Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya

•January 25, 2012 • 3 Comments

Salam,

Awesome! That will be the only word that i could say right now. At this point of time, i miss Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya so badly. How i wish i can stay there for few days. We discovered about Tanah Aina from hubby’s friend, Hana Mahmud. She was there way back last year with her friend. She claimed that it will be such an experience for both of us since we love nature and adventure. Since then, i’ve read their official website, facebook and even twitter update to get more information on the eco resort. Opsss, an EXCLUSIVE eco resort.  After reading all those information and testimonials, we finally booked our trip during the CNY eve recently! Again, it was the best weekend getaway we ever had! For real, the best ever!

We started our journey from KL early in the morning. The check in time will be around 12pm. They have given us a long list of itinerary for the trip. Not to forget the drivers contact number since we have to leave our car at the open car park. Don’t be afraid. Its all safe. Do expect that you need to get into a 4WD for another 2km ride just to reach Tanah Aina. The open carpark is just the starting point. Once we unload all our stuffs, we meet up with Sarah, one of the staff there and the owner, Puan Sri Sharifah Sabrina Syed Agil. Our 1st impression, she is way tooo friendly, humble and down to earth kind of person.

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Start your engine! With our driver, Rajes. He’s a Nepalese and he has been working with the owner for the past 12 years. He speak fluent english and malay as well. He keep reminds us that we will be on a rollercoaster ride. Cute betul Rajes ni!
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After the bumpy ride, we finally reached the main gate of Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya. We can feel the excitement now.
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We are then been greeted with a bunch of staff chasing for our luggage. Panic sekejap. There are almost 7-8 of them. Seriously, we felt that we been treated with a 1st class treatment. Not to forget the welcome drinks. Its a rose syrup with mint! Its like their signature drink here. You can find the same drinks been served throughout the meal. Refreshing!

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Once reached, we then settled all the payment and issuing of official receipt by the administration. Not to forget, we (all of us) needs to fill up the registration and indemnity release form for the afternoon jungle trekking to the waterfall. It’s very important in case of emergencies. At the same time, all of our stuff has been transferred directly to our tent. Ya, tent. We camp! They offered various kind of accommodation but we finally opt for tents. Nak adventure la konon.

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This is how our tent look like! What do you guys think?
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Wait till you see the interior.
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Not to worry about the facilities offered here. From clean toilet, shower, surau, common hall and others. Oh ya, i almost forgot to highlight about the interesting fact. They even provided organic shampoo, moisturiser and shower gel since all the wastewater will then be diverted directly to the river. So, to avoid river being polluted, only organic product will be used here.
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While unpacking all of our stuff and appreciating the beautiful view, we then been called for our lunch. Oh my! All the food here are delicious and tasteful combined with relaxing atmosphere and view. I bet everybody who has been here will definitely agreed with this! And for the next 2 days in a row after i got back from Tanah Aina, i woke up at midnight just to find my stomach grumbling for food. 2 hari dapat makan sedap-sedap and on time.

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After the mouthful lunch, we had our afternoon prayer and getting prepared for the jungle trekking and the waterfall. We commenced somewhere around 3pm while waiting for others who might just reached right after us. I would said this is the best of all. Eventhough you can’t swim, they will provide you with a life jacket each and there will be 8 tour guides with us. They will even bring all your personal belongings (handphone, camera) using a waterbags. We brought along our personal waterbags but we finally handed it to them. Not to forget, do wear water shoes through out the trip. Briefing was made personally by the owner.

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This is how the trek look like.
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We finally reached the waterfall area. Do try the “LEAP OF FAITH” jump as mentioned by the staff. I called it as “COMMIT SUICIDE” jump. Commit suicide pun i tried it twice! If you go further up, you can feel the natural rainshower spa. Do use the rope provided by them.
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Our new friends, Iffah Safiyah from Shah Alam with her lil brother.
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After 2 1/2 hours there, we moved back for tea time. See! I definitely gain weight here. Non stop meals! A short rest in the tent while waiting for dinner. Since we’re staying in a tent, we have been caught up with the barbecue smell!

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At night, we have been given a short briefing by the owner on Tanah Aina followed by free and easy activities. They actually provide night walk but we put it off. With full stomach on, we just sat and play carrom for a few rounds. There are also karaoke session, table tennis, pool and others. Oh ya, we even experienced the fireworks deep in the forest since we were there during CNY eve.

The next morning was just a free and easy activities again. For those who are willing to try flying fox, feel free to do so. You will experience the whole view of Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya. I took the times by getting myself wet again in the river and photograph the environment around.

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The big ulat gonggok and flying fox at Tanah Aina.
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When the clock strikes 11.30am, we knew that its time for us to pack our bag since we’ve to check out at 12pm. Its time for us to say goodbye to all of our new friends and staff there. We had the “WOW” moment through out the trip. I’ll definitely be in Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya again! You couldnt expect it until you experience it.

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If you love nature and adventure, this is definitely the place!

Simply me,
Zara~AB
The Province of Chroma

Lil’ Hero – A’fif Rayyan & A’kif Hayyan

•January 7, 2012 • Leave a Comment

Salam everyone,

Our beloved nephew – A’fif Rayyan and A’kif Hayyan. Basically, they’re brothers and a son of my younger SIL. A’fif is way talkative nowadays where he just reached 3 years old and he questioned us with a lot of things which we couldn’t answer indirectly. Tough! Way too tough! And A’kif is a little boy, ermm i mean tough lil’ boy. I hardly heard him crying. We even brought him to a waterfall and he laughed happily like a 3-5 years old boy! A’kif dearie, you are just a few months la sayang. He didnt scared of anything i guess and he adapt to peoples and surrounding easily.

These days, A’fif loves to share things with me. He always make up stories telling me this and that while he was on my lap. Asked me to play around with him and many mores. The first words which always came out from his mouth is shouting and yelling by calling me “Mak Longgggggggggggg!!!”.

I remembered a few funny conversation with him:
Case 1
A’fif : Kenapa ada benda hitam kat mata Pak Long
Hubby : Its “tahi lalat” la A’fif
A’fif : Huh? Tahi lalat? Kenapa plak lalat nak e ek dalam mata Pak Long? Jadi, dia
        kencing jugak la dalam mata Pak Long? Kalau kencing jadi aper?
Hubby : LOL! (Speechless at the same time)

Case 2
It happen when we’re collecting durian at dusun recently in Tangkak.
A’fif : Pak Long, pagi-pagi makan durian ni Pak Long dah gosok gigi ke belum?
Hubby : Dah lar. Mandi je belum.
A’fif : Huh? Belum mandi? Mana boleh makan?
Hubby : Sapa kata tak boleh makan? Baru syok makan durian tak mandi pagi lagik.
A’fif : Mak Long, Pak Long tue dah la tak mandi, kuat makan durian plak tue. Kita
       tinggal je dia sini duk dengan Atok tue.
Me    : La, kenapa plak nak tinggal plak Pak Long kat sini? Sian dia.
A’fif : Ye la, Pak Long slalu cakap kat A’fif kalau A’fif macam2 (naughty), tak
        boleh nie la tue lar. Kita kurung je Pak Long dalam pondok tue.
Me    : LOL! (Dendam jugak budak nie kat Pak Long dia. Sbb Pak Long slalu ugut dia
       kalau degil. Ugut kena tinggal lar aper lar)

Love them soo much!

Presenting A’fif Rayyan,
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See how he react in just less than 5 minutes while having breakfast at Village Park Uptwon Damansara!

And this is both of them crashing into my beds early in the morning with a lots of talcum powder in the face.
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Simply me,
Zara~AB
The Province of Chroma

Bye Bye 2011 & Welcome 2012

•December 31, 2011 • Leave a Comment

Salam everyone,

I was watching this New Year’s Eve movie starring Hillary Swank, Josh Dhumel, Jon Bon Jovi, Katherine Heighl, Halle Berry and a few others big names in the film industry! I’m stumbled across the Claire Morgan (played by Hillary Swank) speech just before the New Year’s eve and the ball drops which its found to be soo sweet and meaningful to all of us,

It’s suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne
And celebrate the new year
To stop and reflect on the year that has gone by
To remember both our triumphs and our missteps
Our promises made and broken
The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures
Or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt
Coz that is what new years is all about
Getting another chance
A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more
And stop worrying about what if and start embracing what would be
So when that ball drops at midnight and it will drop
Let’s remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other
And not just tonight but all year long
“.

Image from artatm.com

Hope that 2012 will bring more incredible and amazing stories!

Simply me,
Zara~AB
The Province of Chroma

The Lion City

•December 29, 2011 • 2 Comments

Salam everyone,

I always wanted to pay a visit to Lion City one of these days. The only things that i remembered so far is a big christmas tree just in front of Takashimaya at Orchard Road. And it was way back during my primary school. Berapa lama daaa. We then decided to go to Singapore during the Eidul Adha holiday. There we go!

Since PIL is in Johor itself, we decided just to take the town bus at Larkin. 2 choices available which is Causeway (Malaysia Town Bus) and SBS Transit (Singapore Town Bus). The only bus available once we were there was SBS. We just hop in where the bus will then headed to Queen Street which cost us RM2.20. Everything was just an ad hoc decision. Just a lil bit of reading and planning were made initially for the 1 day trip. The bus will stop at the Malaysia Immigration (CIQ Building) and later at Singapore Immigration for passport validation purposes.

It took us about 1 hours plus to get to Queen Street from Larkin. Once we passed the Woodlands area, my very first impression on Singapore where it was slightly same to Hong Kong – the environment and the building. We even passed through Dunearn Road where nice houses can be found there. Impressived. No wonder Singapore is offering variety of Interior Design Magazine compared to Malaysia. By the way, not to forget the school design as well. Way condusive! Two thumbs up!

The first place that we got down are in Queen Street Bus Terminal. Without any map in hand, we just headed straight to Northern Bridge Road. Just to try our luck and hubby’s made the 1st decision and we found out Murtabak Zam Zam. We tried the famous beef murtabak and fish beriyani for 14SD. The fish beriyani was awesome but the murtabak was nothing compared to original Murtabak Mengkasar that we normally used to have in Kuantan.

The famous Murtabak Zam Zam. In front of Masjid Sultan.null

Our Fish beriyani and beef murtabak
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Masjid Sultan, the landmark.
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After our mouthful beriyani, we walked around and headed to Bugis Village, Bugis Junction and Iluma Shopping Centre all in Bugis Street. You can find cheap souveniors here in Bugis Village. After a quick tour around, we then decided to get local transport – the MRT to get to one place and another. As advised by our new friend there at the MRT station, she suggested us to take the 1 day tourist pass which cost us 18SD (8SD for the pass and 10SD as a deposit). The deposit will be return immediately if you refund it within 5 days of pass purchased at selected station. This card is for 1 day unlimited travel but you need to travel a lot to make this pay off.

We headed to our next stop which is Raffles Place since the main modus operandi for this trip is to get the picture of us at Merlion Park. We passed by the Raffles street and the Fullerton Road.

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We finally reached Merlion Park!
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We actually stop over at Lau Pa Sat Market for a drink. A lil bit suspicious since the food court is selling non halal food and the beverage area is selling beer as well. We then decided to bought from the vending machine. Silly us! We’re just tooo thirsty walking around.
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We then headed to Raffles Place MRT to Paya Lebar station. Hubby insist to go to Tanjong Katong Complex since there is where he always go for shopping since he was a lil kid. Nothing left there but just an old shops. Something similar like Campbell and Pertama Complex. However, it was well maintained by the owner. After walking around, i then headed back to Esplanade.

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I wrapped up the whole journey in Orchard Road! A lil bit of shopping before we went back home! Super tired but already planned for another trip to USS next year. Insya allah.

Simple me,
Zara~AB
The Province of Chroma

GIVE Day Out 2011

•December 12, 2011 • 3 Comments

Salam everyone,

GIVE Day Out 2011!  This was actually one of the biggest event in 2011 for the company that i’m currently working with. It seems that everybody were so into it and to play their part and roles for the community. It’s a day for us to come up with such charitable deeds with lots of fun. This event was actually worldwide, to be exact, it covered Malaysia, India and Middle East  and it will be conducted on the same days. I found that it was such a brilliant idea in order to get the whole staff for full involvement in the company social responsibilities.

We’ve came up with an idea to plant tree along the alignment of our highway construction project and to send some contribution and spare some of our times with the kids at the Positive Shelter Home (POSHe) at Bandar Tun Razak (in conjuction of the World Aids Day) and Rumah Kanak-Kanak Angels in Ampang. I’ve volunteered to go the Positive Shelter Home and that is the reason why all of my pictures linger around at the home as mentioned.

The guestbook
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Sorting and segregating out the breakfast. Thanks Wanie’s for waking up early in the morning to buy breakfast for everybody.
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Their personal items. I bet its a gift from Ambank.
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Half of the team. Some of us have the left early for another programme – tree planting.
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Full enthutiasm by the staff hearing to Mak Wan (the founder) stories.
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The next IJM Ambassador i guess. From left, Zurra, Nazree and Wanie.
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our new friend, Hisham. An 8 years old boy. Love his smile. Priceless.
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Zurra and Nazree with Abg Long, the oldest among all. He’s way too shy.
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And not to forget, me with all of them. Can’t resist to put this photos as well!
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I would like to say thanks to Wanie since all the pix was captured using his Nikon D5000! Thanks again. Kidnapped ur Nikon jap.

Hope to see another GIVE Programme next year. Can’t wait.

Simple,
Zara~AB
The Province of Chroma

Sunset at Tanjung Balau

•November 11, 2011 • 1 Comment

Salam everyone,

Have you ever heard of Tanjung Balau before? This is my very 1st time in Tanjung Balau after our last visit in Batu Layar which is somewhere nearby to the same location. The place is just a minutes away from the Bandar Penawar town. We first  headed to the Tanjung Balau beach which is near to the Fishermen Museum. We didn’t got a chance to visit the museum since it was close due to the public holiday. It’s a lil bit crowded and we then headed to the nearby jetty as proposed by my SIL at the Kampung Nelayan, Tanjung Balau. I was totally amazed with the view since its almost sunset. We couldnt stay any longer since its already pass 7pm and we have to travel back to our home.

Bagai bulan di pagar bintang. Can you spot the moon?

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The view of Tanjung Balau from the jetty.
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I’m totally gonna visit Tanjung Balau again!

Simply me,
Zara~AB
The Province of Chroma

KL Bird Park

•October 31, 2011 • 4 Comments

Salam everyone,

I always wanted to go to KL Bird Park to shoot some pictures. The last time i was there is somewhere when i was still attached to the primary school and at that point of time, i dont even have my own camera. Sis came up with the idea when we couldn’t secured any rooms in Melaka. The initial plan is to stay in Melaka for one night right after our younger sis postgraduate convocation in Batu Pahat, Johor.  Oh ya, gonna wish my sis congratulation on her recent graduation and she is now officially a Master Degree holder in Civil Engineering majoring in highway. You rocks girl!

We reached the bird park somewhere around 10.30am after a mouthful breakfast in Village Park Uptown Damansara. The nasi lemak was totally awesome and the price as well. It cost you RM8.00 for a plate of nasi lemak. But it worth the price though! Google where is Village Park and get yourself a try there.

Entrance ticket for a Adult MyKad holder is RM25.00 and im using the JJ Card to get another RM5.00 discount. There’s a few other promotion for those using PlusMiles, HSBC, Eon credit card and some other membership card like Metrojaya, Real Rewards and others. Do check out the website before going.

In overall, it was such a tiring trip but it was soo much fun especially when the love one is around – mum, hubby and 2 of my sis. I haven’t use my telephoto + macro lens for almost a year and this is the time where i should utilize the usage of the lens. Dah lama sangat berehat dah.

 So, most of the birds comprised of peacock, parrot, song birds, (merbuk and punai if im not mistaken), chicken, duck, flamingo and etc.

 
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Last but not least, the happy faces! Without me and hubby.
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Afterall, it was such a productive Sunday since later we headed to Aquaria KLCC and late lunch in Wadi Hydramawt! Awesome.

Simply me,
Zara~AB
The Province of Chroma

2012 New Year Resolution

•October 14, 2011 • 3 Comments

Salam everyone,

As we come to the end of year, many of us will now considering their so call New Year resolution.  Same goes to me. Btw, isn’t it too early to talk about this ? Fret not!  

And this is my resolution for the coming year:

  • Get down and discuss with dear hubby on the financial budget for next year. I’ve been thinking for some serious saving plan for the next 5 years. Not only for me, hubby and the upcoming family members in the future.
  • Career enhancement. Does this mean i need to move out from the current company? Ermm. Deep thinking! Unfortunately, i’m currently attached in an infratstructure project which i really longed to. Ok. Now i’m totally confused!
  • PhD? Wooo! Should i? If i decided to do it, adoih, another 3 years to go?
  • Travel more and this would be the best part of all. We’ve planned for a 6 days budget backpacking trip in May and tentatively another one by end of next year. 
  • Write and read more books. I only read a few books this year which includes some heavy bibliography like Natrah, Ainuddin Pejuang Degil and etc.
  • Jr in the family. Endless doa and prayer to Allah s.w.t and from friends around. Insya allah.
  • Gonna change the blog themes and background. Been using and stick to the same themes and background for almost 3 years till now. Its hard for me to make a choice.

The list goes on but this is my current priority right now. In short, hope that my dream come true. Amin!

Simply me,
Zara~AB
The Province of Chroma

Yogja & Solo Trip – Part 3 (Finale)

•September 24, 2011 • 5 Comments

Salam everyone,

We’ve completed the 3rd days of the trip by touring around Yogja town by becak (beca). We got con on our 1st becak rental. He looks nice but he left us when we completed our visit to Yogja Kraton (5th place on that day) since we paid him the full amount (IDR 20K ~ RM 7.00). At that point of time, what does actually happened is that we don’t have smaller notes and we paid him the full amount. We should have given him 50% from the becak rental prices as agreed by both of us. Waited about 15 minutes at the Sultan’s Car Museum and he didn’t even turn up. We opt for another becak around there. And this is the recap of our 3rd days touring around Yogja town:

Find becak near to Malioboro Street – Batik painting workshop and showroom – Batik attire shop –Taman Sari Water Castle (with secret underground tunnel) – Pasar Burung Ngasem – Yogjakarta Kraton (Sultan’s Palace) – Benteng Vredeburg – Pasar Beringharjo –Back to Malioboro Street – Walk to Tugu Station – Malioboro Mal (late lunch) – Final shopping at Malioboro Street – Back to the hotel around 5.00pm.

Taman Sari Main Entrance
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Taman Sari – Pool area for the sultan’s, wife’s and the kids.
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Local handicraft at Taman Sari. The wayang kulit was made from cow skin and its actually the Sita and Rama character. Our volunteer tour guide, Mas Supardi keep insisting hubby to buy the wayang kulit and frame it up and put in the living hall for good life!
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Batik
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Taman Sari Underground Tunnel – It’s not easy to get here without any direction from local. Luckily, we took a tour guide just to bring us around since the underground tunnel is actually situated in between houses. Underground tunnel is used to channel the water underneath Taman Sari and there are actually a 2 storey mosque inside it. 1 level for the man and another level for the women.
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Candy maker on the way out from Taman Sari Water Castle
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At Yogjakarta Kraton (Sultan’s Place) – Local indonesian kids and she’s from Jakarta. Super adorable with local batik dress.
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This is how local girls and womans dress up for an event.
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Our tour guide. We’re the only couple in an indonesian group of 40 peoples. And our tour guide keep calling us Safee Sali. Safee Sali is super popular there! It’s compulsary to get a tour guide to enter Kraton and these tour guide can actually speak different languange as preferred – German, French, English, Indonesia, etc. Awesome huh?
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Benteng Vrederburg – Kubu Belanda.
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Again, we almost got con in the Malioboro Mal as well when hubby got confused with the note when paying for dinner. The guy supposed to return us IDR 4K instead of IDR 1K. When we asked him again, he passed the remaining amount where he’s holding the notes in his other hand! Imagine that! It happened 2 – 3 times. I’m sorry to say this, but it’s totally different from other places in Indonesia.

We took our flight back the next day. And not to forget to save another IDR 100K for the airport tax (only for the international passengers). It was so much fun since I really wanted to go to Borobudur and Prambanan. And finally, I’m there! Yogja is such an interesting place.

Simply me,
Zara~AB
The Province of Chroma

Yogja & Solo Trip – Part 2

•July 24, 2011 • 4 Comments

Salam everyone,

Started the day at 7.30am in the morning as promised with Mas Sulis. We booked him for 2 days in a row. Basically, solo trip was very straight forward since there nothing much to explore in Solo. It’s a very small town with 1 – 2 hours drive from Yogja town depending on the traffic condition. In overall, this is the recap of our recent Solo Trip:

Yogja – Beteng and Triwindu Market (sell all the antiques and unique goods from all the places) – Walk to Mangkunegaran Kraton (5 – 10 minutes walk from the antique market. Must visit and it’s compulsory to get a local guide when the Sultan’s is around) – Visit another Kraton in Solo (not a good one since it was not well maintained) – Visit Bengawan Solo River (famous with Bengawan Solo Song. Hubby keep singing the first line of the song over and over again) – Late lunch at local Nasi Padang restaurant – Solo Market (to buy local solo Batik) – Back to Yogja town – Stop at Bakpia Pathok No.25 showroom (to buy some of Bakpia to bring back home) – Factory Outlet Store (Omah Mode and Cosmo) – Back to Hotel.

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Our most favourite tour guide! And she’s 45. Could u guys imagine the jamu that she had. Oh my. She even have a young teenage son. Amazed! At first i thought that she was early 30′s. She explained every single aspects of the Kraton really well.

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Kraton ceiling. Every single colour will bring different meaning like good health, good life and etc. We were there on Saturday and they are having a cultural shows as well. Can you see all the musician, semua oldtimers and they served the Sultan as well.

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And finally at Solo Market. Hunting for Batik Solo. As for me, Solo Batik is much more nicer than Yogja. Various range of colours as well. It’s not easy to ask for cheaper price. I was wondering whether the market itself is a wholesale market since everybody is buying in a large amount of stuff.

Not to forget the faces of Solo. They are way too friendly for me. Senyum ajer.

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Reached hotel around 7.00pm and we had our dinner at the nearest mall, Malioboro Mal. By the way, I couldn’t eat much in Yogja since the food is quite salty with a lot’s of seasoning.

Simply me,
Zara~AB
The Province of Chroma

 
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