Ojeg & Jakarta Traffic

Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. You will mostly go here to transit or just curious what Bangkok sister city looks like. Its quite the same like Bangkok actually. But, still it had different air, ambiet, different "smell" different transport and street.... its had its own personality.

When i moved to Jakarta this year i start to realize its a very different place then i used to live at. Hate it or like it i am now in Jakarta.

The worse part is i had to deal with the worse nightmare for morning workers, traffic jam. From a city where the driver could actually speed up to 100kmph to this city.. its quite a test for my patience.

Jakarta "common" Traffic Jam

It took me literally 2 hours to cruise Jakarta traffic to get to place where i work. And its getting worse since i use the public transport called "bus". Its horrible!

While in Jakarta i tried most of the public transport, name it.. kopaja bus, metromini, the new transjakarta bus, even bajaj-one that looks like tuk tuk in Bangkok. But i never use "ojeg" as i see it-its a good way to commit suicide in Jakarta traffic.

This is what i experience every morning in Jakarta

Then few days ago i made change, i made peace with another transport mode called "OJEG". When my bus ride caused me 2.5hrs late to work. I jump off the bus and wave my hand to one of the riders. I could only pray, and i ride it, full speed!

Its two wheels and its not safe thats what you think and thats what i think... Motorcycle is very common transport in Asia. You could say Vietnam and China also Indonesia, so many people using the motorcycle.

Pangkalan Ojeg-Ojeg "Terminals"

They were simply almost every corner of the street. Sometimes if you stood up next to street some of them will offer if you need an ojeg ride. Sometimes they were lined up on  the "pangkalan ojeg" or the ojeg terminals. Its not that hard to find them.

With this Ojeg ride, i could actually safe my time and MONEY to pay taxi! they could go through a flooded street, rain, heat, and worse traffic jam.. they go to dirt also above the side way! they go to where most cars can't go! even that day i ride AGAINST the way! i just could close my eyes when my knees between two cars side mirrors. 

Its hell of crazy ride but i think its worth to try when you need to go from one point to another in Jakarta.

I arrive safely 30 minutes before time!! yay!

I thought roller coaster ride is crazy enough for my adrenalin but this is something different. I could only say... i will definitely use this AGAIN when i need it.. but not of its not necessarily.

The cost is higher than any public transport of course. But its actually also rely on your skill bargaining the price. But the common thing is you pay around Rp 5000,- per 1-2kms distance. I would pay Rp 7000,- if that ojeg could get me faster, to the place i need to be!

troops of ojeg with the meters like taxi in Bandung

Faster doesn't meant he had to be as fast as Valentino Rossi... hell no.. in Jakarta where the traffic packed, the top speed maybe around 40-60kmph and thats lots better than stuck for 2 hours and not even moving 5 meters from where you are!

These days i think most of people who use ojeg service had their ojeg riders phone numbers, so when they need it they will call it like a taxi. And someone actually did pick this up serious and made it as business and build a troop of ojeg raiders called "Go Ojek".

I would say this is the first professional ojeg service in Indonesia that cover many services in Jakarta.

With "Go-Ojek-An Ojek for everyone" you could call for their service. Its quite convenient and as classy as the taxi it self. Its not only deliver you to one point to another but it also provide a courier service. They will deliver mails and even lasagna that you want to order! they also doing the corporate service to deliver the employee of a company or even merchandise.

Of course there are still traditional ojeg as i mentioned on most of Jakarta street corner, or mall entrance. You will see them and soon recognse then as Ojek Rider. Most of them will smile at you or wave their hands and ask if you want a ride. No worries they're very friendly.

If you visiting Jakarta, and need to go somewhere asap, i think this transportation is worth the try.. just get ready for it, get a good grip and make sure you do had insurance!! well just in case!! and this is not for the easy to faint people! noot about the speed its about the daring! :D dare you to ride on the side walk or between two cars just like stuntman! hehehe

Be safe and wear your helmet tight!

Air Asia Web Check In Palembang

After long time not flying with Air Asia, finally this month I travel again to Kuala Lumpur from Palembang.

Few changes made. This time I had to buy "Checked Luggage" and end up with 15kgs checked luggage for about Rp 110.000,- or around US$ 13 and I bring one of my backpack with laptop inside, should be less than 7kgs for carry on. Some people also bring suitcase with approved size to the cabin, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s not over 7kgs (even if you carry two small bags)

The other thing is, I could check in using web check in from AirAsia website 2 days before departing. I have to print out the boarding pass myself after finish. I did this also because Air Asia will charge the conventional check in at the airport! ughhh no way!

The web check in it self could be done 7 days before departure  date up to 45 mins before the departure. All you need is a working internet, and a printer to print the boarding pass!

This is pretty neat as if you're in the city where you don't know exactly when you will arrive at the airport. Its killing me when i had very close departure time and had to queue on the check in counter too... its truly a nerve breaking experience!! so this web check in is pretty neat idea!

First step is you have to select your departure city and booking numbers. Next you need to select guess that need to be checked in. And the last one is get your printer ready, and print your boarding pass.

First step-type in your departure city and booking numbers

Next step is to pick/tick the guess that need to be checked in and their nationality.

Guess name and nationality

After that you need to check if you need to super size the luggage (just like i did before) or if you don't need it just go to the next option which is  the seat selector. If you don't need to sit in special place--and pay extra money for that, you could let the computer pick a seat for you (for me is no problem, you're on the flight anyway)

Options for luggage and seat

After the luggage and seat taken care of the next thing is you need to choose the options whether if you want your boarding pass to be sent to your mail or cellphone. For me i prefer the mail as sometimes the cellphone network is too bad that i can not receive the boarding pass details, and note this could be done once!!

be wise, pick the best option for the boarding pass to be sent

Still on the 3rd step, after the previous options. you also need to check that you understand the terms and conditions of the web check in too.
 

Step 3 is to chek the terms & condition

And the last step is to print the boarding pass. Made sure you had your printer working!

boarding pass ready to be printed out!

Voila! you got your boarding pass!!


It should be ok.... well that’s what I thought.

At airport all i need to do after the web check in is to drop my luggage at the "Baggage Drop" line and let the officer to check my papers and boarding pass that i already print at home. The counter open 2 hours before departure and closes 45 mins before departure time.

At Palembang International Airport the system not really that work. At other airport they had the luggage check in for those whose already doing web check in so they don’t have to queue. But there I was, queue with other passengers whose check in.

I ask the officer if I don't have to queue, because.. well.. what’s the web check in for???? I have to wait there with the long queue, nothing special in Palembang Air Asia!

It’s very disappointing for sure.

If in other airasia counter in Jakarta or other country they had this special line where you could drop off your luggage without queue. And then if you don't have the print out of the boarding you could copy a special barcode from website to your cell phone/Smartphone and then scan it to the boarding pass machine to print out the barcode.

After queue, I still have to scan my boarding pass print out to the boarding pass machine on the left corner side of the check in counter (at Palembang Airport). Huffff... this is much hassle!! Just too bad the system not working....

The other thing is, from Palembang too many people bring too much thing on board. They are not so strict with the rules so, when we got up to the plane the compartment on the top of the seat is very full!! It’s just made more headaches when we land and waiting for the door to be open, everyone seemed want to get off first with that loads of luggage. Unbelievable.... to see over 10 kgs suitcase flying over your head, and hit your shoulder.

Oh well.... we will see on the 22nd I will return from Kuala Lumpur to Palembang again, I hope the service is much better!!


**UPDATE**
Air Asia now charging Rm 10 (US$ 3.30) for conventional check in! new rule since Sept 21, 2011

So better to do your check in online now!

Air Asia Whale of Sale! (for mid 2012 journey!)

For more info go to AirAsia website

I just got an email from Air Asia about their newest promotion for 2012.
Wasn't bad at all for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Paris return will roughly cost you below Rp 5.000.000,- or around US$500 for the economy flight!

These are the conditions of the flights:

Booking Period	:	15 August 2011 - 19 August 2011
Travel Period	:	17 April 2012 - 10 September 2012
Travel Notes
- Advanced booking required. - Fares are not available during embargo period. - Booking starts 12 noon (GMT+8) * Travel period is 17 April – 10 August 2012. # Starting 24th October we will connect to London via Gatwick Airport

Fly from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (LCC Terminal), Kuala Lumpur to:
International	All-in-fare from
Operated By AirAsia X		Economy seats	Premium seats
Perth		Rp 763.000	Rp 4.039.000
Melbourne		Rp 916.000	Rp 6.029.000
Gold Coast		Rp 916.000	Rp 6.029.000
Hangzhou (Shanghai)		Rp 763.000	Rp 2.876.000
Tianjin		Rp 763.000	Rp 3.212.000
Chengdu		Rp 763.000	Rp 2.600.000
Paris		Rp 1.988.000	Rp 6.397.000
Mumbai		Rp 610.000	Rp 2.447.000
New Delhi		Rp 610.000	Rp 2.447.000
Osaka		Rp 763.000 (*)	Rp 4.805.000 (*)
Tokyo		Rp 763.000 (*)	Rp 4.805.000 (*)
Christchurch		Rp 916.000	Rp 6.428.000
Seoul		Rp 763.000	Rp 4.743.000
Taipei		Rp 763.000	Rp 2.386.000
London		Rp 1.988.000 (#)	Rp 10.377.000

For more information of these sale just go to AirAsia Website!

Help me to win the IT Travellers go! contest

Dear my Precious Readers! help me to win the IT Traveler contest by voting my profile here! the closing date of this contest is 9 August 2011!

Thanks a lot!

Fk

A tale of a brown skin solo female traveller

...Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;Strike the bell and bide the danger,Or wonder, till it drives you mad,What would have followed if you had...

I wrote this because i know there are thousand people traveling solo in this world every day.

There were times where i said "Lucky me, i'm traveling by my self!!" or when the itchy feeling inside my chest when i see something amazing, like sunrise on a mountain top, or beautiful night city view from a high tower...moment when you think "what the heck am i doing here by my self??"

There are more than once i get my cellphone and dial a number of my family member but then cancel it--errh its very expensive to pay... but i just want to share the experience.. and i really ..really feel sorry because they can not experience what i had while on my trip. Just an sms to someone that i know sometimes help.. like saying "hey finally i see Eiffel tower, its huge!" silly sms that i sent to a friend although can't express how i felt that time.. but sharing the momento is kind of fun.

Grow up in a tiny town in Sumatra, i could count by fingers girls that traveling solo abroad since 2007. Its just our culture not really think a solo female traveler is a good thing. Even a guy in Singapore say it blunt, he will never allow his daughter traveling by her self.

I never meet any Indonesian traveler during my trip for 20 days in Europe. I didn't talk with Indonesia language beside time when i met my old friend Niklas at Stuttgart. Its kind of silly when you missed the small thing at home while youre away and when you back to your country... its kind of..nah.. i want something else (like Germany soft cheese or fresh spargel).

Landed in Charles de Gaulle... i could feel what every what we call "bule" a call for caucasian in Indonesia. Staring eyes. Little children look at you and smile.. very cute. I am not the average asian girls with 173cms height (5.67 ft), i look more like Chinese somehow but my skin darker. Its just the Sumatra girl type of look.

When i say i am from Indonesia, while in Brussels one of the traveler say, can't be! hahah because he went to Java island, and Bali.. but not to Sumatra. We had different ... kind of looks. Most of us more taller, and the skin is more lighter. I think its the ancestor more to mixed of Chinese and Arabic as Sumatra is a trading island, close to the Malacca strait its one of the "silk road" for traders (if you read history). The girls in java more shorter and had darker brown skin.. mine more yellowish/light brown like sunkissed tan (this is what my friend describe hahah).

Ok back to the topic.


I just feel stranded and all alone. Like... oh wow.. i am very different here! even with some asian i met in Europe just once i passes by a young family with malaysian dialect talking out side the ANZ stadium in Munich, must be the Bayern Muenchen fans for sure. But that girl is the only girl that i met with same skin color and dialects that i know :(


And i am not even going to the moon yet! hahaha


I tried not to loose my identity while im traveling.. why? for me this is important.... i stick to the note i am from Indonesia, and i had my own culture.. i try to tell other travelers things about Indonesia. The cultures... the fact that BALI IS PART INDONESIA as one of our 33 province and its a huge country also the majority beliefs is moslem there.


I always proud to say i am from Indonesia, even if at the end they will talk about the Bali Bombing and also the bombing happens in Jakarta, all i could say is so many mean people in this world, you could fiind it in India, UK, and most recent in Norway, a peaceful Nobel country!


Why generalize all Indonesian because one maniacs?? why made any different than things in India, UK, Japan... is that made everyone not like those country? No.


Ok no politics debating here.


How to deal with loneliness while you traveling solo?how do you cope with those?


First i will try to look back why i did it. Reason why i travel solo. Because i want it, for sure! then like my boss said once "suck it up" i did. For better or worse this is what i choice.


I will try to find new connection, new friends on road... which you will find easier to get while you're traveling solo! this is how i met Mr T and loads more my friends on street. We got lost and we share maps and itineraries.

A small "hi" and a smile would help very much! i am a very shy person... especially to people i just met. But hey.. when youre traveling by your self you can't do the shy thing! when you get lost you need to interact with other people to ask directions, dont forget to thank them! and hostels... is also the best place to find new friends.. try to mingle!

I will also try to think nice reason why i travel solo.. i could do things that i like, also no schedule no itineraries... just let loose!

Traveling solo is also a good way to see inside your soul, to think about your life... things that you took for granted like family, friends.. everyone that you wish that could be with you that time. You could only send sms say "thanks for being my friend" its overwhelming feeling to know that back there at home you s till have them, and you being alone just during your travel time only.

Try to made your schedule pretty tight, or do something productive, drawing, taking tons of pictures, i always bring my ipod with me, i could listen to music and play game while on tram. But if you want to friends on road i am not suggesting this hahaha.. last thing i want is to bug someone with earphones stick to their ears. It short of saying "let me by my self would you?!!"

Also i would try to do some sport, running, swimming.. its good after a long trip, to get rid the jet lag.. and btw jet lag i thin is the main cause of the "oh i feel so lonely" depressed feeling!! and i just get rid that away quick.. like while i was in Paris, just go and walk i wont stay in hostel bed and feel sad of being in a strange city! i will explore! (Fika the explorer hahahah!)


Just open your map, your lonely planets your itinerary.. dont let your self not doing anything.. unless if youre having vacation at a small island and youre next to this beach, lying down in white sandy beach under a tree with a book half read on your tummy and youre enjoying the sun, then i am very sure of this, you're doing just fine not doing anything ,...but that!


There are thousand things to do to cope with your loneliness... i know you had your own way on the street.... its sad that you travel by your self.. but hey.. its your choice and you are in place where you want to be!!


Cheer up!

Backpacker Girls Under Construction

As you could see, i recently had the idea of making big change on this blog layout.

This idea start since few days ago, so i've been working hard with my very limited time to work on the website html and lack knowledge to do it... i still did try to made most of buttons in here linked with the post... I had very limited time while i still at work site, so this construction will take sometime....

But all of the post archive is still open and you still could read most of the things i write here...


So sorry for the inconvenience!

Paris~Day Out With My Host!! (Day 2)

If you reject the food,  ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people you might better stay at home...

James A. Michener 

I was talking to Guillaume last night until about 1am. We talk a lot about things. He missed Indonesia for sure! we talk in Indonesia, and sometimes in English when we can not find the words to say hahah!

He cook for me last night too, it was very nice! and i sleep smiling with full tummy and happy thought about i had new friend here in Paris. I can not say how lucky i was because he was willing to accept me at his apartment!

His apartment is small as he said on couchsurfing and i don't expect much, its enough, the sincerity and welcome feeling that i had, its more like staying with your old friends! I gave him the Glen Fredly MP3 CD not really what he expecting, but i could see he missed the song hahah so he feel ok with that! (so sorry! could be better than that!!)

So  the next day, Guillaume promise will spent sometimes with me.. well i think its ok, because he seemed so busy, but awwww he just so nice! so wake up at 8, and we walk from his apartment, we will explore Montmarte!! but we had to do it quick because he had to go back to his workplace and prepare some stuff for a meeting in his hotel. I said thats fine :)

First place we see is the Sacre Couer. It was a mix of everything its beautiful, the building also the park near it.... we actually only walk only like 2-3 kilometers from Guillaume apartment.. the surrounding neghbour hood are awesome, Guillaume said this is where the Paris rich people live.... beside that the location on the top of the hill made us possible to see the whole city from the front of the Cathedral.

Inside the cathedral, i was amazed by the mural on top of the Cathedral. I was amazed how much effort people made to show their love to God. I definetly speachless to see it my self... there was 4 huge angels carved in very detail shape, also the lights help to pop up the angels characters....

We went for lunch with some frites and gyros again. He knows that i can not eat pork, and its so nice to meet someone who could understand this without judging first!

At his work place, as i assume Guillaume still very busy with a meeting that he had to arrange at his hotel. So, i decide to explore a bit the area surrounding his work place. Its actually pretty close to Jardin du Luxembourg and the palace.

It was beautiful!! i like the trees and the artsy statue... and to enjoy this by my self i feel slight guilt... i wish i share it with my sisters or my very best friends.. huhuh.. wish you were here guys!

Spending sometimes at park, and visit the palace with loads of people enjoying the sun.... its an amazing palace.. its just too bad i spent literally 10 minutes for pictures and just passing by in front of the park.. as i had to go back to Guillaume working place.

I will recommend it, as a must see if you went to Paris!! its beautiful with the trees and lots of people jogs.. amazing place to enjoy the sun with fountain and lots of statues .... love it...

When i went back Guillaume done with his job, he said sorry over and over hahaha.. i don't really that mind.. i spent sometimes at the garden too... so i wasn't missing things that much!

So from his work we went to the city center then walking along Seine river. Its around 4 that time....

Parisiens--people of Paris, love sitting and drinking wine with friends and enjoying their time at the river banks... sitting down enjoying sunset.. it was beautiful afternoon. Its also a romantic place to walk with your SO... i wish... *sigh* Mr T is here hahahaha.....

So we decide to do the BatoBus tour! the price is 14 Euro (stab my pocket deep hahaha!) but its really worth to try when you dont have enough time or only had short stay in Paris...

My Paris BatoBus pass

With this pass i could take the boat and jump within 8 stops; Champ Elysees, Louvre, Hotel de Ville, Jardin des Plantes, Notre Dame, St Germain de Pres, Muse D'Orsay, Tour Eiffel. But because this is the last boat then i am so very lucky then..and not lucky too hahah because i can not jump on and off the boat!

So... i better gave you a glimpse of my amazing tour!!

 

Love this picture from Seine River

Paris Afternoon @ Seine river

sunset at Paris

Wedding on Seine cruise at sunset.. aww.. this is VERY romantic!!

Sacre Coeur-Loveit!!

Inside Paris Batoboat Tour

Meet Guillaume my very..very sweet host!!

Parisiens dans Seinne (hope this is the correct french! haha)

Sunset at Paris Pont Neuf Bridge

Pont Neuf

As the final stop for the boat, also the enclosure is.... of course the Eiffel tower!!

Eiffel from distance

Its a very beautiful sunsets with Eiffel standing above the Seine River... there are hundreds romantic song playing in my head.. i feel static.. i came so far for this... i TAKE FRENCH course to get here.. but i never thought.... this is it!! i am heeeerrrrrrreeeeeeee!!!

Je t'aime bien!!

As i get closer to this tower, i swear i feel going to cry.. its so beautiful! I just can't believe i went here not with my husband or even boyfriend.. ugghh! lame... but i always thank God, i did had the chance to see it my self... with all of the grace and..errh tourist.. hahaha...

Eiffel and grey afternoon sky..

Me & Eiffel from Seine

This is sooooo perfect afternoon!

Sampe jugaa!! finally here! i can't believe it! its EIFFELLL!!!

We stay for a while to watch the lights show from the park near the Eiffel. After that we had long ride back to Guillaume Apartment. I can not stop talking about how beautiful it was! i bet Guillaume think i was a crazy babbling girl! but i had the most awesome afternoon... ever!

Paris Adventures-Day 1 part 2 (with pictures)

....Its just me and my pocket camera in action around Paris on my first day.....

Setelah letakin tas aku lanjutin petualangan aku di hari pertama di Paris. No jet lag buat Fika-----sok kuat! bwahahaha!

Tips aku soal jetlag?? boss aku pernah nyaranin minum aja lu alkohol trus bobo dah.. besoknya bangun segar.. keknya boss bule gue gak kenal yang namanya antimo! haha beneran gue sampe segar deh di Paris setelah tidur total di pesawat lengkap dengan eye mask dan ear plugs, sayonara!!!

Dari Stasiun Vavin aku turun di Les Halles.. tadinya mau nyambung buat ke Louvre-Rivolli.. Tapi aku piker rugi banget kalo aku Cuma liat underground melulu! Jadi aku pilih jalan aja…

Jujur gue gak pede pergi jalan BELON MANDI! tapi menganut asas backpacker yang pantang keliatan jelek ato bau (yah backpacker ala gue lah) ganti baju kaos yang aku siapin di backpack sama modal tisu basah sama sikat gigi di hotel tempat Guillaume kerja, lumayan deh..... lebih exotic! bwahahah gak dandan looh! *lirik para wanita*

Secara terhitung terakhir kali aku mandi tuh tanggal 18 pagi flight gue dari Jambi-Batam di lanjut naik ferry nyebrang ke Singapore, dari Singapore terbang ke Munich.. dari Munich langsung ke Paris.. nooh makan dah debu jalan!!

Dari sana aku keluar ke jalan.. wowowww belum apa2 dah ada bangunan yang menarik banget.. mirip sama mesjid dengan kubah besar berwarna biru kehijauan… dan di dekat sana ada jalan yang isinya restoran sama café dan begitu banyak manusia yang duduk di kursi2 yang di sediakan di trotoar jalan, menikmati sinar matahari judulnya…

Aku jadi lapar juga… baru ingat Cuma makan sarapan sama sebungkus kecil Jacobs crackers di Airport Munich. Cari tempat buat makan aku lumayan keder secara dah lama gak bicara bahasa Perancis… oh miiii Gooodddddd….

Pesan kentang goreng dah berasa kek kuiz pecahkan sandi rahasia campur tebak2an ala pramuka… amit2… tapi berhasi memesan kentang goreng dengan satu gelas jeruk dingin…

Lumayan… tapi eitsss.. kenapa minum gue gak dikasih.. lirik tetangga yang lain.. ternyata self service tapi .. mereka di kasih gelasnya kenapa aku tidaaakkk.. huhuh… enak aja lumayan itu 3 euro.... jiwa pelit mengalahkan rasa malu..

Jadilah aku colek om tampan sebelah bilang “Vous Parlais Anglais?”/bisa bicara bahasa inggris gak? (jurus sakti gue hahahah!!) doi magut2 aku Tanya soal minuman, dan aku juga gak dikasih return pembelian loh.. si om tiba2 berdiri dan jalan ke kasir dan minta gelas Styrofoam buat gue cihuyyyy baekkknyaaaa… mana senyumnya tersipu malu gitu (sampe pengen ngelap tisu dimulut apa ada sambel di bibir ya?)

Oh ya soal sambel.. kemana2 aku bawa sambel sachet ABC sama kecap manis!! Disini kalau mau makan saos itu harus beli!! Sama kek minumannya! Gyaaaa!!! Pelit banget sih!! 

Beruntunglah saya bawa sambal ABC sachet (jurus turis gembel nomor sekian) tadi.. lumayan hemat sekian sen.. hohoho…

Kenyang makan frites alias kentang goreng sama minum jus, aku liat lagi ada toko kelontong kecil di seberang tempat aku makan…aku masuk dan beli air botolan yang 1 liter.. huhuh sakit bo!!!!, air botol harganya hampir Rp 15.000,- sebotolnya. Ya ampuuunnn di Indonesia mau beli satu liter setengah aja gak ada 1 euro.. huaahhh! kudu simpan botol plastik nih!! *buat di isi nantinya kalo ada keran!*

My 1st Picture

Aku jalan lagi dan sampe di Place de Victoires dan ambil beberapa foto lanjutin jalan melewati Banque de France, Bank Indonesia-nya Perancis. Hehe.. guardnya cakep, lirik2 gitu deh doi.. hohoh.. foto dulu…

Bank of France in Paris

Trus aku jalan lagi ternyata dah nyampe di daerah "Petite Champs" aku senang dengan cuacanya.. walaupun sinar matahari luar biasa ngejreng teriknya tapi gak panas (salah besar jendral!! aku pulang ke Indonesia dengan kulit gosong!!)

Aku malah masih pake jaket aku dan gak keringatan… well orang lain lalu lalang dengan rok pendek dan celana pendek gak masalah juga siihhh tergantung dengan kemampuan masing2…..kalau aku masih butuh jaket sebab anginnya lumayan kencang jadi dingin gitu juga…

Sebenarnya sekarang dah masuk musim panas (akhir dari musim semi) tapi yang gue rasa walaupun matahari terik bersinar, tapi anginnya bikin kulit kering sama dinginnya nusuk gitu!

Waktu aku jalan... aku liat ada palace gede banget yang keknya aku kenali..

Louvre Palace

Ternyata aku jalan dah nyampe di istana Louvre/Palais du Louvre. Tapi waktu itu aku belum liat atap museum Louvre yang kek piramid dari kaca itu. Setelah foto2 sana sini di tengah terik matahari, dan minum air sampe habis (1.5 liter bo!). Menghitung waktu di Indonesia, waktu itu aku ngitungnya di Indonesia jam 9 malam, tapi di Paris masih sekitar jam 3 lewat (bantuan ipod tersayang!)



Di balik istana megah itu aku kemudian liat the famous Louvre Museum!

Me & Louvre

Aku ambil banyak banget foto di sini. Turis bertebaran di sana sini...sebenarnya gue agak kecewa dengan keramaian disini.. tapi wong ini salah satu tempat yang most wanted di Paris.. Lovre bukan milik gue seorang--hiks sedih ya!

Oh ya ada tips, kalo mau saving sedikitm datang ke Louvre hari Rabu atau Jum'at harga tiket masuk hari itu cuma 3 euro aja!

Louvre from Front-Place du Carrousel-Jardin Des Tuileries

Gue sebenarnya pengen masuk kedalam museum ini. Tapi setelah melihat antrian.. gue tau waktu gue gak banyak sebelum jam 7 gue harus balik ke tempat Guillaume kerja. Gue gak mau ngaret gitu! walopun akhirnya ngeret sih hahah...

Dari depan museum Louvre dengan berat hati gue jalan lagi, kali ini tujuan gue selanjutnya adalah Pont Neuf, ato jembatan baru di atas sungai Seine. Nih jembatan sejarahnya adalah jembatan besi pertama di Perancis sono. Walupun judulnya "jembatan baru" jembatan ini adalah jembatan tertua di kota Paris! Jadi lumayan bersejarah.

Random shoot around Louvre Palace to Pont Neuf

Oh ya, aku juga rada tertipu sama peta online hahah.. Paris sama kek Singapore... kalo kamu gak malas semuanya within reach by foot.. alias bisa jalan kaki! paling cuma 1-2 kiloan antara satu atraksi dengan atraksi lainnya. For me thats no problem... cuma 1-2 kilo hehe...

School Kids Touring with bicycle in Paris -- tertib dan rapi!!

Pont Neuf ternyata rame dengan turis di kedua belah sisi. Aku sirik sama nih semua pasangan! huhuhuh foto romantis di jambatan di siang bolong gini... trus ada rombongan anak sekolah yang tur dengan sepeda, pake helem dengan tertibnya.. pengen nyulik.. cakep2 semua!!

Peletakan batu pertama Pont Neuf di lakukan oleh Raja Henry III pada tahun 1578. Pont Neuf selesai di bangun tahun 1607, dan di resmikan oleh Raja Henry ke IV. Woowww.. lama ya buatnya! (wajar banyak perang bo!)

Moi et Pont Neuf (aku dan Pont Neuf)  

Dari Pont Neuf ini kita bisa ambil foto menara Eiffel di backgroundnya walopun cuma keliatan separuh. Aku duduk cukup lama di jembatan ini... bayangin.. kapan ya.. Jambi bisa gini?? Jambi mirip dengan Paris.. ada sungai di tengahnya... tapi yang ini, sungainya hidup dengan kapal2 besar.. ada yang bawa mobil2 baru segala pula!

Sungai Seine adalah sungai yang membelah kota Paris menjadi dua. Dari dulu memang udah terkenal dengan kapal yang lalu lalang... duduk2 di pinggirnya sore2 sambil nikmatin sunset dengan sebotol anggur dan teman2 juga keren... hehe kalo di Jambi juga sama... duduk2 di tepi batanghari sambil makan jagung bakar sama temen2! hahaha

Pont Neuf-Seine River & Eiffel in distance

Air sungai Seine ini katanya sudah sangat tercemar dari sejak jaman revolusi industri pada jaman dahulu kala... jadi tak layak diminum lagi.. humm sayang... tapi katanya mereka dah dengan daya upaya mengembalikan air sungai ini ke kondisi semula.. walopun makan waktu lebih dari 50 tahun ungtuk melakukannya (sumber dari host gue sama orang2 di jalan yang gue tanya2). Amit2 jangan sampe sungai di Indonesia kek gini amat kali ye.. keingat sungai di Jakarta yang hitam legam.. haduuh kalo gini di bilang tercemar.. apa kata mereka liat sungai di Jakarta ya??

Next... gue buka peta dan.. gue tau sudah dekat dengan "Notre Dame de Paris" (Our Lady of Paris) katedral terkenal di perancis. Yah sutra.. perjalanan gue lanjutkan. Menuju ke sana gue melalui beberapa jembatan lagi... salah satunya jembatan "cinta" yang terkenal di kalangan pasangan yang umumnya turis.

Nama jembatan cinta ini adalah "Pont L'archeveche". Dari ujung ke ujung.. jembatan ini di hiasi dengan berbagai macam bentuk gembok dengan berbagai ukuran pula! gak ada yang tau siapa yang mulai letakin gembok2 ini disini. Katanya siiiihh.. kalo sepasang kekasih ngukir nama mereka di gembok, trus ngikatin tuh gembok disini, trus kunci gembok di buang ke sungai Seine yang ngalir di bawahnya, tuh pasangan bakalan balik lagi ke Paris dan cinta mereka bakalan langgeng. Duueeehhhh.....

Pont de L'Archeveche-Paris Love Bridge

And guess what?? gue lagi di sana ada pasangan yang minta ambilin foto... gue tanya mau pasang gembok ya?? mereka bilang, mau renew gembok!! lha?? mereka bilang mereka ketemu di Paris, trus jadian, trus kemaren barusan nikah di Paris, jadi mereka balik buat gangtungin gembok baru di sebelah gembok mereka yang waktu pertama jadian di Paris.. OMG!! so sweet!! *berlinangan air mata* gue kasih selamat buat mereka, mudah2an langgeng!

Dengan perasaan berbunga2... terngiang2 kisah pasangan romantis tadi.. gue mikir memang suasana kota yang romantis bikin Paris pantas di sebut city of Love! uhhh.. TT,TT napa gue ke sini sendirian coba!!huhuhu (ratapan wanita single)


Next destination?? Palace de Justice. Alias penjara sama kek pengadilan Paris. Oh ya.. bangunan ini masih di pake sampe sekarang buat penjara. Tadinya Palace du Justice ini sebenarnya istana Royal Palace of Saint Louise. Palace du Justice ini nempel sama penjara Conciergerie-tempat Ratu Marie Antoinnete di penjara sebelum akhirnya di hukum pancung.

Palace de justice ini searah ne Notredame, jadi yah nyambi lah gue jalanin... angin yang kencang dari arah sungai Seine buat aku lumayan cooling down.. enak uap airnya terbawa sama angin...

Bagian dari Palace de Justice

Aku gak sempat buat masuk ke dalam buat tur di Conciergierie, walopun gue suka banget dengan cerita Ratu muda yang cantik Marie Antoinnete. Gue pengen banget liat ruangan dia di tahan. Mungkin lain waktu kali ya... hehe kalo balik ke Paris lagi.

Gak seberapa jauh dari Palace de justice, aku dah bisa liat dari kejauhan menara katedral Notre Dame. Bergabung dengan ribuan turis di sana, aku merasa sedih... huff... gak bisa share dengan teman2 keindahan katedral yang sempat berganti2 fungsi ini. Cuma bisa ganti status FB doank.. hiks..hiks..

Notre Dame Cathedral-Paris

Notre Dame terletak di 4th arrondissement, di pusat kota Paris merupakan salah satu tujuan wisata untuk turis dari dalam dan luar negri Perancis. Kenapa gue ngebet ke katedral ini?? menurut beberapa sumber, katedral ini adalah salah satu contoh gereja peninggalan gothic dengan arsitektur terbaik di Perancis dan benua Eropa!!



Aku ikut masuk dalam katedral. Aku belum pernah masuk ke dalam gereja seumur hidup... but no worry, aku tetep ingat ini tempat ibadah.. manners girls manners!! ada yang sedang berdoa.. flash light gak boleh di pake.. jadi aku matikan flashlight.. walopun aku gregetan sebab hasil foto ku jelek semua/kabur.

Inside NotreDame-Joanne D'arc my fave girl and the rose stained glass, AMAZING!

Aku serap moment di sana... betapa indahnya bangunan yang dibuat manusia buat muja tuhannya. Aneh.. tapi aku tersentuh. Dengan semua ornamen, betapa manusia cinta banget dengan sesuatu yang lebih besar dari apapun di dunia ini. Aku kebayang Mekah dan Ka'bah di sana. Kalau perasaan aku gini waktu di Notre Dame.. gimana aku di Mekah nanti ya?? huhuh...

Alasan aku ngotot datang ke sini cuma satu. I love Joanne d'arc. Gak peduli orang bilang dia gila, gak peduli orang bilang dia penyihir... prestasi dia sebagai gadis umur 18 tahun yang menggerakkan pasukan Perancis yang dah patah semangat dan menang perang itu lah yang patut di banggakan. Gue kagum dengan kekuatan dia sebagai perempuan! jaman dulu lohh... apalagi dia cuma petani yang gak punya pengalaman perang!

Di dalam katedral ini ada salah satu patung Joanne d'Arc yang lainnya ada di jalan di Paris dekat dengan Louvre tadi (but i couldn't find it!).


Setelah foto2 gue keluar. Ada niat mo naik ke atas menara Notre Dame, tapi liat antriannya gue dah ilfil. Tapi ada yang harus aku lakukan lagi.... eng ing eng...

Tourist thing-It will bring you back to Paris again they said??

Berdiri di "point zero"nya Paris yang terletak di luar Katedral Notre Dame. Ini katanya buat keberuntungan trus make a wish dengan berdiri di atasnya bakalan buat kita balik lagi ke Perancis... wahhh saya mau itu!!! jadi gue..ibarat tante2 ceriwis, teris ke rombongan anak2 SMP di sana "EXCUSE ME!!" ya Allaahhh judesssnyaaa... mereka barengan liat gue dan terdiam... gue nunjuk tuh bulatan yang mereka duduki.. ihhh.. apa coba. Langsung make a wish;

"mudah2an gue bisa balik lagi ke titik ini someday... mudah2an gue punya kesempatan untuk sekali lagi berpetualang di Eropa, dan ini bukan yang pertama dan terakhir kalinya aku bisa nginjakin kaki di titik ini..." AMIEEEENNN!


Setelah gue foto2 jadi banyak juga yang foto di sana! hehehe... ngantri!

Sejarah dari  point zero ini katanya berawal dari zaman dulu kala, di depan Notre Dame ini ada patung. Nahh.. kalau penduduk Paris mau bepergian (jalan kaki tentunya) mereka selalu mulai dari patung itu dan menghitung jarak mereka pergi. Sekarang patung itu udah gak ada lagi dan di gantikan dengan lempengan hitam bundar. Mereka percaya kalau ritual ini di lakukan mereka bakalan balik lagi dengan selamat ke Paris.



Belum puas aku kitarin Notre Dame, ambil beberapa foto... dan guess what.. i heard my fave song played.. gue dengar Canon dari Pachbel di mainkan dengan biola dengan syahdunya, aku langsung cepat2 jalan ke arah suara. Oh Myyyyyy!!!!!!


Ada taman di belakang Notre Dame, dan mawarnya CANTIK!!!! ini pertama kalinya aku liat mawar sebegitu besarnya!! aku sampe nangis....

Terbawa suasana aku duduk di salah satu bangku taman... its so beautiful, dengan suara pengamen jalanan yang merem melek mainin biola dengan syahdunya... angin yang bawa harum bunga mawar... I've made it to Paris... i've made it.... to see things i want to see!! few check list on my bucket list!! terharu-biru..ohiks ohiks...

A park/Jardin behind the NotreDame Cathedral

GUE DI PARIIISSSSS!!! GUE DENGAR SUARA BIOLA DAN GUE DI TAMAN NOTRE DAME dan gue nangissss!! huaaahhhhhhh!!


..merasa alay, gue langsung cepat2 hapus airmata gue dan mulai foto sana sini!


Dari sini gue baru berasa lelah dengan emosi dan dah liat jam 5 sore, dah malam banget di Indonesia. Gue jalan menuju ke taman lainnya di seberang Notre Dame yang punya akses wifi gratis!! hehehe

Another park across NotreDame for free WIFI

Upload beberapa foto dan skype dengan Mr T yang buat gue kembali nangis huahuah! mellow deh gue!!

Setelah berhasil upload foto dan ngobrol, gue lanjutkan ke pemberhentian berikutnya Quartier Latin. Ato alun2 Latin hehe.. yukkk mari...jalan di sepanjang Rue du Petit Pont  nyambung ke Rue st Jacques.... dan di simpang belok kanan ke Rue des Ecoles penasaran aku juga masuk ke jalan2 kecil yang ngarah ke Quartier Latin.

Di arah ke Quartier Latin, sempat foto2 di depan 

Setelah nasar sana sini... akhirnya saya sampai juga di tempat kongkow anak muda di Paris. Kelaparan akhirnya sayamemutuskan untuk makan french fries LAGI plus kebab di kedai Gyro punya orang turki. Lumayan, porsinya LUAR BIASA!! bisa buat 3 orang haduuuhhh!!

Puas jalan2 dan nyasar di Paris, aku dah lumayan capek... liat jam dah jam 7 kurang heheh aku dah tau pasti telat deh!! berhubung metro dekat jadi nyampe di tempat kerja Guillaume hampir jam 8!

Tapi tenang.. ini dah masuk summer.. satu hal yang bikin aku takjub dan berkali2 bilang "Subhanallah" aku baru ngalamin matahari terbenam jam 9 malam!! memang Allah maha kuasa!!

Akhirnya aku naik RER lagi ke tempat Guillaume kerja, dia dah cemas banget sebab aku gak balik2 hahah orang Eropa on time! haduuhh baiknya host gue! Kami pun akhirnya pergi ke rumah Guillaume di daerah 12 arrodissement.. lumayan jauh juga ternyata dari tempat dia kerja.. huff mana bawa tas koper segede gaban.. 

Guillaume dah berbaik hati mau nolongin.. cuma gue gak mau aja.. abisnya..hiks dia dah baek hati ngebolehin gue tinggal di rumahnya.. (thanks to Couch Surfing!) jadi gak mau ngerepotin.. juga gak mau nunjukin tipikal cewek asia yang repooottt banget! rumah Guillaume gak jauh dari metro, cuma kurang lebih 50 meter! asyikk besok gampang deh jalan2nnya!

To be continued lagi...