Amazing "RACE" Journey: Clark DMIA (The Philippines)

Clark, Diosdago Macapagal International Airport (DMIA)

AA Notification

I was supposed to depart from KLIA LCCT at 9 am, then Air Asia changed the flight at 9 pm and scheduled to arrive at 00.30 in the next day. It was not planned before and i was shocked hearing this info.

KLIA LCCT

After short one day trip to Batu Caves and Petaling Street, i came back to LCCT Using the same bus without purchasing new ticket since i bought round way ticket. I was sleeping again along the way to go to LCCT. There was nothing to see along the way actually, so i am not disappointed. I lost my cap in KL, I forget where i put it on.

Arriving in LCCT very early to catch my flight, I decided to go surfing on Internet since i had bought Malaysian Power plug in Petaling Street for 8 RM. I was still worried about myself in DMIA since in many information told me that This airport was not operating 24 hours and none was allowed to sleep in This Airport. I tried to be calm and keep surfing. I used this opportunity to talk with my friends and chat with them in the same time. after 2 hours, i decided to check-in, in here i used self check-in. It was so easy and i did not need to queue in the check in counter since i did not book the baggage. That’s the reason too why i checked-in by using this facility  so that they would not pay attention of my bags which might exceed the threshold for 7 kg.

Once i finished checking-in, i went to Immigration, i passed the immigration and also the belonging security check. The lounge inside the airport was fascinating, it was far from the name LCCT. It was about 2 hours before the flight and i had not yet took any shower yet since the previous day and i was sweating a lot in KL. I wandered and finally found shower room. the room was quite big without any hanging port to hang our belongings. In order to keep my belongings safe and dry, i put all on the very corner of the shower room and splashed my body slowly to keep my belongings. About 10 minutes i finished showering, i changed my clothes ans pant. I was using long pants with long sleeve shirt, and then i used only short pants(sport short pants) and T-Shirt. I was different with any others passengers who looked so fancy with their outfits.

I was so thirsty and i forgot to tap water to my bottle outside and there was no any free-tap water available inside the boarding room. i bought one small bottle of Mineral water for 1.5 RM in shop upstairs. This shop sells many sweets made from spices. They had free-try-for-costumer sample. I tried all the products for free to keep my stomach full. They were so spicy-ishly sweet and i was happy to have them for free. After this, my flight was finally called to depart. The flight took more than 3 hours and it became the longest flying i took so far (till may 2013).

Diosdado Macapagal International Airport

Flight was smoothly arriving in the LARGE Landing area i ever saw, it looked even LARGER than Changi Airport i think for landing area. I was still worried about what i could do to save my life without spending money for hostel. And also i read before that DMIA was far from city center, no more bus in the midnight since the last bus/jeepney leaving DMIA at 10.30pm.

I kept positive. I walked out from the aircraft and in the halfway i remember my book which i put my money inside. I run again approaching the aircraft and walked into it. The stewards there was shocked knowing his passenger coming back to cabin. He asked me what i left. I said that i left my book. However, the book was not there and i lost 60 RM in the same time. I walked out again from the cabin sadly and felt embarrassed with the cabin crews. I lost the money that every single penny was very important.

My fear was not ending, it was more fluidized this time. After I wrote the immigration card which i had to state the place i would stay and the period, i was leaving them blank. I joined the line to go to immigration. There were only 2 available counters for foreigner. i saw group with couples of middle age Indonesians. They kept speaking bahasa. I was standing behind one of them. When they talked to each other they mentioned their hotel, the name was PALM HOTEL. I had no idea about this hotel or hostel. Then when i was about to proceed myself to immigration, i wrote PALM HOTEL, Manila to my immigration card and 1 day for the period. The officer did not ask me anything about it and i could proceed to the next stage, which is going out the airport. I was so shocked since the terminal was so small for international airport.

I walked against the immigration to proceed to exit. It was really late, no stores open, except 24 hours convenient stores outside the arrival. I starred figuring out what i could do. There were some hard benches and taxi drivers offered me to go to city. The best thing and made me release all my fears was there were some people sleeping on the bench. I found out the best spot for me to sleep.

Sleeping on the floor and bench in DMIA (Midnight)

I was afraid of my belongings since there were some people there. I hugged my bags and slept beautifully. It was about 5 am and i was woken up by the sound of plane there. I just realized that DMIA was the military zone airport. I was some military aircraft equipped with some equipment i watched in war movies.

Good Morning DMIA

I got flu that time, i walked in and out to toilet until the office boys starred at me. Then when i could not see clearly what happened out there i remembered my glasses. I sought it to toilet and i did not find it until the officer approached me asking what made me go back and forth. Then he actually found my glasses and gave it back to me. That was the best first impression in the Philippines, also the first time i interacted with Filipino in The Philippines land.

The sun came up and the heat hit the area of DMIA. The helicopters and flight passengers started coming, the shops also started opening. When i was walking, there was a guy shouting “DARI DEPOK MAS?” (are you from depok?). I was so shocked that somebody knew Bahasa and where i am staying in Indonesia.  He recognized me from the goody bag i brought stated UNIVERSITAS INDONESIA. Then we talked to each other and he planned to stay only 2 days in Manila and he was waiting for PhilTranco, bus to go to Manila. Anyway, his name is Putra.

I knew that in DMIA (and in the Philippines) that we had to pat Terminal Tax and it cost me 450 PHP in DMIA, However it was discounted since in NAIA (Nino Aquino International Airport) in Manila costed 600 PHP. I knew then why DMIA was called THE MOST AFFORDABLE AIRPORT in Asia.

Cheap Breakfast?

Since i had no any Peso, i Withdrew in ATM for 1000 PHP and i had to pay the charge for 100 PHP. I was hungry and finally i had money that time. i went into Convenient store. I bought Banana, Bread with custard inside, and also mineral water. They costed me 51 PHP.

My flight was at 12-ish in the midday. I went into the airport. I did not print

my Ticket and at first the door lady asked me about it. she at firat did not allow me to get in. i showed them my passport then they allowed me.

I myself saw how small this airport, but they were equipped with wifi, and also it was very nice in this small airport.

Expense in DMIA

ATM Fee 100 PHP

Breakfast 51 PHP

Terminal Fee 450

total: 601 PHP

Pampanga Province from above

Amazing "Race" journey: First Pit Stop Malaysia

One Day Trip to Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

This trip was in the end of February 2013, the very first pitstop of my “amazing race” series journey. I tooke Air Asia Flight to go to Kuala Lumpur from Jakarta. My flight was scheduled at 9 pm and it was flying punctually.

Jakarta before departure

I was taking Damri Bus from Pasar Minggu Bus Terminal in South Jakarta. I chose Damri because it’s the cheapest mode to reach Airport and also hasle-free. It costed 25,000 Rupiah from Pasar Minggu to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Damri is the only public transportation to reach The airport vice versa. The bus is now equipped with wifi on board, although i did not use this facility because i had no smart phone that time.

Passport and terminal tax

I took bus at 5 pm in  order to reach Airport at 7 pm (for check-in). The bus was stuck in the ehavy traffic of jakarta since i took bus in the rush hour. The bus passed Jalan Raya Pasar Minggu (Pasar Minggu Avenue in literal meaning). It took about 1.5 hour to pass this long avenue, normally in non-traffic it would cost only 20-30 minutes. The bus finally reached the toll area in highway. The bus run very well from the highway until reach the airport at 7.30 pm to Terminal 3, Soetta International Airport. Terminal 3 is newly established terminal in this airport and become the fast-growing terminal for Low Cost Carrier terminal (air asia, tiger air, and lion air). It’s the smallest terminal but now is already equipped with many shops and it’s very convenient. It has 2 storey to accomodate the vast growing passegers for LCC. The first for is for check-in and arrival terminal, and the second floor is for Departure area for boarding room.

Terminal 3. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Boarding room

I reached airport at 7.30 pm. I then got into queue line to enter the airport for checking. The security guard checked my belongings and my ticket to let me in the airport for check-in. Once i realized that i had to pay 150,000 Rupiah for airport tax (since flight from Indonesia is not inclusive the airport tax, so we have to pay once we are in check-in), i have to go out to find ATM. i finished withdrawing my money and was ready to get in again, i got into queue line and the security guard looked at me suspiciously,. They again cjecked my belongings. I successfully checked-in to Air Asia counter at 7.50pm and i directed myself to go to Boarding Room. Everything was done and i was waiting for my first flight to go to Malaysia and my first flight after one year.

Because it is my first flight after 1 year, i saw many people made in line, so i decided to go with them, I knew that it was 8.30 and my flight at 9, but i was affraid it would be my flight. Once i got my turn, they checked my boarding pass and let me in. Fortunately, they had 2 checkers, and the next checker recognized my boarding was not for this flight (actually this line was for Singapore flight). Then he told me to wait my fligh again in queue. I was so shy that time since i was in line then they had to “reject” me on board. Finally i paid attention to the announcement, and the time was coming for my flight and i was in the right line and got my flight.

Getting to KLIA LCCT

KL-From AA Flight

I arrived in KLIA LCCT in the midnight, the flight was smooth and arrived punctually. KLIA stands for Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and LCCT stands for Low Cost Carrier Terminal. LCCT is located far from the main KLIA, And we need to take bus costing for about 1-2 hours to go to Main KLIA vv. KLIA LCCT is big enough for LCC Terminal since it is the main hub for Air Asia Flight and some Budget Airlines (Cebu Pacific and Tiger air). The airport is equipped with many restaurants and shops and also money changer. It has 2 terminals, international and domestic terminal.

My Flight

Once i got stamp from Malaysia immigration, i found the ATM for myself to accomodate me living for one day in Malaysia. I did not bring any cash that time and i used ATM consequently. I used my CIMB Bank (it’s a Malaysian Bank which had branch in Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia). Since it was my budget trip, i would not buy anything in airport and i used airport as hostel this time. i already prepared myslef with bread from Indonesia and Bottle for free water. I was so hungry that time and i just brought plain breads. I got to McDonald’s to find Sauce, and i “stole” sauce from Mcdonald’s  (with this post i am sorry for this, it was beyong my plan). I enjoyed the bread with mcdonald’s sauce. I found myself thirsty. I wandered around the airport to find free drinkable tap water. I finally found the only one Drink water fountain (I dont know how to call this facility), i could drink for free and also fill my bottle with full of drinkable water. I come to this fountain twice and the Indian lady starred at me, i was ignorant then.

They slept on the bench

i decided to sleep in the floor since there was no sofa or sleepable bench there. I was looking for the perfect spot to sleep. I saw many people (Mostly Indonesia) sleeping in ths spot, it was not perfect at all but since many people did, so did I. I Slept with my jacket as the blanket and my bad as pillow. It was about 2 am i started sleeping. At 4 am i hard thecrowd of teh airport. The airport was starting working for usual daily routinity. I was waken up and i had to open my laptop to find the wifi of the airport. KLIA LCCT is equipped with high speed wifi. However, it is only valid for 3 hours in one PC/Laptop. You can use again the internet after 3 hours you’re done with wifi access. I tried to find electic power plug. The place that i know it has power plugs is in the front of check-in counter and also weight measurer area where many people wait. I could not use the plug since we had different port. I still could surf on internet to find the details how i could reach Kuala Lumpur city Center. FYI, Wi-fi in here cannot access Youtube at all. I went to ATM in the corner and i found CIMB ATM and this ATM dispensed Indonesian Rupiah.

KLIA LCCT in the midnight

I decided to take Bus from LCCT to go to KL Central. I found the cheapest one was 14 RM for roundway. It would cost me 8 RM for one way, but i bought roundway and it costed 14 RM. The bus left at 5.30am. (the bus leaves regularly vice versa LCCT-KL Central).  From the bus counter i had to walk to Bus Terminal (i had walk about 100 m). It was easy to find this area. I showed them my ticket and the indian guy as the ticket checker allowed me to board the bus. The bus was ful with passenger that time and the AC worked very well (too well since it was very cold for me). I was so asleep that time so i decided to sleep during the travel to KL central.

Kuala Lumpur

KL Central

 It was about 1 hour we arrived in KL Central. I was acting like a local because i did not want to be recognized as foreigner. I have asian look (malay look) so it was beneficial for me. Once i hopped of the bus, i found the weather of Kuala Lumpur was humid (it reminded me of Jakarta). It was about 6.30 am. I found an elevator to go to main floor of KL Central. KL Central is the integrated place For city Trains. I was so hungry and i needed rice for breakfast (It’s typical Indonesian to have heavy meals for breakfast, and also rice). I went to Seven Eleven in the KL Central. I bought Nasi Lemak and Croissant and Green Bean Drink. The nasi lemak costed me 2.5 RM, Crossiant for 2 RM for croissant and drink, so i spent 4.5 RM for breakfast. I could not eat in the station since it would eb embarassed for me. So i decided to eat when i arrived.it about 7 am and many people commuted to work or school. I was so impressed with this condition. Although it was supposed to be rush hour, they could still walk in regular not heavy traffic like in Jakarta.

I decided to go to BATU CAVES. From KL Central, I took Commuter Train to go to Batu Caves station. I was not worrying at all since batu caves is the last stop for the train. The ticket used the electronic system, and i did not know how to use it. So i was helped by the person who saw me in difficulty to enter the platform.

I was on the right platform and i could find the train to go to Batu Caves. I was stading in the train since it was full, but after some stations i could have seat. It took about 20 minutes to reach Batu Caves station.

Batu Caves

Commuter Train

I arrived the station and found way to go to Popular spot in Batu Caves, the batu caves itself with Mughal Statue, the tallest Mughal Statue in the world. With 2 bags, i walked to the main center, i was so impressed with some Indian Hinduism Gods and Goddesses Statue along the way. Then before reached the main spot, i saw from distance the mughal statue. It looked so Amazing. It was breathtaking for me. I step approaching the main spot and found that it was so majestic and gigantic main creature.

Inside the Cave

How many steps?

There are some Hindu Temple in this area. The yard in front of the statue was full by Doves. It was really good for me since i was dreaming about the yard full with doves like in the movie, and i found hard in Indonesia so far for this con

dition.

Batu Caves from distance

Doves and the Mughal golden Statue

I saw the cave on the top of the big rock. I  had to step hundreds steps to reach this area. This pictures will tell you everything of this amazing place. Beware of monkeys here, they may be stealing monkeys, and they eat coconuts from the offerings after the procession of praying. I was so tired to get to the top, but it was worth doing. In the cave i could see some spots for praying. It was really good and I felt like i was in India. There were so many tourists here since it is the touristical place

Kuala Lumpur Station

Batu Caves is very good for one day trip in KL. There are many Indian restaurants around here. And you will find the foods was quite pricy or me. I did not eat at all here since it would be out of budget. I finished the journey at midday there, at about 11.30 am. I decided to go back to KL Central by Commuter Line again. And the suprised thing was The Ticket Price was 2 RM to go to KL Central. I stoped in Kuala Lumpur Station (it is different with KL Central). The station was quite big too. I decided to stop here to go to Pasar Seni and the famous place for backpacker in KL, Petaling Street.

Me in the picture :)

Stealing Hungry Monkey

Petaling Street

Petaling Street

I Could noty find pasar Seni at the first time. i kept on waling then i found this place. It was very good for me, for aliedn for it was not bad. I went to petaling street, saw many buildings and also the KL Bus.

It was about 1 pm, i was hungry, i found the eatery in petaling street. I spent 4 RM for my meals consisting rice, beansprout, tofu, and stirred morning glory.

I finished wandered around the petaling street and went backto go to KL Central tp go back to KLIA LCCT to catch my flight to clark at 9.30 pm. It was abot 3 pm and i walked to KL central from Petaling street. I was getting lost anddid not know the way to go to KL Central, then i found KL Monorel to go to KL Central. I bought the ticket for 1 RM to go to KL Central the train was really good (again) for me. Just one station and it was about 1 minutes. I went to Bus Shelter to LCCT and showed them my ticket and board then slept in Bus.

Lunch for cheap :)

Expense

For This Trip, I spent:

VV Bus KLIA LCCT-KL Central 14 RM

Breakfast for 4.5 RM

Lunch for 4 RM

VV KL Central Batu Caves 3 RM

Monorel ticket to KL Central 1 RM

Total: 26.5 RM

The short trip was good kick-off for the enxt one to go to Taipe by Clark airport.  Actually it was not planed to do this short trip since my flight to go to Clark from KL was rescheduled by Air Asia from 9 am to 9 pm. And thanks to Air Asia for rescvheduling my flight eventually.

Sleeping Off The Edge

Are you traveller? Are adventurer? Are you pennylessly homeless?  Hahaha, i do not know how to describe this, but mostly why i chose this “experience” was because the bucks problem.

Sleeping “off the edge” means for me that you must be able to stay everywhere in all the conditions with all the consequences for sure. I did these well and i may love this, if necessary (if you know what i mean). Thus, these are my experience of Sleeping “off the edge”

1.       1. Bandung Railway Station (august 2011)

I slept over in Bandung Train Station in august 2011. This was my very first time i did this. I came to bandung with 2 my friends, Bob Hu From China and Le Quang Phu from Vietnam. I did not mean to ask them to do like what i wanted, but they were curious about too. We took night train from Jakarta to Bandung, we departed at 9 pm and we were scheduled to arrive in the midnight. We decided to take this train because we wanted to reduce the budget for hostel also we had to arrive early morning in Bandung. The Train was okay, we took business class, we were in the same seat area.

We arrived at 11.45 pm, and the station was so quite. We took pictures right after hopped off. Then we started looking for the free bench for sleeping. We found the convenient ones, then we started unpacking our bag to take our jacket out. Suddenly, the station official came approaching us. We were so shocked and we thought that we might have someting suspicious. However, he told me to not sleep inside the station, and i was asking to him about sleeping in Mosque or praying building. He suggested me to stay over to the small mosque (Mushalla) near outside the station. We walked firm-ishly to tell the official that we were okay about it, frankly we did not. Once we walked to exit gate, some taxi drivers came approaching us offering their taxi service, i was thinking that did they know that we awere pennyless? Hahahaha. We refused all the offerings.

We came to Mushalla. The mushalla looked very small. I started trying to open the door, but it did not work. It was locked and the only way we had to sleep was to sleep in the floor outside the mushalla. For Your Information, The free floor in outside of Mushalla was so narrow, and if it rained, we would have got drenched by this. We had no any option, we started trying to sleep. I decided to keep eyes on to keep our belongings, and we planned to switch the eye-on-er. The strange thing Came immediately. One allien, man with medium-size backpack, came to us. He sat just right next to us. We were so scared of this. Nobody slept, except Bob. He slept like a stone easily, while the two others were keeping the belongings. We suspected bad things to him. Then i inisiated to ask him why he sat here (it seemed that this place belonged to me), he told me that he had to wait for the train, morning train to his hometown and there was no place to stay. Suddenly and intesely, he told me that he was fooled by his friend and his friend grabed all his valuable belongings to go to unknown place. He only left the back with clothes only. I myself, and Phu for sure, were affraid of this, he might rob or fool us then. Then i asked phu to sleep and i’d keep eyen on. Suddenly, there was a lady came to us again. We again started being cautious. I did not pay them attention. I concentarted to ourselves. I somehow fell asleep and heard their conversation unclearly. It was Ramadhan (Fasting Month). So, in early morning, at 3 am, there aere waking up calling very loud. We were waked up of this sound, then they asked us to join them to have Saur (Saur is early breakfast or the closing meals before the fasting day). And we were totally safe. We then continued our plan. Amazing Experience that tells me how to react with t from suspicious-ish allien and also keep positive thinking. I was learning a lot from this, and it was the starter for the Big experience ahead. It was not that scary as you think!!

Caught by the flash light in the dawn fall, Phu and Bob

2. Ho Chi Minh City Bus Terminal (Feb 2012)
3. McDonald Dago Bandung (July 2012)
4. Seven Eleven Senayan, Jakarta (Jan 2013)
5. KLIA LCCT (Feb 2013)
6. Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (Feb 2013)
7. McDonald Taichung City (March 2013)
8. Moss Burger Tainan City (March 2013)
9. KLIA LCCT (March 2013)
10. Changi International Airport (March 2013)
11. Surat Thani Train Station (April 2013)
12. Bus company shelter Poipet Border (April 2013)
13. Changi International Airport (April 2013)
14. to be continued............. (those stories will be up-ed soon)

Those i did so far, and it may be more in upcoming months and years, let’see how well i can manage this. The experiences i gained from these are not only about adventurous things, but that’s how i have to deal with undesired condition and how fast you have to think and decide. How we can see other homelessnesses out there although i was luckier a bit.

Be Fun, Be Hard!

How I did it - When i was on my very first addicted experience (2)

BANGKOK, THAILAND, JANUARY 16^TH, 2012

Time told me it was 7 pm Bangkok Time. I passed the immigration office. It was long queue, so many foreigners wanted to come to Thailand. And I realized why Bangkok was so popular. I came to Airport Railway to meet my friend, Anond. I needed Thai phone number, then i decided to come to 7-eleven in the underground level of the airport. I bought SIM Card and credits for 50 THB. I Bought bread and mineral water since i had no breakfast and lunch before. Before i activated my SIM Card, i asked the lady to do so. Yes, i could activate my SIM Card and i loaded credits into it. I bought ticke, not ticket but token, so stupid i did not know how to use it. The first person i called was my mom, it was so cool when i could call my mom from abroad. My parent asked me about where i was staying and some. I ended the call then i called my friend to pick me up in the station. I tried first call, none answered. Then i tried again to call him, then a girl came up picking up the call. I spoke in english, and she replied my call in thai and i said “anond?” and she just called off the phone. Then i realized that it was totally wrong number that i put into my paper.

I arrived finally in my station. I tried to figure out how to find my friend. I just wandered around the station adn found nobody. Then i was so hungry at that time but i could not eat until i found my friend. I decided to go out from station area and tried to find internet connection. I saw Starbuck over the station and i just came into just to drink and enjoyed the internet, but i can say it was lucky for me since the starbuck was about to close. If i had tried the starbuck there, that would have been my very starbuck ever in my life. Then i saw many 7Elevens, i just thought that all 7Elevens were alike since in Indonesia 7Eleven was block buster for its convenience and internet. I came and asked to the seller there and i could not speak in english, but they understood what i meant, and there was no wifi. I tried to other outlets, the result was same, nothing. I was really desperate that time. i just walked with head down, was thinking where i should stay. Then there was a crowded restaurant, fancy one, so i thought it should be wifi equipped in that time. just came into, asked to the worker and he forwarded me to his boss about it and NO WIFI again. I was totally lost and did not know what to do. Then i decided to find cheap hostel to stay. I walked slowly to the station to take the train and it was really surprised me, I FOUND MY FRIEND THERE. I found him buying ticket, i was so happy, terribly happy. Then he was waiting for me for so long, and i just went out and tried to find  him. I wrote the wrong number of his. Then we talked along the way to go to his dorm which is far from the city of Bangkok. We walked about 10 minutes to catch the very last Van to his dorm. And fortunately again, we could catch the last Van, and it was 10 pm.

The van was running well since it was late night, so there was no traffic along the way. About 30 minutes we arrived to the gate of the dorm, and we had to take another van to go to the dorm, 5 THB for each. Then we finally boarded to the van and only took 4 minutes to arrive. The dorm complex was so cool for me. I was amazed of this condition. It was totally different with my dorm. It was like a appartement instead of dorm. Then i was really hungry, the very first heavy meal i tried in abroad in TOM YAM KUNG. It costed me 70 THB with big porsion. It was too big for me and i could not finish it, just wasted it.

How I did it - When i was on my very first addicted experience (1)

JAKARTA, JAN 16TH, 2012

I still remember that date, it was January 16th, 2012. I had to catch my flight at 11.25 Jakarta’s time by Tigerairways. It was my very first flight in my history. In the night before my flight, i could not sleep at all till then i slept at about 3 am. Then i wake up at 7 am and i was in hurry because i had to be in airport 2 hours before departure, i did not want to miss my flight. I took a bath, got dressed and also took all my bags to bring to my flight. I decided to take DAMRI Airport shuttle bus from Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal because i might get to the airport earlier. I got hurry and took Angkot number T19 to get to Bus terminal. It was traffic on the way there, i was so nervous. It costed about 45 minutes to get to Bus Terminal and I arrived at about 7.45am and i was lucky because the bus just started leaving. I usually took bus from Pasar Minggu Terminal, then i changed from Kp. Rambutan. I was slightly disappointed since i had to pay 5000 IDR more than usual i paid and also traffic was so bad. I could not stop praying to be to airport on time. i finally arrived in airport at 9.55 am. I was in rush and got to the departure gate. It was my very first time. i was kind of wondering how i figured it out. Got my passport and ticket, i approached to the line of Tiger Airways Check-in counter. I was bringing 2 bags and i was so afraid of since in the printed ticket it was written strictly 7kgs 1 handy bag. However, i kept calm and everything was okay. After paid 150,000 IDR for airport tax, i went to the boarding area. This was my stupidity. It was written the gate number, and i went to wrong gate to GARUDA INDONESIA Gate. It was totally wrong since my flight is low cost carrier and Garuda was Full cost carrier. Then i figured out my gate and waited for my flight. I took many pictures while waiting and the gate finally opened. I walked nervously and got into my very first aircraft. I found my seat and it was nearby the window. I did not want to miss this opportunity, i took some pictures from the window and the condition of the aircraft. One thing i amazed for my first flight was when the cabin crews showed us the security on the plane. It was like what others talked about, that was so good for me. I tapped a video about it.

The flight was flying finally. I was afraid since there was noisy around my ear. I could see Jakarta from above and clouds for sure. I was thinking that i dreamt about. However, that was real, and i knew how out-of-date i was to see those kinds of things.

Aircraft finally arrived in Budget Terminal Changi International Airport, Singapore. I was given a card to fill in but i did not do it. When i queued up in the line, i realized that i had to fill this card in, so i got out from the line and filled my card and got in the line again. The immigration officer asked me about where i would stay and how long i would be. I was telling them that i would be in Singapore for only 3 hours to catch my flight to Bangkok. And they were talking in broken Bahasa Indonesia.

I could pass the immigration, and it was time to wait another flight, the same carrier provider.  I was so hungry at that time and i saw McDonald’s restaurant. Then i realized i did not have so much money and no Singapore Dollar in my hands. I asked the lady in the information center about the wi-fi connection. I started surfing in Internet telling the world that i was in Singapore. Posted some pictures in Airport by facebook and saw many comments. I was so happy. That time, i could tell others that i could go abroad.

I came to check-in counter and got my boarding pass. I did not want to make a mistake again, i read carefully about the gate. The boarding area was so nice, they had free computer. I was so thirsty that time and i could not buy any mineral water. The gate for my flight opened eventually. I saw Indian lady as the guard. She looked so scary without any smile. When i was in the line, some passengers’ bag had to leave because it was too big. I started nervous about my bag. However, i passed again and got into my aircraft. I took some pictures again. Being alone was so bored. None to talk to made me just keep quite. Even the person sitting next to me was quite too. He was my very first “aircraft seat mate”. It arrived smoothly in Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok. I already understood about the embarkation card, so i filled it once in the aircraft.

Expect what the unexpected-Concept of Travelling

"EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED"

I do not know where that quote comes from, but that i know is we have to be ready with any possibilities ahead. and travelling for me? hmmm, it is quite hard for me. Okay i will tell you what my thought about this.

"To move, to breathe, to fly, to float, To gain all while you give, To roam the roads of lands remote: To travel is to live"

(Hans Christian Andersen, Danish fairytale)

my flight! to travel is to live

According To that quote, i believe that to travel is not just about seeing something beautiful and impressed. For me, To Travel will give me opportunity how we can see other places and make them beautiful. It's not about to visit MUST-SEE PLACES, but how you can see and feel that to travel is to live. Enjoy all the possibilities might come to your journey. Every step we take and leave footprint in every land,  it means a lot. 

I bet many people know this quote:

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” 

(Augustine of Hippo)

Yes, i agree with that statement. Book is a window of knowledge. When we see the book, the cover and firsT page must be thrilling for me. Do not Judge the book by its cover sometimes i disagree. Okay, to read the book, the summary is very good, and that is in the very first page, when we look up in Internet, read every body's experiences, that the summary. You have to have your own history and story written to that book! so, the summary is yours, and the content is too!

This quote is SO ME!!!

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” 

(Lao Tzu)

Traveller has to be ready with everything. Plans may help you in terms of fixing the budget and time. However, if you Are flexible enough, you may see many things than you expected before. We may not visit many places as others do, but we have more experience in internalizing of some cultures.

so, Whatever your travelling style, we were born to travel and we were born to write our own story!

BON VOYAGE!!

Kiss Down- Angeles City.

Touched Down the Philippines, Mabuhay!!

It was 4.20 pm in Philippines’ time. I arrived [again] in Clark Airport with AirAsia. The flight from Taiwan was good. One thing that i am surprised about this airport is they do not check our bags, we just need to fill the paper that stated that we are bringing or not certain good, but they do not even check out bags. They already believe from previous checking security.

When i arrived in airport, i just brought NT Dollar (New Taiwan Dollar). Then i approached the money changer inside the arrival gate, and they only accepted USD. FYI, Diosdado Macapagal International Airport is small. They only one terminal, so you will not get lost to this airport.

The Air conditioned Jeepney with swarms of Passengers 

Then i decided to withdraw money by using ATM, The ATM in The Philippines charged me PHP 200 for each withdrawal. Then i had to be in Nepo Mall in Angeles City to meet my Host. The cheapest way is by using public transportation. The public transportation in The Philippines is notoriously called JEEPNEY, A modified Jeep i think. And also there are several taxis waiting outside, also Buses to go to Manila (about 2 hours). There was a guy with sign “JEEPNEY to SM Mall, Angeles City, And Dau Bus Terminal), then i approached him and he told me to go to his Jeepney. The jeepney costs PHP 50 to go out, and the jeepney is air conditioned, that’s why it’s little bit expensive for me. The journey to get to the main gate of Clark Airport is about 15 minutes. We passed the army base camp and barracks. The main gate is in C-Point (they call it that name) near the SM Mall. Then i had to find jeepney, blue jeepney with sign written “C-POINT-HOLLY-HI WAY”. Then i tried to figure it out, the i saw a jeepney with that sign. I decided to hop on and asked to the driver whether this jeepney was going to those mall or not. The jeepney run OK. Since i am Indonesian and i used to live with chaos situation, the traffic, unruled thingies happened. A little bit shock since i was coming from Taiwan.

The first thing came in my mind was that Angeles city, or pampangan, is quite big and crowded. Jeepneys are everywhere. The rule that just knew from Jeepney in the Philippines is people pay just right after hopping into. When i was in the jeepney, a young lady hopped to the Jeepney, then she gave me money, 8 PHP. Then i just starred at her, the another lady  took the money and gave to the driver. Then i realized it’s money for the driver. Did i pay after that? No, i am still Indonesian, i pay when i hop off. Then i saw the mall, JENRA MALL. Then i knocked the jeepney and asked whether that was right or not. Then i paid 8 PHP (As my friend said to me). I walked through the crowd of the street. It reminded me about Jakarta. Then i decided to buy Local SIM CARD. Then i went to the cellphone stall just right in front of the mall. The lady told me the Best provider, and yes, i bought it, no clue whether she was saying true or not, or she was the ambassador of that product? Who knows. Then with my backpack and 2 handy bags, i entered the mall. The security checked, then I PASS!! I was so happy. Heehehe

Having the SIM CARD, now how i could use it? I saw the convenient store next to the entrance gate, i forgot the name. I bought Mineral Water costing 39 PHP for 1500Ml (IT’S QUITE COSTLY FOR ME), sit for awhile, inserted my card to phone. AND YES, IT WORKED without any registration, i was so surprised. Then i texted my friend (the name will be mentioned on the next post :p), he replied so fast, and it’s FREE hahahah but the credit in my phone just 1 PHP, so it’s fair enough, it was not free then i realized. He asked me to go to another mall, NEPO MALL, just right next to JENRA Mall. He asked me to wait in 3rd floor, in the food court. AND THE STORY BEGAN!!! (to be continued)