hotel, still in the Petaling Street. Not bad. Because of raining, can not be choosy.

After, we separate. Dad and moms going to Kota Raya (Wisma Fui Chiu) for shopping, while me and Natz went to buy gift still in Petaling Street and to UO Store near Petaling street. Tonight is our last night. Tomorrow going back to Jakarta. But nit for mom and dad who extend the trip to Bangkok and Pattaya by Janesak Tour. End of Natalia tour, they said. Tour which fully use public transportation to go anywhere :_) but they admit that the tour was fun and kind of adventure.

The next day, we took taxi to KL Central (only RM 6 each, this should be the fair price, thanks to the first taxi driver, the second taxi not very happy with the price). At KL Central still time to catch the 10.30 AM skybus to LCCT. So we went to shopping centre at KL Central. Finally, mom get what she looking for. Actually it’s was my choice, a hand bag, grey color and looks very nice. Discount 70% to only RM 41.7 (about IDR 125,000). So, we bought it.

At LCCT, after check-in (our plan the same ETD as mom and dad, 1.40 PM), again, we ate at Asia Kitchen, 2 Nasi Lemak Special, with refillable ice lemon tea. + Nasi Lemak 1 ringgit Natz mom bought at the traditional market this morning. Dad had Mee hoon.

At the waiting room, we met our fellow Indonesian again, the one we met at Phi Phi island tour. 1.40, we get in the plane first. But mom and dad’s plane fly first. Arrived at Cengkarang, Natz’ dad, brother, sister in law and their son has waiting for us. That afternoon, we had Pempek (Palembang’s traditional food). Natz family is actually Palembang, so you know what I mean ;_)

What a trip. Full of joy and fun. With any kind of experiences, cities, traditional market, buildings, temples, shopping, china towns, beaches, mountain, and casinos. Can’t wait for our next trip: MEDAN (March 2008). Have FUN.

COMMENTS & REVIEWS

KL – GENTING BUS
OK. Full aircon. Comfortable seats. Has a big window for sightseeing. On the way pass the Batu Cave. RM 8.5 from Puduraya up until Genting (include Gondola skyway RM 5). Inside the bus they not allow you to drink, eat, and knock your feet. Be careful of the drinking water seller, he will act as if the water is free (compliment from the bus), but after you’ve taken the water, he will later charge you RM 2.

FIRST WORLD HOTEL
Is the cheapest hotel inside the Genting complex. Standard rate was RM 85 per room per night, if book via internet, you can get 15% discount. Lucky we book at promotion period, so we get free breakfast for 2 with rate only USD 17.88 (IDR 166,000) per room per night for standard room :_) Located at the most far from the gate or Gondola. Just follow the green icon, it will lead you to the lobby. Lobby is very wide, up more than 25 receptions there. But please understand, this is low rate 3 stars hotel, don’t expect the reception to be friendly with high hospitality. Compare to Highland hotel, for example the reception name Salbiah, which very friendly and informative, even though we’re not staying there (only asking about Chin Swee Cave). We chose her as excellent employee. For your convenience, will be very helpful if you bring your own electric connector. The electric plug they have is a three hole plug (kotak, panjang), while usually we use 2 hole (bulat). The connector is actually available to be borrowed to guess without any additional charge, but they limited. Last year, we’re lucky enough to borrow (with deposit RM 200 – if not wrong). No aircon in the room, but don’t worry, you still be comfortably sleeping under your blanket :_) TV only a view channels, but you don’t come here for TV, right? Hot water, phone, drinking water, everything runs well. Reservation at www.genting.com.my.

AIRASIA’S SKYBUS
Very helpful. Natz and mom came first at 10 AM before us. The staff treat us really kind. Give seat to Natz’ mom at the waiting. Then suggest us to wait at upstairs (KL Sentral) while he helps us keep our luggage. Thumps up for AirAsia, not only in the sky but also in the ground. Will always use Skybus (red one) and never use Aerobus (yellow one) no more.

AIRASIA
Love this airplane company. Our traveling plans nearly everytime follow this airplane schedule. Monitor the promotion frequently, you might get lowest fare as we do. Bali, Apr 2006, KL-Bangkok, Jan 2007 (honeymoon), KL-Phuket, Jan 2008, and our next nearest journey: Medan, March 2008. All can be done with AirAsia promotion tickets. We never plan our journey without first look at the AirAsia schedule and promotion :_)

JANESAK TOUR
This is a Thailand local tour, who happen to have connection with Interlink tour, Bandung. We use their service last year (honeymoon) and we feel satisfied. The guide, Murni was very kind and informative, and all well scheduled for us. Speaks Indonesia very well also (with Thai accent). So, this time we use their service again for Dad and Mom to the same destination (Bangkok – Pattaya) with the same itinerary. Only this time, the guide (Ayu) not as good as Murni. Speaks Indonesia not so well and not very informative. She said Murni has left Janesak to another tour. However, in overall, Dad and Mom has no major complain to the tour. Booking can be done through e-mail: janesak@janesaktravel.com, Website: www.janesaktravel.com.

NATALIA TOUR
Ehm… I call it ‘well-packer’, opposite to ‘back-packer’. Everything was well-packed before D-day. Not only tickets and hotels and accommodations and itinerary. We also talking about the whole planning, search for lowest fare tickets, hotels/accommodations that seems doesn’t exist, how to deal with driver, local tour, where to buy bus ticket the cheapest, include buying and watching DVD ‘The Beach’. All information available at internet (if you have time to search them, like us :_P). If the essence of back-packer is to traveling and have fun with the minimum cost, well then, we’ve done well-better than them :_)

SingMaThai DAY 6: KL - Singapore

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Wake up 3 in the morning at Johor Baru. The bus stop by for toilet and eat. We also eat, nasi lemak 1 ringgit we bought at Puduraya last night. The bus was quite convenience for sleep, but don’t know why, cannot fully asleep, only half or one-third asleep. Arrive at Singapore at about 6, still dark like 5 in Jakarta. From Lavender bus station we walk about 15 minutes to MRT station. MRT to China Town, People’s Park Centre, where we stay. We’re staying at a house (apartment) owned by Indonesian (Medan), my friend Yohana, who happen to married to Singaporean and stay in Singapore helped us to book a few days ago. That morning, about 7, the door has not open and the phone also not pick-up. So, we go down, and luckily there was a restaurant selling Bakpao, siomay, hakau, and porridge. So we can have our breakfast. At 8, I try to call again, picked up by an old man and gave to her maid. Ok, she said, we can go up. But, we haven’t have a room there, still occupied by others. No problem, we just go to toilet, wash our face, left our bag, then go out.

First stop is Esplanade (Merlion). What I like about Singapore is that the transportation is very convenience, everywhere you can take MRT which very fast and not too long to wait, even if you just missed one. From Lavender to China Town this morning, which was my first ride on Singapore’s MRT (never been to Sing before), saw the Singaporean walking very fast, like wanna run, and those wrinkled face, seems I don’t like Singapore already :_(

At Merlion, we took some nice photos. A tour guide who lead a tour from China, explained that water from Merlion is like money (prosperity), so we can put our hand like wanna retain the water, then took photo like that. See the photo of me and Natz retaining the prosperous water from Merlion, and also the whole family want the water :_)

From there, we headed to Orchard road. Not much in here. Mom bought Giordano shirt for only SGD 6.4 per piece. Cheap. We have lunch, Singaporean’s favorite: chicken rice at Lucky Plaza. We also bought 1 dollar ice cream stick, each. There’s durian, coconut and red bean flavor. This one Natz favorite. She always ate 1 dollar ice cream stick every time in Singapore.

From Orchard, back to China Town, to the apartment, taking shower and sleep for a while. Wake up about 5 then go to Sentosa island at 6, also by MRT to Harbor front, then walk to Vivo mall and take SGD 3 monorail to Sentosa island. The monorail ticket was for return (two way) trip. Arrived at Sentosa about 6.30 PM, directly line to buy Songs of the Sea ticket. We heard that 7.20 show, people already wait inside from 6. But lucky, the ticket still available. And still have time for free ride around Siloso beach by Sentosa shuttle van. Then going in to the sea theater at 7, still time to take photo before the show start.

Songs of the Sea is the famous laser and singing show at Sentosa island. It combined the human singing, water shows, laser, lighting, and fireworks. Really a festive show and entertaining. SGD 5 per person was really worth the show.

From Song of the Sea, we headed to the Merlion statue at the top side of Sentosa island. This one bigger and lighted by blue color (become purple at the photo). From here, after a few photo, headed back to Vivo mall by monorail. From Vivo mall took MRT from Harbor Front to China Town. then we go by walk to the centre of China Town. Very crowded and noisy there. Small street only for walk, traders everywhere selling souvenir, candy, mushroom, Chinese medicine, Chinese fancies, coconut and fruits, even durian. We bought 3 packs Malaysian durian for SDG 10. The seller offer us 7 for SGD 20. But 3 packs is more than enough. For dinner we stop at Boneless Hainanese Chicken Rice. The place is full, so the food must delicious. Turned-out right, very delicious, much more delicious than chicken rice we took at Lucky Plaza (lunch).

Go back to our place, took shower then have a good sleep. Tomorrow must check-out back to KL for going to Genting Highland.

COMMENT & REVIEW

EE IN (People’s Park Centre No 2404)
Actually this is a place to live, a home of Indonesian. Many of place like this in People’s Park Centre, so if you didn’t get the room, they will help you find another (they have a lot of channels). If you travel alone or for young people, also can rent only place to sleep (at living room). They will accommodate you by pillow and blanket. This way can be cheaper. A room for 5 people like we rent cost us SGD 95 a night. Quite expensive. EE IN (Indonesian name: Fieriany) can be reach at +65 65352118. The phone will be picked up by an old man (her father), or by her maid (from Java, mbak mbak). All speaks bahasa Indonesia.

Thanks to Hacu (Hendry Tjoe) for borrowing us the MRT card. And to Yohana whose help us book the place to stay at Singapore :_)

SingMaThai DAY 5: Phuket – KL

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This morning we took porridge for breakfast. We wanted to take noodle, wanted to try noodle in Thai, but the restaurant is still closed, the owner showed us to another restaurant that open, a few house away. They sale porridge with cakue. Not as delicious as China town KL.

Mr. Mai again who pick us up. At 9 AM, we’re all ready. All packed for flying to KL. Our flight is 4 PM, so, still time for us for sightseeing on the way to airport, which located at the north of Phuket island. We stop bye at Patong beach.
Kamala beach.
Nai Thon beach.
And Nai Yang beach.

We had our lunch there. Said my dad, it’s the most delicious so far, at turned out to be the most delicious of all for this journey, include Bangkok and Pattaya, he said. We had fish (100% fresh), squid, pork sate and tom yam. So delicious, my dad wanted to take picture with the cook, who happen to be the owner of the restaurant, named Sumalee. We’re just lucky, or all restaurant were delicious there. Never know.

Arrived airport at 2 PM, fly back to Malaysia at 4 PM and arrived at 6 PM Malaysia time. Back to China Town Inn (2) hotel, just to change what we want to bring to Singapore. Since we’re taking bus at 12 midnight, we might as well took shower here :_) And the owner didn’t mind at all.

All set, we headed to Puduraya bus station to go to Singapore. Stop bye near Ancasa hotel to buy 1 ringgit nasi lemak for eat at the road. 6 hours from KL to Singapore via Johor. We will arrive at Singapore at 6 the next morning. We slept at the bus. Next morning, we’ll be at Singapore, so have a nice sleep… at bus… :_)

COMMENT & REVIEW

TRANSNASIONAL BUS
OK. Clean. Comfort. Convenience for sleep, suitable for overnight trip. Aircon was too cold though, just prepare enough clothes to cover your body. They allow you to eat and drink at bus, since the bus stop only at Johor after 3 hours. 33 seats a bus, but usually to Singapore full, but quite empty from Sing to KL. No wonder much more expensive from Sing. RM 30 from KL and RM 50 from Sing, bought at Puduraya, KL. We heard that if bought from Sing, even more expensive.

SingMaThai DAY 4: PHI PHI Island

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The waited day has come. This is the most exiting to us for the whole journey. We’ve been to KL and Genting and Bangkok and Pattaya last time. But we’re never been to Phuket and Phi Phi Island. These three days is the heart of our journey :_)

The whole tour will be include pick-up and deliver at Hotel, engine boat to the island, lunch, snack, soft drinks and fruits, snorkeling equipment and tour guide included. That morning we had bread (bought last night from Family Mart) and coffee (bought from Giant at Sunway, KL) for breakfast at the 5 th floor of Lamai Apt. It was an open air restaurant. Air was fresh up there but no special view. That morning, restaurant not open yet, so we bring our own food to eat up there. Our pick up supposed to be at 8.45, but arrived at 9.15.

We were the first to be picked-up. In the same van with us, a couple of young European, and 2 big guys full with tattoo and they bring 2 local girls who were very aggressive. They kiss, lick and suck the boy all the way, up until while at the boat. Don’t imagine sensual local girls, these two are just like ‘mbok mbok nyuci’, even worst.

Arrive at Chalong Bay, we were welcome by this local girl, she called her self Beyonce. She’s our tour guide. She gave us pink sticker so she can identify ourselves and ask where we came from. “You look like Singaporean”, she said. “No, we’re Indonesian Chinese” “oh, Ni hao ma?”

Pink sticker is for 4 engine boat capacity 65 persons. Green one is for 3 engine boat capacity 35 persons. Supposed, this green sticker paid higher, since last night, the guy from the tour offer us THB 2000 per person for 3 engine. And when we nego to THB 1,400, they gave us 4 engine. Luckily, it seems that pink and green sticker more or less the same number of person, about 30 or 35 person only.

While waiting at Chalong Bay, it’s a Nivea time :_) Most people use Nivea. Not only us, but those European also bring their own Nivea with them. This Beyonce come to us and told us that there are about 10 other fellow Indonesian with us today. They were a couples with a cute little about 5 years old daughter from Semarang, and a gang of back-packer alike, 4 girls from Jakarta. So total, 13 Indonesian on the same boat, same tour. On the boat, I just happen to chat with those girls. They paid the tour for THB 2,000 per person and still they get a 4 engine boat. Feel very lucky. All our time to search for Phuket/Phi Phi island worth us saving of THB 600 (= IDR 180,000 each, total saving IDR 900,000). This saving can be compensated to good dinner tonight he he he :_)

No wonder they prepare anti-sick pill for the tour participant, the boat was speed and shaky. Lucky, we’re took our own ‘Antimo’ already. However, mom and dad not taking antimo also don’t feel any dizzy. So, what we read (from internet) is not fully true :_)

Along the way, we saw a lot of small green hills. Phi Phi islands is the more or less the same only they were bigger islands. First stop, Maya Bay (National Park Fee THB 200 included). For those of you who seen The Beach movie, don’t expect to be exactly the same. The hill, the sand and the sea, ok, the same. But please do prepare for the crowded, the tourist and the boat parking along the beach. Nearly no place to took photo without ‘taking’ someone else together. Anyway, no dissatisfying on this situation. All the hills, sands and seawater was great view all together. All of us go for swimming. The water was shallow and clear but very salty, don’t open your eyes if you don’t wear swimming glasses. Really a fantastic experience, be able to swim at this tremendous background of Maya Bay.

Maya Bay is part of the island called Phi Phi Ley. This one is smaller than Phi Phi Don. Also part of Phi Phi Ley which usually as part of the tour are Loh Sama Bay (place where some guy got bitten by shark in the movie The Beach), Pileh Cave and Viking Cave. All only stop by, not go down. Pretty good view must say.

From there, we headed to Phi Phi Don, only to Monkey beach. At the beach, stop by and go down for a while, to see if there’s any monkey. I don’t know unfortunately or fortunately, that day, no monkey appeared. Beyonce said, probably because no Australian among us, because usually the monkey like to bite Australian, but probably just a joke. Also from here, the view was awesome. After, they took us far enough from the beach to do snorkeling. Snorkeling equipment has been made available, mask and life jacket. Only fin (flipper) can rent at THB 100 per pair. But we don’t.

This was my first snorkeling. A bit afraid, actually, when I first jumped my self down to the sea of water level 3 maybe 5 meters deep. But after a while, I begun to gain my believe on the life jacket to hold me up, although I can not swim. And… Waaaaa, new and tremendous experience to me… Beautiful coral, although for me, Manado is more beautiful, this was first time the coral right in front of me and I can actually touch the beauty. WOW. Only me, Natz and Natz’ mom do snorkeling, while dad already jumped in the water but he change his mind, the water is too deep and dad a bit afraid.

After a bunch of activities, begin to feel hungry :_) Right time to eat. They took us to Kai Nok Island, a very small island at top of Phi Phi Don. Thai food buffet, all you can eat, rice, chicken, shrimp, onion ring, and vegetable. The food was very so delicious, but probably just us felling too hungry :_)

Kai Nok Island. Very small, smaller than Bidadari island near Jakarta. Everywhere white sands and people lying there for sunbath. Some girls even topless. Good views ;_) Right there also very convenience to do snorkeling. Me and Natz does, while others just rest at the beach. The water is very shallow and clean, don’t have to go very deep, can see coral from the depth of adult’s waist! And not only coral, fishes everywhere, with all kinds of shape and color, white yellow, yellow with black strips, green, blue, purple, all colors. And they’re all very tame, they don’t afraid of you at all. Really, this is an awesome experiences. We can nearly touch the fishes. Very unforgettable.

Kai Nok is our last destination of the tour. After having so much fun at the island, Beyonce finally call us to get back to the boat and back to Chalong bay, the place where we started the tour. Before we get off the boat, there was a tips box circulate by Beyonce to all of the tour participants. We felt happy and so much pleasure, so we gave them THB 100 :_) At the shore, they sold souvenir, a plate written ‘Phuket Island” with our photo in the middle, THB 150 one. All tired that afternoon. They drove us back to Apt. Still noon, so we took some rest and shower first, before going out for dinner.

At night, we find seafood for dinner. Number 1 seafood and Chinese food at Patong, near Bangla road. Fish ‘kakap merah’ with spicy sauce, grilled shrimp, mix vegetable with pork, and fried noodle which actually a fried kwetiaw. At the same restaurant, we met (again) our fellow Indonesian, 2 couples of om and tante from Bandung, which take a local tour package. After eat, we ask the waitress and she shows us which way to Bangla road.

Bangla road is famous for night live here in Patong. Where there was bar, restaurants, shops, and Thai lady boys. Very crowded with all kinds of human, European, American, Eastern Europe, African, Middle East, Arab, Chinese, Korean, Japan and local people. Natz bought a bag here at Findig shoe and bag store. Natz mom also bought 2 bags and a sandal. Tired. But what a day ! Unforgettable Phi Phi island experience, and snorkeling was really fun !

Tonight must pack for tomorrow afternoon going back to KL and headed to Singapore.

COMMENT & REVIEW

PHUKET SIAM SEACANOE
This is the tour we took to Phi Phi Island. I guess this is the only tour. Other is by cruise but can not go down to Maya bay or any place, price cheaper, but probably the same company, I don’t quite understand. Be careful. Book from internet, they might charge tou THB 3,300, by brochure THB 2,800, by any sub-tour might gave you discount THB 2,000. We telling you, can be cheaper than that. We got the price of THB 1,400. The same service with other who bought at THB 2,000. However, we don’t know which sub-tour we bought from, since we were taken to the place by Mr. Mai. Anyhow, we believed we get the cheapest reasonable price :_)