The artsy bitsy of Semarang Art Gallery

First of all, probably like most of you who read this, I’m not an artist but I am a fan of arts. For me, art is like food. You eat food but sometimes you don’t have to master what’s behind the scene. Like.. an omelet is made of egg but you never ask the history of that egg or where does the chef buy the pan? You just fond of how it tastes in your mouth with paprika, tomato, a pinch of salt and pepper, no?

For an artist, art is an expression from his (or her) perspective but for those who see, it also unlocks your creativity and considerably improves your thinking.

Semarang Contemporary Art Gallery is situated at Taman Srigunting. Before it was an art gallery, the building was owned by an insurance company in 1918. Dominated in white, it appeals fresh, airy, clean and peaceful. It has two storeys and there are plenty of installation arts, some images of Semarang buildings from time to time and a few important persons in Semarang history.

Find out more on their website: Semarang Contemporary Art Gallery.

Semarang Kota Lama - A Trip to The Past

I’m surprised to find out that Semarang has that vintage side. I mean, I didn’t expect that Kota Lama (Old Town) is historically thriving!

I thought the capital of Central Java is just packed with urban dwellers and malls and well, let’s just go to the exciting part, shall we?

We arrived at Stasiun Tawang, Semarang and the sense of colonial atmosphere can quickly be felt. The train station itself is the oldest and biggest one in the city.

We crossed the street and found Polder Tawang that protects Semarang against flooding. It’s not the best scene but it’s worth to note :P

Passing by the Polder, there’s old cigarette factory that’s still operating.

You will be able to see the dome of Gereja Blenduk from here.

The weather was dreadfully hot during our visit and our heavy backpacks got the temperature two times higher; but the old town excited us more that we didn’t really care how we smelled HAHAHAHA!

We would’ve entered the church if there hadn’t been any choir rehearsal but yeah, we can only admire the off-white church from the outside.

The whole area is Oldies by its nature. You can see historical landmarks such as Marba, Outdetrap and even Ikan Bakar Cianjur Resto has that old colonial-style architecture!

This is one of my favorite – Spiegel Bistro. The building was established in 1895,that means 122 years ago. Fiuhh!

We walked again for about 5 km and went to look for Loenpia Gang Lombok. I’m sorry to ruin your mouth-watering fantasy but I didn’t find the Loenpia appealing to my tongue. It tasted marginal with a price of Rp. 15,000,- each (Lombok and the Spring Onion are all-you-can-eat-if-you-can)

Moving on to another spot, still in the old town, we found abandoned buildings that were used as office administrations and houses like this Roode Driehook (Red Triangle). There’s not much information on the internet to dig about this place.

A photo posted by Anita Ve (@a_coffee_junkie) on Dec 11, 2016 at 4:45pm PST

I love the arch entrance!

This is another secluded spot that I’m not sure if I’ll be able to find this place again :P

In a nutshell, every building in the old town is within walking distance but I wish the streets were friendlier to pedestrians. It's annoying to walk without a car or motorcycle honking at you while you admire the view. :P

Up next in the blog - our hilarious trip to Semarang Art Gallery, Lawang Sewu, Sam Poo Kong 

What I learn from my visit to Thailand

“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” 

                                                                                                                - Aldous Huxley

I’ve just got back from my 5-day trip to the Land of Smiles, Thailand. My friend bought Air Asia deal that included return tickets and hotel for 4 nights – which only cost Rp. 2.000.000,- (then we purchased baggage and added an extra Rp.200,000 ++).
We were excited because we never went there before. And yet, we were scared as there was a bombing in one of the most crowded shrine, the Erawan shrine. It was on our itinerary list as well. Everyone kept telling me not to go but yeah, we insisted. Luckily we got home safe and sound. *Fiuhh!

You see, when you travel to another place, you get to experience their life, their culture, and what they believe. And these are the values I learned from my visit to Bangkok, Thailand.

1. A religious country

For me, Thai people are very religious. You will never see a shrine empty; day or night, rain or shine, big or small. Everywhere you go, the shrines can be seen almost in any spots – in front of the malls, next to an alley turn, etc.

Thai people also love their King. His Majesty King is portrayed as a loving and caring king for the people. Many people, foreigners especially, felt curious on this topic. However, once you know the history on how he put his people first for their benefits; you will finally realize why they love him dearly.

2. Thai people are friendly (well, at least most of them)

I often heard people say that Thai people aren’t so welcomed especially the stand owners. "If you don’t buy their goods, you better not to touch the stuffs", one of my friend advised me. But what happened during my shopping in Pratunam morning market was different. We touched, we felt the fabric materials, we discussed the price in front of the shop before we decided Not to buy. And yeah, nothing happened to us. (to say the least, they didn't throw rocks at us).

I was lucky to catch the Changing Guards Ceremony at 10 a.m!!
On the photo: The Royal Guards are marching towards the Palace Entrance

The same thing happened when we visited the Grand Palace. We must go through strict security check point but everything went well. A guard who checked my backpack with detector smiled at me. The detector caught something in my bag because it made a beeping sound.

He then asked me, “What is this?”
While I opened my backpack, I said to him, “I think it’s my power bank.”
I showed it to him and he replied, “Ah, no bomb then. Boom!”
Funny smiley guard…
By the way, you need to go to the Grand Palace, as early as possible to avoid long queue!


3. You need to speak Tarzan language
I started to compare Bangkok to Bali, especially how the people speak to tourists. You see, Balineses are excellent English speakers. Tourists would find it easier for them to ask for directions or when they need help with something. However, it’s totally different in Bangkok. Even in tourist attractions, none of them speak English, like...at all!

We went to Chatuchak weekend market and our calculator has been our dictionary. I can't really make a conversation other than asking for a good bargain. "One twentyyyy. Noooo... Two twentyyyyyy" And the story goes on....

Chatuchak is a huge huge weekend market. In fact, it is the largest weekend market in the world!
It's very easier to get lost in the alleys than to find what you're looking for. However, the market is worth the walk! Each section is divided into categories, like Shoes, Clothes, Vintage, etc.

This map should explains how huge the market is.
courtesy: Bangkok.com

We were also mistaken 10 Baht for 8 Baht because we heard the Moo Ping seller said, “Eight”. We bought 3 grilled pork, handed 24 Bahts, and she pointed on our coins, asked for another 10 Bahts on my palm, and gave me back my 4 Bahts. *You do the Maths!

The other day we went for a dinner in a mall. I wanted to eat Chicken Rice but I can’t eat any other parts except chicken breast.

And the ‘Tarzanic’ conversation began…
“I want this one (pointing on the chicken rice yummy pic). But I want the breast part.”
Seller looked at me, confused.
I asked him, “Can I choose the chicken part?”
He pointed on the picture, and he tapped his thigh and say, “This, is this.”
And I said, “I want this part,” while tapping my chest.
Then he said, “Okay.”
Good Lord! Never thought it would be that ‘easy’ to ask for, well, breast!

Oh, the same thing happened when we ate at McDonalds. It was late at night and we just arrived, and we’re starving to death. You just never thought that this franchise frenzy could give us difficulty when ordering.
“Can we choose our chicken part?”
“What?!”
“I want this.” – while tapping on my (again), chest.
She said, “No. Only this and this.” – while tapping on her thigh and then mimicking a flying bird (you know what this means)
“Oh, I want pork Burger then,” while pointing on the picture of large burger, with fries and drink.
“Egg?” she asked.
“No,” I said
We finally ordered pork burgers, no egg.
Somehow, our items showed up with eggs. (Not sure which part of “NO” means “YES”).

4. You can walk anywhere
Thank God for the transportation infrastructure in Thailand! It's never confusing at all. Most tourist attractions can be reached via BTS Skytrain, Bus, and your feet (I'll never forget how we walk miles and miles to get where we want.)

We're just never get tired of taking our pictures....

Teluk Ijo, an alternative getaway in Banyuwangi

Teluk Ijo, Banyuwangi

Who would’ve thought that Banyuwangi is now one of the best tourism destinations in Indonesia?

It was just a city you cross when you want to go to Bali from Java Island and now, people actually stop by to visit some of its wonderful beach destinations. I was on touring with a few friends to Banyuwangi and one of our itinerary lists is Rajegwesi beach. We heard a lot about the beach and it took about 2 hours drive from our hotel at Kalibaru.

There is not much to see in Pantai Rajegwesi excepts some fishermen’s boats and not-so-pretty beach. However, it turns out that from Rajegwesi, we got to do a boat trip to Teluk Ijo (literally means the Green Bay).

This was my very first time to cross the water using fisherman’s boat and with a limited amount of safety kits. Our tour guide bargain the price with the boat owner and we managed to get in the boat – the 5 of us. Each boat is supposed to carry only 4 passengers. Thus, I was actually skeptical and not sure if it was due to safety or the money. It costs Rp. 35,000,- for a return trip.

It's kinda hard to take pics without resulting blury images. The boat's shaking and so are my hands! 

It’s a deal. A young man, who happened to be the owner of the boat I hopped into, asked me to get in the boat.

I asked him, “How about my vest?”

He replied, “Get in first, I’ll hand (the vest) you later.”

What went in my mind, “What?!”

What I actually said, “Oh, okay.”

It took awhile for me to get my left foot inside that never-calmed-rushed-by-the-waves boat!  It only gave a small space for 5 people and finally I sat on the humble seatings made from wood panels. The young man handed me my vest and in between the panic, the struggle to sit still when the waves hit my boat, I put on the vest.

Look at how I 'smartly' put on my vest. The blue stripes are my backpack's 

The belt was ripped and I couldn’t fasten it. I asked the man who happened to sit behind me. We were separated by the boat machine so I needed to scream when talking to him.

“I can’t fasten my belt, do you have any other (vest)?”

“I don’t have. It’s okay, Miss. The vest is fine.”

Okay, so it was like an accessory rather than a safety kit.

We crossed the water and I can hear myself screaming whenever the boat was hit by the waves. Thank God the machine made a loud noise so no one actually heard me screaming. I even wonder would they knew if I fell from the boat with the noise so loud? *Just wondering.

After 20 minutes of constant heart attacks, we finally arrived to Teluk Ijo. It is a small beach, a private one, with turquoise water and white sands. The reefs make a beautiful background that makes it an even prettier place. We took some pictures there before we headed back to Rajegwesi for another 20 minutes.

Clear turqoise water at Teluk Ijo

Yep, there is always a first time of anything. When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Things to see and do in USA

What do you want in USA? Whatever you want, the state has it! From culture walk to bachelor party, from wildlife to delicious cuisine – the United States have some of the best things to offer you. To round up the list, here are things to see and do in America!

Learn the history
Free entry for museums mean you can learn a lot about America from the past. Washington DC offers an ample of tours to visit monuments, American Art museum and also American Indian history to witness. You can hop a bus, take a walk or ride your bike – wake up early because there are plenty of things to do in Washington DC! You can also visit Martin Luther King national Historic site in Atlanta. This is the birth of civil right and he was buried here as well. It works as museum and heritage track with an ample of information to know more about the country.

Visit Elvis
Memphis has a story. It is where Rock n Roll were born and Elvis Presley was one of the most historical artist of all time. The home of the king has been visited by thousands of tourists around the world and Graceland offers VIP tour to trace back the life of Elvis Presley until his death in 1977. The tour itself promises a history with a visit in Heartbreak Hotel.
Each year, the sprawling city pays a tribute to Presley and how the king of rock n roll made a change to the music industry. The graveyard has received millions of visitors and his properties are very well preserved up till today.

Visit Vegas
Even when you are not into betting, you still need to see Las Vegas. This Nevada’s city offers iconic scenes you see from hundreds of movies and the colourful lights seem to never run out of way to attract visitors. The casinos are also another incredible architectures to witness with some places resemble Pyramids, New York city and Parisian. Bring along your cash and remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!

The White House
The iconic building has represent America at its best. The White House offers a free tour but for foreigners, there are requirements upon touring. You need to submit your request and pay a visit to the Embassy to complete the application. It is quite hassle but given the fact that you can enter the legendary white house? That’s time-worthy experience! Foreigners must also present their passport upon arrival; it is quite strict but it should be. It’s the President’s house anyway!

Skiing
The rugs of snow are too hard to resist. Enjoy skiing in advance as you arrive at the Redezvous Mountain. Also, you can enjoy the intermediate trails if you are a senior hiker. Another place to go on skiin is the Apres Vous Mountain. Test your nerve as you walk in the snow. Enjoy the chill!

Grand canyon 
You may see the national park in a postcard but when you come to America, you should see it for yourself. The Grand Canyon National Park has an impressive visuals. The sheer and overwhelming sceneries plus the size of 29 km wide – really takes your breath away! Many visitors drive along side the road to South Rim but it is possible to lay hands on Grand Canyon as you climb. Tours are generally offered in groups.

Niagara Falls 
The iconic Niagara Falls has been featured in almost any sector of life. From David Copperfield the magician to travel magazine; Niagara promises a bird-eye view of the falls and with closer look from helicopter or boat. This place is 12,000 years old and it resides between Canada and US. The easy access from both regions makes Niagara one of the best travel destinations in the USA.

The mall of America
There is no mall like this. The Mall of America offers an outdoor and indoor stores, restaurants, theatres, aquarium, etc. As one of the tourist attractions, it covers acres of land and has been visited by international and domestic visitors. Established in 1992, Mall of American Bloomington in Minnesota offers diverse of foods from its restaurants, 14 theatres to entertain your time and employs thousands of people to serve shoppers.

Disneyland 
Disneyland has been adored not just by kids but you are going to love your stay in here. One day seems not enough to explore the whole place because the Tomorrowland, Frontierland, Toon town and Adventureland are too big! This is a magical way to explore America and find your favorite Disney character and attractions including Indiana Jones adventure, Electrical laser parade, space mountain and more!

The Disneyland offers a resort inside the landscape so you don’t have to worry in case you miss a spot, you can always come back again later. There are 4 theme areas to visit and the glorious attractions will be something you can never forget.

Visit Hawaii
Apart from its adorable beaches, hula dances and pina colada, you can enjoy the volcano view of Kilauea. One of world’s active volcanoes – you can enjoy the crater view and caldera rim with that smokey atmosphere. This natural beauty is well preserved and the easy-access makes a complete vacation you can get from visiting Hawaii and beyond.

Montana ranches
Montana owns some of the best ranches in the States. If you like fancy resorts and horseback riding, then Montana view offers that plenty of fun for family outing. Try to ride and trail the Elk Mountain ranch it has a height of 9,500 feet above the sea level!

Broadway musical
From Anne Hathaway to Ewan McGregor, Broadway is the dream theatre and feel the vibe of talented artists perform a drama right here in the most iconic stage.

Top 10 tourist destinations in USA

The United States are composed by diverse cities and tourism destinations. It is hard to determine which city has the best attractions since each one of them own their unique and memorable places to visit. But to round up the top 10 tourist destinations in the USA that never seem to be outnumbering any other places; here are the summary list!



- Las Vegas, Nevada
It doesn’t matter if you are a group of bachelors or a family of four. Las Vegas has everything for everyone. With its popular tagline, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” the city will take you to a roller coaster of life. It suits almost any personality and the abundant liquor that keeps flowing may seem adhere to the tagline. You just can’t forget what happens there! Las Vegas owns its world class entertainments with all night casinos, hotels, (and strippers) ready to amuse you. From spa to pool bar, in Vegas, the rule is No Rule.

- Honolulu, Hawaii
With the endless surfs ready to give you waves, Honolulu is the heaven! Enjoy Hula dancers, incredible point breaks and smooth cocktails. You can’t help but to swim and enjoy all outdoor activities that Honolulu offers. Not in the mood to surf? You can go shopping or horse riding. The natural beauty and well preserved beaches make Honolulu the best destination in United States.

- New York City, New York
From Central Park to Museums, New York has the reason why it is named twice, New York New York! From hotels to restaurants, there is something amusing everytime you come here. There are also free attractions and interesting landmarks that help you to learn USA from the history. The iconic Central Park has been visited by millions of people annually. And NYC is where Grand Central Terminal resides. A beautifully designed station where thousands of people meet or say goodbye – this isn’t just a hub but this is a history and destination. The architecture itself dates back from medieval era with Beaux art style. Oh, and don’t forget the iconic Time Square where A-list musicians have been singing on its stage.

- Portland, Oregon
Parks and all the perks, as a laid back city, Portland offers an ample of craft distilleries, breweries and also a great nightlife. You can also walk or bike to see the landmarks and wander around the Japanese Garden. The Japanese Garden has 5 styles with peaceful ambience to enjoy the elements of stones, water, and plants. Portland has an eco-friendly design that really makes a memorable walking experience. You will be welcomed by various offers that are grab worthy.

- San Francisco, California
California is famous for the beach, and the bridge. The city of bay is popularly known for its mind-blowing long bridge and the climate that is really windy seems to add that inviting atmosphere to its art deco background. San Francisco is a world class city that people would fall in love with. The brim of wonderful coffee flavours and delicious meals make the city plus the music sceneries, they’re so alive and vibrant!

- Napa, California
If you want a lazy or quiet time in the USA, you still can obtain it from Napa city. Just like the Tuscan, Napa city owns some of the best wine in the world. It is a luxury holiday that promises an ample of amusement and entertainment in its laid back atmosphere. You can really opt for splurge worthy resorts or spoil yourself with a nice spa. The grapevines and the hills seem to greet you from distance with their breathtaking views! Apart from luxury live in Napa, there are also budget-friend hotels that give you the same ambience of cozy breakfast in the morning (and with stunning views as well).


- New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans boasts a set back ambience. Even with the constant threat of Katrina, the city is definitely one of the most enjoyable destination in the USA. Enjoy the foods in every corner and the creole music loudly play to entertain your ears. There are an ample of festivals from jazzy night, Mardi Gras and also great nightlife. Moreover, New Orleans has a history and impressive landmarks to visit. When you arrive at New Orleans, don’t forget to visit St. Louis Cathedral that has been reviewed as an excellent landmark. The offwhite color that washes the façade plus that castle-like architecture is a beautiful place! Use the free tours on foot and explore the city with its legendary stories.

- Chicago, Illinois
Chicago has windy climate but it catches attention due to the fact that modern art and live music make the culture seems so laid-back. Moreover, the adorable architecture that adorns the city will give you culture attractions in galore level! Chicago is also friendly for pedestrians. Thus, you can have walking tour and visit Millenium park or Wrigley Field. Chicago never really sleeps.

- Sedona, Arizona
In the middle of the desert Arizona, there is a gem called Sedona. This hippy city is like an oasis because there are resorts newly built to entertain the guests. This is the place to hike and explore with the impressive red rock views at Oak creek canyon. When you think that the sunset is beautiful, watch how Sedona makes a beautiful night view with nebula and galaxies expand above you. You can watch this without a telescope! You will feel like flying among the million stars!

- Seattle, Washington

source: Pinterest.com

The most iconic space in Seattle would be the Space Needle. The skyline is quite scenic here in Seattle. You will likely experience tourist flocks because of the laid back and relaxing atmosphere. Moreover, Seattle owns modern architectural designs that you can’t forget. What makes this city fabulous? It’s when you sip your Java coffee with your seat overlooks the mountains of Puget Sound. Impressive!

6 Must-See Things in Bangkok

200 years ago, Bangkok was a small trading center community. Today, it’s one of Asia’s best destination with it glorious and illustrious history. The dazzling palaces, the mouthwatering spicy foods, and the famous market; here is a summary list of things you must visit when you visit Bangkok!

1. Visit Wat Arun

Wat Arun is an impressive temple that showcases the towering spires. As one of the most beautiful temple in Asia, Wat Arun was built in the 19^th century during the reign of Khmer. The style is highly visible on the structure and construction. The stupa ornates a pattern of floral decks with porcelains glaze on the surface. The stunning view is even more beautiful at night.

Commonly known as the temple of dawn, Wat Arun is a symbol of Rattanakosin period. It is located in Chao Phraya River area. The riverside makes it more appealing but apart from that, Wat Arun has the most impressive design among many other temples in Thailand. The colorful decoration and the view over the water seem very majestic!

An hour visit to the temple is recommended because you can explore the surrounding area. You can also see another temple nearby, Wat Pho, that stands directly at the opposite of Wat Arun. Using shuttle boat, you can cross the river at 3 Baht.

2. Enjoy the sights

Apart from the temples and palaces, there are other landmarks for tourists. One of the best sightseeing is at Dusit district. The rapid development and the tourism in Bangkok have made it possible to access many districts easily. Chinatown has an impressive selections of foods that you can’t resist. Both are in Chao Phraya area.

Ban Nam Peung Floating market is only available on weekends. Here, locals and tourists packed the area with various choices of goods in cheap price. Many cycle tours come to Bang Kra Jao, the green lung of Bangkok.

The newest addition of sightseeing with a modern touch is the Asiatique. It features a huge ferris wheel, restaurants and night market plus famous ladyboy show. This is a mixture of local and eclectic style of culture. To come here, you need to cross the river by boat from Taksin Bridge. Asiatique gives a different feel of nights at Bangkok. You can have many acitivities here, from gastronomic trail, riding ferris wheel, and other boasting assortments that are delightful. This is also shoppers paradise with fashionable clothes and home décor accessories in more than a thousand stores.

3. The Grand Palace

One of the must see place in Bangkok is the Grand Palace. It is completely stunning and one of the best landmark in Thailand. Grand Palace is home to the Royal Family and administration office. Visitors can enter inside the palace and be intricate by the details. It is a beautiful and complex architecture that shows the craftsmanship of Thais. Within the walls, it is also the headquarter for war ministry departments. Apart from that, it is a spiritual place where people celebrate every year.

The complex houses various areas, the king’s palace (The Central Court), reception hall, and the layout is similar to Ayutthaya. The entrance involves administration offices and the Emerald Buddha is situated just outside the outer court. Not all halls are opened for public. There are only 3 of them which you can visit during the day. However, 3 is enough for an exquisite experience on the façade’s details. Grand Palace is a sacred place. Thus, it has a pack of rules for the visitors. Important tips when coming to Grand Palace.

-          No see through clothing

-          No sleeveless clothing for men and women

-          Wear shoes or sandals with socks because no bare feet is allowed

-          You can rent proper clothing with a certain deposit at the entrance

4. Museum and Galleries

As an old town, Bangkok boasts an amount of museums and art galleries. The open air historical sightseeing also owns local museums worth to check out. One of the best museums is Siam Museum. It’s an education museum where you can learn much about Thailand’s culture, economy, culture and ethnic.

Chinatown Heritage Centre showcases the history of Bangkok. It has arts and crafts traditionally made and all of the area is accessible by public. The Museum of Floral Culture is another beautifully designed museum by Sakul Intakul. As the newest addition of cultural attraction in Bangkok, Museum of Floral culture collects Asia’s floral civilization from Japan, Indonesia, Laos, and India. The beautifully preserved mansion with colonial architecture is housed in the complex of 1,800 square meters. This is a Zen Garden in Thailand! Another museum to visit is the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. It is situated inside the complex of Grand Palace. Jim Thompson Museum is a privately owned museum established by Jim Thompson. As a US architect who visited Thailand during the World War II; he thought it was a potential market for silk weaving. Today, it owns some of the best artifacts in the teak house.

5. Floating Market and weekend market

One of the famous floating market in the world, Bangkok’s floating market houses boats of fresh tropical veggies and fruits sold by the locals. You can have ready to drink coconut water, spicy foods of Thai cooked right on the boat and other stuffs to enjoy. The tourists can enjoy relaxing boat tour provided by many companies nearby the river. The guided tour can help you to bargain the overpriced goods. Using boat tour, you can visit Damnoen Saduak market, Bang ku Market, Taling Chan and Tha Kha.

At Amphawa floating Market, you can see restaurants balconies that overlook the floating market. The seats are always filled with people that radiate different backgrounds. Classic foods like Pad thai and modern desert like Ice Cream are available. To explore more, you can rent tail boats and go to the nearby klongs. It is necessary to come a little earlier to avoid the overwhelming crowds.

Chatuchak is a famous market that only opens on weekends. The place is very popular for whole sales and trades. It has become a landmark of Thailand with more than 9,000 stalls and more than 200,000 visitors come here every weekends. You need to bargain the stuffs because normally they are overpriced but a day trip here is worth the squeezing. Everything is on sale and you can have good quality products in cheap price.

From books to ceramics, you can find almost anything in Chatuchak. The low-price feature seems to be a great tourism attraction.

6. Khao San road

Khao San road gets very busy at night. It can be said as a modern place where nightclubs and local foods blend for every kind of tourist. The cocktail bars in the eclectic market seem to be a very unique mixture and the scenic view will definitely poke your eye. From local to western plate, the foods definitely are mouthwatering! The thai people are very open minded and of course, this place is the right spot to spend your night if you can’t sleep! At Khaosan Road, you can also find clothes and stuffs you see in markets. The energy and vibe are just irreplaceable!

8 Things to do in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodia is famous for its Angkor Wat temple. Many travellers are fascinated by the scene. But if you come to Cambodia, there are many places to see besides the iconic Angkor Wat. Million of tourists come to Cambodia to witness its culture and tradition with their own eyes. Here are an in-depth lists of things to do in Siem Reap!

1. Angkor Wat
One reason people come to Cambodia is for Angkor Wat. Where else would it be? It is one of the highlight of Siem Reap and travellers that visit Cambodia would come here as their first destination. You will be amazed by the scale of this complex. Being noted as World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century by the Khmer. It primarily draws tourists due to the numbers of temples that grow like jungle.

You need a three day pass that probably costs around $40 to fully explore the area. The ruins and the carvings, these are such an impressive site! The sacred place has always had perfect time to visit whether it is sunset or during the hot day. The magical morning however, is adored by many. You can immediately feel the sacredness of the place. It is a great idea however, to come here early because the place won’t be packed with too many tourists. During the day, you will experience the overrun bustles of tourists.

2. Balloon ride above the Angkor Wat
Now that you have visited Angkor Wat, it wouldn’t be complete if you don’t ride the balloon. Yes, just like the Turk’s Cappadocia hot balloon ride, Angkor Wat has its own. This is the first balloon trip in Cambodia and you can enjoy bird eye view of the Angkor Wat with that unique silence and romance picturesque. The privately own business offers a touring service that is totally different from anything you see in this country. If you want to appreciate the ruins without having to compete with other tourists hordes, then this is the best way to see Angkor Wat, from 600 feet above! The new perspective is much more fascinating as you can witness the whole complex beneath you. The price is quite friendly with $35 you can enjoy the ride.

3. Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary
The Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is one of the breeding place for water birds. It is situated just near the Tonle Sap Lake. This sanctuary houses hundreds of birds species and you can see rare birds by boat. Hiring a boat will cost $45 for a return ride. Once you arrive at the sanctuary you can begin your walking tour in this wildlife area. Expect to see rare species from Black head ibis, Milky Stork, Lesser Adjuncts and more! The diverse biosphere offers tons of things to see near the Tonle Sap. Visit the sanctuary during the dry season that occurs in the month of December to May. At this particular season, you can see migrating birds fly above you and fly to the sanctuary. The birds amount increase as the water recedes.

4. Angkor National Museum
Museum indeed, makes you smarter. For a quick learning session about Cambodia, the museum would be the right place to start.

To learn more about Cambodia, the best place to visit is Angkor National Museum. The area takes 2 hours to complete and it houses artifacts and statues dated from centuries ago. It has a complete insight on how Khmer civilization played a huge role in Cambodia. These artifacts have been recovered from around the world and the preserved collections become the first archaeological museum dedicated to the Angkorians. If you want to know the awesome story of khmer and the civilization back then, then Angkor National Museum is where you should be!

5. Kampong Phluk
Situated 13 miles from Siem Reap, kampong Phluk is the iconic floating market of Cambodia. It is actually a fishing village with swamps that surround the Tonle Sap Lake. Tourists can take boat or ride a bus and hop off at the Kampong. As there are not many tourists jam in Kampong Phluk, you can still feel the authenticity of this village. It was where the Khmer people do their daily fishing routines back then. The activities in the cluster include crab eating, boat rowing, and entering the submerged forest. During the dry season, the water will be low and the houses seem to have high construction. The lakeside view is untouched by the tourists and it is worth your time and adventure. To come here, you can rent a boat from Chong Khneas. Or you can cross the road with Tuk Tuk and reach Rolouse village. It will take you to the flooded forest.

6. Wat Thmei
During the reign of Khmer, many people were massacred brutally and the glass walled stupa in Wat Thmei becomes a symbol to commemorate the event. The horrible Khmer rule that created insanity is a famous thing you learn about Cambodia. And the temple is a living reminder of it.

You will witness the bones inside the complex and there is a monastery that houses monks and orphans. Wat thmei is popularly known as the Killing Field. The active pagoda houses some of statues although they are not as inspiring as the bones. But looking around this place will teach you many things about the past.

Life in the dark days during the Pol Pot rule was an incredible yet horrible thing to remember as more than 2 millions of people were killed. If you want to know about the Khmer brutality, you can ask an elder guide and he will tell you the real story of just that!


7. The Land Mine Museum
Siem Reap was not a safe place to travel, and during the year of 1970, the Khmer Rouge was a brutal thing in the country. Millions of land mines became left behind after the reign ended. Hence, it is now a living proof of the past and the conflicts. In present days, you can see these dangerous land mines unexploded. This museum is an eye opener to anyone who visits and you can take advantage of the quiet area as not many tourists often come to this place.

8. Angkor night Market
The scenic of night market in Siem Reap is one place to visit for sure. As a popular place for cheap shopping, the destination sells various products from handy crafts to the local foods. Night market gives you a cooler temperature way from the heat of the sun. There are also plenty of authentic local foods to try out and you will find great deals of brands from Ray Ban to Prada. Of course, these aren’t genuine stuffs but they are worth for souvenirs. Just like Cathucak market in Thailand, this night market requires a little skill in bargaining, by the way. Other activities to enjoy are the Dr. Fish massage, 3D movie, and chill out in one of the bar. Don’t forget to try the local snacks!

6 things to do in Chicago

If you choose Chicago as your travel destination this year, this summary list will give you a quick review of each attraction you must do and see in the area. From exploring the ocean deep to tasting local culinary here are the things to do in Chicago!

1. Visit museums
It’s always an interesting thing to do when you visit the local museums. Chicago owns some of the most impressive and modern museums from contemporary art to Veteran museum. In fact, Chicago also owns the only art museum that exhibitis Vietnam vets from the recent wars. Of course, you won’t find the life and death of soldiers but this memorial place has indeed, rich history. On the second floor, the sound of clinking tags for more than 50,000 of men and women who died during the war in Vietnam.

Keeping afloat to the local culture, the Museum of Contemporary art in Chicago. As one of the best museum in the state, MCA is devoted to art with its diverse facilities that exhibit provoking sculptures, paintings, photography and also artsy performance from the local and international artists. The museum is situated in Chicago downtown so it is not difficult to find. Inside the complex, there are restaurants, theatre, book store and souvenir shop. The terrace has a breathtaking view that overlooks the Michigan Lake.

2. Chicago skyscrapers
Discover the great heights of Chicago. This metropolitan city has modern skyscrapers with unique and innovative design. It is a symbol of American architecture and décor. The buildings have been featured in various magazines as one of the best tourist attraction due to its skyline. The stunning views of modern day can be viewed from the highest deck of Chicago. Don’t be in awe just yet if you haven’t experienced it.

Enjoy the high level of panorama that overlooks the busy street of the city. The gleaming gothic style of Tribune Tower. Owned by the media group, Tribune company, this headquarter isn’t just an office but merely a landmark of Chicago. Another skyscraper worth visiting is the Skydeck Chicago. It has a place called the Ledge. What’s great about this place is that it is designed with daring feature of glass balcony! It takes courage to actually step on the transparent floor and get a view of Chicago from 103rd level!

Aqua tower has that wavy texture on the architecture design. It has 82 storeys of lofts. What’s great about the design is that silky-like texture that resembles fabrics. The curving parts are actually ripples of concrete.


3. Millenium Park
Millenium Park is chicago’s most famous landmark. It has iconic architecture with public art emblazoned the area. It boasts 25 acres of landscape with green space dominantly decorates the area.

There are numbers of events that happen in the park throughout the year and all of them are free. This includes concerts, art exhibitions, workouts of alfresco and even film screenings. You can really take great pictures around the Millenium Park. There is a cloud gate – a massive architectural of stainless construction that is the signature of the park. The construction enables you to see your own reflection as well as the downtown behind you.

Take a walk around the park and you will find loads of features to see including the restaurant nearby and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion that have become the faces of Chicago. In the Park Gate Lawn, you can enjoy futuristic picnic under the wire construction that gives a unique outdoor view of the sky and the surroundings. The horizon seems really bright and this park is an eco-friendly garden with all constructions made from recycled materials.

4. Visit Navy Pier
Navy Pier is another park to visit. It has 50 acre of landscaped filled with entertainment spots, restaurants, playgrounds and museums. The complex is a perfect family getaway. The iconic ferris wheel with 150 tall can give you a bright view of Chicago in bird-eye angle. The lake Michigan view captures the attention of visitors all year round. You can also play along with the carousel, wave swinger and even bring your remote control boats and play in the lake. There is also a golf course in mini size to entertain you. For children, Navy Pier owns a dozen of activities. Chicago children

Museum is one of the best one in the world. It houses inventing lab, dinosaur exhibition, climbing activities and funhouse maze. Getting lost in Navy Pier is definitely worth your time. If you want to watch movie like how Americans do, visit the IMAX theatre. If you come during summer, Navy Pier hosts boat cruises that line up at the water front. During various months like October, Navy Pier also hosts interactive events like Octoberfest and Halloween parade. On winter, enjoy the ice sculptures exhibited at the park.

5. Shopper’s paradise
Even if Chicago is not a fashion city, you can still get the best out of your shopping cart. Chicago retail like the Magnificent Mile offers sections of stores and restaurants worth the visit. Any tour guide or travellers blog would point out Magnificent Mile as the root of all retail in Chicago. The treasure consists of upscale brands such as the Macy’s, Salvator Feragamo, Bulgari and Chanel. For fashionista, the spectacular area houses some of the megabrands in jewelleries like Swarovski, Rolex, and more.

Chicago's shopping destinations also extend throughout the city. Chicago’s Loop has been a shopper’s paradise for more than a century and is anchored by State Street, where you can stroll through the legendary Macy's on State Street that's part retail mecca, part history museum. Also don't miss the boutiques that line the streets of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods.

6. The Loop
Chicago’s loop houses some of the best tourist attractions in the Chicago. One of them is the Adler Planetarium. It is a world class research facilities but for ordinary visitors who perhaps, know nothing about the Quantum theories or stuffs, you can still enjoy that virtual trip to the space!

The Art institute of Chicago is located near the Adler Planetarium. It has a collection of arts and contemporary designs from local and international artists. There are more than 200,000 of arts and crafts displayed in the halls and it’s probably the best place for art enthusiasts. The institute overlooks that famous Millenium Park so this is like a day trip touring you can give to yourself.

Chicago cultural center was established in 1991. Before it was a center of cultural display, it was a library. Now, it hosts some of the classical concerts of all time on various schedules. Even when you are not planning to watch any concert, you can still enjoy the magnificent interior of this building.

Daley Plaza is a culture park for the locals. At certain dates, the plaza hosts food truck events, parades, and many other interactive events. Named after Major Richard Daley, this hub annually hosts farmer’s market where you can buy fresh ingredients.

Don’t forget to taste the local cuisines of Americans at its best in Chicago bustling restaurants and diner places. Try out some of the authentic dishes and get that savory taste of America!

Exploring Bandung Geological Museum

Let's see how these species leave marks on our planet!

Learning with objects has been an integral part of geological study at Bandung Geological Museum. It holds extensive collections that include not only fossils from over the centuries, but also geological benefits and disasters. 

The highlights include the rocks and mineral collection, Megalithic fossils collection, including the replicas of human's skulls collections. 

It was a hot day in Bandung. And this Geological Museum was our first stop.

                               

Admission fee for student is Rp. 2.000,-.

I'm not a student, so I gotta pay Rp. 3.000,- :D

Greetings from the Mammoth! :d

Tyrannosaurus, the guy from Jurassic Park :D

Replica- Homo Neanderthalensis

This is Bubalus Paleokerabau - the fossil of extinct bovid

(Okay, I know you're confused, it's Kerbau Purba :D )

Hippotalamus Sivalebsis a.k.a ancient Hippo

Museum Geologi Bandung

Operational hour:

Monday- Thursday (09:00-15:30 WIB)

Saturday - Sunday (09:00-13:30 WIB)

The Mystical Kawah Putih

Kawah Putih is a crater lake located at Ciwidey - 2 hours or 50 kilos from Bandung city (minus the heavy traffic jam!) To get here, you better be waking up early! It is quite scenic and you have to go pass through meander roads up to the mountains. Luckily, our driver is an expert :D

 

We have to walk up from the parking lot for about 10 minutes to the crater location. And here we are!

It was raining heavily in Kawah Putih when we arrived. Everybody was wearing sweater or jacket, or anything to keep the body warm. Plus, an umbrella which could not really do its job to cover us from the heavy rain :D

Getting near the crater lake. I could smell the sulfur and you can tell it's highly acid!

The sulfur acid pH is said to be about 0.5 - 1.3 - creating bluish to whitish green lake.

It is chilly up here but visitors seem not to care about the weather :D

This is an area situated near the crater. Somehow, it's creepy like an abandoned place :D

Essential Tips to Kawah Putih (during rainy season):

Of course, the best time to visit Kawah Putih is during summer. During this season, you can take great pictures (without the creepy background of mist covering the area like those in mine!). 

Yeah, but really, if you have to go during the cold season, this is what you need:

1. If you travel during rainy season, better be prepared with rain coat or umbrella. I actually prefer raincoat because by then, your hands are free from holding umbrella, and you can take pictures :D Just make sure to protect your camera :D

2. Wear something warm. Long pants, sweater, jacket or anything. Trust me, it's chilly up there!

3. The entrance fee is Rp. 15,000,- per person. You can either use your car or park it on the lot and take Ontang Anting - a small shuttle that carries up to 8 persons up to the crater lake. You need to pay additional cost of Rp. 13,000,- per person and it can take up to 7 persons. 

Ontang-Anting

4. Due to the highly acid lake, bring a mask or you can buy it on the spot, it's Rp. 5.000,- each.

4. Bring extra pants and shirts in case you get all wet but you still want to continue your trip somewhere.  (I didn't :( )

A trip to Museum Bank Indonesia (De Javasche Bank), Surabaya

source: AntaraFoto.com

To tell the truth, this was the first museum I visited in the city. (Shame on me?)

I always have an interest on museums. I love how they give us clues of the pasts. How people used to work with things, how they learned during the time, and this one, how they actually operate a bank during the colonial era.
This impressive old building resides at Garuda Street no. 1. It's a bit tucked inside a small alley so me and my friend almost missed (and get pissed!) the place. After making the second turn, we finally found it!

No entrance fee. It's FREE!

From 1953 to 1973, the government operated the building as Bank Indonesia - the first bank to operate clearing system from 6 major banks in the country. After being renovated for several times, this bank hasn't lost its touch of 'Dutch-ness' I shall say :D

This was used to be a basement floor and after a major renovation, it is now the first floor. (Lucky we don't have to creep in these.. ) As I walk through it, the atmosphere was cool and humid. I was skeptical as to where this small path leads to.

The vault I peep through, has been modified
and somehow leads to this humid room.
They used to keep confidential documents here.

But it turns out that it leads to another vaults.I saw several safe deposit boxes and managed to peep on one of them.

Gold digger!

Specimen in 1960: President Soekarno series

Too bad, we don’t have IDR 500 paper money anymore.
We use coin now
and it makes our wallet thicker, don’t you think?

The ground floor displays several tools and equipments that they used, to make and destroy money from time to time.

During 1970 until 1991,
paper money with defect condition would be destroyed with this tool

Heading to the second floor, this was where the bank activity took place.

I feel like dancing...

Just checking if it is still working. Well, it does!
This revolving door was used to be the main entrance of the bank . After a major renovation, the entrance door is moved to the first floor. (so the 2nd floor was actually the first floor and the first floor was the basement. Confused?)

The 2nd floor of the building

Some doors are…vanished!?

People would save, transfer, or draw money on the 2nd floor. *So the tellers worked as ATM machines I guess :D

How may I assist you?

It was an exciting 1.5 hours visit! I'd love to explore another museum in the city! THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Why you should visit museum? If you can't find a reason to love museums, then these few points might enlighten your mind.

1. Museum makes you smarter. Really, it will excite your brain as you witness decade-year-old machineries, or how stuff works back then. 
2. Museum makes you grateful After all these years, you will come to realize that you are living in a world filled with advanced technologies where you don't have to wait for days just to transfer funds. 

You have no idea how they could actually do stuffs in traditional ways, and yet, they survived! Imagine if it was us! Thy shall be frustrated.