Friday, we just walked around the area, to Raffles Hotel. One place of interest in Singapore. A very expensive hotel with British colonial architecture.

The hotel...

...and the doorman

But on weekends I went to places like the Bird Park, and last weekend the zoo. It's an interesting place. They have polar bears and also penguins. I saw kangaroos and lemurs.

I touched and stroke a lemur, it was cute, and its fur was soft.

He's so beautiful I wanted to touch him...

Poor thing...

We spent the day there walking. Had lunch there and continued the walk because there were still animals we hadn't seen.

I was surprised to see penguins in Singapore - first at Jurong Bird Park, and then at the zoo. I thought only the Japanese who brought and keep penguins in Osaka Aquarium are the crazy ones...

I wanted to go to WOMAD the evening, but we left the zoo tired and still had to move our bags to another hotel (yes, it was again on personal account). I might be crazy to be thinking of dragging our stuff and going by MRT. So maybe it was a good thing that the concierge who helped us with the bags just carried them outside to a taxi. He expected a tip, which I found unusual in Singapore.

So we checked in at Robertson Quay Hotel, a budget hotel just beside the Singapore River, not far from Clarke Quay. It was our second time staying there. The room is small and the shower room is too small but since the hotel rate is relatively cheap, that's what we got. (Sadly, if we convert the rate to our currency we could afford a 4- or 5-star hotel in Bandung.)

We ended up not going to WOMAD. Since the ticket was not cheap for us, it was not worth going when we had only a little energy left. I'm not likely to go to night events in Jakarta. Traffic and safety/security issues if going home very late at night, especially by public transportation. Too bad, because I like arts events. &*)#&*!&$ In Singapore I feel free to go almost anywhere anytime with convenient public transport and safety/security in most places. Now back to real life with many limitations.

We went back to Jakarta Sunday afternoon. And today I've been in a terrible traffic jam again, as if this city was saying "Welcome back!" to me. I don't smile nor swear - there's no use.

Last days in Singapore remains copyright of the author zags, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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It was Hotel 81 Geylang. We saw the no-smoking notification there saying that smoking was prohibited in the hotel premises. When we entered our room, it smelled smoke! I was too sleepy to complain and move to another room.

The weekend began. Went to Little India, ate at Tekka Center - we only had very little Singapore currency, and was surprised that we spent less than S$10 total for our meal for two. Out of curiosity I converted it with our currency and unfortunately it's still considered expensive IF we compare eating at the same kind of place/traditional market bldg in our city. We went to Mustafa Center to get something for my mom.

We visited Jurong Birdpark and watched the falcon show (wow, those birds were so great). We also saw flamingos, pelicans,... We were so tired then, and we had an appointment for the dinner with D's boss (oh). So I didn't know until later that we missed the nocturnal birds area where they make the day dark as night so the birds are awake and we can see them flying, hunting for food, and hear them making sounds.

Photo taken with mobile phone camera.

It was a relief that after 2 nights in the small hotel room in a red light district, and dragging our luggage to the MRT station, down and up the stairs, we finally arrived at a much better hotel. Spacious room with soft fragrance we smelled as we entered the room. Of course this is because starting Sunday I'm on company account so I'm staying at this hotel. What a relief. Our room window faces Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, and we can also see the Merlion statue further away. It's especially nice at night. We always leave the curtains open. It's very beautiful when the curtains are open and we turn off all lights in the room.

View from my room window

Swissotel the Stamford. Direct access to Raffles City mall, and just above the City Hall MRT station - an interchange station so it's even a double convenience. The downside is, we have to pay extra S$20 per person per day to use the gym and spa. Silly. So we didn't use the gym/spa.

Monday
Had dinner at Bugis Junction, then saw a movie, The Breakup, starting 9.20pm. Back at the hotel around 11.30pm, met up with my cousin from KL who was here just to pick up his sister in law at the airport then would ride back to KL.

Tuesday
Dinner with D's ex-colleagues. They're now working in Singapore. There were 8 of us plus a 3-year-old boy. Had fun chit-chatting.

Wednesday (today)
Dinner with James & Elaine at Newton Circus/Food Centre. It's a place with many food counters with many seafood and some Malay, Indian, etc. It's an open place with many tables outside (not under the roof). Nice place, but so many people. Always difficult to find a place to sit at meal times in Singapore. Back from there we (me & D) just stopped by at Ben&Jerry's to enjoy a little ice cream while watching the water fountain...

An interesting first night, and days going by... remains copyright of the author zags, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Yesterday we didn't get the tickets for "Da Vinci Code", we made a booking online for today's 11:30 show. We wanted to watch it here in Singapore because they said the film was censored for 15 minutes in Jakarta. Is it real? I don't know. But today we finally saw the film. Felt so long, not as enjoyable as the book.

After that we had lunch and made a phone call to my relatives in KL, then visited my uncle at the hospital. Orchard Road was horribly crowded!! Even worse than Jakarta in the weekend. And we could tell there were many Indonesians there, maybe they went here for weekend and shopping (the Great Singapore Sale)? I heard Malaysian students are on holiday too. Plus other tourists. Terrible. Too crowded. We couldn't even walk straight without bumping other people.

Glad to leave Orchard Road! Today we didn't do "touristy" thing. Just spending the day enjoying ourselves. Still many things to do. Such as the Night Safari. Maybe next time, hopefully.

What did I do today? remains copyright of the author zags, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Finished early and again thought about visiting my uncle in the evening but didn't make it. From what I remember from the afternoon till evening my day trip was aimless. I went to get the Hard Rock Cafe Zippo lighter my friend asked me to get for him - that was why I went to Orchard Rd. No other reason except that and visiting my uncle. But again When I reached the hospital it was too late. The hospital security officer was locking the doors and there were a few lifts and I didn't know which tower I should go. It was already to late to try to reach my cousin so I left and went back to my hotel. After all I wanted to have a shower and get myself representable(?) because Didi was coming soon

He finally arrived! Nearly one week by myself is enough - I had enjoyed "freedom" with myself :-p and for the weekend it's nice to have someone with me. He arrived late in the evening. Late at night we (actually he) got hungry so we went out to find some light food. I know that was not important to tell, I was just glad to have him there.

Sat, 27/05/2006

My last day at Carlton Hotel. After breakfast we finished packing and checked out. Business trip was over, and I would be on personal account so we moved to another hotel.

Robertson Quay Hotel. We got a big discount from the Internet. This is a budget hotel, located by the Singapore River. My room window looks out to the river view - nice. The room is small, it reminds me of Villa Fontaine Hotel where I stayed in Tokyo. And the shower room is very small, which reminds me of the bath room in Weekly Mansion Kameido in Tokyo. All are budget hotels. But frankly speaking, even with this discount rate I got here, back in Indonesia I could get a 4-star hotel in Bandung. Hehe...

View to Clarke Quay from my hotel room

The hotel is only a few minute walk to Clarke Quay. The nearest MRT station is Clarke Quay but we must take 90 stairs down (and up when going back). No escalator nor lift, unless we take another entrance/exit which is a little further.

Didi's first day here and he wanted to shop for IT stuff! Huahahahaaaa.....!! The nearest is Funan, so we walked there. And guess what, we bought some stuff - they're cheaper than in Jakarta!

Then we went to Kampong Glam's Arab Quarter cuz Didi hadn't been there. And again I spent the late afternoon at Jamal's cafe, Deli Moroccan, on Bussorah Street.

From there we went to Orchard Road. No real shopping except for some crazy stuff I won't write here. The clue is: it's in Lucky Plaza

We went back when our legs hurt already and still had to climb 90 stairs up to the exit of the Clarke Quay station.

After having a shower, AGAIN Didi got a call/sms from his boss and AGAIN he had to prepare some slides! Yuck. It happened in Bali, now it's happening again! Arrrgh.

Past midnight we went down stair outside to the hotel's "Beach Bar" by the river. We sat there enjoying some snacks in the night outdoors.

Aimless Trip and Finally...a Companion remains copyright of the author zags, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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May 25, my friend Ken's birthday! And the first day we got to know each other. We should have celebrated but here I am and there he is in Japan.

Finished early again but it was raining. D*mn. I was tempted to jump into bed and take a nap, but I went to the gym instead, got myself sweaty, took a shower and got into the steam bath to relax my muscles. When I was done the rain has stopped falling and the sky is beautiful - clear blue with white clouds. I walked to the Arab Quarter again just to check the "House of Japan", which according to Lonely Planet sells second-hand fashion sent directly from Japan. But I was disappointed and didn't get anything there. It was twilight, and I walked back to Bugis Junction and had my [early] dinner after a little window-shopping. Since I haven't been to Orchard Rd. during this trip and have to visit my uncle at a hospital there, I took an MRT to the next interchange station. It was rush hour, the train was packed with people. When I reached the interchange station, while queing for the train with so many other people I did some time calculation. Since the train would be stuffed with all those people queing with me and the time was too late to visit the hospital, I walked to the exit and took some time browsing the mall upstairs. Singapore is on a big sale season, but things are still expensive!

I went back to my hotel, sank in bed continued where I left of the book I've been reading (Haruki Murakami's "South of the Border, West of the Sun"). Even though I was sleepy it was hard to stop reading.

Wasting my time remains copyright of the author zags, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Having finished things early, I left around 4:30pm heading to Arab Quarter by foot. I walked through Lim(?) Seah St. - interesting & colourful restaurants along the street. On Beach Road, again I found the sign saying "To stay within restricted zone", same as the other one I saw on North Bridge Road. What does it mean? At the end of the block there's a sign saying "End of restricted zone". Hmmm... Nggak ngerti.

I finally reached the Arab Quarter. Interesting street names: Arab Street, Haji Street, Baghdad Street, Muscat Street,... I found Samar, the restaurant Elaine recommended me to try. I didn't try it then, not yet. Still wanted to walk along and enjoy the late afternoon outdoors.

I found the Sultan's Mosque but didn't enter. Maybe I'll enter when I go there again. Then I found this interesting part of the area in front of the mosque: Bussorah Street. This street is closed for motor vehicles. Along there are shops and small cafes & restaurants with tables outside. I really enjoy the atmosphere there. There's a bookshop with a very cosy interiors - carpets and sofa in front of the bookshelves, and the air conditioner is cool, felt good when I enter the place after being exposed to the heat and humid air outside.

I was taking photos of the neighbourhood when I realized my polarising filter was dirty! Arrgh. Need to find a cleaning solution.

It was getting late in the afternoon and my stomach started to cry for food :p I just realized that late afternoon is actually my dinner time - the time when I usually feel hungry, that is (I normally don't have late dinner bcuz I prefer sleeping.) I spent a couple of minutes trying to decide which place I will pick. Then I saw this small cafe just in front of the bookshop. DeliMoroccan. Interesting, especially because I'd never tasted Moroccan food before. I walked there and took a look on the menu. A guy, the owner of the cafe, greeted me and help me with info about the food. I ordered beef kebab and cranberry tea, and took a seat outside.

I really enjoyed the afternoon in the interesting atmosphere there on Bussorah Street while having my kebab and sipping the tea. The owner, who introduced himself later as Jamal, came and we had a little chat. I stayed there long enough, taking my time until right after the sun set - I could tell from the adzan from the mosque. I thanked Jamal and said good bye, he gave me his email address and asked if I would come visit his cafe again. Well, probably.

So I walked back to the direction of my hotel. I was thinking about going to Funan to find a cleaner for my camera filter, but then I thought I'd try Raffles City. And I found it there - no need to go futher to Funan.

I was back at the hotel happy, satisfied and...not hungry. It's always good to have early dinner, cuz I wouldn't be hungry in the evening and I would go to sleep without my stomach full. I didn't know before that I would find the Arab Quarter so interesting. And I got a new friend there. Not a bad day at all!

Nice Afternoon in Arab Quarter remains copyright of the author zags, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Chijmes from the front

Chijmes hallway

View to Fullerton Hotel from Boat Quay

THE Merlion

Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay

Took a train ride to Bugis and had dinner at Bugis Junction. When I left it was 10pm, I walked back to the hotel, tired but satisfied. Instead of spending time at the gym on treadmill getting nowhere, what I did is better. I walked, got sweaty and got to many places.

From Colonial District to the Quays to the Bay remains copyright of the author zags, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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We met up at 7:30pm at Hogs Breathe Cafe, having some snack while chatting. Then we walked along to find a place for dinner. We ate at a Brazilian restaurant called CARNIVORE. It's interesting - how they serve the food. Two chefs come in turns with different kinds of meat sticked with a metal bar(?) like kebab and ask if we'd like that. If so they would slice it to our plates.

After stuffing ourselves and walking to leave the place, James reminded me that it used to be praying halls - it made me imagine what it was like back then. The main hall of CHIJMES is now used for events such as weddings etc. We took a look at it. It's beautiful but spooky (in my opinion). I asked them if it was haunted. Maybe.

CHIJMES - nice dinner outdoors remains copyright of the author zags, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Luckily my cousin, aunt & uncle who live not far from the airport were so kind they picked me up after I checked in for the flight to their house. They even opened their doors for my new acquaintance. We had dinner and spent time chatting. At 10pm my cousin & her husband drove us back to the airport.

We arrived at around 2am. There is no airport shuttle from Le Meridien hotel so we had to pay to use the hotel car & driver to pick me up. We arrived at the hotel at 3am. I was very tired and sleepy.

Day 1

Got up late and had breakfast just before the breakfast time was over. I could see the temple of Tanah Lot from my table but I couldn't get a good angle for a photo because I didn't have a zoom lens. After breakfast and shower, I just couldn't believe that Didi got a call from his office and he had to work! He was supposed to be on days off. So worked on some presentation slides (yuck) and I went around the swimming pool that has curves and slides, then went around the back of the hotel.

Later we had to check out and paid for a car & a driver from the hotel to take us to our next accommodation in Kuta beach. Alam Kul Kul is a nice boutique hotel. It's like a garden with rooms and villas closed to each other. There is a swimming pool and a "garden" pool. The soap bars were jasmine-scented, which I loved. So were the shampoo & conditioner. And we got a complimentary body moisturiser placed on a couple of small basins made of banana leaf - also jasmine-scented. I loved it!

Starving, we walked to find something to eat. We had a very late lunch at a "contradictive" restaurant called "Ketumbar". It's a name of a kind of Indonesian spices, but they serve Italian food, which I think is not spicy at all.

Later in the afternoon we went to the beach watching people surfing and the sunset. I found something familiar: a red flag saying "no swimming in this area" with a skeleton (check out Lonely Planet's BLUE LIST p.32).

In the evening, believe it or not, Didi flew back to Jakarta for an important thing the next day. After dropping him at the airport by taxi, I met up with Aswin at Bali Discovery. He picked me up and we drove on the bike for dinner at a reasonable price: where locals eat. It had been a long time since the last time I rode a bike, so it was fun. He drove me back to the hotel after dinner, and picked me up again at 11 pm. We went to Hard Rock Cafe to see one of a nice jazz group perfomed, Maliq & d'Essentials. It was fun.

Day 2

Aswin's supposed to join me for breakfast (after all I had a coupon for 2) but he didn't wake up and answer my sms until it was late. I had breakfast then exercise by myself on my room's balcony, getting sweaty, taking a break, then having shower. By then it was already too hot to go out so I just relaxed in my room watching TV until I got starved. Aswin came and picked me up again. Dropped off some laundry on the way and had lunch.

Late afternoon he was supposed to pick me up with a rental car, but something came up and he didn't make it. So I went alone. Took a taxi and went to Uluwatu. I was just there for half an hour enjoying the view from the cliff to the ocean and taking a few photos.

Beside the cliff, the monkeys are interesting subjects. A monkey jumped on the head of a tourist, who then couldn't stop screaming while it stayed on her head.

Didi arrived past midnight. I was awaken by the ring on my phone, opened the door for him, and fell into a deep sleep again.

Day 3

It was like the first day he could be on vacation. He wanted to go somewhere. After doing silly things like having temporary tattoos and 4 braids on my hair, we got a rental car and went North to Gunung Kawi Temple in Tampaksiring. It was located in a rice field area, with many stairs down to reach the site. Rock cliffs are carved to form a temple. It was my first time there and I think it's a creepy place.

Somehow we met a couple who offered to take our photo for us in return for us to take their photo for them. So here it is:

From there we drove South past Kuta to Uluwatu to watch the Kecak Dance performed when the sun was setting. It was like magic.

When the dance finished it was already dark. We left Uluwatu and drove back to Kuta and had dinner. Then we came to see Aswin at Harris Resort and watch the live performance of a music group called Saharadja. Their music is unique and interesting. Sometimes it's jazz, sometimes it's ethnic.

Day 4

As planned the night before, we came to Harris Resort again to learn to surf. After some theory and paddling practice in the pool, we went to the sea. It was fun!

Day 5

Breakfast, went to the beach, went swimming, packed and went to the airport. Vacation was over. I went back with dark and burned skin, but I was happy.

Like vacation remains copyright of the author zags, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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So I contacted Ken and Toshi and let them know about our plan. On the night before we went, we bought the ticket at a Lawson convenient store for the 4 of us. Too bad Hide wouldn't be able go with us to Ghibli Museum.

November 24, 2005

My sister and I took a pretty long train ride from Utsunomiya to Tokyo and then to Mitaka. We met up with Ken at the station, and took the cute Ghibli bus to the museum. There was a long line, and Toshi was there.

Totoro in ticket box

The museum was like a nice home. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take photos. There's one room where they display things "animation", another room full with sketches and drawings from Studio Ghibli works, another is a book store about Ghibli animations, another is a souvenir shop with Ghibli merchandise including soundtrack CDs and books of music parts, and so on. I wish I wasn't on a tight budget (or I wish Japan was not so expensive)...

The cute one is NEKO-BUS! Maybe it's the real size of "real" neko-bus as Hayao Miyazaki imagined. Unfortunately I couldn't take a photo of those children playing on and inside the "makkurokurosuke"-filled Neko-bus! (Note: Neko-bus and Makkurokurosuke are characters from "My Neighbor Totoro".) We also climbed upstairs outside to the top of the building where it's decorated like the situation on Laputa.

With Laputa robot

It's getting very late in the afternoon. Outside the museum is Inokashira Park. I wish we could take a stroll for a while but it was getting cold. The 4 of us took a Ghibli bus to the station, and found a small cafe to warm ourselves and have some chat. After that we said goodbye to Toshi, and the 3 of us took a train back to Tokyo. Ken got off at a station somewhere (I can't remember) and I knew that was it - I don't know when I would see him again. It could be the last time we saw each other. We'd had fun together, he'd been very nice to us and we had spent good times with him exploring some parts of Yokohama, riding to Tokyo, going on day trips to Kamakura and Mitaka. I hope to have fun with him again some day.

World of Ghibli remains copyright of the author zags, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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