Stopped by Vin Diesel between Belgium & French (Part 2)

He could arrest me any time..haha!

Previous post was all about me on my journey between Brussel Belgium to Paris to catch my train to Strassburg was a drama. You could see it here.

When they told me to unzip my  luggage i was thinking about the 5 pirates DVD i bought from Kuningan Jakarta, fake Louis Vuitton handphone organizer, and the worse hahah indonesian food like gado-gado pasta, and one plastic bag of my meds and jamu, the traditional Indonesian herbs!! omg! hahaha i was smiling and i know i will be in trouble because honestly forgot if i ever read what kind of drugs that allowed to bring in to Paris. Even some cold meds are prohibited in certain country. Uhmm... not wise!

When i unzipped my bag, there you go everything pops out, first my purple VS bra and the whole thing i wore last night... geez.. i was blushing hahaha... but they seemed relax (he catch it and put it back to my suit case... errhh sure.. its a bra.. so what?) and then one of the dark skin passenger shout in French and some of the police round him.. oh oww.... i tried to focus on my own problem here.

White Vin Diesel search my luggage, his charming friends try to talk with me in French, i trieeddd hard to understand, and most of time said "Je ne compre pas!" he tried again in english, ask where i go, and what am i doing in Paris, and who will meet me there, where will i stay. I said i am just passing by to catch my train to Strassburg. He check my passport, and Vin Diesel found my Indonesia food and smell it one by one. Hahahah omg... you dont smell Indonesian food seasoning!! its too strong! haha and i see his nose hit the smell hahah.. poor thing!

He found my medics plastic bag and check it one by one, ask to me what is it for. The friend, which is nicer always smile ask me if i ever went to Paris before, and i said yes, i told him that i was in Paris before went to Brussel, and he ask again, where did i go, what did i see in Paris, hahahah this is short of flirty convo.. hmmm nice :) but they do made me relax and i feel lucky i didnt get any short fuse officer hahaha i am dead from nervous if i did!

Vin Diesel finally smile and said so sorry to cause trouble and made my travel bothered, they just looking for drug trafficker and illegal immigrant, and wish me a very nice stay in Paris and safe on my journey. Awwww... such sweet guy! i just said "merci beacoup" senyum manis..  his friends smile nice again and leave me with my luggage wide open and messed up... aaaaarrrgghh!!

I tries to do the exact same thing but this time faster, sit on my suitcase and zipped it up!! the whole drama still there. There was this American girl with more than 5 bottle of parfume and she said its just collection, because she love perfumes, and the other woman bring painting ohh wow... i don't know if boarder patrol could be this intense.

I drag my suitcase back to the bus compartment and lines up to get to the bus. I passed Thierry who still interviewed by the police, just gave him the smile and he grinned back. The African guy was the last and when he get to the bus he was seemed still pissed off. The bus slowly back to highway again.

Thierry look at me with that funny face, "why are you so nervous?" he ask, hahah i said because i might done something against French law, and he look at me more weird hahaha... i said its just a joke! In Indonesia might not like that, i mean with the whole troops and everything. But what do i know! Indonesia have much longer boarder to guard from illegal drugs and illegal immigrant. Thierry also said its just difficult to fight those drugs trafficking there in Europe its just like fighting with ghost!

Its just something to think of, like its everywhere problem, drugs, and imigrants... i think Indonesia facing the same problem with a quite different approach i guess. In Europe of course people take it more serious. We had death penalty for drug trafficking in Indonesia i said to Thierry he said well might also the same there. But it will still happening. Its a never ending war, might not stop the drug trafficker but at least slow them down i told him.

One hour later we were there at Gare Routier Paris Gallieni. We went with the same train from there. But half way i have to continue by my self to Paris Est... hahah and he took a picture of me sitting on train with my suitcase. We talk a bit more about his art project in Paris. I wish him good luck with that!

Its always a pleasure to meet new friends on the road, even when we're just two strangers but it feels good when things like the police search happening and you're in panic mode there are someone with you, that at least help you out to clear your mind from bad thoughts (and translate things haha) this kind of experience wanted me to travel more for sure :) even though i was scared so much, but its fun to remember this stuff! not all experience should be good, the bad one sometimes good to laugh about..like what i am doing now hehehe

Thierry took this picture-we finally arrive in Paris!

I wasn't late for my train at Paris Est. Even had the chance for cup of tea and change my clothes and refresh my self before departing. When people said most of Paris people are arrogant i wont say that all true, i had some great friends from street.. and even after the thing that happens in the hostel i still would like to come to Belgium and met people like Thierry.

Next would be Strassbourg, and soon the Germany, land of castles, knights and scientist!

I can't wait for my next adventure! Merci beacoup mon ami Thierry!

 

Stopped by Vin Diesel between Belgium&French (part 1)

(if its real Vin Diesel i would beg him to arrest me---ohhh yeah *drools*) keep on dreaming! hahah! 

May 24, 2011

I had no idea that my journey from Belgium back to Paris would be so tense.
Let me start from beginning.

Brussel.
It was before 8am i was rushing from Van Gogh Youth Hostel to the Brussel Midi/Bruxelles Midi train station. I wasn't able to fine the Eurolines bus office at the train station the day before. Because i was tired the day before and i was thinking it should be there at the train station. Its so huge!

Huge Brussel Midi

I did very huge mistake. I was mistaken between EUROLINES with EUROTRANS. Its huge mistake that i didn't see it very good hahaha.. Eurolines is the bus company and Eurotrans is the train at the train station!! i thought its just like in Indonesia should be the same company etc. But its not.

Eurolines Bus in Brussel

So when i was arriving at the train station i went there, and i ask the security that standing there with very little english he said he doesn't know where Eurolines bus office is! I should check in before 10 am and i made huge mistake.


I was still walking from one end to another at the train station, try not to be panicking to find someone who able to speak english! the main language in here either French or Dutch and both i am not mastered!

And some help comes from those who you never expected..always like that. I went out to one of the train station ends.. because its like a long straight line from one to another. I was at the door, with my purple huge suitcase when i almost step on wet floor that a young guy just moping the floor. I said sorry right away. But he said in fluent English, no problem, and he smile. I was walk away and then think, he speak English! i went back and poke him and said sorry again for bothering! i ask if he know where Euroline bus office is. And he knew!!! he said its outside the train station! hahah thats why i can not find it! he even went to the street and point the directions and distance! omg! On the ticket that i had it only said Bruxelles Midi which is the train station!

Hidden Eurolines Office next to Bruxelles Midi

I was dragging my suitcase, i had to cross the cobble street.... its the Avenue Fonsny, from across the street i could see there is a bus station next to the train station. But the Euroline bus office not there. Because i were there yesterday afternoon. I had my ticket booked before i even leave Indonesia (i use online booking). The bus office is right across the street where the bus station is like that guy said. But its just not that easy to spot too!

After walking about 100 meters passing a hotel (hotel Continental) i finally spot the white door with Eurolines name on it. Its very tiny like 4X5 meters big after a convenience shop. The worse part when i went in the two old guys on the counter not really speak good english. There are two people there beside me a couple from Spain. The husband good enough to help me to translate from english to france, merci beacoup! :) i bet i hurt his ear much with my Eng-French hahah..

Sitting there on the back of the office i was thinking its not that very different than any Indonesian bus office. Small.. at the back of the office there stack of chairs and tables... don't know what was that for.

The guy shout in French i had no idea what he said but seeing those couple grabbing their luggage i went with them and ask if the bus coming, he said yes and we had to hurry... where?? lol i was half running following them, their suitcase bigger than mine! the two old guy not even following us they just stay at the counter office.

We walk back to the road where i came before and cross the street. Right between the train station and the bus office in the middle of road there are short of small pavement. Stood there the winds are chilling! the guy ask me where i came from i said Indonesia, he had no idea where Indonesia is! hahah but i told them its where you got most of 33C degrees the whole year. He said some part of Spain just like that... the wife not speaking english but i know she try to understand our conversation. The husband translate it for her most of time. When he ask if i study here or going with someone else i said all by my self, he explain that to her and she took my hand haha and said something he translate that his wife said i am very brave! haha.. Its very nice of her :)

Not long after 15 minutes our bus coming. I just dont want to made mistake i ask the driver before jump in, is this goes to Paris? he said "oui mademoiselle" ok thats it.. haha there are 4 more people come with us. There is no bus seat numbers on my ticket. I had to show my ticket to the bus driver, he took one of the ticket for him (print it double!! dont forget!)

When i got in... i see the seat mostly full on the back... i had a choice to sit near seemly a father and daughter, a big woman with big curly hair (and pierced lips) and ohh very sour face old woman, and old man who smile too much to me.

I walk in and ok what ever the big lady smile to me she might be my age... so.. i went there and put my backpack on the top compartment and said "excuse moi" she smile, ok thats good sign... i put my ipod on and just try to enjoy the journey.

Soon i start to realize the next person to me not a woman!!! lol when i put my hand next to "her" omg my fingers and palms are much smaller.. i was lol really gasping!! omg! hahah such pretty guy! he look at me and smile again. I end up had small conversation with him. His name is Thierry. Very nice and friendly guy. He was several times look at me before we talk... hahah i was afraid *about psyco girl duuhh* but then he ask me... what are you listening to? so i share my ipod with him.

I introduce him to Anggun, and some of indonesian song, his face was frowning. We still had some language barrier sometimes as he speak in French and i try to understand it. He speak little bit english. He said he never travel to Asia, i said he should try. He check up my play list and laugh when he know a song there, mostly i put 1980-1990 song there especially rock band. I also had huge range of music on my ipod from classical music such as Mozart and Bethoven, some pop Nsync, Michael Buble, Linkin Park etc. He love music as much as i do! Thierry is an artist and he also on his way to Paris :)

My beau new friend Thierry!

It was a very nice journey with a friend to talk with. Event hough most of time he will speak in French and me in English. Its quite funny tho... its a good example about ... hey you shouldn't worry about languages!! haha better if you know French, English, and Arabic etc.. but most of time the willingness to communicate.. at least you try! And it worked for me :)

You can not wait until you brush up your languages abilities to travel around :D would take you ages to travel then!

About one hour the bus stop and i ask him what happened? because we're not even close to Paris, he said just stop at resting area. Its near gas station. So i went down and go to toilet like most of passenger. Thierry ask me if i want to eat anything, i said i am full. He went to eat some frites. I share the story about the best frites in Brussel. All the debate about the best frites comes :D

We had to go back to the bus again when the driver turn on the engines. Unlike Indonesian bus, he didnt count the passenger anymore hahaha in Indonesia bus driver re count the passenger every time he stop incase if he missed anyone! but its not the case there hehehe... i cant imagine what happened if i dont know about this and went to toilet and the bus left me hahah...

I was almost fall a sleep while Thierry still busy with my ipod, when i see the blue and red lights on the bus window and sirens. I was thought... woooww.. a real highway chase!

Soon then i realize they were surrounding the bus from both side and there were loud megaphone sound saying things in French and oh my the bus still running! i was like whats going on? i was panicking a bit, Thierry?? same he say its ok but i know he also worry!

I was thinking something bad like bus hijacking or terrorist on the bus as they were so many police involve!! and the worse the back passenger were starting to yell and very noisy in French language... most of the passenger on the back part of the bus are dark skin-African people. And now i am more worried.

The only thing i was thinking that time--why on earth this driver still driving fast??!!

Then i found out he was trying to find a wide open space, a gas station with few trailers parking there and omg over 6 police cars and the whole troops. Babies were crying other passenger were seemed very worried, and me? i was saying "here we go, i will be on Indonesia news this time"---news flash "indonesian girl among those arrested with the terrorist gank with over 1kgs dope and trafficking guy and illegal immigrants" hahah... *had very active imagination when i am in panic mode*

one of the scene came on my head!! *too much CSI*

Suddenly Thierry said, prepare your passport, its probably just a boarder check. I was like hahah ok grabbing my passport tight! When the bus finally stop. The police rush in, and talk in ..again French language and then German language ohh shuutt.. hahah i dont understand both!!. They said we stay in our seat, and prepare documents-Thierry said. They told the bus driver to open the luggage compartment.

They check our passport one by one and, one of the guy ask me where i came from and why i want to go to Paris etc. After that, they ask all guys come out first one by one. Thierry look at me.. and im in despair omg no translation anymore hahahah.... He said just walk outside when they told you to, and show your passport.

And then after all guys go out, i could peep on window all luggage was on the asphalt on the gas station. One by one they arrange it. What the?

And then a police shout again, and the woman on front move out. I think they ask the woman all out one by one too. They search on us one by one. Policewoman do the search.

The police use complete automatic weapons that i could see on movies, and bullet proof jacket and there are dogs... omg what is this??? **as crazy as it sound they all looks good>>this is my stressed out brain talking**

They point one by one the suitcase and ask the owner to open it up. Check every details of it even the sew lines the back of the luggage. I saw Thierry stand next to his backpack and talking to a police. And when every single suitcase was pointed mine still there and no one check it yet.

A police came and see my suitcase tag and ask around people who stood up next to the bus including me, i raise my hand, i guess they ask whos luggage is this. When i get closer then i was thinking.. geezz this one looks like Vin Diesel with French language, and pretty damn killer smile... *should listen when he said mademoissele* ohh ohhh ohhh... hahahha.... and then his friend came a long gezz... this one even nicer.. and they ask me to open my luggage... darn!! hahah i was sitting on my suitcase to close the zip... hahah.. im dead!

I was thinking about the 5 pirates DVD, fake Louis Vuitton wallet, and the worse hahah indonesian food like gado-gado pasta, and one plastic bag of my meds!! omg! hahaha i was smiling and i know i will be in trouble because honestly forgot if i ever read what kind of drugs that allowed to bring in to Paris. Even some cold meds are prohibited in certain country. Uhmm... not wise!





............to be continued......................

Europe, shall we?? Start yang menegangkan!

Kalau semua perjalanan sama kek tempo lagu, dari lambat ke cepat, atau ibarat panser dah panas baru ber beran... cerita aku mulai dengan panas dingin duluan...

Kalo yang jelek jangan ditiru yakk *takut dikutuk emak2's sedunia* lhaa kenapa??? ini jawabannya:

Aku gak pernah bilang sama nyokap soal berangkat ke Eropa, ngakunya cuma ke Singapore doang!! hyaaaa!!! ke Jakarta aja doi dah cemas getoohh... bilang ke Jerman pastinya doi bilang "NEI..NEI..NEI!!" mampus gue nanti di pasung di hutan Jambi!!

Berangkat dari rumah jam 10.30am kesialan di mulai dari malam… 

Bisa2nya tambalan gigi copot… please deh dah mau berangkat masa mesti sakit gigi segala.. gak lucu lah…tapi apa boleh buat… terpaksa pergi kerumah sakit dan ngantri dan memohon suster biar bisa duluan, secara dapat nomor 8 huhuhu.. akhirnya dokter gigi di batalin sebab sampe jam 11 kurang masih duduk dengan manisnya di ruang tunggu.

Diantar sama si mamah sama pacar adik gue, kita barengan di airport.. masih ada waktu 45 menit jadi kita makan bakso malang dulu heheh.. taste of Indonesia sebelum nyoba roti melulu.

Waktu dah di panggil buat boarding, sambil cipiki sama cipika, langsung bilang, mah aku pergi ke Jerman sama Perancis, doain baik-baik aja, nyokap bengong, "ahh masa sihh?kapan ngurus visanyaaaa??" cuma bisa teriak sama nyokap, "ntttaaaarrr di ceritain waktu baliiikkk!!!" dan si anak durhaka melewati security airport sambil dadahin mamahnya yang bengong...

Ntar tak di belikan kain sari warna hijau lagi deh dari Singapore... doi suka sama kain sari, berhubung bisa dibuat pakaian muslim (panjang kain sari 6 meter bo!) lumayan bagus buat seragam lebaran huahuah! (ngirit dot com jugaaaa)

Akhirnya pesawat lepas landas jam 11.30pm hehe duduk di sebelah ibu2 yang baeeek banget.. kita kenalan trus dia nawarin satu taksi/barengan dari Hang Nadim ke Batam Center (dari airport ke pelabuhan). Memang dari awal aku niatan mau cari orang buat share taksi.. lumayan biar bisa hemat 70 ribu bagi dua hehehe (ngirit dot com lagii)

Sampe di Btama sekitar jam satu lebih… kita langsung jalan ngambil barang.. oh ya lebih baik beli tiket kapal PP dari airport sebab lebih murah. Aku naik boat penguin dengan harga tiket yang diskon dengan syarat tuh tiket PP digunakan sebelm 30 juni 2011. No problem.. memang kan niat baliknya tanggal 5 Jun jadi aku ambil aja. Letak counter ferry sebelum pengambilan barang ada di sebelah kanan.

Waktu itu aku mau tukar Singapore dollar di sana tapi setelah liat ternyata nilai tukarnya jalek banget bandingannya, jadi aku bata tukar dan mutusin mungkin tukar di Singapore aja kali yaaaa…. Secara aku masih punya kartu MRT dan aku juga masih ada kira2 25 Sing dollar.

Jadi berangkatlah kita dengan taksi yang super ngebut… aku udah tau jadwal ferry yang bisa aku kejar.. Ferry jam 2 siang. Jadi aku rada santai juga, si ibu2 sama mertuanya juga asyik banget orangnya. Dia bilang aku gila sebab aku jalan2 sendirian ke Eropa pertama kali..waduh bu, saya juga mempertanyakan kewarasan saya sebenarnya…

Akhirnya kita sampe di Batam Center, masih belum berunbah dari luarnya… kami langsung ke belakan tangga untuk setor tas, hehe.. disini kita bisa check in tas kita. Tapi ternyata kata si bapak yang Tanya kita mestu lapor tiket dulu di lantai 2. Jadi aku naik ke lantai dua dan cek in tiket dulu.

Disini aku musti bayar S$12 untuk port tax. Whatever lah…  sudah cek in aku turun lagi ke bawah buat check in tas aku. Disini di bilang kalo tas beratnya dibawah 20 kilo FREE, tapi kemudian si bapak suruh aku bayar Rp 10.000,- yah bodohnya aku ketika terima recipt/tanda terima aku gak baca.. ternyata di recipt yang dikasihnya juga biaya RP 00,00,- wew!!! Baru nyadar waktu dah naik ke boat!! Ahhh pungli!! Dasar INDONESIAAAAA!!

Hiks.. korban PUNGLI biadaappp!

Aku juga lupa kalau kartu XL ku tersayang belum di aktifkan international roamingnya.. huhuh..buru2 hub teman aku buat cari info soal int. roaming! Tapi ternyata sodara2 gak ada info buat international roaming dan keknya harus langsung ke XL shop..haduuuhhh…

Tapi aku dah siap sedia dengan membawa semua kartu huahauha..mulai dari IM3, AS sampe dengan XL hohoho..yang mana yang bisa di pake aja.. kalo ngga ya udah aku beli kartu aja lah…

Sampai di Singapore waktu mau masuk ke imigrasi.. wadaw.. aku liat banyak kaliiiii peraturan yang bisa buat aku di deportasi: 1. Aku bawa DVD bajakan… niatnya mau nonton DVD kalau cuaca gak bagus di hostel/hotel nanti 2. Aku bawa obat2an yang lumayan banyak kek buat apotek berjalan huahau secara aku suka kena flu huhu maklum daya tahan tubuh agak kurang kalo dah di Negara orang! Hehe yang ke 3. Aku juga tau kalo di larang bawa barang palsu masuk ke EROPA tapi aku tetep bawa WHPO aspal dengan kulit tulisan LV hahahaha sok cihuy banget kan!

Tapi ternyata… waktu udah deg degan abiss… yang ngecek passport aku cowok.. hoho dia tanya mau ngapain ke EROPA aku bilang mau ngegembel disana, dia bengong.. maksudnya sekolah? Heh aku bilang liburan backpacking. Dia senyum2… hehe baik juga… passport di stempel dan akujalan menuju mesin xray.. huhu pilihan yang sulit untuk jujur.. mau masuk ke jalur “have something to declare” atau “nothing to declare” hahahah aku mantap jalan di “nothing to declare”. Mudah2an gak ada yang bunyi2 atau di suruh bongkar tas!! Malunya booo…. 

Tapi ternyata gak ada yang nyetopin dan bunyi2 cihuyyyyy…..

Aku mantap melangkah nyari MRT buat ke changi!

Waktu di stasiun MRT Harbour Front aku check status kartu MRT aku wew… ternyata sisa Cuma S$10 yah sudahlah.. aku recharge lagi S$10 (aku ada bawa sedikit sing dollar dari Jambi). Dan langsung naik MRT.

Dari harbor front MRT aku naik NE17 jurusan Punggol (line warna ungu) dan turun di interchange Outram Park buat ganti ke kereta MRT jurusan Changi (line warna Hijau tua). Dan dari sini kira2 ada 12 stasiun MRT sebelum Tanah Merah. Di Tanah merah harus ganti dengan MRT khusus ke Changi Airport… hehe kedengarannya ribet.. tapi gampang kok kalau dah ngerti….

Sampe di change aku masih ada waktu kira2 6 jam..wadaww…

Langsung ke terminal 2 aku dah langsung liat “early check in” Lufthansa.. yah… sutralah.. aku langsung double check bawaan di tas ransel.. takut2 ada barang2 nanti yang di tahan waktu di gate huhuhu pengalaman jelek.. nanti disuruh buang pula lotion tersayang ku!

Check in langsung dah ngelayap di terminal keberangkatan, ada beberapa toko yang menarik di sana. Jadi shoppibng sedikit2 sambil nunggu waktu keberangkatan.

Dah dekat dengan waktu keberangkatan aku langsung ke ruang tunggu gate.. errh masih belum buka, lampunya aja masih matee.. yah sutra, aku liat ada kursi massage buat kaki gratisan.. lumayan, duduk di sana sekitar setengah jam hohoh recommended time sih Cuma 10 mebnit tapi berhubung orang Indonesia kali yee kalo gak setengah jam di pijat gak manteb..  yah sutra… merem melek di kursi pijat…

Balik lagi ke ruang tunggu.. errh dah rame, langsung habisin air di botol minum, tapi botol aqua aku simpan dalam back pack, namanya bekpeker berguna nantinya...

Surprise, flight Singapore-Munich, aku mahluk paling eksotis! Hoho berasa cantik banget… jadi satu2nya cewek asia dengan rambut hitam dan kulit coklat! Yang lain kalo gak blonde kalo gak coklat.. hohoh.. sudah berasa Jerman banget, satu ruangan aku bisa dengar bahasa Jerman, Perancis sama… Rusia??? Jadi sumber perhatian jadi gerah juga, aku belagak sibuk dengan ipod hohoh.. ge-er diliatin terus.. (mungkin para bule mikir nih anak nyasar!)

My Lufthansa boarding pass...adventure here i come!

Pesawat Lufthansa yang aku naikin jenisnya airbus, lumayan juga--! Biasa aja sih…. Berhubung tinggi aku 173cm jadi ruangan kaki yah..biasa aja… kalo aku ukuran standard cewek Indonesia yang sekirtar 155-160 mungkin rada lega kali ya… di sebelah aku duduk cowok dari belanda, keknya dia traveling sama 3 orang temannya. Mereka ketawa melulu saling lempar joke kali ya..(gak lucu kalo lempar sepatu).

Sial! Dah duduk manis di pesawat ada yang telat boarding 4 orang total, terpaksa pesawat berangkatnya telat, mesti NYARI dan NGELUARIN tas 4 orang penumpang yang mendadak dangdut tersebut. Dan ternyata ini menyangkut factor keamanan-ciee.. hasil nanya2 nih. Katanya semenja bom pesawat di Inggris dulu, jadi semua tas penumpang yang GAK ADA DI PESAWAT alias gak naik pesawat/boarding tasnya di keluarin. Mana tau isinya bom, ihhh amit2!

Penerbangan 13 jam juga lumayan boring. Aku mondar-mandir toilet, sengaja, pegel bo… jadi dari tempat duduk aku jalan ke depan, bagian bisnis, mutar lagi ke belakang trus kedepan lagi mutar balik ke belakang—total 2 lap, hahahah! Lumayan… olahraga, aku perhatiin setelah sampe memang kaki rada bengkak.. tapi gak parah sih…. Aku juga bawa semua perkakas tidur mulai dari syal sampe dengan topi rajut dan sarung tangan wol, huahuah berasa winter.. gak peduli lah, dari pada masuk angin!

Dah mo landing, aku liat lewat jendela.. wow… ini EROPA beda banget dengan Indonesia, mulai dari vegetasi, rumahnya LUCUUUUU! KEK RUMAH BONEKA!!! Padang rumput luaaaasss banget dengan kincir angin buat listrik.. ohhh my!!!!

Ingat soal connecting flight aku ke Paris yang Cuma jarak 30 menit aku Tanya sama pramugari, errrhhh kok jawabannya GAK TAU??? I don’t know gitu lohh…. Mate aja lohh.. katanya bakalan di urusin!

Ternyata cowok yang sebelah aku flightnya jarak Cuma 1 jam dan dia aja dah nyerah gak bakalan on time dia bilang huhuhu gimana dengan dirikyuuu….. dia angkat bahu sambil bilang, “HOPE YOU’RE A GOOD RUNNER” huaaaahhhhh! Mate aja.. kalo runner gak masalah Cuma bawa tas ranmsel ini… Cuma run kemana geto looohh!! Kan ini kali pertama aku ke airport di munich, aku sudah print out peta/denah airport tapi gak dibilang jaraknya kan??

Pesawat landing dan aku gak peduli dengan sopan, sumpah, main trabas-bahasa Sumatra.. langsung lari kocar kacir kea rah tulisan “TRANSIT” yaaaa ammmpuunnnn kenapa cowok disini cakep semua ya ampuuuunnn… (sempat2nya aku mikir gitu ya).. tapi itulah selama lari ngebirit aku liat mahluk disini cakep2 semua, ramping, kaki jenjang, hidungnya bagus semuaaaaaaaaaa!! Huaduuuhhhhh!! *tahan diri*

Kocar kacir akhirnya ketemu bagian imigrasi kira2 1 kilo dari gate/tempat pesawat aku parkir.. ohh ya 1 kilo dengan tangga naik turun yang nau jubilah!!! Stempel di passport dah aku dapat.. senangnya liat stempel imigrasi dari Munich dengan kode “D” di lingkaran uni eropa-nya… 

Dapat imigrasi lari lagi ke bagian security keberangkatan, aku liat masih 10 menit lagi! 

Hiyyaaaa….

Lewat kali pertama, alarm bunyi.. hah?? Di suruh copot jaket..

Alarm bunyi lagi waktu aku lewat..disurut copot sepatu sama ikat pinggang, lewat SEKALI LAGI.....

BUNYI LAGI!! Apa de heck!! Body search sama meraka, gila apa!! aku disuruh lewat lagi..dan..

Bunyi lagi, dan pake metal detector setelah body search yang ke dua and do you know apa yang bunyi beep??? BESI KAITAN BEHA yang gedenya se iprit itu!!!!

Sumpah lo, gue liatin yang periksa DO I HAVE TO TAKE IT OFF TOO??? Sambil melotot. Doi nyengir, sukur cakep huh!!!

Habis lah 10 menit yang gue piker bisa kejar.. buat pasang jaket dan sepatu lagi, ada sih niat gila lari gak pake sepatu… tapi dah lemesssss… pasraaahhh… lari ke gate 24 yang ternyata di paliiiiiiiiiing ujung keberangkatan… tentu saja.. Cuma ada petugas Lufthansa, gak ada pesawat… 5 minute late.. dah kek lagu MLTR.

Tanya sama dia aku bilang flight aku dari Singapore delay… huhuhuh…. Dia bilang im so sorry, suruh aku lapor ke kantor Lufthansa.. lunglai.. balik lagi ke arah pemeriksaan sekuriti… sebelah kiri ada counter gede Lufthansa… aku masuk ke queue.. dan gak lama cowok petugas di sana print out boarding pass baru… berangkat jam 9.40am huhuhuhuhu.. satu jam lagi…

Tapi sutralah.. jadi bisa sarapan manusiawi… langsung menuju meja sarapan GRATIS dari Lufthansa.. hohoh sering2 aja… dengan buasnya minum 3 gelas kopi dengan Jacobs crackers yang aku bawa dari Indonesia.

Huhuh gak ada sinyal XL berhubung aku gak sempat daftar. Untung masih ada sinyal dari kartu AS dengan ajaibnya.. hahah! Ternyata masih ada roamingnya.. bagusss…Cuci muka sikat gigi di toilet. Sukur dah di ingatin soal bawa baju ganti dan toiletries di backpack aku. Ganti pakaian, cuci muka sama sikat gigi, dandan lagi…. Lumayan fresh!

Ke ruang tunggu flight selanjutnya di gate 18. Dah ada beberapa orang di sana.. sekali lagi.. the only asian girl hohohoh…. Diliatin terus jadi tersipu2 gerah hahahah! Norak dot com. Mungkin tampang dah kelewat eksotis gara2 gak mandi hahah!

Pesawat ke Paris dari Munich jauh lebih kecil dari yang Singapore. Penerbangan juga kurang dari 2 jam.  Di pesawat aku ketiduran lagi hahaha, secara di Indonesia udah sore, dah 2 hari dalam perjalan I feel exhausted!!!

Nyampe di Paris hamper tengah hari! Feel so damn excited dah gak tau lagi rasa capek hilaaang!!

Selanjutnya explore CDG/Charles de Gaulle airport....

CDG RER station sign

.......TO BE CONTINUED....

Hongkong Here i come! (Day1)

Thanks to Cathay Pacific and Petrochina Intl' (where i work), i got discount for corporate secretary (this sound very lovely) for flight tickets to Jakarta-Hongkong return.

The fare that i have to pay is US$ 250 for return ticket Jakarta-Hongkong. Isn't that cool?

So, October 26, 2010 with Batavia air i fly from Jambi to Jakarta at 5.05 pm and arrive nearly 6pm at Soekarno Hatta-Jakarta. I had some dinner at terminal 1 (for Indonesia domestic flights). 

Arrive at Jakarta Soekarno Hatta at 6.05pm went to luggage claim and took my backpack and get something for my dinner. This time there was no problem like my previous traveling when I cannot find my back pack, and I had less than 3 hours flights to Bangkok!

But that was with Lion Air… this time with Bataviaair heheh… different airlines.

For my dinner I choose Mie Kingkong near the stairs to the mushalla (arrival door right side about 50 meters after A&W). I just want something other than junk food. I order Hot plate noodles with black pepper beef for Rp 30.000,- and I had a mineral water for Rp 8000,- the noodle actually taste nice, but its overcooked… from 1 to 10 (1 is yuck! 10 is have to have it) I will give 5, its better to pick other food.

After dinner I look up for free shuttle bus to terminal 2. The free shuttle bus (yellow mini bus) will come every 20-30 mins. It goes from Terminal 1 (Indonesia Domestic Flights) to Terminal 2 (International flights, including Garuda airways flights domestic and local and Air Asia for International Flights) and the last one is Terminal 3 (Domestic Air Asia Flights-including to Bali and Mandala Airways flights). Terminal 3 is my fave terminal since its new, clean and there are plenty places to eat, like Bakmi GM also J’co doughnuts and Starbucks.

Arrive at Terminal 2D, I sit down in front of China Airways check in desk. I still had few hours to go since my flight Cathay Pacific CX798 departs at 23.55 I still had like 4 hour to kill, so I get my netbook from my backpack and pick a good corner and updating my facebook stat and playing games, etc just to pass the time. One of the secretaries said they already check me in online hours before I leave Jambi. It is a convenient thing that you could do city check in or online check in its ease time, especially for those who live in Jakarta that took like 2 hours even more during this raining season just to get to airport earlier.

At 9pm I look up for Cathay Pacific counter, it was in D1, its quite far from where I sit down, but sure I still got plenty time. I check my huge backpack in and had my flight ticket from the group and find out… grrrrhhhhhh!! Not again!! Its wrong name again!

I had to spent 20 mins to explain that its not my mistake that they write my name differently…. But CX have a very good customer service… as I explain the point is.. its me on the flight ticket they want not other person.. so.. yepp they check my things in.

On check in counter I pass my passport and Rp 150.000,- for airport tax. I got my boarding pass with airport tax sticker on it and a “departure card” from the counter. I went to the Fiscal counter near the immigration check, and pass copy of my NPWP card (tax card) and the officer will give “free fiscal” stamp on my boarding pass. If you don’t have this NPWP card you have to prepare about US$200 or about 2 million rupiahs. If you’re Indonesian below 21 and your parent had NPWP card, you should bring copy of your family card (KK) and copy of your parent NPWP card.

After got my free fiscal stamp, I fill out the departure card and pass the immigration. Still few hours before leaving so I back to my netbook again sit on Starbucks sipping Caramel Latte tall, hmm.. I had cookie with me too…. This is fun.

At 11 pm I go to the gate waiting room. Wash my face and try to relax.. its really feel exciting as even if I travel as group, this will be my solo traveling. I will had my own plan, stay in hostel by myself and doing thing my own… hmm….

Nearly midnight we board to the plane. This is the first time in my life I am on flight aboard and its not budget flights. Hehehehe… usually I go by Air Asia or Tiger Airways or Value Jet… inside.. ofcourse this is a lot bigger plane… there are 2 seat near each window side, and 4 in the middle… they had business class too.. its pretty cool that they gave you blankets and pillow also headset for the small tv on the back of the front seat.. cute!

After having midnight dining with mash potatoes and beef sauce.. and a glass of tea (enough dosage of caffeine actually) I try to sleep. I manage to sleep about 2-3hrs when I think I heard the pilot announce that we’re about to land in Hongkong… errrhh? I see my watch still 3.50 wow…. Its 4.50 already in Hongkong. We landed at 5 am.. bummer….

Hongkong Airport at 5 am from plane on the way to Immigration 

Outside Immigration (after luggage) you could see the Octopus Card booth on the centre

Queue for Octopus Card

I get myself an Octopus Card for HK$150. Octopus Card could be use for most of transportation system in Hongkong like MTR, Bus, Tram, and you could use it too in some shop. Its very convenient since you don't have to collect small coins, just need to tap it to the device that provided. There is tourist pass for 3 days… its cheaper considerate that i could use it for 3 days and included 2 times ride with Airport Express train...but I think I pass that since its for 3 days MTR use and 2 airport express train back and forward for HK$300 this would be useful for anyone who stay in Hongkong for 3 days, but I just think I am planning to go to Macau or Shenzen so regular Octopus Card would be ok. Oh, the HK$ 50 is deposit that you could get back if you return your Octopus Card (its included on the HK$ 150 price).

Going to the bus to the town its not far from octopus booth just go to the right (not to the parking-but to the other side) and follow the direction, its pretty simple-not! haha if your flight arrive early morning and you're half awake hahaha!

From the octopus booth you could see this sign to get to the bus

When you see this, turn right....

and... there goes the exit door to the bus! yay!

When the door is open, I can’t forget how freakin’ cold the wind is (aaaaaaaaaaaarrrgghhhhhh!!) sorry.. maybe for someone from 4 weather countries its noting and sounds like exaggerating , as I quote my Canadian boss said “19 degrees is a beautiful day to wear short and had picnic with the family” but its cold… seriously.. if you live in equator lines and your average daily  temp is 30-31 C degrees, 17 degrees is cold.

As I look at the information about the buses, they were many of them... I try to jump and run anything to make me warm, and I even wear my wools gloves hahaha!

Bus information, from here you could go to right or left depends on the bus u will take

I use bus #A21 to get my self to Mongkok Kowloon, it was on the right side of the bus terminal (right side of the information board). It still 6 am the wind blow very strong and its only me on the bus stop freezing. I think about my two short and a flip flop on my back pack, and send sms to my mom about this, she must laugh so hard now (ya..ya mom weather is good-I am freeeeezzziiinggg) yepp she laugh at me. A nice lesson for me, October should check if the country I visit had winter!! (Hongkong apparently does have those 4 seasons ugghh!!)

Get in the bus at 6.05 am, I tap my octopus card on the front, near the driver and I show the driver the print out in Cantonese/mandarin language from my hostel, and he nod saying something with gesture to ask me to sit down. Well.. ok.. he know where I should stop at least… it’s the best thing if you had the print out of where to stop because most of Hongkong people cannot understand English, even the taxi driver!! You have to provide the Chinese written in everything, maps, street, hostels, MRT … fiuhhh.. lost in translation begin!

The view from the airport to the city amazing… why? Because you could see Hongkong have everything beside jungle like Sumatra hahahaha! (im in good mood when write this on my note) they had blue ocean with white gulls and mountains and they had tunnels, street are nice, and I could see path where you could run or hike, its very clean, the air is fresh (compare to Jakarta-hehe unfair due to amount of people who live there) and they had busy container port with big ships, I could see ferries to Macau, and long bridges… wow… I see apartment with hanging clothes… I am in HONGKONG! Yaaayyy!

I kept counting the bus stop as it said 6 bus stop. When I almost close I ask the bus driver again.. and he ask me to go? Hah??? He forgot about where I should go down! Aaarrrggghhh!! TT.TT I don’t even know where I am! Freezing, with huge backpack and day pack on front of my body I walk like giant hot dog… suppose to be a normal view but still they stare… hahaha.. anyway… I stand still there and try to figure out where I am, look at map for the 7th or 8 times… still I cant figure it out. Uhmmm... gave up...

So I ask where the nearest MTR to a passing students.. why students? Because they suppose to be able to speak English these days, hehehe…. If they can’t I will teach them some.. hahaha! (my brain freezing and start to act crazy sometimes). One of them point a direction and I could see where I did wrong, I was only less than 70 meters from MTR You Ma Tei … uhhhh…. He got me down earlier then I should… hahah I should be more confident and not rely on someone else.. duuh… So I go by MTR to Mongkok and go to exit B and…. Wow its straight from exit B about 50 meters and turn left when you see theres 7 eleven across, the first door you could see “AH SAN” hostel sign. I am very close to check in.. fiuhh… Going to 14th floor.. this building consist of several guest house, and it is in the center of Mongkok the shopping heaven! Yaaayyyyyy! Great price and the place was clean, the guest house owner could speak fluent Indonesian (see me with wonder at my back pack).

I cannot check in because the check in time is at 1pm. So I ask her if I could use the bathroom. They are very nice to let me use the bathroom. So I clean myself and had new tshirt and wear my thick socks and I am good to go. I kept my luggage locked at the reception.

Down stairs.. oh my… its soooooo cooooolllld! Hahaha its very different than tropical weather when the wind blow, it will be hot and humid, but this is the contrary.. its cold and its very dry. Its good that I kept my nivea lip care with me, keep me moist all the time. But I could feel my skin getting dry by the wind blow only!

My first trip I go from Mongkok MRT to Central and then switch train to Sheung Wan line. My traveling methods are… trying to find places that most of others not going hahahah! And try not to push myself like really schedule it.. because this is a vacation and I shall relax and have fun without “dead line” of places to goes… so it should be flexible (as much as I want) and this is the fun thing about traveling by, myself, I could arrange things my own!

In Sheung Wan I jump on the first Tram that I saw… hahah without seeing where it goes. I go to 2^nd floor of the tram. This is one of must do that I wrote. The tram had several colors that show directions and where their last stop. Oh.. for tram, you jump up from behind and go down from front side. I just know about this when I want to get in and some guy point at the back of the tram.. hehehe.. sorry!

My tram color was white, its goes all over to Fortress Hill.

I love the ride as I could see the most of Hongkong Island from a different view. It took about 20 min to get to Fortress Hill where I decide to walk and explore.

I found traditional markets and got myself a very delicious.. tasty… egg tart 3 for HK$ 20! Yums! When I see map while chewing my egg tart that I was pretty close to Central MTR (yepp I walk so far away!) so I go to the MTR and jump on train to Wan Chai MTR station I want to see the Golden Bauhinia Square.

From Wan Chai I get out from exit A5. Errrhh… there are peoples get off from train and I got carried with the crowd following the direction to the Golden Bauhinian, and suddenly… aaaahahahaha… I am in the middle of great building with people using suits, short skir, heels, and up do stylist hair.. OMG.. hahaha..i am completely lost in a wrong place!!

I am the only person who use jeans and tshirt with map on hand and backpack… oh.. I am so lost! Haha! I took the wrong turn and instead getting outside building to the street… I follow people to the expo building!! (but for girls… toilet in here are clean!! Its hard to find clean toilet while in HKG)

Golden Bauhinian Square well known as Expo Promenade it’s a huge place for conference (kind of Esplanade, but for different use) the building is exceptional and the view are amazing.

I manage to find the famous square, but suddenly few tourist bus stop and I know its my time to move to other place… but I see the view are amazing… I could see the other part of Hongkong-The new Territories…. There are plenty people with hi tech camera taking lots of pictures. I sat down on the stairs and enjoy the view..

But not too long because the wind chilling! So I went to the Reunification Monument its about 100 meters from the Square, its still in the same area. The statue and the flower actually signifying the establishment of the Hongkong Special Administration Region.

From there I return back to Wan Chai MTR station and look at my map and decide to do some Museum tours…

From Wan Chai MTR station I go to Admiralty MTR station and exit to Lippo Bank Building (buses to Ocean Park). A nice finding is…I found Bank Negara Indoensia (BNI) wow.. what a relief.. so I could get some more HK$ but too bad they didn’t have MOP for Macau. I think its better to do the exchange in bank because I read things about money changer that they will change the money with currency that not used anymore or it’s a fake money.. sigh… 

The Lippo Bank building itself is one of famous Hongkong icon, you will see this building on tv most of time-the building with all glasses and the shape of the windows quite funny. There are two towers and one of the tower leads to ..short of sky walk—pretty similar with one in Bangkok. These sky walks connect from one building to another. So I don’t need to cross the street below. So, I went from the Lippo Bank building all the way to Fairmount Building across and then I go down to cross the street.. and the park in front of me!! Yaayy…

The uphill path little bit tiring me so I sit down in a bench and enjoy the view of Hongkong building… oh gosh its so convenient to have a park in the middle of town like Hongkong…. Its beautiful!

In Hongkong Park there are several buildings. One of the buildings I was entering was a museum with old Chinese Old Stamps on the 2^nd floor… it’s amazing, all made of jade of course… I cannot understand the carvings but I enjoy it! On the first floor is place where you could enjoy Chinese Tea.. its actually a tea house… cool!

The second building was the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware. In here we could see Chinese antique tea ware, ohhh there are some cute tea pots and movie about the traditions related with tea. There are displays about how they made traditional tea, how to process and the kins of tea.

After seeing and enjoying the museum I went out to the Hongkong Park again, it’s a very fine afternoon. Its amazing…. As the park is so beautiful.. there’s a large fish pool with few turtles… baby turtles.. it’s really calm.. and ohhhh you won’t believe it’s a city centre and its very clean!!

There are also few police walking… I like this.. feel safe, and this park amazing.. with trees and fish pools and waterfall! A bride and groom taking pictures, some senior citizen sit down and enjoy the afternoon… its so beautiful… and oh.. it had free wifi too… amazing! So I sat there for a while, checking my FB and eating a bar of chocolate.

Its nearly 4 pm when I start to explore the park. It had an Olympic park, also a wedding registry where theres a wedding happens.. ohh.. so many wedding a brides and grooms here… I also found the “Aviary” where they had this huge dome contains birds, tropical birds, and they were amazing, its just like one in Singapore zoo… difference is this is the city centre!

Outside the aviary I went to the cotton tree drive rd, across the squash centre theres building to the peak tram. I could see the queue VERY long! I don’t think it will be fine for me if I went to the peak at night I will be frozen!! So I decide to go back to Central MRT again and then I saw map I was on the Connaught Road (Hongkong not that big, so walking is pretty easy!) so I think I want to try the LONGEST ESCALATOR IN  THE WORLD yepp its in Hongkong!

Connaught Rd Central and the Queens Road full of shopping centre (place where I shouldn’t go!) but anyway I cant resist seeing BodyShop so I went there and get something for my skin as the cold wind breaks my skin and lips!

I found the start of the escalator. It was on the 2^nd floor of Hang Seng Building.

I see there are many stores on the bottom of the escalator, so I decide to use stairs instead.

I found some interesting shops, massage shop, hairdress, tailors…ice creams and, ahhhh the frozen yohgurt!!! I get some of the frozen yoghurt, its so soft and sweet! And the girls whos own the shop really nice!

I went up to the escalator again and stop at Caine Street. I want to visit the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Museum.

I like Dr Sun Yat Sen… i know him from history books, he was a very smart person. As political Science Faculty Student i do had some politic classes and I like the way he think to mix the western world and the Asian… He live in Hawaii for a while with his older brother and this length of time give a great influence on his political views. Being a modern person but also not forgetting his root. Its kind of my thing... He was the founding Father of Republic of China, and he was the greatest leaders of modern China politics. His political Philosophy are called "Three Principles of the People" its consist of  principle of nationalism, democracy, and  the People's Livelihood.  

The museum it self actually an amazing house! Its really worth to see! This mid level must be stunning back then, when there are no tall buildings like these days. It’s a residence of a rich family.

Back from Sun Yat Sen Museum tours… haha.. theres no escalator going down.. the escalator will remain one way from down to up from 10.20 am until midnight!

Back to Central MTR, its quite a walk and I like it because theres plenty to see… lots of people start to wear Halloween costumes, and its funny and scary! Hahaha… I love this!

From Central I go to TST MTR… its about time to see the light show-The Symphony of Lights! From TST I went to Salisbury Road (plenty direction signs). When I arrive there are many people already with their huge cameras waiting for the show… even when its still 45 min before 8pm. The show start at 8pm.

The light show its actually mixed between lights and laser. Its … good.. because the sound system… but woooww.. the wind blowing and im freezing hahah.. I feel good because I know I am right about not going to the peak! I pick my spot near the statue of a woman with a floating globe I think…. Its good view from there…

The show only few minutes last.. I watch it until its over… its quite romantic to be there with your love one for sure!

After the show over, I start to  walk on the Avenue of Stars… I found some of my favorite Hongkong actors and actress signature and hand print on the pavement… its very nice to know that actually Jet Lee had smaller palms than I do.. hahaha still he punch better tho hahaha! I also take pictures with a bronze Bruce Lee statue, the king of martial arts… hmmm…

Oh.. there was a stall that sold squids... oh Gosh.. smell and taste so goood... its cold and i am hungry! so i had two!! hehe!

I manage to find Starbucks and had my mocca latte and head up to MTR to go back to Mongkok. It was late… even if the Ladies market seemed temping place to explore.. but I just think of tomorrow I had to go to Macau.. so.. I choose to go to hostel and do my CHECK IN and I did! The owner was a nice lady, but its very limited in English, but surprisingly she does speak Indonesia language... impressive.

She took me to another apartment on same floor, it seemed where the dorm room are. It looks messy.. but clean. There was a guy working with his laptop. He said the wifi not really stable, and i ask him if i could access it from my bedroom, he said yeah sure.. so i wash my face and doing bit packing for tomorrow, i decide just to bring my day pack and leave my huge 15 liters back pack...

The room that I got suppose to be shared with 2 other people… but it was empty.. yippie!! So I charge all of my battery and go to bed! Its been an awesome day! Can't wait for more of my holidays!