Single Traveller

Hanoi - the awakening dragon

cosmicfavorite — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 22:54:00 GMT

We arrived in Hanoi 40 minutes late than planned because there was a delay in flight. Despite the unnecessary panic attack caused by the assistant pilot who can barely murmur a proper English sentence, the 3 hour flight was quite pleasant. Clear blue skies accompanied by cotton-candy like clouds with not a tint of air turbulent. Kudos to all my pink balloons!
On our way from the airport to the old quarter, we were greeted by endless honking on the roads, it was so frantic we thought that the taxi driver has gone mad. It took me a while to figure out that Vietnamese drives on the left side of the road and all that honking was to 'shoo' the slow coach away. It all seemed daunting and a tad bit scary. So much for culture shock!

We checked in to Hanoi Orchid Hotel which I pre-booked with Air Asia. Must say that it was a pleasant hotel. Comfy beds, 40 over TV channels, air conditioned, hot shover, and a balcony over looking the bustling streets of Hang Be. Located in the Old Quarter, this is a recommended place to stay. Not only it's just minutes walk away from the famous Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of Sword Restored), its also a stone throw away to many souvenir shops, restaurants and coffee bars. And oh, not forgetting the friendly english speaking staffs at the hotel :)

Early morning at the streets of Hang Be

Two friends

Hanoi is a city of 'indifference'. Pedestrian paid very little attention to the frantic honking of motor-vehicles. Such display of annoyances would have cause a bleeding nose back home. But in Hanoi, it has become part and parcel of extreme tolerance (at least for me) in everyday life.

After we have gotten our City Tour and Halong Bay tour with Vietnam Open Tours at the hotel , it was time to unveil the hidden jewel of the Old Quarter.

It was hard to walk around the Old Quarter without a map. That's because the Old Quarter itself is like a gigantic market made up of 36 streets (or more) - which were named after their selling product.

At Hang Dao Street

From silk clothing ready-made and tailored, embroidery, silver products, jewelry, bags, DVDs, shoes to women's accessories (and many more!), the Old Quarter is definitely a shopper's paradise :D

Click here for more photos

Pulau Ketam

cosmicfavorite — Wed, 6 Aug 2008 17:21:00 GMT

Pulau Ketam or Crab Island was affectionally named after thousands of tiny crabs that appeared on shored during low tide. It is an island of mangrove swamps with a village built on stilts.

Last weekend, Eunice, Alvin, John and I left the hectic city live of Kuala Lumpur to the island of thousand crabs for our photo outing.

We agreed to meet at the jetty at 8.15am, which would give us ample time for breakfast before we board the first ferry to Pulau Ketam at 8.45am.

My journey to Pulau Ketam via the good 'ol KTM was a pleasant one, although it took me one and half hours to reach Port Klang. It was really calming to stt beside the window and to see the world transformed from concrete jungle to a sea of 'real' greenery.

After breakfast, we hurried to the jetty and immediately being swept away by the 'everyday life' of something so ordinary and yet extraordinary for us city dwellers. The smell of the sea, the heat from the morning sun and the unexplainable sensation of...being.

The journey to Pulau Ketam from Port Klang took about 45 minutes, with a view of nothing but mangrove swamps. A tad unexciting if you ask me! :P

Ferry to Pulau Ketam

Upon arrival; while we were all set to take on Pulau Ketam with our high tech DSLR, Eunice went panic stricken and announced that she has lost her mobile phone! So the team went into crime scene investigator mode and after a good 30 minutes (or so) finally got her phone back.

And so, with all the big hoo haa behind us, we rented a bike each (RM5 per day) and started exploring Pulau Ketam.

In Pulau Ketam, I can't help feeling as though I've been transported back in time where ancient Chinese traditions, wooden colorful houses and fishing (as a source of income) are very much a part of every day life.

To top it up, Pulau Ketam is every photographer's dream come through! An island where nobody cares about having their photograph taken. It appears as though they have grown accustom to have their photograph taken on a daily basis!

I 'heart' Pulau Ketam :)

2 friends

granny - when the past and present collide

chinese temple - one of the many chinese temples in Pulau Ketam

ornament at the temple

fisherman's boat

boatman

lady at pulau ketam

man at pulau ketam

herbs garden

gas

Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Ayuthaya

cosmicfavorite — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:34:00 GMT

I love traveling. Especially to undeveloped countries, because it reminded me of how lucky I am to be a Malaysian, to have a career and to be earning a steady income, to have enough food to eat and a roof above my head. Sounds cliche, but that actually keep my feet on the ground. And every time I am tempted to splurge on designer stuffs, I get a wakeup call that a couple hundred of Ringgit can feed a family in Cambodia.

Anyway, there were a few trips that gave me a heavy heart when I board the plane home, but there are also several few that had wished I hadn't came in the first place. This trip is one of them.

I touched down at Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 10pm last Wed. Checked into Rambutri House at Rambutri Road. I figure it was after dark and too dangerous to be roaming around Khaosan Road for a room, so I had it pre-booked earlier on the internet. Although a bit pricey from the usual RM30 room I am willing to fork out for accommodation. (this one cost RM90 for double bed) But hey, it's a great hotel with private bathroom, air con, clean and nice smelling bed sheets, soft pillows and most important of all, it has Star Movie channel! :p

The flight to Chiang Mai the next morning was alright, slight air turbulence that made my heart skipped a beat. Was extremely cloudy that morning...and I hate flying in cloudy weather. I figured that if the plane crash and if I was gonna die, I need to have a clear view of my surrounding. I don't want to be 'trapped' within the clouds with no way 'out'... so much for my imagination hah!
Anyway, thank God I survive the air turbulence and reached Chiang Mai in one piece.

There is a certain vibe that you get from a foreign place, it's either love at first sight for hate at first sight. I don't know what to make out of Chiang Mai.

Lonely Planet said it's less manic like Bangkok and people are generally nicer. Although I can't say much about my guest house owner (Sarah the English lady) nor the waitress in Ratana's Kitchen, I did however befriended a lady (Paa) who sells sweet corn and a couple who sells Roti by the road side near Sarah's Guest House.

Paa actually reminded me a lot about the man I befriended at Vientiane (who owns a baguettes shop). Both were kind hearted people, whom I 'stalked' every night because I needed company away from the 4 walls in my room that was driving me insane. Truth to be told, I think I was the only tourist at Sarah's Guest House! And its impossible to talk to the locals at guest house because they couldn't understand what I was saying.

I was bored to death in Chiang Mai. The temples doesn't excite me, I didn't take much photographs, not to mention that the one day tour to see the hill tribe people was a complete ripped off. Yes, we did see the hill tribe people but it's so 'unreal'. It's more like a little village made for tourist.

'Long-necked' Padaung Tribe

One thing that is worth the visit though...its the night market! Chiang Mai is like a shoppers paradise! Everything is so darn cheap. Perhaps 2-3 times cheaper than Bangkok! From hill tribe jewelry, clothing, scarfs, bags, books to home deco etc.

I wished I had more time in Chiang Mai, then maybe it will grow on me. It's actually quite a likable city and I really don't mind going back for a 2nd, 3rd or even 4th time.

Oh yes, till this day I am still dreaming about my 6 month (or 1 year) backpacking trip. If, and IF I do get that materialized, I would start with Krabi - Bangkok - Cambodia - Vietnam - Laos - Myanmar - Nepal - India - Bali. A gal can dream and what can I say... dreams come true when I dream haha!

I was quite relief to have reached Bangkok. All the vulnerability vanished into thin air, and I spend the rest of the day nursing my bloody cramps and indulged in movies after movies on Star Movie channel :p

Hualamphong Train Station

Then I had that crazy idea to visit Ayuthaya the next day. After looking at the postcards with Buddha images from Ayuthaya, I knew I just had to go there and experience the serene and majestic surrounding of the old city.

The journey to Ayuthaya by train took about 1 and half hours and cost only 15 baht. Like the trains in Indonesia, Thailand has pretty FAST trains!

I was sitting by the window and after 1 and half hours of wind blowing at my face, my hair became so dirty and sticky! So sticky that it actually entangled itself! So, once I reached Ayuthaya train station, I rushed to the opposite street (with confidence that I would find a hair saloon) to get my hair wash! haha...that only cost me 50 baht!

Then I hired a tuk tuk driver for 750 baht for a 3 hour temple tour. (one hour usually cost 300 baht).

At Wat Pra Mahathat - Ayuthaya. Buddha head embedded in twisted tree roots

At Wat Pra Mahathat - Ayuthaya

The temples were quite fascinating with the likes of Khmer style. Would be ideal if I could spend a day or 2 in Ayuthaya and take my time at the temples instead of having to rush through temples after temples. What to do? Time is money!

Anyway, the one day trip to Ayuthaya definitely worth every baht :)

Cameron Highland aftermath

cosmicfavorite — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:11:00 GMT

I've always wanted to go to Cameron Highland. The land of strawberry! Strawberry farm where you can self pick your berries, strawberry pillow, umbrella, souvenir items, desert shop and many more! It's like a strawberry land or something! And everyone who goes there sort of went into a strawberry trance! Remi for example bought like 20 boxes of strawberries! I didn't get any because I thought it tasted a bit sour :p I did bought some dried strawberries though, initially thinking of bringing it to the office but I wallop it all at the end haha. Opps!

It was a trip planned about a month ago. And I am so glad that I dragged myself up the highland even though I just came back from Thailand 3 days before. I didn't know what to expect initially except for the chilly weather. But it turns out, Cameron offered more than what I bargain for! Tanah Rata has only like few rolls of shop lots but it has everything! From banks, to fancy restaurant, mamak stalls, massage center to STAR freaking BUCKS! With wireless access!! Not forgetting the morning and night market to roam about for fresh and cheap veggies! As well as the touristy thing to do like visiting the Rose Valley, Cactus Farm, Bee Farm, Tea Plantation and many more!

I totally ♥ Cameron Highland!

Yogjakarta travel log

cosmicfavorite — Fri, 1 Feb 2008 00:52:00 GMT

Day 1 - Solo to Borobudur

It was great to be on the road again although few hours ago I almost gave up RM300+ worth of air ticket due to some not so nice vibe from the office. Not forgetting dad being a bit apprehensive on letting me go on a short trip before Chinese New Year.

Understandable, who in the right mind would let their children fly to another country a few days before CNY and risk not having them coming back? You know, parents think the worst for their children. But as I've told dad many time, we attract what we fear. If anything were to happen to me, who else to be blamed to have injected all the negative thoughts? Certainly not me.

The flight to Solo was a pleasant one and it gets even better because I am doing it alone this time.

I headed straight to Solo Balapan (train station) to catch the train to Jogja, only to find that I've missed the 8.30am train and had to wait another 2 hours for the next train. So the next few hours was spend chit chatting with the attendant who told me to stop at Station Tugu in Jogja to catch a bus directly to Borobudur.

I reached Station Tugu and had a tough time getting directions on where to board the local bus to Borobudur. Frustrated, I flagged a motobike which took me 4km north of Jogja - Jombor and hopped on the next available bus to Borobudur.

The bus ride to Borobudur took 45 minutes and cost 10,000RP(RM4) This is the standard fee, so don't let the bus conductor tell you otherwise :p

******
It can get pretty confusing when not enough research is done prior to a backpacking trip. When the bus stopped at the Borobudur bus station, it took me a while to 'realized' I've arrived! Well at least the bus conductor could have announced our arrival, instead of letting me being 'ambushed' by pool of Becak driver, each eager to take me to Borobudur temple and the guest houses.

Anyway, realizing that I'll probably have little luck wandering on my own looking for a guest house, I surrender my fate to a becak driver who recommended Lotus Guest house as(according to him) is just next to the Borobudur temple.

Well indeed! The guest house was located near the main parking area of the temple. And for 150,000RP(RM57), I got myself a room with 2 double bed, a private bathroom, tv & breakfast. Probably too much for a single traveler but all the single rooms were taken so...

Anyway, the rest of the afternoon was spend cruising the little 'kampung' with the becak driver, whom I paid 50,000RP(RM19)for sight seeing at Mendut Temple and Candi Pawon. Which was kinda crappy...because it rained when we were at Mendut Temple and I realized later that 50,000RP was a bit too much to pay for such a short distance. I really could have rented a bicycle for that. Oh well...

Day 2 - Borobudur Temple

Even though I was the first to arrive at the ticket counter at Borobudur Temple at 6am, the sun rise has long passed.

Crap! There goes the highlight of my trip :( I thought to myself.
After all, the best time to photograph Borobudur Temple is either at sun rise or sunset. And I didn't have the luxury to stay until sunset! Haha...

Stupas at Borobudur Temple

Buddha Statue at Borobudur Temple

Not wanting to be just looking at 'stones', I hired a guide for 50,000(RM19). It was alright, only problem was, I couldn't juggle between history lesson and taking artsy photographs. By the time I finish the temple tour (about 2 hours), I was exhausted and the sun was too bright and unforgiving to indulge in any form of photography. sigh!

So, that was it?! The highlight of my trip. Unbelievably funny I thought...I mean, Borobudur temple experience was supposed to wow me. But instead, it gave me nothing of that sort. mm...

*****
12pm. Made it just in time to Borobudur bus station before it started pouring again.

It pays when you speak (0r make an attempt to speak) the local language in the country you travel in. Before I open my mouth, many locals mistaken me for Japanese/Korean (never chinese!), some even Thai! But when I started speaking in Bahasa Indonesia and told them I am from Malaysia, their reaction was priceless! Haha...

A friend of mine once said that Bahasa Indonesia is a piece of cake. Just say everything in 'Bahasa Baku' and add the word 'bisa' in between and there you have it - Bahasa Indonesia! hehe... Perhaps. But you would sound more convincing if you imitate the slang and know a few common Indonesian words :p

Anyway, Bahasa Indonesia is not hard to master. Almost all the gweilo I came across in Jogja speaks Bahasa Indonesia! So cool!

Day 2 - Borobudur to Jogja

After a couple of bus exchange and a suggestion from Lonely Planet, I ended up at Losmen Setia Kawan, near Jl Malioboro, down the alley of Gang II.

Whoa, my heart skipped a beat when I enter the losmen. Its like stepping into a art gallery! The walls were beautifully decorated with beautiful oil paintings, and the rooms! My jaw almost drop when I saw the beautiful wall murals and the batik bed sheets. Every corner of the losmen was carefully and beautifully designed. For only 60,000RP (RM22), I get to indulged in one of Jogya's finest guest house!

My room :p

Day 1 in Jogja was spend wandering in the streets of Malioboro. Now Jl Malioboro is some sort like Khaosand Rd in Bangkok. Only, it made Khaosand Rd pale in comparison!

The streets of Maliobora is full of these jingling, horse-drawn card called dokar.

Jl Malioboro is one long stretch of bazaar selling souvenirs, cheap t-shirts, leather work, crafts, batik bags, topeng and wayang kulit puppets.

Cheeky old lady selling batik craft at Jl Malioboro :p

Jl Malioboro runs straight from Tugu Station till the Kraton (city Palace) at the far end. By foot, it's probably a good 2.5km walk.

Day 3 - Jogja

One of the things I love about Jogja is that everyone is an early riser! The local usually gets up at 5am or Subuh Prayer. By 6am breakfast stalls were full of patrons. And the best part is that the sun rises at 5.30am! Which means we get to do so much more in a day! I totally love it! Since I am an early riser myself hehe...

I got up at 5am today and by 6am I was already looming at the streets with the locals and having breakfast at McDonalds! (a short note on Jogja's McD...their ayam goreng taste much better than our Spicy KFC! A MUST try!)After breakfast, I walked my way to the Kraton (city palace) to catch the Gamelan and Classical Dance performance. The 2km walk was extremely annoying. With becak driver calling out every few meters if I want a ride to the Kraton :s

Even though I had with me the map from Lonely Planet, I seriously had no idea where I was walking to because it can get quite confusing walking in Jogja. (although LP claimed that Jogja is a manageable city by foot!) With some help from the locals, I finally arrived at Alun-alun ('tanah lapang' /spacious land.) where the locals indulged in merry-go-rounds and amusement rides. And since its still an hour before the Kraton is opened to public, I plunged myself at a roadside warung for a cup of hot coffee and casual conversation with the lady boss :P

Merah putih terus lah kau berkibar... di hujung tiang tertinggi..
di Indonesia ku ini...

******
The Kraton is a huge palace of the Sultans in Jogja and a small walled city within the city where 25000 people lived within the Kraton compound.

Much to see in the Kraton museum, where most of the exhibits were dedicated to the beloved Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX.

The beloved Sultan of Jogja

After a good few hours in the Kraton, watching Gamelan and Classical Dance performances, I headed to Pasar Beringharjo for batik SHOPPING! It's fun shopping in Jogja because you'll be spoiled for choices! But be prepared to bargain real hard. Most of the batik products are marked up at least 50-70%!

Elegant ladies of Jogja watching the classical dance performances.

******
Tired and exhausted from the morning walk and batik shopping, the rest of the afternoon was spend chatting with Katot and and teasing Bedhot ;p

How true is the saying 'Never judge a book by it's cover'. If this 38 year old lad were to walk on the streets of KL, many would have mistaken him for a mat rock or mat rempit - with his long wavy hair and skinny build. Who would have thought that this aspiring young artist has held numerous art exhibition in Indonesia and Germany? :)

Bedhot is a talented artist and a great friend to many. A funny, low profile and humble man, destined to do great things in life!

At 7pm, Muji (a local friend who works at the money changer) appeared and ready to take me to the BEST nasi gudeg in Jogja :D

I wished Katot could come with us because we have so much to talk about! But the motorbike can't fit the 3 of us so... :(

Anyway, nasi gudeg is a local specialty where unripe jackfruit is served with rice, chicken and tempe. It's a must-try in everyone's list to eat when you are in Jogja. Along with other local specialty like nasi uduk, scrabi, ronde and avocado juice haha!

After dinner we headed to Alun-alun selatan (not to be mistaken with the alun-alun with funfair), and had a blast laughing at blind-folded locals trying their luck to walk pass between 2 huge banyan trees. It seems that whoever succeeded would receive good fortune! It was really funny to see the locals walking round and round in cycles while their friends refuses to give exact direction to the banyan tree :p

After a few rounds of laughter, we headed back to the losmen. It was only 10.30pm and the lights were off. I had to tip-toed into my room and found Katot sleeping in the hall. I didn't wanna wake him up and hopped to see him in the morning before I leave for Solo.

Day 4 - Jogja to Solo

The morning came and Katot was no where to be found. I was told he went out for breakfast. I could have waited since I have another 2 hours before the train leaves for Solo, but I didn't...I don't know why I didn't and it felt like shit afterwards, leaving without bidding farewell.

The waiting in the train station seems like forever. There were so many tracks and unlike in our KTM station, each train to a particular destination is predetermined to stop at a particular track. The passenger had to wait for the announcer to announce which train at which track for boarding. It's too confusing...especially when I couldn't understand a single word from the announcer. Perhaps I didn't pay enough attention, somehow I just felt crappy leaving Jogja.

I hate leaving Jogja and the friends I came to know, who has shown so much sincerity and hospitality. Sucks...and it sucks even more with the realization that 'play time' is ending soon!

********
I reached Solo at about 11am and had no clue which losmen to go to. After some bargaining with a becak driver who agreed to take me to Istana Griya for 10,000RP(RM4), I finally came to my senses that my holiday is ending soon and I had better enjoy my remaining hours in Indonesia than to sulk at what I should have done and didn't do.

According to Lonely Planet, Istana Griya is high on the list of top places to stay in Solo. It's not difficult to see why, tucked in a little alley behind the main street of Jl Slamet Riyadi, Istana Griya is a gem. Full of knowledgeable, english speaking staffs, comfortable rooms and a wide range of activities around Solo which could be arranged here. For 70,000RP(RM26), I get a double bed with private bathroom, TV and breakfast.

The rest of the afternoon was spend walking along Jl Slamet Riyadi. Unlike Jogja, the cries of 'Becak' is less frequent. Everyone just mind their own business, which is quite nice lah for a change.

I only managed to cruise around Pasar Triwindu (Solo's flea market for antiques) before it started pouring again :s

Day 5 - Solo to KL

Reality bites. It happens all the time, the night before I leave a foreign land, I drop dead into a deep depression.

I came to Jogja with the sole intention to photograph Borobudur Temple. Didn't manage to get any great shots but gotten so much more in return!

The people and friends I came to know, their rich culture and creativity that comes alive in graffiti, batik patterns, and painting definitely warrants a 2nd visit.

For more photos on Solo and Jogja, click here.