Before Australia

One last coffee before take-off. Next stop : Australia....

   

                                                      Photo Credit : Safeena Joshua

Hong Kong - Macau

Here’s the recap of my previous trip to Hong Kong – Macau for 8 days.  After spending couple of hours hanging out in Kuala Lumpur hunting delicious nasi lemak with my friend Eva, we took a cab to KLIA, then arrived in Hong Kong at 9 pm. It was in March – so I thought the weather wouldn’t be that cold. WRONG ! Saw people wearing coat, shawl, and boots at the immigration checkpoints,  I started to think about the temperature, while I was the only girl wearing tank top, black legging and flip flops, I kept telling myself “Nah, it wouldn’t be that cold.” then right at the moment I walked out the arrival terminal to catch a bus to Tsim Sha Tsui, maaan it was cold !!!  Should have checked the temperature before I left Malaysia to HK, but it’s too late. Now that I only packed light clothes and flip flops with me, the first thing I should do after get a hostel was definitely shopping jackets and boots.

The public bus A21 from airport to Tsim Sha Tsui  operating from 6.00 to 24.00 ( HK$ 33 ). Very convenient, they even have WIFI, which I couldn’t even dream about it when I return to Indonesia. Looking outside the windows watching modern Hong Kong, full of strip malls, crowds of skyscrapers, the colorful neon lights and giant billboards, this place is another recommendation to visit if you want to burn some cash on shopping.

Take A21 ( HK $ 33 ) from airport to Tsim Sha Tsui. The bus is available from 06.00 to 24.00

I decided to stay at Tsim Sha Tsui, Nathan Road, simply because the location was strategic. Went to check some hostels at Mirador Mansion, I found a nice room at Cosmic Guest House ( www.cosmicguesthouse.com ) for HK$ 300 per night , then had dinner with my friend at this very nice local restaurant, I wish I remember the name or how to get there, but one thing for sure…the Chinese food was amazing.

I found it was quite impressive to see how colorful and live Tsim Sha Tsui and people at night. While it’s so easy to get around the city by MTR and bus, to check some more interesting places like Causeway Bay, Victoria Peak, even spending a day playing at Ocean Park with my friends, and visiting The Turner’s family.  

dinner with a friend. Love the food !

From Victoria Peak

Took a New World First   Ferries to Macau from the China Ferry terminal in Kowloon ( couple of minutes walk distance from my hostel ), the ferry departs every 15 minutes, with one way ticket price  HK$ 133. Was planning to spend couple of days in Macau, but after exploring the island, including sight seeing to Ruins of St.Paul’s, Venetian Macao and some other hotels, there’s really nothing much to do in Macau. Except of course if you want to play casino, or watch this interesting circus, dance and acrobatic show The House of Dancing Water   http://thehouseofdancingwater.com/en/ .

Ruins of St. Paul's

I spent $600 for 8 days, including return flight tickets, entertainment and accommodation. Hong Kong has so many selections of culinary and shopping, better be wise spending your money on clothes. If you’re about to make decisions going to HK with or without travel agents, well as I have mentioned before, things are easy in HK, from transportations to accommodations. Isn’t it more interesting to plan your own trip and explore HK without being rush with your tour schedule ?  

Cambodia

It was so easy to fall in love with Cambodia. Yes, it’s true Angkor Wat is such a magical place that everyone would recommend you to go, but really Cambodia is more than just about that archeological park. Their nature, people, how cheap foods and drinks there, aaah even the owner of my favorite guesthouse - Mr.Bunkao – and many more makes me want to come back there again perhaps next year.

I know a week in Cambodia was too fast, skipped Koh Rong and Kampot cos I ran out of time, but still I had so much fun in Pnom Penh and Siem Reap, just me and my small backpack. Anyway, if you guys read my previous Vietnam post, spent a night in Ho Chi Minh City then took a morning bus for 6 hours journey to Pnom Penh, while other travelers were talking about scam and getting visa in Cambodia border, I enjoyed myself listening to my Ipod, nail polish  ( yesss I had my nails done on the bus ), having Pringles, just looking outside the windows. Arriving at the border, the driver collected our passports then he told us to get out of  the bus. The border was a bit messy, got panic in the same time wasn’t sure where the driver brought our passports, until the immigration people called our name one by one, after put a stamp on our passports, they gave it back to us and…good news,  as Indonesian I didn’t have to pay my $25 visa a.k.a FREE, so yeah that was a unique experience at Cambodia border. It’s just much easier and faster to let your bus driver get Cambodia visa for you, except the part where there are too many people in the border line up for visa and you were clueless til at some point they call your name and you got your passport back. Pheww…

Continue our journey, we stopped by at a small restaurant for lunch. I didn’t eat anything, just walking around and took some pictures instead. Met Ilir Morina, an expert traveler from Germany. You know the conversation would be very interesting when the topic comes to travel experiences, and this guy been all over the world. Lucky ! Me and Ilir stopped in Pnom Penh first before continue the journey to Siem Reap, unfortunately I was running a bit faster than him when the bus stopped us at Pnom Penh, so practically we didn’t meet in Pnom Penh. I stayed at Indochine 2 Hotel – loving their friendly service and bed, tried out  noodles and juice at a local restaurant, then had a lovely afternoon walk around  Royal Palace. Loved how these Cambodian people gathered at the park in the afternoon, scenes where some women were dancing, little kids were running around, tourist and their camera, the birds, the monks, tuk tuk, and those colorful flags…I sat down having my cheap cocktails at one of the bars, enjoying every movements around me, what a wonderful life !

What I never missed out about going to new places : morning and afternoon walk. I love to wake up early and check out the places before people start again their daily routines, just a quiet morning and me.

I didn’t stay long in Pnom Penh, quite rush to go to Siem Reap. The receptionist from Indochine 2 Hotel helped me booking my bus ticket to Siem Reap, like what others recommended, I took Mekong Express bus for another 6 hours journey. Reached Siem Reap in the afternoon, around 2 pm, I haven’t booked any hostel. Was a bit curious to know what it would be like if I ask the tuk tuk driver to find me places to stay, I knew they would scam me, but still I wanted to know what would happen. Jackie my tuk tuk driver took me to backpackers hotel very near to Pub street, $15 /night, without AC, and they put me in the 4^th floor at their second building, dark, way too quiet, it seemed I was the only one staying there. Yes I was afraid, had quick lunch then walked around the neighborhood to find another hotel, then I remember a girl I met in Ho Chi Minh City actually recommended me to stay at Bun Kao Guesthouse at Wat Bo street. I went to check the place, and oooh I fell in love with the warm smile of Mr. Bunkao, the owner of the guesthouse. He was so friendly, made sure all the time I had good times in Siem Reap, he even reminded me to eat properly because travelers gotta be healthy to do the trip, such a nice man.



Old Market and Pub street

Next stop : Angkor Wat !

Getting up early to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat is a must do while you’re visiting Siem Reap. Tuk tuk driver picked me up at 4.00 am - yeah way too early, but I didn’t want to miss the good spot to see the sunrise. Saw many tourists on their bicycles riding on the dusty road to Angkor Wat. I remember it wasn’t even 4.30 but people were already there, looked excited to explore the archeological park. Passes to Angkor Wat purchased at the main entrance on the way to Angkor Wat, they are sold in one day for $20 and three day for $40. If you’re strong enough to explore the whole place in one day, get the one day pass, but if you want to take your times enjoying the beauty of Angkor Wat, the three day pass would suit you well. The weather was so nice in the morning, but it gets very hot in the afternoon. Don’t forget to bring sun glasses, water, and always carry your tickets with you as the officer will always check your ticket every time you enter the temples.

 Our first stop was Angkor Wat where everyone would sit and wait for  the sun rise. Unfortunately it was a bit cloudy, so instead of waiting for sunrise, I decided to walk around the temple. Had a funny experience here, there was a guy offered me incents and told me to pray, I did exactly what he said, after that he asked for some money. I gave him Cambodian riel but he refused it, he said he only accept dollars, for a minimum $10, oh well… then when I was walking around Angkor Thom, another guy came to me and I thought if he offered me incents again then I would definitely say no thank you and leave. Well, he seemed so nice, he showed me some good angles to take pictures and end up asking for money again. Oh ! The same thing, he didn’t want riel, he wants dollars. Lesson from this story : They are such nice and sweet people, but after showing good angles, giving me some incents and convinced me that my wish would come true…of course it was about money in the end.

The other thing that steal my attention was all the small kids who tried to sell souvenirs, just like the other tourism places, they will be all around you. All of them told me the same reasons, “Please buy this…please…I need money to make a business.” What sorta business ? Of course they don’t know that, they’re too young to think about business.  Even when I asked my tuk tuk driver what kind of business he wants to run if he has money, he has no idea about it. He just wants to earn some money for living, low seasons are never good for him and other tuk tuk drivers or those kids. Its obviously some people teach the kids how to convince the tourists to buy their souvenirs, but its just really shame, they are just kids. While other kids are having fun, playing, go to school, these kids I met at Angkor Wat were busy chasing tourists to sell stuff…to make some money to run a business.

I was incredibly happy to get lost in a beauty of Angkor Wat, feeling so good, free, grateful, loving life. Happy that I decided to do Vietnam and Cambodia for my birthday trip, exploring Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, exiting Angkor Thom by victory gate and north gate to explore some more temples, then Banteay Srey, Phnom Krom. One of my simple joys, just sitting for hours at one of the temples. Listening to my ipod, ate Pringles and looking at the blue sky, enjoying how gorgeous Cambodia nature. Forget about emails, work stuff, big city, I wish I could change my office view with this beautiful view.

Take your time looking at the pics ;p

Took a bus from Siem Reap straight back to Ho Chi Minh, 12 hours bus drive was quite killing me, I was in the bus with mostly of Cambodians people ( there were only 4 tourists including me ), and every one hour the bus stopped cos they threw up, obviously inside and outside the bus,  do not even asked about the smell after. Well I couldn’t complain but laughing, and enjoying this is a part of my birthday trip. The smile of a little boy without pants, and an old lady who kept talking to me in Cambodian language even though I kept saying “I’m sorry, I don’t understand, I’m not Cambodian..” still she kept talking to me, smiling and laughing, they all made my day.

Ps : Feel free to check my Vietnam and Budgets in Vietnam and Cambodia if you guys are planning to go to Vietnam and Cambodia next. Hope the budgets info help :)

Happy 23rd to Miss Gyscha Revrita Rendy

Vietnam

I bought myself tickets to Vietnam and Bali as a little present for my birthday last June. A small trip to celebrate life and love, to appreciate things and give thanks.  Left Jakarta on 15^th June late afternoon to Ho Chi Minh City, I didn’t plan my trip at all, didn’t have any guide books with me, didn’t even book my hotel, I only carried a small backpack for 18 days trip and of course money. It was all about.. just go and buy yourself a big bowl of happiness, lost in your own little adventure.

The only thing I read about Ho Chi Minh City before I headed to airport was about taxi scam. Many people recommended to take VinaSun or Mai Linh taxi company, it was around $9 from airport to the backpackers district, Bui Vien street. So, arrived in Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 9pm, I changed my $100 to Vietnamese Dong, which I got around 2.000.000 Vietnamese Dong then walked out the airport, turn right to the domestic terminal and it was exactly in front of domestic terminal I saw few VinaSun taxi were parked. I talked to one of the drivers to take me to the backpackers district, with a broken English and a big smile, he helped to put my bag inside the taxi and took me to Bui Vien district. Let the journey begins !!!

Bui Vien street that night was packed with tourists sitting on the street had cheap local beers, while some local people tried to sell books, souvenirs and offered massage. This district reminded me of Patong at Phuket, and Kuta in Bali. Many selections of bars, hostels, restaurants, shops, and travel agents, so don’t worry if you guys haven’t booked any rooms or bus ticket, most of them  open 24 hours.

I decided to spend a night with Koniko Backpackers Hostel, the dorm room was very clean with 2 big toilets, lockers, AC and Wifi. I booked a bus ticket to Cambodia the next morning. Well, since I only got 15 days in Vietnam and Cambodia then another 3 days in Bali, I thought it’d be best to go to Cambodia ( Pnom Penh then Siem Reap ) then back to Ho Chi Minh. I’d be in a rush jump from one place to another, but this still gonna be fun. ( Feel free to check my previous post at Travelagys about Budgets in Vietnam and Cambodia for further budget details )

After checked-in, quick shower, I walked around Bui Vien street. I thought Jakarta’s traffic was the worst,  but not until I saw how hectic the traffic was in Ho Chi Minh City, almost got hit by motorcycles. Had Vietnamese noodles and fresh juice, pretty much enjoying Saigon at night, then back to my room to rest, get ready for Cambodia tomorrow. There I met my roomies, an American girl named Sheila and a Chinese girl from Shanghai – Vivian. She showed me some of photos she took when she was at the white sand dunes and fairy stream at Mui Ne, like 6 hours bus drive from Ho Chi Minh City. All her photos in Mui Ne were sooo great, made me think that I should stopped by there for couple of days, but we’ll see. These girls told me about their travel experience in Cambodia, recommended me where to stay and all those info a guide book couldn’t even tell you.

Leaving Ho Chi Minh at 9 am to Cambodia, I spent a week for both Pnom Penh and Siem Reap. I will write different post about Cambodia since the place was very unique and exotic, so I think I should share with you guys  special page for Cambodia with lots of photos and stories from Angkor Wat.

Back to Ho Chi Minh City after a wonderful Cambodia trip,  I spent a night again at Koniko Backpackers Hotel. This time I met two travelers solo named Monica from Portugal and May Liu from Hong Kong. We had a great evening talking about traveling, it’s unbelievable three of us coming from different place and have met  Sheila, the American traveler I met on my first day in Ho Chi Minh. What a small world. May Liu said Sheila was currently in Hoi An – Vietnam. May Liu would continue her journey to China, Monica would discover Ho Chi Minh then continue to Cambodia, while me super excited about going to Mui Ne the next morning.

6 hours journey from Saigon to Mui Ne was easy. I loved my sleeper bus – very comfortable, wish I had this one when I went to Cambodia. I stayed in Mui Ne Backpackers Resort for 4 days, paid $6 for my room per night and got these sun lounges and a really nice beach view right at the back of the resort, just exactly what I need after rush in Cambodia.  Went on a half day tour  to the white sand dunes and fairy stream with Rick, Mark, Jimboo and Sophie Provost, rent a motor and just riding around the sand dunes, then had some crocodile steak and beers.

Fairy stream

Rick and his new buddy, Mr.Ostrich

white sand dunes

fairy stream

..and thank you Mui Ne Backpackers Resort for having me...definitely recommend you guys to stay here in Mui Ne..

Left Mui Ne back to Ho Chi Minh City, I took a half day tour to Cu Chi Tunnels, going down to the tunnels wasn’t easy even tho I’m quite a small girl, but still fun to check out tourism places in Saigon. Then at my last day surprisingly I met Ilir Morina, the guy I met on the bus on the way to Pnom Penh. Ilir walked me around the city, showed me some interesting place from Ben Tanh Market, Reunification Palace, War Remnants museum, City Hall til Ho Chi Minh City museum, and this small juice shop, he was a great tour guide and made my last day in Ho Chi Minh. Overall I had an amazing birthday trip, thank you so much for those people I met during my trip. Traveling solo doesn’t mean you’ll end up alone, there’s always people around, I loved how each person I met simply gave me different stories and in the end they were parts of a great journey.    

Ben Thanh Market



Cu Chi Tunnels

For daily budgets in Vietnam and Cambodia, feel free to check my previous post "Budgets in Vietnam and Cambodia". Everything was pretty easy and cheap there, don't worry if you haven't booked any hostels, tours, or bus tickets, Bui Vien street or Pham Ngu Lao street the backpackers district - has so many travel agents, even hostels will help you to book your tickets. I will post my Cambodia trip soon, stay tuned and happy traveling !