Traveling Dulu dan Sekarang

Traveling sekarang tambah ribet. Terutama karena bawa berbagai jenis kabel dan charger. Paling tidak, kabel yang dibawa itu charger handphone, sama charger kamera. Kalau HP satu merk enak, bisa hanya bawa satu. Tapi, kalau HP dari dua jenis merk yang berbeda, otomatis harus membawa dua charger yang bebeda. Belum lagi, kalau traveling dalam rangka urusan kerjaan. Pasti akan ditambah bawa laptop. Aduh, kapan saatnya travel light?

Kalau dulu traveling sangat enak. Kita hanya butuh bawa dompet. Kalau tidak punya dompet, uang tinggal diselipkan di dalam tas atau baju. Beres. Hanya butuh satu tas ransel saja. Kita juga tidak terlalu kuatir dengan barang-barang bawaan kita. Tinggal taruh saja di bawah, atau di kabin atas. Dijamin tidak ada yang akan ambil barang kita. Karena barang-barang bawaan itu, kita jadi agak kuatir kalau traveling naik kereta api. Kita jadi aga kuatir ninggal barang-barang itu di hotel.

Kalau dulu, kita tidak perlu kuatir sama sekali. Tinggal taruh barang dimana saja, tidak akan ada masalah. Tidak ada orang akan ambil baju. Selain itu, orang jaman dulu lebih sedikit yang berniat jahat sama kita.

Aku masih ingat, dulu kala ketika SMA saat menunggu pengumuman UMPTN, melakukan traveling ke banyak tempat di Jawa ini. Atau dulu, waktu jaman-jaman awal kuliah. Ketika setiap weeekend pasti pergi entah kemana. Aku sendiri heran, kok aku dulu bisa traveling kemana-mana ya? Padahal, aku jarang punya duit. Saat itu, adalah masa-masa dimana aku banyak mendapatkan pengalaman spiritual. Ketika traveling itu. Melakukan perjalanan darat yang menyenangkan. Bertemu banyak orang, dan belajar apapun dari kehidupan.

No Subject

Last night, when I was reading The Best Women Travel Stories 2008, I found a very interesting quote by Anais Nin. She wrote, "Throw your life into spaces like a kite. You do not know what it bring back: a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country" I felt very touched.

My life becomes such a mess, lately. The mess is undefined. I don't know it. But, I can feel it. Very clear. I'm very bored with all life here. I wanna really throw my life into spaces, so I can fly like a kite. I just wanna travel far away from where I'm now. Maybe to a place like Madagascar. Yeah, I read some travel stories lately. I know what my passions are.

I do remember the Jhumpa Lahiri's novels. Either "The Third and Last Continent" or "The Namesake" They describe the life of people live in other countries. They have to struggle their native identity, and the identity of the host country. In Jhumpa's stories, Indian culture versus American culture. The first generation, still keep their native identity, but the second and third leave their father's and mother's identity.

Trip to Jogja

This trip is quite long ago. Yeah.. about 3 months or so during my work trip for Monev. The followers: Nadia, Sofie, Any, and me. No more joined us. Even though Nadia has published this holiday thread to Facebook. Many wanted to join, but, could not make it! Many reasons, since "mbulet" has been our trade mark for long times.

I join the team in Caruban. Since I had spent a week in Ponorogo. It is better to meet them at the middle than back to Surabaya. We had wonderful journey. As usual, Nadia was behind the wheel. During this trip, Any proclaimed that she was on diet. We laughed. Did not believe on her plan to diet. We were really sure, that dieting would be in pain. As we know, culinary is part of every journey, either in or out of town. It was our holiday since one in Singapore and Malaysia last 2006. Actually, Any did not join us. Judith joined us instead. I was really glad. Finally, we could make it! HOLIDAY!

We stopped in Solo for Dhuhur in Dewi's place. Dewi is Nadia's younger sister. She studies Medical in Universitas Sebelas Maret. We were in Solo for about an hour. Then, decided to have lunch in Kartasura. Nadia told us that there is a really nice stall (aka warung) of fried duck in Kartasura, named Pak Slamet. Unfortunately, it was sold out. We took another warung's. But, the taste was really good. The service was also good and the warung was also clean. Any broke her vow! She ate fried duck with jerohan. Sofie and I ate chicken instead.

We spent our first night in Motel Sala 4 in Dagen Street. My girl friends, complained about the hotel. Since I recommended this motel, for sure, they complained me! They said, about XXX hotel, hehehe. I just laughed.
I said, "I guess, you're guys want a cheap holiday. Some kind of backpacking..."
They answered, "No way... We work. We want a better place..." But, we already paid that motel. So, we had to stay. Fortunately, we just booked for one night. As I remembered, I used to stay in this motel when I visited Jogja. It was clean and tidy. But, when we stayed that night, this hotel was untidy, the sheet and the cushion were smelly. Weeeekkk...Like million years not being washed. Fortunately, I brought my jarit.

In our first night, we went for the most complicated dinner we've ever had. We wanted bakmi Jogja. Nadia recommended bakmi Kadin, on the other hand Dewi - who finally joined us - and I recommended bakmi Ketandan. I read about this warung from Umar Kayyam's Mangan Ora Mangan Kumpul (MMOK). Ketandan street is near Malioboro. We looked for this street, we found nothing. After an hour here and there finally, we found this street. We found dark street, with no sign of well-known warung bakmi was there! We stopped and ask someone. He said, that there was not warung bakmi around the street. Nadia and the rest asked me, where did I find the name of the warung. I answered, "Umar Kayyam's book..." They burst into laugh. Oh Gosh, Umar Kayyam lived years ago, Any said.

We, finally, headed to the other warung bakmi. Bakmi Kadin. It is well-known bakmi restaurant in Jogja, Nadia said. It has special way of cooking. By boiling the bakmi in arang, and by using duck's egg. Since it lies near Kadin office, it is then well-known as Bakmi Kadin. The restaurant was very crowded. It was not Saturday evening. But, the next day was holiday. We waited more than an hour until our food was served. The waitress said, that two of their rombongs had been booked for the wedding of Noe, the vocalist of Letto, and also the son of Emha Ainun Najib.

According to our opinion: the bakmi was plain. Not as the promotion, everywhere, in blog, mostly. It was less spicy. We did not eat them up.

The next morning, we ate the delicious Nasi Gudheg Yuk Jum, near Gadjah Mada University. It is well recommended. After that, we're heading to Baron Beach, in Gunung Kidul District. Dewi did not join us. Since she had class at noon.

It was Friday. At first, we had decided to use GPS in my mobile to find that beach. But, the price of GPRS was too high. So, we decided to use other GPS (Gak Pake Suwe) a.k.a our ability to ask direction. Mates, we don't live in Europe or San Francisco, we do not need maps, because asking people direction is better than anything. The villager knows many things, even if it is miles away from him/her.

We found Baron at mid day. The route was very fantastic. Sometimes, we just found houses. Sometimes some plantation or rice field. Sometimes, we found forests.

Baron actually has beautiful cliffs. He also has fish market. But, the beach is average. The beach line is not too long. We decided to have lunch there. We ate seafood: lobster, octopus, and some other fishes. After that, we went to Kukup Beach. It has more beautiful beach than in Baron. The cliff is also magnificent! The coast line is long... and we saw many people were looking for small fishes (ikan hias). Kukup Beach reminded me to Tanah Lot. They have the same structure. The air was fresh, and the sky was really blue. The sand was also white. We played in the sand. Oh, I felt the air of freedom!

Before getting dark, we left Baron. This night, we stayed in awesome hotel: Indraloka Hotel in Cik Di Tiro Street, near UGM. This hotel is actually a house that is designed as motel. It consists only 8 rooms. Four in the downstairs and others in the upstairs. We felt like home. It also has internet access to the room. In upstairs, it has library and also pantry. It is designed like many motels and hostels in abroad, for backpackers. We loved this place very much!.

The Smell of Wealth

Last night, I accompanied a friend of mine, shopped in Sogo, Tunjungan Plaza. Her cousin, who lives in Bali wants Christian Dior's Pure Poison. We went to Delta Plaza first. We found it in Perfume Shop. But, we did not sure, whether the good is original or fake. Since the price reached Rp. 1 million, we decided to call some friends who are very expert in perfume and some high living things. Those friends gave us advice just to go directly to Sogo.

We found that counter, finally. We asked directly. Oh, the smell was so good. Sofie said, that's the smell of wealth or we can say it in Indonesian "baunya orang kaya" Her cousin actually also wanted Dior's Night Poison. As soon as we paid, some perfume girls approached us. Some offered Lacoste, some others Calvin Kleine, Estee Lauder and others. Hmmm.. I just remembered, when about 5 years ago, I was intended to buy perfume in Galeri Keris GM. I was about asking the prices. And, the perfume girl asked me, sarcastic "how much money do you have?" I felt very insulted. So, I left her. I decided not to buy any of them.

Last night, when we bought one, others approached us, and offered their goods. If, we did not buy that Dior, I wonder, if they would approach us. They did not even see us. I'm sure about that. It's because of the smell of wealth, as Sofie's said. And, the smell is really good.

Monday Morning: Holiday!

Hi there. This morning, I went biking with Nancy. We drove for about 10 kms from Karangmenjangan to Mulyosari.

We set aboard at 5 am. Hmmm..still freezing outside. I woke up at 4.30. I walked to Nancy's. It's about 750 meters.

You know, it's very long time not to ride any bikes in Surabaya. I have no bike. I'd like one. But, still think to buy the portable one. Honestly, I wanna B2W or Bike to Work. But, I have no ideas, which route I should take to the office. Since, I live in Karangmenjangan, and my office is in Ahmad Yani Street, just outside the town. There are lot of buses, motorcycles, cars, etc. And, there are even no pedestrian in Ahmad Yani. It's about 10 kms from home. I can imagine my face becomes blackened by the ashes. Weeeee... And, I think it's not good idea to take bike to the office. Well, but I still wanna a bike!

Surabaya in the morning was quite quiet and calm. No cars' horn. No people drive their cars very fast. Everything was so perfect. Other people also cycling. Some are walking with friends and families. They are joking. Some, doing some Thai Chi. Everyone enjoys the time of morning.

I smell of life in the morning. It's the smell of hope. So, Happy Holiday everyone!

Pijat Refleksi dan Pijat Spa

Sudah bukan rahasia lagi, kalau aku orang yang sangat suka pijat. Dalam bentuk apapun. Karena pijat itu, sangat enak sekali. Ketika kita menyerahkan diri kita kepada tukang pijat. Kita akan biarkan mereka "merawat" kita untuk meregangkan otot-otot yang tegang dan mengeluarkan angin yang bercokol di dalam tubuh.

Ada beda antara pijat refleksi dan pijat spa. Pijat refleksi selalu menggunakan jari kaki. Dari kaki-lah syaraf-syaraf yang tegang dikendorkan. Peredaran darah dilancarkan. Penyakit diobati. Sakitnya minta ampun. Kalau perlu, akan terdengar teriakan. Tapi, setelah itu terasa sekali segarnya. Sampai satu minggu setelahnya, rasa enaknya masih sangat terasa.

Kalau pijat spa, umumnya adalah massage biasa. Ya serasa hanya diurut-urut dengan lembut. Yang bikin pijat di spa ini enak, karena pijatnya sambil scrub daki dari kulit. Dengan lembutttt.... Setelah itu, direndam dengan air panas. Sebenarnya, pijat spa biasa saja. Hanya saja, karena perawatannya yang menyeluruh itu, jadinya sama enaknya dengan pijat refleksi.

X-Trail Naikkan Derajat

Sofie terkejut saja ketika Mas Nd jemput kita di pool Bali Megah Wisata (BMW) dengan mengendari Nissan X-Trail. Sejak kapan dia ganti kendaraan. At the end, mobil ini akan menjadi kendaraan kita selama di Bali. Kita mikirnya, akan dapat Piccanto. Enak juga pakai X-trail. Sayangnya, CC nya besar. Kalau tidak salah 3.500 CC. Jadi, tidak sekedar boros bensin, tapi juga kayak kencing saja pakainya bensin. Sangking cepatnya habis. Enaknya, entheng setirannya. Apalagi Nadia yang bawa. She is the best woman driver in my class!

Nah, di hari pertama kita tiba di Bali, setelah sarapan di depan Hard Rock dan dropping bos di Bali Pasadena. Tujuan pertama adalah Pecatu. Lokasi pantai Dreamland. Surga selancar yang kini telah disulap Tommy Suharto jadi "Kuta kedua." Ada juga Cafe Klapa. Yang peresmiannya sempat bikin Keket ribut sama Andi Soraya, rebutan Sang Pangeran Cendana.

Areal Pecatu, sudah dikuasi sepenuhnya oleh Pangeran Cendana itu. Bukit tandus itu, telah disulap jadi real estate, padang golf, dan hotel. Tapi, di bukit disana tetap tegak berdiri. Yang aneh, bukit itu adalah bukit kapur. Tapi, diatasnya bisa tumbuh pohon-pohon. Mirip hutan gitu. Konon, dulunya tidak ada yang tahu kalau tanah bukit itu adalah kapur. Sebenarnya, kurang masuk akal kalau di atas tanah kapur, pohon-pohon bisa tumbuh sesubur itu. Lihat saja Gunung Kidul atau Tulungagung. Daerah-daerah kapur, umumnya tandus. Sehingga sering sulit air. Tapi memang benar, Tuhan Maha Besar.

Ketika kita sampai di pos satpam, melihat kita mengendarai X-trail dan plat nomor kendaraan B, satpam langsung menyapa kami dengan ramah. Seraya mengatakan kalau di Klapa sedang ada pertunjukan DJ Lives. Kita, khas anak Ngibul, bilang "Ya, terima kasih!" dengan pede-nya. Habis itu cekikikan. Wah, dikira anak pejabat dari Jakarta.... Makanya, orang itu super ramah.

Ternyata, kita memang tidak jadi main di pantai. Pertama, masih panas. Dan, beberapa agak anti panas. Aku sebenarnya tidak, masalahnya agak masuk angin gara-gara campuran antara kopi sama mangga. Hasilnya, perut diaduk-aduk. Apalagi, paginya aku pupup telat. Kedua, takut dekat-dekat dengan para bule yang asik bermain di pantai gara-gara virus Flu Babi. Akhirnya kita hanya duduk-duduk di resto kecil di pinggir pantai, memesan makanan sederhana. Sofie dan aku pesan sate. Nadia pesan spagetti dan Any pesan steak. Sebelum makan, Antis dulu.... Masakannya lumayan sih. Pelayanannya mas-mas Bali berkulit gelap. Ketika aku pesan coklat panas dikasih es coklat...

Karena masukn angin semakin parah, aku ingin pupup. Sayangnya, toilet ada di atas. Lumayan jauh. Yang paling dekat adalah di Klapa. Yang tepat ada di atas pantai tempat kami nongkrong. Hanya tinggal naik tangga dari marmer. Sumpah, aku hanya ingin toilet! Dengan susah payah aku naik (karena menahan mules). Sesampainya di anak tangga paling atas, seorang satpam berdiri gagah di depanku. Berkata, "Balik saja ke bawah sana... Jangan ke atas.." Oalahh... dia mengusirku, saudara. Mungkin karena tampang kereku. Yang hanya pakai celana pendek warna merah dan kaos oblong. Tidak membawa apa-apa. Dan, muka memelas karena menahan sakit perut.

Tanpa berpikir panjangk aku lari ke toilet sebenarnya. Pakai antri lagi.... Duuhh...setibanya di dalam toilet, aku tidak bisa pupup. Dan, perut masih saja mules, dan sendawa terus.... Oh masuk angin, please, don't ruin my holiday!

Pesan moral dari cerita ini: orang memang masih menilai semua itu dari kulitnya saja. Di bawah, ketika mengendarai X-trail. Status kita naik. Di atas, itulah sebenarnya kita. Yang belum kelasnya kalau ke Klapa, hehehe.