The Infamous Paradise: Pagang Island

Assalamualaikum....

This trip was accidentally planned on November 2012 due to low fare ticket by Mandala Airlines because The Company opened new route from Jakarta to Padang.  We got return ticket of Jakarta- Padang for only IDR 60,200. Mwihihihi...   Therefore, Me, Yayi, Ines, Nita and Fika started to arrange trip to west Sumatera on December 15 - 14, 2012.

At the first time, my officemates and me planned to visit Sikuai island. But based on information from my collage mate who just came back from Padang, Sikuai island is closed for uncertain time.  Therefore, she suggested me to go to another island near Sikuai island, Pagang island.  Well, i never heard about that island before, then i tried to find more information about the island through the traveling blogs.

Finally, we booked the travel agent: Regina Adventures for Pagang island 1 day trip.  It costed IDR 300,000 including pick up service from Airport and to Padang, boat rent, snorkeling, lunch, and snacks. We also booked hotel for 1 night.

We got the very first flight at 5.35 am and thank God it was on time. When we came to the waiting room at 5.10 am all passengers were on board, and we were the LAST passengers in that flight.  Blame it to Ines. hahaha... We arrived at 7.10 am and we met Mr. Elvis the owner of Regina Adventures.  He drove us to the first stop: Breakfast! We had Lontong Sayur for Breakie.  Yummyy...  Then we continued our trip to Teluk Bungus before we sail to Pagang Island.  Padang - Teluk Bungus takes about 1 hour by car. Teluk Bungus is part of Painan district.  We reached Teluk Bungus at 9.45 am then we prepared to cross the sea for Pagang island which took about 1 hour by small boat.

Teluk Bungus

The View during our trip

Office Mates

It was cloudy day @ white sandy beach Pagang Island

Breathtaking view

Pagang Island from the cross land

Kerapu fishpond

Clear water

At Teluk Bungus, we went to Losmen Tintin and met Mr. Asrul who took us to Pagang island.  We just unconsciously blank when we saw the breathtaking view in Pagang island.  Subhanallah.. My friend Nita even didn't wanna leave the island. She kept playing on the beach while i got shaking because of wet clothes after snorkeling.  We also visited Kerapu fishpond across the island. From the small talks between us and Mr. Asrul, China fisherman boats usually come to that pond and buy the fish for IDR 300,000 - 900,000/kg while local fisherman can pay less than it.  Mr. Asrul also said that only few tourists who know Pagang island and mostly foreigners.  Hmm... I assume this is because of lack of promotion by local government.  We sailed back to Teluk Bungus at 4.00 pm and arrived at 5.00 am.

Thank God I've been there in Pagang Island. Nothing i can say but Subhanallah... Wishing a better development of Pagang island tourism which should be supported by the local government.  This could be a potential income for the West Sumatera.

Find a place that reminds you of God, then be grateful you can enjoy it...

Wassalamualaikum...

About Sunrise and Sunset

Assalamualaikum
Have a blissful wednesday...
I enjoy the my trip to office every morning, because the sunrise comes along with my morning.  Too bad, today's morning is cloudy. I cannot see you my sunrise..
Sunset also comes along with my way home in the afternoon. I usually snap the sunset by my camera phone or digicam.
Here I share you my sunrise and sunset at different places.

Sunrise @Sanur, Bali, October 2009

Sunrise @Ujung Genteng, May 2011

Sunrise @Puncak Bukit Sikunir, Dieng, May 2012

Sunset @Uluwatu, Bali, October 2009

Sunset @Ujung Genteng, May 2011

I love both sunrise and sunset. Why? Sunrise reminds me a new hope of better day. Sunrise also gives some morning spirit. I love the sun shines upon my face, it really rises me up! Sunset reminds me to rethink about what I have done during the day and progress of my plan also rebuild a new hope.  Most of all, sunrise and sunset remind me how great is God. Subhanallah...

So, catch your sunrise and sunset in every beautiful place and enjoy it!
Wassalamualaikum

Long Weekend Getaway: Malaysia - Hongkong - Macau

Assalamualaikum,,,

Alhamdulillah... Me and my 6 officemates and finally spent our long weekend (22 - 26 March 2012) for Holiday in KL, Hongkong and Macau. We did it in Backpacker way! hahaha... I didn't bring a backpack though, suitcase is the best :p

Day 1
Departed from Jakarta to KL.  We took early morning flight at 6.25 am and arrived at 9.25 am Malaysia time.  We went to Putrajaya before took flight to Hongkong.  Rode by bus from Airport to Salak Tinggi station then went to Putrajaya station by Train.  We finally took bus to go to the central of Putrajaya. We Walked around the mosque, had lunch and took some pics, yes we are narcistic travellers :p

Salak Tinggi Station

Botanical Garden

Putrajaya Mosque
I had to wear Robe due to my tight jeans :p

Office of Prime Minister of Malaysia

We urgently took taxy to go back to the airport because of limited time. Our flight was at 4.10 pm. But seemed that curiosity of Ministry of Finance building forced us to stop by and took pics there ;p

Kementrian Kewangan Malaysia
(taken from Riri's)

Safely landed in Hongkong International Airport at 8 pm (yeah amazingly the flight was sharply on time, unlike... :p) and we started to get cold. Yess the temperature was approximately 17 - 25 celcius there.  Our 1st Hostel were in Tsim Tsa Shui. After bought the Octopus card (HKD150), we took bus from airport bus station.  Less than 1 hour we finally arrived at Hostel.  Zzzzz.......

Day 2
Avenue of the Stars - Central - The Peak (Madam Tussauds)
Firstly, we had to move to another Hostel placed in Mongkok (very closed to ladies market). Rode MTR to Tsim Tsa Shui for Avenue of The stars then Central for lunch and took bus to The Peak.

Mr. Bruce Lee

Beautiful

We went home by taking tram and continued by taking MTR.  Then we shopped til drop at ladies market and Mongkok street.  That was the first time I fall in love with Hongkong night shopping.  Cosmetics are quite cheap here. You may find a lot of Cosmetic stores in every corner of the street. :))))

Day 3

Citygate - Giant Budha - Disneyland

MTR seemed the best transportation to take us to anyplace in Hongkong.  At Citygate, there were a lot of sale in  every stores like Mango, Zara, Body shop etc. You may guess, yes we bought some body butters, shower gels and body lotions in Body shop. We can take bus of cable car to Giant Budha from Citygate.  Since the cable car were under maintenance, then we took bus which spent around 1 hour drive. The atmosphere is very peaceful in Giant Budha, most people pray at the temple here.  To go to Disneyland we should go back to Citygate then we took Disneyland MTR.

Citygate

Giant Budha Gate

We continued Day 3 journey by watching symphony of lights at Tsim Tsa Shui.  Then,, we shopped til drop (again).

Day 4
Macau - Senado Square - Venetian - Giant Panda Pavillion

We started our day in early morning because we had to catch morning ferry to macau.
Here we go...

More like an Airport than a Ferry terminal (Indonesia Version :p)

Arrived in Macau, we took bus to Grand Lisboa for free, the Hostel is not far from that Casino.  Then  we continued our trip by bus to Senado Square, Venetian (Taipa island), and Giant Panda Pavillion (Coloane island).  Too bad the Panda attraction was finished by the time we arrived there :(
My other friends went to Fisherman's wharf near the Macau Ferry terminal.

Senado Square

The Ruins of  St. Paul

Inside the Venetian

Panda Pavillion

At night you may see the light attraction at Grand Lisboa, too bad i was too exhausted that night, so i decided to go to bed.

Day 5

Again we started our day @6.00 to catch flight to KL at Macau International Airport.

 @14.35 we arrived at KL, then continued our journey to KL sentral by bus and took the Train to the Twin Tower Petronas. We also spent time in Bukit Bintang for shopping.

We went back to the LCCT in a rush,, hihi,, mepettooo... the flight was 22.25 but we arrived at Airport at 21.00. Thank God the flight was delayed :p

Finally, we went home in a very early morning in Jakarta :)
Have yourself a fun holiday with family, friends or your beloved ones,, Share the journey with them :)

Wassalamualaikum...

Mum And Me Time: Singapore

Assalamualaikum,,,

I visited Singapore on 15 - 17 April 2011.  I called my trip, Mum and me time.. I took flight at 8 pm and delayed for 1 hour.  We took off at 9 pm INA time and arrived at 11.45 pm Singapore time.  There is one-hour time difference which Singapore is faster.  Taxi rode us to Ibu Betty house in Tampines.  The taxi fare was S$12, S$2 more expensive than in the afternoon because they charged midnight fee.  Ibu Betty is my neighbor's niece who lives with her family in Singapore. 

Day 1

1.Raffles Place

Due to the kindness of Ibu Betty, we can use her ez-cards for MRT fare. Thank God There was still S$12 and we didn't need to top up.  S$12 is adequate for our 2 days tour in Singapore using MRT. Ibu Betty's House is near the Tampines station, only about 300 m.  We took Pasir Ris - Joo Koon route and stopped at Raffles Place MRT Station.  My Mum and me walked around near the Raffles Place and also captured some pictures with camera, we saw the old Fullerton Hotel, then crossed the Cavenagh Bridge.  We continued walking through the Singapore river side, Esplanade park and ended at Merlion statue.

Tampines MRT Station

Raffles Place MRT Station

On Cavenagh Bridge in front of Fullerton Hotel

With Marina Bay Sand backgroud

Singapore river side

2. IKEA Alexandra

We took MRT through Raffles place station to Queenstown station then took bus number 195. We shopped plenty in IKEA.  I only bought some frames.  Then we crossed the street to Anchorpoint for lunch and window shopping for Charles and Keith.  I finally got a handbag. Yeaayyy,, Then we went back to Tampines for Dzuhur and Ashar prayer.

Queenstown MRT Station

3. Bugis Junction

Actually, our destination was Vivo city, but since my passion of shopping seemed so explosive (triggered by CK :p) we stopped at Bugis Juction MRT for shopping but we got nothing,,huhu.. We off to Harbourfront MRT station, but firstly, we have to stop at Outram interchange then took MRT Punggol - Harboufront route.

4.Sentosa World

We went to Sentosa Island from Vivo city - Harbourfront by bus.  We walked around the mall in the Sentosa World then headed to Sentosa Beaches by monorail.  We bought ticket for Song of the Sea show at 7 pm.
While waiting, we enjoyed the view of Siloso Beach.  The Show began and we were amazed by the wonderful combination between laser, water and the drama. So Mesmerizing! My mum can't stop adoring it. hahaha,,

On the Bus to Sentosa Island

Before the Show at Song Of The Sea stage

Siloso Beach

Festive walk

Day 2

1. Mustafa Centre

This is a must visit place in Singapore because it's 24 hours opened and cheaper price. (uhuuyy). We started at 7 am off to Tampines Interchange bus station then took bus number 23 and stopped at serangoon road.  We got watch, souvenirs, cheap perfumes for daily use , backpack, face cleanser (koq bisa??) and chocolates. We must go home before 12 am because the flight schedule was 2.50 pm.

On the Bus

Tampines Interchange

Mum having Breakfast @Mustafa Centre

2. Tampines Mall

This place is next to Tampines MRT Station.  We bought some Chocolates in Hersey's store.  Then we walked back to Ibu Betty's House and prepared to go home.

Ibu Betty House is actually an apartment.  Most of residence in Singapore are apartment building.  Their Government provides the apartment with affordable price for all financial level.  Even the cheapest one is consists of 3 bedrooms, kitchen and dining room.  More than enough rite?? Please compare with Jakarta apartment with those specification?!   Most of the people of Singapore are welfare because Their Government guaranty it.  But i feel that the People's freedom of speech is a bit limited here.  We may remember about suicidal case of Indonesian's student of NTU.  Singapore's press seems trying to hide it because they're afraid with the Government.  Well, as long their Government can fulfill what people need, there's no need to conduct a demonstration, no?

Mum overslept on the MRT, exhausted!

Me, Ibu Betty and Tufail

Houses

taken from the house 4th floor

Unfortunately, i only had 2 days trip due to no annual leave from my office during CPNS, but maybe later i'll go back to explore other place.  My Mum will visit Singapore this May 24th - 28th.  Lucky her! but never mind, because i've got a spectacular weekend escape in Ujung Genteng last week ;p

Wassalamualaikum