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  • Peach Aviation MM6320 from Tokyo to Osaka: 15th Airline

    My departure time for East Asia Tour Volume-2 was only a day away. There was still one stage of my itinerary which was still scattered and unfinished, i.e the deadlock of my transfer mechanism from Tokyo to Osaka. Three months ago, I wasted a cheap bus ticket from Tokyo to Osaka for 5,700 Yen just because I kept thinking and looking for other options. Some time later when the weekend came, the price of bus fare increased to 9,700 Yen. While the Shinkansen ticket price reached 14,000 Yen.

    It mean that apart from the bus, the Shinkansen was also impossible for me to choose. The bullet train was too expensive for my pocket. Inevitably, I have to go back to rummaging through information about Japanese transportation.

    I started tracking how many commercial airlines which Land of Rising Sun owned. Previously, I had booked one of their airlines to move from Kaohsiung (Taiwan) to Tokyo, that airline was Vanilla Air. But this airline in fact set a fairly expensive price for Tokyo to Osaka route, around 10,130 Yen.

    From my persistence in exploring cyberspace, my mouse touch found another LCC (Low Cost Carrier) airline belonging to Japan, namely Peach Aviation. The airline’s attributes rely on a combination of orange and pink colors, forming a pale orange color known as peach. I started looking for a route. Finally I found Tokyo-Osaka route for 7,150 Yen, a slightly cheaper price than taking the bus, Shinkansen or Vanilla Air.

    —-****—-

    Preparing for take-off with Peach Aviation MM6320.

    The incident of delay and accidentally drinking alcohol became a bad memory before I left Tokyo. However, I started to smile when my flight number was mentioned in airport announcement. I started queuing in line. I began to imagine the beauty of Osaka Castle in every second of my queue. Until I arrived, my boarding pass and passport were checked by a female ground staff who was very young.

    “I’m sorry, this is not your flight. Your flight will be depart 30 minutes later”.

    “Are you sure?”, I half asked.

    “Yes, sir. This flight is MM320 and your flight is MM6320, almost similar”.

    “Oh God, I’m sorry. This is my wrong”, I slapped my forehead while trying to hide my embarrassment.

    I stepped back from the queue and sat in one of empty rows of seats that had been left by prospective passengers to enter the plane. I was still watching the queue until the last person entered the plane. Now I was back waiting….

    30 minutes later…..

    Unmistakably, this was my flight, I made sure flight number information on the LCD screen was correct, then I matched it with the same number in my boarding pass….Yup, this was MM6320. I immediately entered the queue. Then at the queue gate, I gave my boarding pass and passport to be checked by one of ground staff. Finally, I was allowed to enter the plane.

    The cabin dominance with a peach color made the room so cheerful, slightly reducing my fatigue in struggling with delays. Every cabin crew was so quick to help passengers put their luggage into luggage compartment. Several times, a flight attendant didn’t hesitate to take off her shoes and stood into a chair edge to push some large luggage and tidy it up in luggage compartment.

    After preparation, Peach Aviation MM6320 began to crawl towards runway accompanied by a demonstration of flight safety procedures by cabin crew. Moments later the flight captain asked for permission to take off. Shortly after, the Airbus A320-100 sped away from Narita International Airport from Terminal 1.

    The sky in Tokyo seemed to be clear that night. I didn’t feel any turbulence during 1 hour 35 minute flight. Osaka is Japan’s third largest city, 500 km in west of Tokyo. Throughout flight, most passengers prefered to close their eyes, but I still turned on the reading light because I was interested in the abundance of tourism information which contained in Peach Aviation’s inflight magazine. I took pictures one by one of that tourist information sheets, I needed it while in Osaka. Apparently my activity was noticed by a flight attendant from behind. Even at one time she came to me.

    Hunting for information on board.

    “Do you still reading, Sir?” .

    “Yes, Ms. I need some information from this magazine”.

    “Oh ok, Sir. It doesn’t matter. I just make sure”.

    She smiled and sat back in her flight attendant’s seat at back. Even after that, I made sure that throughout the flight I never turned off the reading light. On 23:53 hours, flight captain started talking into his microphone to simply announce that the plane would soon be landing at Kansai International Airport Terminal 2. All passengers rushed up, got ready and tidied up every seat. The cabin crew continued to check back and forth according to safety procedures for landing process.

    I still didn’t know about actual conditions down there because I was sitting in aisle seat. I was able to feel when the plane began to lower and occasionally rocked to stabilize its position. Until finally the smooth pounding of plane’s wheels informed me that Peach Aviation had touched the runway of Kansai International Airport, in Terminal 2 to be exact.

    There was no welcoming aerobridge, all passengers must descend the stairs and be picked up by Narita apron shuttle bus to the terminal building.

    Arriving at Kansai International Airport Terminal 2 on midnight.

    That night, I decided to spend the night at Kansai International Airport Terminal 2 and would leave for downtown on the next day.

    Alternatives for airline tickets from Tokyo to Osaka can be found on 12Go or the following link: https://12go.asia/?z=3283832

  • Dubai International Airport: Nafas Panjang di Kota Terpadat UEA

    <—-Kisah Sebelumnya

    Desing mesin SriLankan Airlines UL 225 perlahan berkurang usai roda-roda raksasanya menyentuh landas pacu Dubai International Airport. Melakukan taxiing selama beberapa waktu akhirnya selongsong terbang itu merapat dan berhenti di salah satu titik apron bandara. Aerobridge segera dijulurkan ke pintu depan pesawat untuk mengakomodasi proses unloading segenap penumpang.

    Aku pun bergegas keluar dari pesawat dan sejenak berhenti di tengah aerobridge, menghela nafas panjang dan masih tak percaya untuk pertama kalinya menginjak satu kawasan baru dalam sejarah petualanganku….Timur Tengah. Dan kini aku berada di kota terpadat di seantero Uni Emirat Arab, yupz….Dubai.

    Perlahan aku menapaki Concourse D yang merupakan bagian dari Terminal 1….

    Karena setiap keberangkatan dan kedatangan di Terminal 1 selalu dikonsentrasikan di Concourse D dan karena Concourse D ini merupakan bangunan terpisah dari Terminal 1 maka keduanya dihubungkan oleh Automated People Mover (APM) , singkat saja dengan istilah Terminal 1 APM.

    Aku melewati koridor kedatangan yang tampak modern dengan dinding kaca keseluruhan di sisi kanan. Beberapa travelator disediakan untuk mempercepat langkah penumpang menuju Terminal 1 APM. Sedangkan jalur buggy cars di koridor kedatangan ditandai dengan jalur ubin berwarna hitam.

    Concourse D-Dubai International Airport.
    Koridor kedatangan.
    Terminal 1 APM platform.

    Dalam 20 menit aku tiba di platform Terminal 1 APM. Tampak petugas dnata perempuan berkebangsaan Philippina mengarahkan setiap penumpang menuju gerbong Terminal 1 APM yang telah datang. dnata sendiri adalah penyedia layanan udara terbesar di dunia yang memberikan penanganan darat di Dubai International Airport.

    Karena aku harus mengambil beberapa gambar di Concourse D maka untuk berpindah ke Terminal 1, aku menunggu kedatangan Terminal 1 APM di kesempatan kedua.

    Kereta itu pun tiba….

    Aku bergegas memasukinya dengan mengikuti arahan dari staff dnata yang bertugas. Mengambil gerbong terdepan maka aku pun meluncur ke Terminal 1 untuk menyelesaikan urusan keimigrasian. Dan dalam sepuluh menit aku tiba di bangunan Terminal 1.

    Kini aku dihadapkan pada deretan konter imigrasi yang memanjang memenuhi salah satu sisi ruangan. Dengan konter sebanyak itu, bisa dibayangkan berapa banyak pendaratan pesawat di bandara ini. Peran Dubai International Airport sebagai mainhub di Kawasan Timur Tengah memang tidak bisa diragukan lagi.

    Beberapa waktu menunggu di antrian, tiba giliranku untuk menghadap ke petugas imigrasi yang mengenakan gamis dan ghutra berwarna putih bersih.

    “Donny Suryanto from Indonesia”, ucapnya ketika mencocokkan passport dan dokumen keimigrasian di komputernya.

    “Yes, Sir. I’m Donny from Indonesia”, jawabku tegas.

    “Welcome to Dubai, Donny….Come!…Come!”, dia menunjukkan jalurku keluar dari area imigrasi.

    Bombardier Innovia APM 300 buatan Jerman.
    Menuju konter imigrasi.
    Conveyor belt area.
    Arrival hall.
    Arrival hall.
    Yuks, cari tempat tidur…..Wkwkwkwk.

    Semudah itu aku melewati konter imigrasi. Kabar baiknya, petugas imigrasi itu memberikanku Tourist SIM Pack secara cuma-cuma. Mungkin ini sebagai bentuk promosi dari Du Mobile supaya para wisatawan membeli kuota dari penyedia jasa telekomunikasi tersebut.

    Dengan mendapatkan SIM Card dengan kuota 20MB tersebut, aku tak perlu membeli kuota karena aku bisa melacak posisiku menggunakan GPS ketika berada di tengah kota nanti.

    Langkahku pun berlanjut dengan meninggalkan area conveyor belt karena memang tak ada bagasi yang perlu kutunggu. Akhirnya aku pun menginjakkan kaki di Arrival Hall. Langkah pertama yang kulakukan adalah menukar beberapa Dollar Amerika dalam bentuk Dirham di konter Travelex. Seingatku aku hanya menukar uang sebesar 122 Dollar Amerika untuk mendapatkan 439 Dirham. Jumlah yang lebih dari cukup untuk berpetualang ala backpacker di Dubai.

    Setelah mendapatkan Dirham yang cukup untuk keperluan eksplorasi, akhirnya aku mengambil tempat duduk di Arrival Hall untuk memejamkan mata sejenak karena masih ada waktu tiga jam menjelang fajar.

    Kisah Selanjutnya—->

  • Narita International Airport Terminal 1: Alcohol….Oh, Alcohol

    Narita International Airport Terminal 1 entrance

    Paying 1,000 Yen to the driver with tie, receiving a receipt, ending with taking a back seat, I was now ready to explore the Higashi Kanto Expressway. This was the same street I passed by for the first time after arriving in Tokyo a few days ago.

    Taking 70 kilometer asphalt road and within an hour, I felt asleep along the two prefectures passed by JR Kanto Bus, namely Tokyo and Chiba. I woke up when the bus had arrived at Narita International Airport and stopped for a while at Terminal 2 to dropping off some of its passengers. Now I was stricken with worries when the bus had passed Terminal 1. But I was trying to stay calm and go with the flow of bus.

    I was lucky when I saw Terminal 1 nameboard far ahead. Yups, it turned out that my stop point hadn’t been missed.

    On 4:41 p.m., I was dropped off at the drop-off zone by JR Kanto Bus driver, then rushed into one of Narita’s entrances. I was increasingly confident with the presence of Peach Aviation logo on logos board of airline which operating in Terminal 1.

    “I’m at the right terminal”, I cheerfully thought.

    But another challenge came, I was still five hours away from scheduled departure. The self-check-in counter hadn’t let me print my boarding pass yet.

    “Okay, I would just wait”, I patient myself.

    Two and a half hours of waiting at a departure hall seat, I finally managed to do self-check-in process on 19:25 hours. I grabbed a boarding pass and steadily stepped towards the gate. Upon arrival, it turned out that the gate was still not ready.

    Peach Aviation counter.
    World Sky Gate_Narita as the new branding of Narita International Airport.
    Narita International Airport Terminal 1 floor plan.

    Until finally, I decided to look for a minimarket to hunt for dinner. I found Lawson in one of the corridors and entered without a second thought. I quickly took a pack of onigiri for 248 yen and the cheapest mineral water for 103 yen and took it to the cashier.

    After paying, I continued to walk to the observation deck, then sat in one of its chairs to enjoy the plane traffic of various airlines which were busy going back and forth at Narita International Airport. The outdoor observation deck was blown by a cold winter wind that consistently chilled the body.

    Even though it was uncomfortable because it was cold, I still tried to enjoy dinner, still sat on one of the observation deck benches and continued to be fascinated by the pair of take-off and landing activities of large planes.

    I kept trying to show my best smile while chewing onigiri, not wanting to be outdone by happy expressions of passangers around me when they were enjoying restaurant foods with nice aroma which inhabited along the side of observation deck.

    The last piece of onigiri was complete. I then opened my bottled mineral water. I opened its lid and without hesitation drank it like a thirsty person. A mouthful of water finally smoothly glided down in my throat. But my eyes bulged because my nose was stung by a foreign smell. A warm sensation enveloped along my throat. And finally, automatically, I profusely coughed.

    Not pure mineral water!…A clear drink clearly contained alcohol in it. Finally I could feel the sensation of alcohol even though it was accidentally….I didn’t drink alcohol before.

    I still didn’t want to throw away the alcoholic bottled water and put it in my backpack. If later it wasn’t confiscated at the screening gate, let it be a memory while in Osaka.

    Finally, after enjoying the airport traffic, I immediately headed to the gate and prepared myself to fly. HHmmhh… As soon as I entered the gate, the delay information immediately approached. Out of curiosity, I directly asked the female ground staff about the validity of this delay. She confirmed that Peach Aviation flight number MM6320 did experience a delay in arriving at Narita and I would have to wait another hour later.

    Pretty simple boarding pass.
    @Kids park, waiting for the plane to coming for pick me up.

    I spent the next hour extra with closing my eyes in the waiting room. I sat next to Kids Park near Terminal 1 gate….

  • e-Visa UAE: Gagal di VFS Global, Sukses di DUBAIVISA

    <—-Kisah Sebelumnya

    Saking lelahnya, aku pun tertidur di depan layar LCD TV di depan bangku bernomor 56G yang kududuki. Itulah penggalan cerita ketika aku terbang bersama SriLankan Airline bernomor terbang UL 225. Aku begitu menikmati penerbangan selama hampir lima jam dengan jarak lebih dari 3.000 km.

    Aku bersiap memasuki Dubai dengan kepuasan tersendiri ketika mendarat. Bagaimana tidak? perjalanan menuju Dubai ini terjadi dibalik usaha yang keras untuk mendapatkan e-Visa Uni Emirat Arab.

    Penerbanganku ke Dubai memang berjalan lancar tetapi sebetulnya banyak hal yang sebetulnya tak mulus berlangsung jauh sebelum penerbangan itu dilakukan. Akibat menggunakan SriLankan Airlines, aku akhirnya tak bisa mengurus visa di VFS Global Kuningan. Karena agensi ini hanya melayani pembuatan e-Visa Uni Emirate Arab untuk pemilik tiket Emirates Airline dan Etihad Airways.

    Singkat cerita….

    Aku mendatangi agensi itu di Kuningan City tepat satu bulan sebelum petualangan ke Kawasan Timur Tengah dimulai. Karena aturan agensi, setibanya di sana, aku diharuskan menitipkan laptop di sebuah konter di depan kantor VFS Global dengan biaya penitipan sebesar Rp. 50.000.

    Berhasil memasuki kantornya maka bertanyalah aku kepada resepsionis yang sedang bertugas.

    “Maaf, Mas….Kami tidak melayani pembuatan e-Visa untuk penerbangan menggunakan SriLankan Airlines, kami hanya melayani untuk penerbangan Etihad dan Emirates, Mas. Mohon maaf ya, Mas”

    Aku melangkah gontai meninggalkan gedung itu. Dalam setiap langkah, aku telah merasa bahwa perjalananku menuju Dubai akan gagal. Aku pun telah berpikir untuk melewatkan Dubai begitu saja dan berniat untuk langsung menjadwal ulang penerbangan dan bermaksud langsung terbang ke Muscat saja seusai mendarat di Dubai. Itu artinya, aku harus mempercepat penerbangan Swiss Air dari Dubai menuju Muscat yang telah kupesan sembilan bulan sebelum keberangkatan.

    Sirna sudah asa untuk mengunjungi gedung tertinggi di dunia Burj Khalifa dan Palm Jumeirah.

    Seminggu berikutnya…..

    Ketika hendak menjadwal ulang penerbangan, pada suat malam, aku mencoba berselancar di internet untuk mencari agensi yang bisa membuatkan e-Visa UEA. Memang tidak ada agensi lokal yang memiliki otoritas untuk itu. Tetapi aku akhirnya menemukan agensi di UEA yang bisa membuatkan e-Visa.

    Dari sekian banyak agensi yang menawarkan jasa itu, akhirnya aku berjodoh dengan DUBAIVISA. Melalui laman agensi itu, aku bertukar pesan dengan Mr. Salman Hyder. Setelah beberapa arahan darinya dan membaca testimoni pelanggan untuk agensi ini maka aku berani mempercayakan pembuatan e-Visa kepadanya.

    Membayar jasa pebuatan sebesar 115 Dollar Amerika akhirnya aku mendapatkan e-Visa UEA dalam 29 jam. e-Visa itu aku unduh dari email yang dikirimkan oleh Mr. Salman Hyder. Dan setelah aku cek validitas e-Visa tersebut di laman resmi imigrasi pemerintah UEA, ternyata e-Visa itu memang dokumen keimigrasian yang valid. Walau sedikit mahal, tapi aku cukup bahagia karena asaku menuju Dubai akhirnya terjaga.

    Mengajukan Aplikasi pada 7 Desember 2019
    Biaya pembuatan e-Visa UEA.
    e-Visa disetujui.
    Yaaaiyy….Akhirnya berangkatlah diriku ke Dubai.

    Apakah rugi membayar 115 Dollar Amerika?

    Aku rasa tidak, toh jika kembali berhitung, harga tiket SriLankan Airlines menuju Dubai ditambahkan biaya pembuatan e-Visa tersebut ternyata masih tetap jauh lebih murah apabila dibandingkan dengan menggunakan penerbangan Emirates Airline ataupun Etihad Airways dengan pembuatan e-Visa gratis di VFS Global.

    Tapi tetap saja, memilih penerbangan apapun adalah pilihan, tergantung budget masing-masing ya.

    Yuk, ikuti petualanganku di Dubai….

    Kisah Selanjutnya—->

  • Tokyo Station: Finding Trail to JR Expressway Bus Stop

    Preparing to leave Harajuku Station.

    A little past two in the afternoon. I started leaving Meiji Jingū via Harajuku Station. I retraced Yamanote Line, turning south through Shinagawa District, then back to north. It covered a distance of fifteen kilometers and costed 200 Yen.

    I arrived at Tokyo Station a little past three-thirty in the afternoon and was dropped off at platform number four near Marunouchi North Exit. Maranuochi itself is a business district located in west of Tokyo Station.

    I continued down an underground passage and kept looking for directions to get out at exit gate located closest to JR Expressway Bus Stop. Since morning, I have decided to use bus to movimg from downtown to Narita International Airport.

    Once down the stairs then I was faced with a long corridor. Right on the wall in front of the last step was a wide yellow signboard. The sign directed me to exit at Yaesu South Exit. That was the closest exit from the JR Expressway Bus Stop. Do you know about Yaesu?….In the opposite direction of Maranuochi then Yaeshu is an area located at east of Tokyo Station.

    Location directions in the corridors of Tokyo Station.
    Those who don’t want to bring a backpack, please rent a locker.
    This is rental locker at Tokyo Station.
    Where are you currently?
    Automatic ticketing vending machine.

    The commercial side of this station is so dominant. Along the underground passage, the station sell locker facilities to passengers. These storage facilities are known as Coin Lockers. This locker type has a rental price which varies from 600 to 1,000 Yen per day.

    Along the corridors of Tokyo Station was so crowded. I kept stepping and starting to get disoriented. Unknowingly, I have arrived at Shinkansen Transfer North Gate. Until finally a station staff helped to direct me to the nearest exit. For his services, I finally managed to get out at Yaesu Central Exit.

    Yups….Arrived at Yaesu Central Exit.

    The time lag for my flight schedule was still long. I also didn’t want to be at the airport too long. So I decided to take a seat in the courtyard of Tokyo Station. I continued to observe the activities of Tokyo residents who seemed very busy. While enjoying the busyness, I consistently opened the skin of guazi and chewed it seed by seed. And because I couldn’t find a trash can, I threw the peel of guazi on the roots of ornamental plants. I didn’t think that an officer to notice my bad behavior. I responded quickly, before he came to me, I showed him the half-filled guazi packaging. Miraculously, he just smiled and nodded. In fact, if he reprimanded me, then I was ready to take that organic trash again.

    Guazi skin problem is over….

    I got up from my seat and headed for JR Expressway Bus Stop. Arriving at the location, I immediately entered a long queue at the number seven bus platform. Exactly at four o’clock in the afternoon, I boarded JR Bus Kanto which was typical white with blue color.

    I handed over 1,000 Yen to the driver, who was very well-groomed and in a tie. After he gave me a receipt, I took the back seat.

    Located at JR Expressway Bus Stop.
    Let’s got in!

    I was getting ready to head to Narita International Airport Terminal 1.

  • TPI Pelabuhan Ratu: Balada Layur

    Keempat roda mobil terus kupaksakan membelah aliran air hujan yang mengalir menuju pantai. Aku meninggalkan Pantai Ujung Genteng lebih awal dibanding pengunjung lain yang masih berteduh menunggu usainya hujan. Tentu aku mendahului kemungkinan terbentuknya genangan-genangan air yang bisa menghambat laju kendaraan.

    Dalam siraman lebat air hujan, aku mulus menerobos jalanan berair hingga ujung desa. Memasuki bagian jalanan yang sudah beraspal membuatku lebih tenang dan dalam sekejap membangkitkan ulang hasrat eksplorasi yang sebetulnya masih tak terima untuk usai lebih cepat. Keinginanku untuk pulang lindap lagi.

    Mengubah haluan ke kiri, aku menuju tepian pantai lain di ujung desa. Hujan masih saja deras ketika aku menginjak pedal rem di tepi pantai. Memaksaku untuk menerima kenyataan bahwa aku harus menikmati pantai dengan cara terduduk di belakang kemudi.

    Menerima saja kenyataan, maka mataku terus fokus menatap deburan ombak yang mengantri luruh di bibir pantai. Berulang-ulang, terus-menerus hingga aku mengalami kebosanan. Kebosanan yang membujukku untuk segera pulang.

    Walhasil, usai menjalankan ibadah shalat  Dzuhur di sebuah masjid dekat gerbang desa, aku kembali memacu kendaraan di jalanan menjauhi pantai. Niatku telah bulat untuk pulang.

    Tentu jalanan yang kulewati sudah tidak asing lagi karena aku hanya melewati jalan berangkat semula dengan cara membalik rutenya. Etape demi etape aku lewati dengan lancar. Sesekali keindahan yang tertampil di beberapa titik menginterupsi perjalanan. Pemandangan itu berhasil menarik minatku untuk mengabadikannya. Pemandangan-pemandangan eksotik itu seakan menjadi bonus perjalanan.

    Beranjak keluar dari pantai.
    Menikmati pantai dari balik kemudi.
    Tanah longsor di salah satu ruas jalan.
    Berhenti sejenak untuk menikmati PLTU Pelabuhan Ratu.
    Jembatan Cimandiri.

    Memasuki Desa Citarik, tetiba otakku memantikkan sebuah ide cemerlang. Sore itu adalah sore akhir tahun. Itu berarti di malam harinya, penduduk seluruh dunia akan menyambut kedatangan tahun baru Masehi.

    “Ahaaa…..”, aku menjentikkan jari sembari menambah porsi injakan pada pedal gas. Melaju lebih kencang  maka aku merubah haluan menuju selatan.

    Mobil kini melaju di ruas Jalan Jayanti menuju ke arah Pantai Pelabuhan Ratu. Bukan…..Aku bukan menuju ke pantainya, melainkan ke Tempat Pelelangan Ikan (TPI). Aku akan berburu ikan laut. Kupikir membakar ikan di malam tahun baru akan menjadi kegiatan menarik. Begitu semangatnya aku untuk mendapatkan jenis ikan terbaik di TPI.

    Aku dengan cepat dan mudah melahap ruas jalan itu karena aku telah menghafal setiap jengkal jalanan menuju ke TPI. Bagaimana tidak, itu adalah rute field tripku ketika mengenyam pendidikan di  sebuah kampus di Kota Hujan.

    Sangkala menunjukkan pukul tiga sore ketika aku memarkirkan mobil di kompleks perniagaan yang terletak berseberangan dengan Tempat Pelelangan Ikan.

    Aku bergegas turun dari mobil dan melangkah menuju TPI. Akan tetapi, baru saja mulai menyeberang jalan, tetiba langkahku dihadang oleh penjual ikan layur. Ikan layur itu ditaruh pada keranjang panggulnya.

    “Seratus ribu saja, Aa”, begitu  pintanya.

    “Maaf, Pak. Saya sedang mencari ikan buat di bakar, ikan ini kurang cocok sepertinya, Pak”, aku menolaknya baik-baik.

    Aku pun menyeberang jalan dan meninggalkannya. Memasuki pintu masuk TPI, lapak-lapak tak beratap berjajar menawarkan ikan-ikan berukuran besar. Membuatku bimbang menentukan pilihan. Hingga di tengah pelataran TPI, aku tertarik pada tampilan Ikan Kuwe yang tampak mengkilat dan berisi.  Akhirnya aku menjatuhkan pilihan pada jenis ikan itu dan membayar Rp. 150.000 untuk dua kilogram Ikan Kuwe. Usai mendapatkan buruan, aku pun tak mau terlalu lama berada di TPI yang semakin sore semakin menarik para pengunjung untuk datang.

    Berburu ikan di TPI.

    Aku meninggalkan TPI dan menuju mobil.

    Tapi dalam setiap langkahku, aku merasa diikuti oleh seseorang. Aku mencoba untuk tak menoleh ke belakang dan bergegas menuju ke mobil. Hingga aku membuka pintu mobil, seseorang memanggilku.

    “A’, tunggu a’!”, teriakan yang berasal dari belakang.

    Orang yang raut mukanya sudah familiar itu pun mendekat, “ A’, udahlah bayar semau Aa aja ikannya, saya lagi perlu banget”, katanya dengan nada rendah

    Dia adalah pedagang ikan layur yang sebelumnya menghadang langkahku ketika hendak menyeberang jalan menuju TPI.

    Aku sejenak menatap lekat mukanya. “Sepertinya orang ini jujur”, aku membatin.

    “Memang dijual berapa, Pak”, aku bertanya.

    “Seratus ribu, a’ ”, dia menegaskan

    “Ya sudah saya ambil ya”, aku menjawab sembari mengambil dompet dari saku belakang. Kuserahkan uang Rp. 100.000 dan kemudian ikan itu berpindah ke tanganku.

    Aku mengepak rapat segenap ikan yang kubeli dan selanjutnya pergi meninggalkan TPI.

    Aku harus segera menggapai Jakarta sebelum malam tiba.

    Mau tahu nasib ikan layur itu?

    Ikan layur itu kubagikan ke tetangga….Wkwkwk.

  • Writing Prayers and Wishes in Meiji Jingū

     
    Get ready for second day of adventure in Tokyo @ Nakano Station platform.

    The tragedy of losing my wallet at Nakano Station made me gulp in fear, it turned out that there was still a coward side behind my courage to explore the world. I calmed down for a moment by sipping drinking water from free water station at one of Nakano Station platforms.

    The silver and yellow colored commuter of Chūō Line arrived, I took a step into a middle carriage and sat at long bench on left. I deliberately chose to sit right above a console grill heater. That was my habit while riding Japann’s trains which was slipping into the winter.

    I continued to follow the Chūō Line towards east and then turned into south after changing to Yamanote Line at Shinjuku Station. Within twenty minutes, I arrived at Harajuku Station after traveling for about seven kilometers. I only had to pay 170 Yen for this trip.

    Crossing the long corridor of Harajuku Station, I came out from West Exit directly opposite Meiji Jingū First Torii Gate on the right. But gosh……

    Now that I’ve lost my right glove, how could I resist cold air if my equipment disappeared? I retraced my path when I exited the station platform and finally I found one of those gloves in the middle of corridor after automatic fare collection gates. I didn’t know why?, since this morning, I’ve been stuck losing things even though it were found again. Could this be the start of all surprising things ahead of my adventure?

    Alright…Focused back to my steps…..

    Now I was posing in front of Meiji Shrine gate. The Torii was so distinctive, the inspiration for a famous automotive company logo in “the Land of Samurai”. I walked through smooth gravel as the entrance to the temple. The path had a width of one meter on left side, combined with a one meter wide paving block path bordered by rope for exit route on the right. Meanwhile, in some parts, the path was bordered by bamboo fences which were neatly arranged as high as the waist of an adult.

    In front of the gates of Meiji-jingumae Station “Harajuku” (Chiyoda Line) as part of Tokyo Metro Subway Network. But I didn’t take the Tokyo Metro.
    In front of the Meiji Jingū Torii.
    Sake drums (kazaridaru).
    Wooden wine drums.

    Meanwhile, an old officer removed leaves from road using a backpack-leaf blower. Leaves just needed to be pushed aside to road side and allowed to become natural compost, so environmentally friendly.

    Within four hundred meters, on the right, I was blown away by neat arrangement of kazaridaru dedicated to Meiji-tennō and Shōken-kōgō. While right on the left side was an arrangement of wine drums made of wood.

    Arriving at the main Torii of shrine, every visitor must wash their hands at Temizuya with water using a long-stemmed dipper. This ritual of self-washing or misogi aimed to purify the body and mind before standing in front of a deity to pray.

    Temizuya (shinto shrine pavilion for purification) in Meiji Jingū.
    In the middle of temple.

    For a moment I stopped after passing through main gate, I was amazed by the size of the Meiji Jingū . This was a shrine dedicated to the spirit of Meiji-tennō , the ancient ruler of Japan.

    Meanwhile in some parts of the temple was being renovated. Workers in white carpenter uniforms, complete with various carpentry equipments on their waists and wearing safety helmets, were seen standing on the step ladder, busy making repairs.

    While at the end of the shrine, tourists could be seen queuing up at a shop which sells ema and omamori boards. The shop seemed to be guarded by beautiful women dressed in white and red kimonos, they looked polite and graceful to serve the visitors.

    While I was busy writing a prayer on a piece of paper, then I put it in a box. While some tourists wrote prayers and hopes on the ema board they bought, then hang it on the spot provided.

    The carpenters were on duty.
    Shops selling omamori were amulets that were believed by the Japanese to bring good luck and safety.
    What was I praying about?
    An ema board, a small wooden plaque decorated with handwritten art which expressed hope.

    It didn’t feel like an hour and a half walked until I finally finished exploring all parts of the temple. This was my last destination in Tokyo, because I would soon be heading to Narita International Airport to catch Peach Aviation flight number MM6320 which would depart at 21:35 hours.

    I finally decided to head straight to Harajuku Station and rushed to Tokyo Station, because I was planning to take JR Bus Kanto to the airport.

    Let’s go……..

    Get ready at Harajuku Station….To Tokyo Station.

  • Pantai Ujung Genteng: Fortuner atau Pajero Sport?

    Suara debur ombak mulai mengintimidasi ketika roda mobil semakin memangkas jarak menuju bibir pantai. Mungkin tampang sumringahlah yang mendominasi saat itu jikalau aku bisa melihat wajahku sendiri. Bagaimana tidak, hampir genap sebelas bulan, kedua kaki harus dibelenggu di rumah karena suasana luar yang chaos diserang virus mematikan.

    Tetapi tentu ada sedikit rasa takut di ruang hati karena ini akan menjadi pertama kalinya aku akan sangat dekat dengan kerumunan. Apalagi kuperhatikan di sepanjang perjalanan, semakin dekat dengan pantai, masker-masker pun mulai menghilang dari jalanan. Mungkin saja virusnya yang takut sama asinnya air laut….Hihihi.

    Gerbang pantai lamat terlihat dari ujung desa. Jalan desa yang mulus memungkinkanku membuang fokus pandangan dari jalanan untuk lebih menikmati suasana perkampungan. Beberapa bapak—bapak tampak tekun menjahit sobekan-sobekan pada jaring ikan yang mereka bentangkan di antara tiang-tiang rumah.

    Hingga aku tak sadar sudah mendekati gerbang pantai. Di depan sana seorang petugas parkir tampak melambaikan tangan untuk menyambut kedatanganku dan tampak pandangannya menyapu segenap luasan lahan parkir tepi pantai untuk mencarikanku slot parkir tersisa.

    Tapi kali ini aku memerankan sikap antagonis, karena dengan cepat membanting stir mobil ke kanan haluan dan menolak lambaian tangan itu. Aku memutuskan untuk terlebih dahulu menyusuri jalanan tepi laut untuk menikmati keindahan yang terbentang di sepanjang garis pantai….#isengbangetsich.

    Untuk beberapa saat aku bisa menikmati aktivitas nelayan dan warga lainnya di sepanjang pantai hingga akhirnya karma itu datang. Di depanku, genangan air menghadang laju mobil. Aku yang penasaran, segera membuka pintu dan turun. Kuambil batang kayu dan kujajaki genangan air itu. “Jauh di atas mata kaki”, aku membatin sambil menggaruk-mengaruk kepala.

    “Tat tet tot….Tat tet tot”, tanpa sadar dua unit mobil tertahan di belakang mobilku yang terhenti karena genangan air.

    Menyusur pinggir pantai.
    Pantai yang jauh dari kerumunan.

    Tanpa ragu aku memberikan aba-aba ke kedua mobil itu untuk memberikanku ruang untuk mundur. Aku mengurungkan niat untuk menyisir tepian pantai lebih jauh. Seusai meminggirkan mobil yang sejajar beberapa sentimeter dari sebuah pagar tembok maka kedua mobil itu dengan santainya menerabas genangan air yang ada di depan mata. “Andaikan aku bisa membeli Fortuner dan Pajero Sport seperti itu”, batinku sembari berpangku tangan di atas kemudi mobil yang mesinnya sudah kumatikan sedari tadi.

    Hmmmhhhh…….

    Menyalakan mesin kembali, aku kembali ke arah semula. Tetapi aku memutuskan untuk segera turun ke bibir pantai karena tak tahan lagi dengan godaan keindahan pantai yang berada di depan mata.

    Aku memutuskan berhenti di salah satu sisi pantai yang sebetulnya sudah tak jauh lagi dari area utama pantai. Kesunyian lah yang membuatku memutuskan untuk turun ke bibir pantai.

    Atap pantai tak begitu cerah siang itu. Membuat panas surya tak berhasil menembus permukaan pantai dengan sempurna. Hal ini bisa membuatku leluasa berlama-lama menikmati jajaran perahu bercadik yang mengangguk-angguk diterpa gelombang di garis jangkarnya. Sementara di tempatku berdiri terasa kelembutan pasir putih dengan serakan potongan-potongan cangkang dan karang.

    Menurut informasi yang kudapat dari lokasi wisata, terdapat semenanjung yang menjorok ke selatan. Semenanjung ini sejatinya dibentuk oleh pertumbuhan karang, Nah pecahan karang ini akhirnya sampai pada pasir yang berada di hadapanku.

    Khusyu’ menikmati suasana, untuk kemudian titik air yang jatuh dari langit menyadarkanku bahwa sebentar lagi akan turun hujan.

    Oleh karenanya, aku bergegas meninggalkan bibir pantai untuk memasuki mobil dan bergegas menuju area utama pantai untuk menikmati keindahan terakhir Ujung Genteng.

    Tiba di area parkir, tanpa ba bi bu aku segera turun kembali menuju pantai. Kali ini kepadatan pantai tampak nyata. Membuatku sedikit tak percaya diri untuk turun sepenuhnya.

    Ketaatan terhadap protokol, membuatku sedikit tersingkir dari kerumunan. Aku mulai menikmati saja keindahan yang berada di depan. Kali ini kelengkapan wahana begitu menjadi daya tarik para pengunjung.

    Beberapa titik instagramable tampak memiliki antrian muda-mudi yang cukup panjang untuk mengabadikan diri.

    Gerbang utama pantai.
    Kapal bercadik khas Ujung Genteng.

    By the way…..

    Eh, sebetulnya kalian penasaran ga sih dengan asal usul nama Ujung Genteng?

    Gaes…Ujung Genteng berasal dari nama Ujung Gunting. Hal ini dikarenakan posisi Ujung Genteng yang berada di ujung pulau Jawa bagian barat yang bentuknya mirip sebuah gunting. Area berbentuk gunting bagian bawah dinamakan Ujung Genteng, sedang area berbentuk gunting bagian atas dinamakan Ujung Kulon.

    Begitulah kira-kira informasi yang kudapatkan.

    Setelah beberapa lama menikmati pantai. Tetiba…….Byuuurrrr……..

    Hujan jatuh ketika kau sedang asyik-asyiknya menikmati pantai. Membuatku segera menyingkir pada sebuah box non permanen yang dimanfaatkan untuk berjualan. Kebetulan deretan kedai-kedai berbentuk box itu sedang kosong sehingga memungkinkan bagiku untuk berteduh di dalamnya.

    Berharap hujan segera turun, tetapi alih-alih reda malahan semakin lama semakin deras. Tampak aliran air dari jalanan mulai mengalir deras ke arah pantai. Membuatku berpikir ulang. “Ini pasti akan banyak genangan di jalanan seusai hujan deras ini. Lebih baik aku segera meninggalkan pantai saja. Toh aku sudah dua jam berada di pantai. Sudah cukup rasanya eksplorasi kali ini”, aku membatin sembari mempersiapkan diri untuk berlari ke dalam mobil di area parkir.

    Saatnya pulang menuju Jakarta kembali.

  • Losing a wallet at Nakano Station

    Some meshiya around Yadoya Guesthouse … remain of hunting dinner last night.

    Mattress at Yadoya Guesthouse’s bunk bed also seemed to like an ice beam, even when early hours have already gone. That morning, I deliberately slowed myself to wake up, I looked like a coward who hid behind the thickness of dormitory blanket. I revenged for my eyes, after almost forty hours didn’t so perfectly closed. The last felt asleep was the day before yesterday, in Taiwan, precisely.

    At ten in the morning I just really woke up, due to whispering sound of two lovebirds behind a blanket on other bunk bed which made me uncomfortable. They sleep with intimate and ignoring around. I decided to watering my body under the shower. This time I managed to find the heating button so there wasn’t need to take a shower of super cold water again liked last night.

    Afterwards, I was neatly packed all my travel equipments into 45 litre backpack and I prepared to check-out. That afternoon I would fly to Osaka with Peach Aviation. While the remaining time, I would spend to visiting a temple in the middle of city.

    I went down in the lobby and poured warm water from a dispenser. Apparently Janessa was preparing it from early morning.

    “Good morning, Donny. How were your days in Tokyo? “

    “I’m frozen in this town, Janessa. But all are well “.

    “Are you going to Osaka tonight? You visited Tokyo very quick “

    “My holidays aren’t much, Janessa”

    “I hope you will enjoy Osaka, Donny”

    “Thanks Janessa. Nice to meet you “.

    I said goodbye to Janessa and turned the body to left Yadoya Guesthouse. My steps were automatically head to a FamilyMart in north of Dormitory. I have to have breakfast before heading to the temple.

    See you again Yadoya Guesthouse.
    Still abled to swallow onigiri. Breakfast for 298 Yen.
    North yard of Nakano Station.

    I brought Onigiri on a circular bench near northern gate of Nakano Station. Not alone, many local residents had breakfast with me on the bench. Some young men stood in courtyard to enjoying hot coffee. I sat under warmth of morning sun and was accompanied by a group of busy pigeons.

    Breakfast was over, it was time to leave … …

    Today I won’t buy Tokunai Pass again because I would just spend time in Meiji Jingū. Afterwards, I would go to Narita International Airport.

    I was a little troubled to queue in ticketing vending machine, with a backpack on my back. And a map, gloves and a compass in my left hand then I took out my wallet with right hand. While continuing to step forward to front of queue.

    Until my turn to pressed various buttons at Ticketing Vending Machine. Not so difficult, because I had conquered that machine hassle on yesterday afternoon at Tokyo Station. I exchanged 170 Yen for a one way ticket to Harajuku Station located in Shibuya district.

    As soon as I got a ticket, I resigned from the queue, inserting a map and compass in its place,  put on gloves again then went to the platform. I continued to entering automatic fare collection gates and following the instructions to Chūō Line train towards Harajuku Station.

    Once finished stepping on top stairs …

    “Helloooo …..helloooo” …

    I looked back. A middle-aged man was waving and asked me to wait for him. So until above …

    “This …”, he smiled and handed over a wallet to me.

    Gosh, why can my wallet fall?

    “Arigatou Gozaimasu …”, I said many times while bowing half of him. And the good man smiled.

    “Ohayōgozaimasu …Titterashai”, he bowing and went back down the stairs.

    I saw my wallet’s contents for a moment after he left, none of them were reduced. Oh, God … you just keep sending good people to me.

    I couldn’t imagine if my wallet was really disappeared. I would definitely walk towards Indonesia’s embassy and asked to be deportation from Japan.

    Thank you for a middle-aged man who was kind and thank you God, my adventure was still continuing.

  • Menuju Pantai Ujung Genteng: Berbagai Panorama Menanti

    Hampir genap dua belas bulan semenjak perjalanan terakhir ke Kawasan Timur Tengah, passionku hampir saja membeku karena terpaan pandemi COVID-19 yang merambah ke seluruh dunia.

    Praktis, aktivitasku sebagian besar kuhabiskan di dalam rumah saja. Bahkan masa lebaran pun dengan khidmat kurayakan jauh dari kampung halaman. Hingga rasa jenuh mendalam di akhir tahun berbisik ke dalam hati untuk memberanikan diri keluar rumah.

    Dalam rasa setengah tertantang dan khawatir, tetiba pikiranku teringat akan sebuah destinasi yang sejak lama belum juga terkunjungi.

    Sekiranya aku telah mengkhatamkan beberapa kawasan pesisir tanah Sunda bagian barat seperti deretan pantai di Pelabuhan Ratu, Pantai Sawarna, Pantai Anyer, Pantai Carita dan pantai di Tanjung Lesung. Tetapi ternyata belum dengan Pantai Ujung Genteng.

    Mungkin inilah saatnya mencairkan kebekuan karena sebelas bulan masa pandemi hanya berada di dalam rumah saja. Walaupun belum tersentuh vaksinasi sama sekali, akhirnya aku memutuskan untuk berangkat menuju Pantai Ujung Genteng.

    Karena jaraknya yang mencapai dua ratus kilometer dari kediamanku di Jakarta Timur, aku memutuskan untuk berangkat pada dini hari dengan harapan bisa tiba di Pantai Ujung Genteng saat pagi hari dan aku bisa kembali lagi ke Jakarta di kesorean harinya.

    Menyempatkan lelap lebih awal, aku terbangun pada pukul dua pagi, untuk kemudian menginjak pedal menyusuri Jalan Tol Jagorawi.

    Sedikit menyisakan rasa kantuk, aku.sesekali meyeruput kopi panas dari tumbler ukuran sedang yang kuletakkan di pintu kanan. Sebelum berangkat, aku memang menyempatkan diri menggerus biji kopi robusta untuk kemudian kuseduh di dalam tumbler.

    Memenuhi isi tangki bahan bakar di Rest Area Cibubur, perjalanan kembali berlanjut di ruas tol Bocimi dengan arus yang sangat lancar. Keluar di tol gate Cigombong, aku melanjutkan perjalanan melewati jalur reguler dengan menyusuri daerah Cicurug, Parung Kuda dan berhenti sejenak di Cibadak untuk menunaikan shalat Subuh di dalam mobil.

    Isi bahan bakar dahulu….

    Kembali melanjutkan perjalanan maka pukul enam pagi aku sudah berhasil menggapai Desa Citarik dengan tengara utama Jembatan Cimandiri. Semenjak itu, jalanan menampilkan pedesaan yang asri, area hutan dan hamparan panorama pegunungan di satu titik dan panorama lautan di titik lain.

    Pada satu titik di Desa Kertajaya aku bisa menikmari nuansa pegunungan yang membiru. Sedangkan di beberapa titik, pegunungan itu dihiasi oleh penaorama lautan yang menyelinap diantara sisi-sisi gunung.

    Lepas dari perjalanan di Desa Kertajaya, pemandangan berubah menjadi perkebunan teh, Perkebunan Teh Surangga namanya. Perkebunan teh yang rapi itu menjadikan suasana jalanan menjadi lebih elok karena di sejauh mata memandang hamparan tanaman teh dengan tinggi seragam menjadikan lahan di kiri kanan jalan layaknya karpet alami yang meliak-liuk mengikuti kontur tanah sekitar.

    Jembatan Cimandiri.
    Pemandangan dari Desa Kertajaya.
    Indah banget kan….?
    Memasuki area Perkebunan Teh Surangga.

    Pemandangan elok tak berhenti di situ, tepat di daerah Waluran, suasana berubah menjadi hutan berkabut yang membuat jarak pandang menjadi sangat pendek. Justru proses perjalanan yang penuh kehati-hatian itulah yang akhirmya mengekspos dengan jelas kontur hutan dikiri kanan jalan untuk dinikmati.

    Lewat sedikit dari pukul delapan pagi, perjalananku memasuki segmen akhir ketika aku melintas di perkebunan di Jalan Surade-Ujung Genteng.

    Kabut di daerah Waluran.
    Nah udah kelihatan kan pantainya?….Tuh.

    Sebentar lagi aku sampai…..