Tokyo - Japan

I went to Japan on December 2010 with my Mate for Christmas holiday. i spend 4 days there (i can not take an off day more than 2 days..shoo..). Well here's my review.

I took Air asia flight from Jakarta to Tokyo (Haneda Airport) it was transit in Malaysia. I will not recommend connecting flight since it was very exhausting and boring.. (i wait almost 3 hours).I arrived 11 pm in Haneda Airport, We stayed in Comfort hotel near Kiyosumi Shirakawa MRT Station. like in Singapore, you can go everywhere by MRT,but It was quite confusing for a foreigner like me. The MRT is different with Singapore, u have to buy ticket to each destination and almost all signage are written in japanese kanji. (thank God my friend is Japanese so he can translate it to me). I suggest u buy the special combination open ticket daily by Tokyo metro,u don't need to buy ticket anymore unless u change to monorail or other MRT (different company). But if you travel alone you can ask for help to information office next to the gate.

This is me in Haneda MRT Station

Comfort hotel are more like business hotel..almost 90% occupied by Japanese. i only meet 2 foreigners there during my stay.The room is extremely small (my room is bigger than this hotel room) and they provide hanger only instead of drawers (space efficiency).Bath room is even smaller,but cleanliness is excellence.

My second day in Japan, i went to Shibuya. U can took MRT and stop at Shibuya station. Shibuya are famous with it's fashion. I shop a lot in H&M (we don't have H&M in Indonesia) and Donqi Joute (wholesale shop provides everything) I really love Donqi Joute.. cosmetics price here extremely cheap (compared with indonesia price) but for some goods like shawl or socks u can find cheaper in Indonesia (but still depend on the quality). Donqi Joute sells japanese cosmetics where u can't find it outside japan like can make tokyo, Moist labo, KATE, Jill Stuart,etc. Since i love make up.. it's like heaven for me..LOL. Now lets discuss about Harajuku, I took MRT to Meiji jingu mae station. Harajuku is famous with the unique fashion, the most popular place is takeshita street. U can find lots of cheap fashion along the street. Harajuku also more cheaper than shibuya. (i bought boots in shibuya for Y 1000 but in harajuku they sell only Y 980. well not so far different but still..). In Harajuku u also can see lots of young Japanese wear costplay (clothes from anime or manga). This is a very unique place to see in Tokyo. Foods are great (i'm a Japanese food lover,so no problem for me). If u're a moslem i suggested u to go to udon or sushi restaurant or Yoshinoya..LOL.Ramen shop ussually use pork for it's gravy, so it's better to ask first.

That's me in Hachiko monument, it's right in front of Shibuya station

That's shibuya..

this is takeshita street..it's very crowded on saturday

My third day in Japan i went to Asakusa temple, this is the oldest temple in Tokyo (if i'm not mistaken). The scenery are beautiful here and lots of food..(i can not stop eating..) this is very interesting place where i can see what is Japanese Budhist activity. U can buy lots of japanese souvenir here..for a refrigerator magnetic cost around Y 300/item (compare with indonesia it's quite expensive just for a magnetic). From Asakusa i go to miraikan museum to see Asimo robot attraction. hm..i forgeot how much it's cost for the entrance ticket.But it's a must see attraction.From Miraikan i visited Tokyo tower, they said that it's like Eiffel tower..hm..i'm never been to Paris so i can not compared. It has good view from top. but i suggest u go here at night..more romantic.

in Asakusa Temple

Food booth in asakusa..

Asimo robot

Miraikan Museum

That's Tokyo Tower from far

My last day in Japan i went to Ginza,it's more like a 5th Avenue in NY. it's a high end shopping district. I love Ginza,it has lots of branded shop that i can't found in Indonesia such as Abercrombie,uniqloo,etc.And then go back to Donqi joute in shibuya (i'm in looooveee with this store). I didn't go to Akihabara coz i'm not that into gadget. After another shopping we go back to Haneda airport. I took bath here,they provide that facilities (really love that). We wait for our flights in VIP lounge (my friend is ANA VIP frequent flyer). They have good service and u can sleep here (only if it's not crowded).Overall i love Japan..This is my favorite country..

Ginza in the morning..(most store open 10am)

one cute store i found n i didn't notice i closed my eyes in this pic..*sigh

This is cosmetics corner in donqi joute..YES..they have all..

This one of the stores available in Haneda airport.

xoxo....

Singapore - Bintan

Well, I've oftentimes visit Singapore because of my work duty. So i will not share my regular visit. I will share about my holiday in Singapore and Bintan Island. Well, i lost my camera in Bintan so i will not attached lots of pics here (only pics that i took from my BB).

I went for Holiday on May 2010. Celebrating my mate's Birthday (yes,a person who always traveled with me. We stayed at Siloso Hotel in Sentosa Island, since it's close to Universal Studio Singapore (USS). Well the hotel is not so fancy and i think it's quite expensive..around USD 170/night (that time).Breakfast are great, they have lots of optionals. It took 10 minutes by shuttle bus from hotel to monorail that will take u to USS.

USS it self quite fun (this is my first visit), but not as big as in Japan. And that time it wasn't completely operate, madagascar and jet coaster still not operate. we start from 10am to 5pm, merchandise store are quite expensive (for me) but the good things are they gave u meal voucher and merchandise voucher (means like it or not u have to buy things).

Yep, this the only pics i keep in my bb. But i took lots of pics there on my second visit ;p

After went to USS we went to Casino and play some $1 game. i spent $7 and get $16 from casino..Lucky us. Actually now there is bigger casino in Marina Bay Sands, more luxury and place are awesome. U should take a look if u visit Singapore. Well like other tourists, i went to Singapore for Shopping. Especially Charles & Keith shoes which are way more cheaper than in Indonesia. I usually go to Charles & Keith outlet in Queenstown (in front of IKEA). They always give discounts.

After Singapore i went to Bintan Island. Most of people think Bintan Island owned by Singapore, actually it's still owned by Indonesia (i said still,maybe in the future they will sell it..LOL). Bintan actually a great escape. But since it's close to Singapore, everything are expensive for me as Indonesian citizen..:D (follow Singapore living cost standard). Foods are great and it has beautifull beach (soft brown sands).We stayed in Nirwana Garden Hotel & Resort, It's a nice hotel and good hospitality too.I reccomend this Hotel for u who plan to spend holiday in Bintan Island

That's me in Nirwana hotel & Resort Private Beach.

It took 1 hour by Ferry from Singapore Tanah merah harbor. and Hotel also provide shuttle bus. So i recommend u to book hotel first before u come to Bintan.It was a happy holiday..but at the end of my trip..I lost my camera on my way home to Jakarta. So sad :(

gili trawangan - Lombok

Lombok is my favorite beach in Indonesia..it has clear ocean,white sands beach and also u can find sea turtle here. I went there on July 2010 with my friend, There's only 3 airlines from Jakarta to Lombok which are Garuda, Lion Air and i forgot the last one..sorry..
It took 1 hour and 45 minutes from Jakarta. The airport in Lombok Island is super small (smaller than Phuket airport). But u can find lots of taxis here. We took taxi to Qunci Pool Villa in senggigi..which is very nice and more like private resort for me.

This is Qunci pool villa.

We only stay a night in qunci villa because we wanna stay in Gili Trawangan, the biggest island in Gili islands that is famous with it's beach. It took 20 min by speed boat from Lombok island to Gili Trawangan and cost IDR 250.000 for return trip/pax. We stay in Villa Ombak, it's one of the biggest resort in Gili Trawangan, however i'm not so comfortable with it's outdoor bathroom..yes outdoor. The toilet and the shower is outside the room,but it's covered by high wall. Still i feel insecure..*sigh and also the water that comes out of the shower are salt water but they provide clear water in a big jar made from clay..FYI the clear water can not be drink even after it's boiled. That's why u have to buy lots of "mineral water" for drinks.



This is me in front of my cottage

You can booked tour directly there..it's everywhere along the beach and also in a cheap price. I suggest u bring ur own life jackets (they didn't provide it,but they rent it) and ur own snorkeling kit (it's more comfortable for me..kinda gross think it was used by lots of people) we bring our own snorkeling kit and life jacket.

This is me with pink google, it's on Gili Air ocean (near to Gili trawangan) usually tour guide will bring u to gili Air,Gili trawangan and gili Meno.

U can see lots of fish and even KAME (it's japanese language for sea turtle)in those Gilis. In Gili Trawangan u can find lots of restaurants (mostly open after 5pm) u can have a romantic dinner on the beach side or in semi outdoor restaurant. most of restaurant were owned by an expatriat. So u can find lots of international foods. Foods are great but u should ask for a well cooked food. My friend got food poisoning here (the funny thing is we shared food but i didn't get any food poisoning).Thanks God there is a clinic (the only one i think) in Villa ombak. But he's getting better after been inpatient for a night.

 

Beach right in front of the Hotel

 

 

 

 



Well, since the food poisoning really took my time, we can't explore further in Gili Trawangan. However. u Should come to Lombok and also Gili trawangan.

Cheers..

Phuket - Thailand

I went to Thailand on March 2010 with my Friend. At the first time we was confused to choose between Phuket or Bangkok. But since my Mate really..really love white sands beach then we decided to go to Phuket. We flew from Jakarta, it toked 3 hours to reach Phuket. The airport is quite small and nothing special, we booked hotel and also tour package online (u can left comment below if u need the tour vendor name). we got free transferred from Airport-Hotel-Airport provided by the tour vendor (really recommended this tour, since they're very friendly,on time and able to speak English) But don't worry you can find lots of taxi or car rent in the airport,but you need to bargain or you'll have to pay more expensive. we stayed at Millenium Hotel in Patong Area, This hotel has two wings (the distance between one wing to other quite far around 10 minutes walk or 5 min by shuttle tuktuk). We stayed in Beachside wings which is more modern and it's connected with Jungceylon shopping complex. I love this Hotel, it has great swimming pool, spacious room and also near bangla road (one of night entertainment spot).Breakfast are nice (even not so many difference from day to day) But you don't need to worry..you can find lots of foods in Phuket and it was all delicious for me (spicy for my friend who not used to eat spicy food) and the best thing is food were not pricey in phuket.

This is me in jungceylon mall, behind the ship is Millenium hotel (in pink color)

This is me in front of one of the bar in Bangla road

Places to go absolutely beach!!. Patong beach was so so for me. Bali is better..That's why we went to Phiphi island ("the beach" movie set) and Raya Rai island. Both has white sands beach, and clear water. But Phiphi island is extremely crowded. i can't even find a free space for me to lay down and got sunbath. so i just took some pics there and wait the tour bring me to other spot (i took 2 days tour, 1st day to phiphi and 2nd day to raya rai island). Raya rai is more quite and more remote but the sands are really soft..almost like powder. It's like heaven (almost like,except the sun that super duper hot) you should put lots of sunblock and prepare to get supper tanned here. Corals and fishes are beautifull u don't need to swim to the middle..u can easily see them from the beach. (i attached some pics here) oh some tips for you, please remember your boat number. Because lots of group coming to those beach and boats look similar.(i almost took wrong boat..LOL).

We rent a motorcycle for 35THB a day. It's more flexible so we can go anywhere we want. If u have lots of time u can go to Phuket fanta sea..it's like cabaret (if i'm not mistake) But since i'm not so interested with that kind of thing.. i prefer to have culinary trip. If u're a moslem (like me) u should ask whether they provide pork or not. Because most restaurant do provide pork, so be-careful. At night u can hang in Bangla Road it's a street with bars along the road. U can find dancers dance on the table (but not stripper) kinda give different experience which i can't find it in Indonesia. And If u wanna shop till drop..U can find good stuff everywhere in Phuket. I got bikinis in cheap price and it's good quality too. Overall.. Phuket is great destination for holiday..especially for honeymoon. :)

This is phiphi island (i'm not tagged me on it since i wear bikinis..to shame to publish my tummy ;p)

This is Raya rai, it's quite cloudy when i took this pic but 10 min after that,it turned into super shiny)

I Highly reccomend this place for honeymoon.. white sands beach and a person we love..what more excited than that?!.

xoxo..