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  • Anyer, KLIA2 Arrival Hall and Malaysian Immigration

    Hi Guys….This is a classic story when I start my passion as a backpacker.

    Starting from this article, then I will pour my old adventures in dissecting neighboring country….Yesss, Malaysia.

    Malaysia is the closest country which is often used as the easiest and most economical place to start a passion as a backpacker. In addition to offering cheap living costs and close to my country (Indonesia), Malaysia is also known for being friendly with its transportation system. So, Malaysia can train you to become a beginner level backpacker.

    Malaysia itself became third country which I visited after Singapore and Thailand in the early phases of my journey to become a backpacker.

    —-****—-

    Office outing in Anyer just held on first night. My anxiety worsened when employee award event didn’t ended yet. 23:00 hours was almost over, as a new employee, I ventured myself to ask for permission to early go home to Jakarta…..I didn’t packing yet, guys.

    Permission was finally approved without an easy steps. Not thinking long, I hurriedly and deeply stepped my car’s pedals. I was speeding in Jakarta-Serang toll road in early morning which began to dew.

    —-****—-

    Imperfectly parking “The Silver” in garage, I rushed and jumped into my room to pack all my supplies into a 25-liter backpack.

    My time wasn’t enough anymore to catch DAMRI bus on “Kampung Rambutan bus terminal to SHIA” route, making me to pushed again “The Silver” pedals towards Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (SHIA). It made me had to spend USD 18.8 for paying parking fee at airport for 4 days-3 nights.

    —-****—-

    Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur return ticket which costs USD 44.8 which I got through Air Asia promo program since 8 months before departured were finally saved from lateness threat which haunted me since first minute of returning from Anyer.

    I couldn’t wait to fly to Melayu Land soon after “The Red Airline” was seen landing on Terminal 3, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport runway.

    The old Terminal 3 (when Terminal 3 Ultimate wasn’t built yet).

    Not waiting long, me and other passengers were picked up by Air Asia airport coach to location of plane parking lot.

    QZ 202 which would fly at 6:25 hours with travel time of 1 hour 50 minutes.

    At that time, it was my second flight with Air Asia (in 2014). Whereas my first flight with Air Asia took Jakarta-Bangkok regular route in 2013.

    —-****—-

    Yuhuuuu….First landing in Mahathir Muhammad’s land.

    My landing on KLIA2 (Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2) runway was greeted with flight attendant voice in Malay language. First time I directly heard Malay language. Amazed.

    My heart beated fast because it was my first time for solo traveling. “Ouch, how is it?….Crazy, I abroad alone….How? if do somethings happen to me?“. I muttered when I set foot in aerobridge.

    KLIA2 which operated in 2014, replaced LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal) function.
    Building condition was still new.

    Learning to be a beginner backpacker made me always carry around drink bottle to be refilled….very long time ago.

    Water station which made me glad….Free water
    Female toilet, nursing room and disabled toilet in arrival hall.
    Departure flight information at KLIA2 is also available in arrival hall corridor.

    In fact, I felt that I wasn’t ready to go to immigration counter because of extreme fear. Scary stories very disturbed me i.e strictness of Malaysian immigration officers for first time new comer. And the bad news was….This was my first time entering Malaysia.

    Come on….Enter the immigration counter….No matter about what would happen.

    Being behind the yellow line of immigration queues made my heart beated fast….Because I would enter a slot at immigration counter soon. My appearance which didn’t support….My jacket which had faded in its color because I often weared it and used for go around Jakarta as a salesman, non-original mountain sandals which weren’t so bonafide and small backpack which wasn’t convincing.

    Immigration staff: “Where are you going?“, I was little afraid.

    Me: “Just sightseeing in Kuala Lumpur, Sir“.

    Immigration Staff: “Where are your destinations?“

    Me: “Batu Caves, Petronas Twin Tower, Bukit Bintang and Genting, Sir“.

    Immigration Staff: “Can you show your return ticket?“

    Me: Put down my backpack, opened it and looked for it, “This is my Air Asia return ticket on November 18, 2014 at 09:50 hours“.

    Immigration Staff: “How about your hotel reservation?“

    Me: “I haven’t booked a hotel, Sir” I began to strain.

    Immigration Staff: “How come, there isn’t hotel reservation, where do you want to stay?“, His face was very fierce.

    Me: “I got this reference hotel, Sir (while showing a hotel name card which I got from my boss who often travel to Kuala Lumpur)”. But actually I will not stay at that hotel.

    Immigration Staff: “In next journey, you must have a hotel reservation, this time I was allow you to enter“. I was still looking nervous while he wrote my return date under free visa stamp on my passport. A sign that he suspected me.

    But on my next visitation, every immigration officer who I passed never wrote my return date on passport. I have been able to freely enter in all around Malaysia until now.

    Look at my appearance, really suspicious as a tourist.

    Continue to follow my story about Malaysia in following articles.

  • SCAM….Sesuatu yang Nyata di India

    Staff Hotel: “Go to New Delhi Railway Station platform 1 floor 1!”, jawaban singkat tertutur dari bibir si cantiq yang masih terlihat sibuk menerima para penginap dari berbagai bangsa.

    Aku: “Thank you, honey Ms”.

    Oh ya, mencari dormitory terdekat dari stasiun MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) memang kebiasaan yang telah bersifat di diriku.

    Aku mulai membuka pintu goStops Delhi Hostel dan melintas beberapa warga yang kurang beruntung. Terenyuh ketika sinar surya satu-satunya yang bisa membantu menghangatkan mereka yang masih pulas meringkuk diatas kasur busa bekas yang entah mereka dapat dari mana.

    300 meter kemudian aku tiba Delhi Gate Metro Station. Melewati X-ray gate setiap memasuki stasiun MRT di New Delhi menjadikanku merasa aman selama melaju di jalurnya.

    Yuk kita lihat dalaman ttasiun subway di New Delhi…Ini adalah Indira Gandhi Airport Metro Station saat pertama kali aku tiba di India

    Menyusuri Delhi Metro Violet Line dan kemudian bertransfer ke Yellow Line di Kashmere Gate Metro Station, maka di stasiun ketiga aku tiba di New Delhi Metro Station.

    Tiba di tujuan akhir, aku harus berpindah antar dua moda kereta yang tak terintegrasi. Meninggalkan New Delhi Metro Station yang begitu bersih terawat menuju New Delhi Railway Station yang lebih dari sekedar kotor. Jaraknya antar keduanya hanya sekitar 450 meter.

    Berjalan 6 menit, aku tiba di depan New Delhi Railway Station

    Dari tangga penghubung antar platform, kuperhatikan petugas Indian Railways itu menyemprotkan air di atas jalur kereta. Kupikir mereka begitu disiplin mengurangi laju debu di udara, ternyata beberapa waktu kemudian aku tahu bahwa mereka sedang membersihkan jalur kereta api dari kotoran manusia….#unique.

    Upss….Kejadian itu tiba:

    Scammer: “Where will you go, Sir?”

    Aku: “Agra.”

    Scammer: “Let me help you to get the ticket.”

    Aku: “Oh thanks. Based information from my hotel that ticket counter is on platform 1 floor 1.”

    Scammer: “Oh, yes. But It’s Friday. So, the counter is closed. You can get the ticket at left side of this station.”

    Aku: “Oh, OK.”

    Entah “Bego” atau “Dungu”, aku mengikuti semua petunjuknya. Pemuda tampan itu tak menyertai langkahku, sehingga tak ada kecurigaan sedikitpun di otakku. Hebatnya, ada seorang di gerbang stasiun yang kesannya menunjukkan dimana lokasi konter penjualan tiket tersebut. Jelas sekali mengarahkanku ke sebuah kantor di ujung jalan sebelah kiri.

    “Oh, ini kantor agen travel, bukan kantor Indian Railways”, batinku. Aku batal menaiki anak tangga berikutnya dan berbalik meninggalkan kantor mereka. Walau salah satu dari mereka terus mengejarku, aku bersikukuh halus dengan menyampaikan akan menunda keberangkatan ke Agra hingga esok hari saja, sehingga mampu meredam emosinya yang terlihat mulai meninggi.

    Huftt….Selamett. Scam kedua yang menimpaku setelah terakhir menghampiriku di Bangkok di akhir 2013.

    —-****—-

    Kelegaan yang terasa berlipat karena selain mampu menemukan kantor penjualan tiket milik International Tourist Bureau di platform 1 lantai 1, Aku juga mendapat bonus berlindung dalam kantor itu dari dinginnya terpaan udara New Delhi yang membuatku serasa beku.

    Kantor yang sederhana itu dipercantik dengan layanan konsultasi petugas penjualan tiket kepada setiap turis dengan sangat baiknya. Jadi kamu harus bersabar menunggu nomor antrianmu dipanggil petugas karena satu pembeli bisa berkonsultasi 10-15 menit, beberapa bahkan lebih. Tak menjadi masalah bagiku, semakin lama semakin baik karena aku tak perlu kedinginan diluar sana.

    Tiket Jhelum Express seharga Rp. 40.000 sudah di tangan.

    Yuk ke Agra….Bersih-bersih Taj Mahal….Yuhuuu.

  • The Venetian….Culinary, Picnic and Gambling.

    Gambling and Casino are two things which are very identical with Macao. So if you go to Macao and don’t see their casino, it won’t leave an impression..

    It’s easy.…

    Do you want to gamble? Who knows, you will return from Macao then become wealthy.

    Or….

    Just want to see how is gambling at casino?…Yup, no one forbids.

    One thing when you travel to Macao….Decide immediately! Which casino will you visit. Because there are many casinos there.

    For me, because I was just curious about real casino, I decided to visit The Venetian.

    Why does The Venetian?

    Yes, I will close my exploration by having dinner there, then see gondola to feel Venice sensation and finally I will close my exploration by seeing gambling at casino….The Venetian can fulfill all three. So I chose it.

    Christmas atmosphere at The Venetian.

    —-****—-

    This time I easily got bus, just turned left from Macao Tower front yard then I got a bus stop (Torre Stop / Tunel Rodoviarios) and I waited for city bus no. MT4.

    By paying bus fare for about USD 0.5, I arrived at The Venetian in 15 minutes.

    I saw a blue bus passing by in front of The Venetian’s lobby. I understood that I would ride it later after exploring The Venetian. Yes, it’s The Venetian’s free bus to take tourists from Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal.

    Admiring classic style of The Venetian’s building when I started stepping into building. Hunger which had attacked since leaving Macao Tower made me immediately move to 5th floor when I entered The Venetian.

    Surrounding food court, I tried to find the cheapest menu for my dinner. Made sure with surrounding twice before I spent USD 6.8 for a portion of fried rice and USD 1.5 for a half liter of mineral water….So expensive.

    Not finished eating it because a portion is so large, then I looked for existence of gondolas in Venice’s gondolas style to ending my curiosity which appeared since watching them on a television show several months before my departure to Macao.

    This is an artificial river at The Venetian for gondola tours.

    You only need to spend USD 16.6 to enjoy this tour.

    I was so absorbed in enjoying beauty of The Venetian, passing around every corridor which provided branded products.

    Shops at The Venetian.
    Shops too.

    A step later I was right in front of casino entrance. My main target destination that I finally visited in my tour closing session in Macao.

    Entering casino at The Venetian is quite easy, just need to show your passport to security officer at front gate so you will easily enter.

    Like being in an old Hong Kong movie, I searched every side of casino to see how did people gamble at casino. At each table, there was always a dealer who always offered me to gamble. Of course, I would never do it. I just smiled to respond their request to gamble.

    Very special ending. Finally I could directly see casino in Macao. The darkening of day was required me to leave The Venetian.

    As I stated above, I wouldn’t miss another session i.e riding free shuttle bus which was provided by major hotels in Macao. This time I boarded The Venetian’s free blue shuttle bus. I headed to Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal using this shuttle bus.

    From Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal, I continued on my way back to hotel using bus no 10A like I did when I first arrived in Macao. With a tariff of USD 0.4, I arrived back at Villa Ka Meng Hotel to rest and continued my trip tomorrow to Shenzhen using fast ferry.

    Bye The Venetian….Bye Macao.

  • Lima Destinasi Wisata Agra dalam 10 Jam.

    PARAHHHHH…..

    Badai kabut di utara India telah merampas waktuku lebih dari 6 jam.  Tetapi kejengkelan telak terkalahkan dengan keripuhanku sendiri melawan super dinginnya udara Negeri Nehru itu.

    Petaka kabut di India

    Jhelum Express menepi di Agra pada 20:30. Pengen denger ceritaku menjajal kereta ekonomi mereka….nanti saja lah….MENGERIKAN !!!.

    Tak ada yang bisa kuperbuat malam itu. Suhu yang hampir menyentuh nol derajat Celcius, bahkan udara dengan cepat mendinginkan sajian mie goreng pinggir jalan yang kubeli. Bumbu India yang terkenal menyengat itu bahkan tak mampu kurasakan karena beku mulai menghantam lidah.

    Aku bak seorang pengecut yang bersembunyi di balik selimut GoStops Hostel sambil menunggu aliran listrik memenuhi segenap “teman elektronikku”.

    Staff Hotel: “You must be grateful to be an Indonesian. You can easily go everywhere. Not like me, getting a passport is very difficult. Our government protect their citizen from getting difficult life at out of our country. I had waited for two years to get a passport, I hope I will get this year. I want go around the world like you”

    Aku: “Don’t worry, you will get it, my friend. You will go to my country also sometimes.  One thing that should made you proud with India. Your currency is more stronger than my currency…..Aaannnnddddd, Your country have great histories and cultures in the world.”

    Itu sedikit percakapan serius sebelum aku memasuki kamar, dan percakapan yang sedikit intelektual setelah sebelumnya aku hanya berbicara dengan penumpang kereta yang duduk di depanku dan sopir taxi yang mentransferku dari Stasiun Agra Cantt ke hotel.

    —-****—-

    OKAY….Kukuruyukkkkk….#perasaanganemuayam.

    Automatically, Aku hanya memiliki 10 jam berharga untuk mengeksplorasi Agra dimulai dari jam 7 pagi. Kali ini aku tak akan membenarkan diriku untuk menggunakan transportasi umum….Terlalu mepet….Beruntungnya, aku melakukan sharing cost bersama teman-teman backpacker sekamar untuk jasa taxi yang bersedia di carter hingga sore hari. Karena sore hari, aku akan menuju New Delhi. Aku hanya perlu mengeluarkan Rp. 60.000 untuk biaya transportasiku seharian.

    1. Taj Mahal

    Tak berani menyentuh air untuk membasuh badan, aku tergopoh memasuki taxi yang sudah siap di depan hostel. Pagi itu….Kabut sangat tebal bahkan matahari pagi tak mampu menyibaknya.

    Yes, akhirnya….Aku menuju destinasi idaman turis seluruh dunia….Taj Mahal

    Taxi bergerak ke utara menyusuri Agra-Bah Road. Tak jauh, hanya 3.5 km yang tertempuh dalam 15 menit. Taxi berhenti di tepi jalanan, aku hanya ingat dengan papan nama “Malik Tour & Travel” sebagai penanda.

    Jasa bajaj seharga Rp. 40.000 menjadi penghubung berikutnya menuju Taj Mahal West Gate Ticket Office. Kulepas Rp. 98.000 untuk mendapatkan tiket masuknya.

    Setiap jengkal di Taj Mahal selalu menggoreskan kesan, satu-satunya benda yang sangat mengganggu para wisatawan adalah kabut yang membuat mereka seakan kesal tak bisa mengabadikan dirinya bersama bangunan sangat bersejarah itu.

    Taj Mahal tertangkap dari Mehtab Bagh.

    Wisata andalan Negara Bagian Uttar Pradesh itu memang sungguh mengesankan. Makam yang didedikasikan untuk Mumtaz Mahal (istri dari kaisar Shah Jahan) sanggup menarik 8 juta wisatawan dari seluruh dunia setiap tahunnya. Salah satu Situs Warisan Dunia UNESCO yang harus kamu kunjungi jika memasuki tanah Mahabharata itu.       

    2. Itimad ud Daulah Tomb

    Dua jam meresapi dan menikmati keindahan Taj Mahal yang hampir keseluruhannya berbalut marmer putih mematri doktrin di otakku bahwa dunia itu sungguh indah.

    Yuk, balik ke hostel untuk berbasuh dan menyantap sajian free-breakfast sederhana yang disajikan hostel. Aku sendiri langsung berkemas check-out dan menaruh backpack di bagasi taxi. Selepas menengok Agra Fort nanti, aku akan langsung bertolak ke New Delhi.

    Berada 4.5 km di utara Taj Mahal, situs ini menawarkan ketenangan dan kenyamanan. Tak seperti Taj Mahal yang bising pengunjung. Mirip tapi tak sebesar Taj Mahal menjadikannya dikenal sebagai “Bayi Taj”.

    Adalah bangunan yang mengilhami gaya arsitektur Taj Mahal.

    Jika Taj Mahal didedikasikan untuk Mumtaz Mahal, maka pembangunan Itimad ud Daulah didedikasikan untuk kakek dari Mumtaz Mahal yang bernama Mirza Ghiyas Beg.

    Aku ndak mau bercerita banyak….Datang sendiri aja ya….Yuhuuuuu !!!!

    3. Yamuna River

    Satu jam bergulir dengan cepatnya. Niatanku untuk segera bergegas menuju destinasi berikutnya kandas. Aku tertegun dengan penampakan sungai kering nan menghampar begitu luas, seakan memamerkan kegagahan kepada semua yang makhluk melihat, melintasi atau bahkan hidup daripadanya.

    Terletak di sebelah barat Itimad ud Daulah……Beuh,

    Man….Itu Sungai Yamuna….Seumur-umur, aku baru melihat sungai seluas itu.

    Didaulat umat Hindu sebagai Dewi Yamuna.

    Sungai yang bersumber dari gletser Yamunotri di  Negara Bagian Uttarakhand ini terlihat surut dan terpapar berbagai bentuk limbah seperti plastik dan limbah cair yang mudah diterka dari baunya.

    4. Mehtab Bagh

    Dua kilometer berikutnya di selatan…..

    Menjilat, menyesap dan menelan pelan french fries jalanan berbumbu garam beraroma kari menjadi aktivitas tak pentingku berikutnya….Sisihkan beberapa Rp. 10.000-an untuk mencoba beberapa kuliner ringan jalanan di India !. Kujamin kamu akan terkesan.

    Gaes, aku sudah di sisi sebuah taman nan lebar dan romantis….Mehtab Bagh namanya.

    “Mehtab Bagh” sendiri memiliki makna yang tak jauh dari sepasang kata dalam Bahasa Inggris “Moonlight Garden”….tuh, gimana ga romantis coba?.

    Konon…. Shah Jahan akan membangun Black Taj Mahal di taman ini. Tapi tak pernah kesampaian.

    Sering menjadi persinggahan sang Raja untuk menikmati keindahan Taj Mahal yang berada di seberangnya dan hanya terpisahkan oleh Sungai Yamuna.

    Harga tiket masuk sebesar Rp. 40.000 tidaklah seberapa dibandingkan dengan keindahan taman yang bisa kamu nikmati dengan aman. Aman?….Ya taman ini dijaga dua tentara bersenjata lengkap yang selalu berkeliling taman.

    5. Agra Fort

    Masala Tea = 90 Rupee ….ini mah Rp. 17.000

    Egg Fried Rice = 150 Rupee….yah sekitar Rp. 29.000.

    Itulah menu makan siangku di “The Master Chef” Restaurant di bilangan Fatehabad Road sebelum menuju destinasi terakhirku di Agra….#sedih.

    Terletak 2.5 km di barat laut Taj Mahal, Agra Fort juga menjadi Situs Warisan Dunia yang sangat menonjol dengan warna merahnya.

    Kota berdinding ala Agra Fort….Menakjubkan.

    Kamu harus membayar Rp. 98.000 untuk membayangkan secara langsung para kaisar Mughal tinggal di Agra Fort ini.

    Berkeliling sepuasnya di dalam Agra Fort sebelum berpisah dengan kota Agra. Aku menelusuri satu demi satu bagian didalam banteng kota ini.

    Memasuki Diwan-i-Am bak rakyat Mughal yang sedang berkeluh kesah, atau memasuki Diwan-i-Khas bak tamu penting kerajaan yang sedang dijamu sang raja.

    Merasakan kemewahan Jahangiri Mahal yang merupakan istana khusus untuk istri raja, lalu terduduk merelaksasi diri di Anguri Bagh yang pada masanya digunakan oleh para wanita anggota kerajaan sebagai taman kerajaan.

    Dan sebagai seorang muslim, aku juga merasa wajib menapaki Moti Masjid didalam Agra Fort sebagai tempat peribadatan segenap anggota kerajaan.

    —-****—-

    Waktu singkat yang mengenalkanku pada kota kuno di utara India. Kota yang arsitekturnya mempengaruhi banyak kreasi bangunan di seluruh dunia.

    Pastikan kamu mengunjunginya lebih lama dariku karena nilai sejarah kota ini begitu tinggi dan tak bisa dinikmati dalam sekejap saja.

  • Masjid Negara….Simbol Kemerdekaan Malaysia

    Hop On Hop Off berkelir biru sedikit berdecit saat mengerem ketika memasuki tikungan yang menggiring kendaraan wisata ini merapat ke sebuah bangunan peribadatan yang penuh kharisma. “Nash(ә)n(ә)l mäsk”….Mulutku mengeja marmer hitam bernama emas itu.

    Berfikir cepat….Turun atau tidak sama sekali.

    “Tuan-tuan dan puan-puan, yang hendak melawat masjid, sila turun disini. Selamat melawat”, tour guide cantik itu tersenyum sembari memegang microphonenya sejak tadi.

    Tak tercantum dalam itineraryku, tak membuatku berpaling dan aku memilihnya menjadi destinasi bonus di hari terakhir sebelum pulang ke Jakarta.

    Perdana Menteri pertamalah yang memberikannya nama Masjid Negara.

    Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj adalah bangsawan yang berperan penting dalam pembangunan hingga penamaan masjid ini. Penggagas dibangunnya Masjid Negara sebagai perwujudan rasa syukur atas kemerdekaan Malaysia dari kolonialisme Inggris tanpa harus bertumpah darah.

    Perlahan aku memasuki bangunan utama setelah berwudhu untuk menunaikan kewajiban Ashar. Sebuah ruangan dibawah naungan kubah agung dan beralaskan karpet lembut berkualitas tinggi. Hampir saja aku tak sudi beranjak dari kenyamanan yang memerangkap diri.

    Kubah memiliki 18 ornamen berbentuk bintang.

    Delapan belas ornamen yang bergantian lafal Allah dan Muhammad itu melambangkan 13 negara bagian dalam pemerintahan monarki konstitusional Malaysia dan 5 rukun islam sebagai pondasi agama islam yang dianut lebih dari 60% warga Malaysia.

    Luasnya bangunan….Memang tak bisa diragukan jika beberapa statement menyatakan bahwa Masjid Negara manpu menampung hingga 15.000 jama’ah dalam satu waktu. Luar biasa, itu kan setengah dari kapasitas Stadion Patriot Bekasi.

    Dibagian pintu depan sebelum ruang peribadatan utama, kamu akan menemukan menara putih yang berdiri di salah satu sudut kolam air yang membuat masjid ini semakin gagah.

    Menara Masjid Negara setinggi 73 meter.

    Perhatikan juga ketika kamu memasuki masjid, maka di ujung sebelah kiri terdapat bangunan yang hanya terpisahkan koridor pendek dari bangunan utama masjid. Atap putihnya berbentuk bintang tujuh dan dibawahnya bersemayam beberapa pahlawan besar negara. Salah satu pahlawan terkenal yang dimakamkan disini adalah Tun Abdul Razak. Keturunan Bugis yang berperan penting dibalik kemerdekaan Malaysia.

    Berikut wujud makan pahlawan-pahlawan pemimpin muslim Malaysia.

    Masjid Negara sendiri diresmikan dan dibuka untuk umum sekitar 8 tahun setelah tanggal kemerdekaannya. Kamu tahu kan, kapan Malaysia merdeka?….Yup, 1957.

    Diresmikan bertepatan dengan tahun dimana Malaysia dan Singapura berpisah secara konstitusi.

    Sempat menjadi masjid terbesar di Malaysia sebelum predikat itu direbut oleh Masjid Biru di daerah Shah Alam.

    Masjid Negara secara arsitektur terkoneksi dengan bangunan Old Railway Station melalui lorong bawah tanah. Stasiun kereta ini sendiri terletak berdekatan dengan Malayan Railway Administration Building yang saat ini digunakan sebagai kantor pusat KTM (Keretapi Tanah Melayu).

    Bangunan dibelakang itu adalah Malayan Railway Administration Building.

    Ke KL….ya mampir lah ke Masjid Negara !

  • Macao Tower….Not Just Bungee Jumping.

    It isn’t easy to reading Macao public transportation map. Because of that reason, I never found what was bus number and where was bus stop which could move me from Ruins St. Paul to Macao Tower, Its distance was around 3.5 km

    Walked through narrow streets around Ruins of St. Paul to looked for a bus stop.

    Every bus stop which I met, I always looked for existence of bus 9A route but I never found….I didn’t lose….Just a little disoriented.

    I sat for a long time at a bus stop….what is the road name?, I forget…. Sitting down and trying to understand my wide bus map. Everyone who came to bus stop noticed my face, which was different in skin color from them.

    Looked like I began to understand its route after long time detaily learning the map.

    Guided by my little compass, I began to head to south….I didn’t try to turn from Largo de Santo Agostinho road which I knew that It would direct me to a bus stop which bus no 9A would pass it.

    I accidentally passed Dom Pedro V Theater at Largo de Santo Agostinho street.
    It was appearance of Grand Lisboa Hotel which very famous in Macao.

    I had to find and immediately get on bus no 9A before I was caught in the dark when returning from The Venetian on afternoon. I turned right to go through Avenue Da Praia Grande road and then crossed to Avenue Dr. Stanley Ho which I assumed as location of bus stop which I was looking for.

    I was very glad, when I find bus stop which I mean at that road. That bus stop name is Praca Jorge Alvares bus stop. 10 minutes later, I was in bus no. 9A which leads to Macao Tower.

    Entering bus with full of sweat after walking under sunlight for 15 minutes in Macoa’s hot streets.

    In 7 minutes, I got off in a large courtyard in front of Macao Tower.

    That tower was too high to fit in my handphone photo frame. Many times trying and still failing, the tower couldn’t completely captured. I had to capture it from another point.

    Heat of the sun forced me to momentarily enter a building which have function as a toilet around Macao Tower courtyard.

    That fan helped to cooling my body from hot weather.
    Toilet
    Toilet for people with disabilities.

    Towards Macao Tower backyard, I tried to find lush trees to more freely enjoy beauty of tower.

    Found a tree and casually sat underneath.

    I deliberately waited for the sun which prepare to glide at dusk. And excitement came. More the sun sank, so more Macao resident came in courtyard where I sat in it.

    From many local people who were active in backyard, I was more stunned by a beautiful young athlete who was accompanied by her trainer who was wearing a stopwatch. Push-ups, sit-ups and sprints are her lessons which must be devoured every second.

    Finally, temperature had decreased. I hurriedly left my seat which located next to water pool in tower’s backyard.

    Photo taken from behind of tower.

    Move to frontyard and directly saw bungee jumping activity, which participants were thrown from top of tower. You need to know that this 338 meter high tower, besides being used for observation and entertainment, is also used for telecommunications and broadcasting.

    As far as I know, bungee jumping at Macao Tower costs tens of USD.

    Front gate of Macao Tower.

    At exactly 15:30, I began to leave the tower and waiting for arrival of bus no MT4 at Torre/Tunel Rodoviarios bus stop at left side of Macao Tower front yard.

    I headed for my last destination in Macao….The Venetian.

  • Catching a Pig at Ruins St. Paul.

    Preparing to left Senado Square.

    Not satisfied yet in enjoying classic charm of Senado Square, I slowly moved away. It wasn’t difficult to find direction to ruins of church and college which located about 600 meters north of the square.

    Green direction sgins will help you to find it.

    My steps continued through several souvenir shops, majority of them sold variety of food. While sun was highy rising, my stomach was getting hungry. But I didn’t rush to look for lunch, instead I did another madness.

    Do you want to know?….

    You need to know, each stores provides food samples which offered by their employees who stand in front of store area. If there are more than 30 stores there, then do you know what I mean?… let’s don’t think too long.

    Look at their totality when sold foods. Their costumes were cool.

    Yes, you should know. My madness was taking and tasting almost all types of food samples which offered to tourists for trying the taste.

    30 small pieces of cake are certainly more than a portion of lunch for me. So….Free lunch….That’s the point.

    And my luck arrived. In the midst of busy chewing a kind of cake, suddenly, I could taste extraordinary savory taste. I continued to chew it until my eyes sharply glared and forced me to turned back to sales promotion girl who offered me the cake.

    Me : “What is it?”.

    She : “Cake, Sir”.

    Me : “No no no, the ingredient?”. Beef or chicken?“

    She: “No, It’s pork, Sir”.

    Me: “Oh nice taste, Ms”. With fast movement, I vomited the cake in a trash can.

    She: “Are you OK, Sir?“

    Me: “Yeaaa, I’m Okay, thanks Ms….But, sorry. I can’t eat pork. I’m moslem”.

    That was first time, I tasted a nice pork even though it was only a few chews in my mouth.

    Ruins of churches and colleges which better known as Ruins of St. Paul was finally right in my eyelids and only separated by a few dozens of stair which I was ready to climb.

    Preparing for entering Ruins St Paul.

    Many tourists made everyone were very difficult to captures themselves in front of Ruins of St. Paul gate without any interference from someone behind them.

    Oh God, gate of Ruins of St. Paul which I always saw in the world weather forecasts on a cable TV channel, was finally in front of me and I could see it with my naked eyes ….

    But…Guys,

    This is a ruined site of a church and college….

    As a good explorer, you shouldn’t be complacent just by taking a photo of front gate. You must enter to back of gate to imagine how big the church and college were in its heyday.

    Let’s entering it!….

    Entering the gate, you will see that the wall behind the gate is supported by a very large and thick iron plate. Yes, of course this is to prevent collapse of the gate of Ruins of St. Paul.

    Back gate was guarded by security.

    Next you will find holes which are covered by a thick layer of glass. So I can only peek it. Then what is that hole?

    Estimated as former main pillar (column) of St. Paul church.

    Can you imagine how big original pillars of St. Paul church?.
    Look closely.
    Original form of St. Paul church in cross shape. Cool.

    In addition to these square holes, you will also find a subset of space which has been conserved. This is Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt.

    This is the room.
    Other part of room.

    So….that’s gaes, the shape of Ruins of St. Paul.

  • Genting Highlands….Permata Wisata di Puncak Gunung Titiwangsa.

    Tak berpengalaman tidur di kamar berperangkat AC Sentral membuatku tak benar-benar terlelap karena kedinginan. Keuntungan yang kudapat adalah terjaganya diri menyambut fajar yang perlahan hadir. Jam 5:30 aku mulai membasuh badan di kamar mandi bersama.

    Siapa tuh lagi mandi?…

    Itu semua karenaku. Staff Agosto Inn terhenyak dan tergopoh pontang-panting menyiapkan menu sarapan yang sebetulnya cukup sederhana di meja makan. Maafkan aku jika membuatmu grogi begitu ya, mbak….Hahaha.

    Menuang tea pot, memanggang roti tawar, mengaduk oatmeal dan mengiris jeruk Sunkist kulakukan dengan santai sebelum para Srilankan itu merapat ke meja yang sama.

    Aku: “Hai….Hello….Are you from India?”. Pertanyaan yang sok tahu.

    Srilankan: “No, We are from Colombo”.

    Aku: “Oh, Srilanka”.

    Srilankan: “Yeaa….Great, you know that”. Tersenyum lebar dan mengajak berjabat tangan.

    Aku: “I hope I can go to your exotic country”

    Srilankan: “Yes….You must go there”

    Kamu tahu, perlu berapa tahun aku bisa mewujudkan harapan itu?….Yup, 5 tahun kemudian aku hadir di Colombo. Mimpi yang Sempurna….#peterpan.

    45 menit kemudian, aku sudah meluncur bersama LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya menuju KL Sentral. Aku akan menangkap pemberangkatan pertama Go Genting Express Bus pada jam 08:00.

    Kegagalan mendapatkan tiket pada hari pertamaku di Kuala Lumpur tak terulang setelah tiket tergenggam sebelum jam pertama keberangkatan.

    Tiket yang sudah termasuk tarif Genting Skyway.

    Girang sedikit ndeso ketika deru “Si Merah Maroon” mulai terdengar di tikungan merangsek memasuki KL Sentral Bus Station yang terletak di lantai basement.

    15 menit sebelum keberangkatan. Go Genting Express Bus bersiap di platform.

    Bangku yang tak tersisa membuat driver segera bekerja di kursinya dengan menginjak pedal gas dan meninggalkan KL Sentral dalam hitungan menit.

    Damn….Pemandangan pertama adalah seorang anak berketurunan Tionghoa yang harus pipis di depan mataku. Air seninya masuk dengan sempurna ke dalam botol air mineral yang dipegang oleh mamanya yang lumayan….Hhmmhh….Canteeekkk. Disimpannya botol itu di bagasi kecil di depan kursinya….Moga ndak ketuker saat minum ya, Mam.

    Sejauh 42 km, mata yang menyusuri pemandangan Karak Expressway beriring laju Go Genting Express. Satu jam kemudian, bus perlahan menepi di Lower Genting Skyway Station tepatnya di Basement Level 4 (B4). Aku segera berpindah ke level T1 Genting Skyway Complex untuk menaiki cable car.

    30 menit bergelantungan menuju Genting Highlands Station.
    Jam 9:20, tiba di Genting Highlands Station yang terintegrasi dengan First World Plaza. Letaknya di level 4.

    Sebetulnya ekspektasiku berkunjung di Genting Highlands hanya sekedar ingin tahu saja, tidak ada niatan menginap disana sama sekali karena keterbatasan waktu ngelayap. Alhasil, aku hanya mengalokasikan waktu selama 2 jam untuk mengeksplore First World Plaza.

    Karena tiba di First World Plaza lantai 4, berarti aku melakukan eksplorasi terbalik. Dimulai dari lantai 4 dan diakhiri di lantai 1. Perlu kamu ketahui bahwa yang kupijak saat ini adalah bangunan mall modern 4 lantai.

    Gokil….Hal pertama yang kulakukan adalah mampir di toko retail makanan dan minuman lokal yang sangat terkenal di Malaysia yaitu Heng Heng Local Delights di lantai 4. Padahal tak tahu bagaimana cara membawanya pulang nanti karena kecilnya backpack dan anti membeli bagasi pesawat.

    Jalan-jalan jadoel….Masih kepikiran beli oleh-oleh….Wekawekaweka #geli

    Setelah berbelanja, berkelilinglah diriku di Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Adventureland dan mengunjungi Jurassic Research Centre dan menyempatkan bermain di PlayTime! Video Games Park yang merupakan bagian dari Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium

    Setelah mengunjungi First World Indoor Theme Park di lantai 4, aku kembali turun di lantai 2 untuk mengunjungi Snow World.

    Mau maen salju?….#gile

    Aku juga menyempatkan diri melihat Genting Casino yang sungguh tamak karena menempati 2 lantai sekaligus di First World Plaza. Level 1 dan Level 2 dipakainya untuk bisnis judi itu….#gile

    Beda tipis: tampang kalah judi atau gak mampu judi?….#geli

    Selesai menjelajah keseluruhan lantai di First World Plaza, kuputuskan untuk kembali ke KL Sentral untuk melakukan eksplorasi Bukit Bintang yang juga merupakan pusat retail dan mode di Kuala Lumpur.

    Bersiap pulang kembali ke pusat kota Kuala Lumpur.

    Pembangunan besar-besaran oleh 21st Century Fox telah mengubah Genting Highlands menjadi permata wisata Asia bahkan dunia.

    Yang belum berkunjung dimari….Monggo silahkan melipir sebentar kesana.

  • KL Sentral….Bangunan Berorientasi Transit yang Mengagumkan

    <—-Kisah Sebelumnya

    Entah berapa kali kusebut kata KL Sentral sejauh membidani 201 artikel kelayapan ini. Yang kuingat, aku telah lima kali menjejak bangunan fenomenal itu. Lima tahun pula, berbagai sisi dan momen menarik yang tercuri dari Kl Sentral mendekam dalam External Hard Disk terbungkus rapi dalam laci meja kerja di peraduanku….Kamar yang terus memberiku ilham dalam menaklukkan indahnya bumi.

    Tak adil rasanya, jika kehebatannya tak terbagi kepada kalian. Karena aku yakin kalian akan menjejaknya jua suatu saat….Atau mungkin, kalian yang sudah menyambanginya tapi belum memahami detailnya.

    Beroperasi 18 tahun lalu, KL Sentral memberikan peran penting dalam pariwisata Malaysia. KL Sentral berjasa menjadi penghubung antara gerbang pertama Malaysia (yaitu Kuala Lumpur International Airport) dan spot-spot penting pariwisata di tengah kota….Cepat, efektif dan efisien. Mungkin itulah yang akan dikejar oleh Stasiun Sentral Manggarai 2021.

    Memberimu gambaran mendasar tentang KL Sentral. Inilah foto terbaikku di level 1 KL Sentral:

    KL Sentral level 1 dilihat dari Nu Sentral mall di level 2.
    KL Sentral level 1 dilihat dari platform LRT laluan Kelana Jaya di level 2.

    KL Sentral Bus Station

    Sebelum membedah level 1, aku akan mengajakmu menengok KL Sentral basement level. Kenapa?….Karena 100% kedatanganku ke KL Sentral menggunakan moda transportasi termurah….Yups, Skybus, Aerobus dan Airport Coach yang tiketnya hanya berharga Rp. 42.000.

    Setelah melalui jalan Stesen Sentral, bus akan memasuki level Basement dan berhenti di shelter yang menjual tiket Aerobus/Skybus/Airport Coach/Resort World Genting Bus. Sementara dibelakang escalator (digunakan untuk naik ke level 1), kamu akan menemukan shelter Rapid KL Free Bus yang digunakan turis menuju wisata Batu Caves.

    Kiri adalah konter tiket Airport Coach menuju KLIA dan kanan merupakan konter tiket Skybus/Aerobus menuju KLIA2
    Airport Coach menuju KLIA (Terminal 1)
    Skybus menuju KLIA2 (Terminal 2)
    Bus menuju wisata Genting Highlands.
    Petunjuk arah menuju Rapid KL Free Bus ke wisata Batu Caves.

    Dua kali, aku turun di level basement KL Sentral dan langsung meninggalkan KL Sentral untuk menuju ke Westree Hotel (tahun 2018) dan Hotel M & M (tahun 2019) melalui koridor ini:

    Koridor di level Basement menuju Jalan Tun Sambanthan.
    Ini loh penampakan Jalan Tun Sambanthan.

    Nu Sentral Mall

    Jika kamu ingin meneruskan perjalanan menggunakan KTM ETS (Kereta Tanah Melayu- Electric Train Service), LRT laluan Kelana Jaya, KTM komuter Laluan Seremban, Monorail, kereta bandara (KLIA Ekspres dan KLIA Transit) kamu harus naik ke level 1 KL Sentral menggunakan escalator di dekat konter tiket Skybus/Aerobus.

    Atau….kamu juga bisa naik ke level 1 sebagai akses untuk menuju Nu Sentral mall yang ada di level 2….Yuk lihat Nu Sentral mall.

    Escalator penghubung beberapa train gate di lantai 1 menuju Nu Sentral mall yang berada di level2
    Suasana Nu Sentral mall.
    Suasana Nu Sentral mall.

    Selesai berbelanja di Nu Sentral mall, maka carilah jembatan penyeberangan menuju jalan Tun Sambanthan. Jembatan penyeberangan orang (JPO) ini terhubung secara langsung dengan Nu Sentral mall.

    Petunjuk arah menuju jalan Tun Sambanthan.
    Inilah jembatan penyeberangan orang (JPO) yang kumaksud.

    Transportation Area

    Sebelum turun kembali ke level 1, kamu harus melihat dimana letak stasiun monorail. Floor plan menunjukkan bahwa stasiun monorail KL Sentral adalah bangunan terpisah dari KL Sentral itu sendiri. Tapi tidak perlu khawatir karena tersedia connection bridge dari KL Sentral menuju stasiun monorail.

    Yuhuuu….Sudah di depan gate stasiun monorail.
    Tuh dia, monorailnya…..Saat menuju Taman Tasik Titiwangsa.

    Yukkkk….Kita bedah lantai 1. Lantai ini dialokasikan sebagai akses menuju berbagai moda transportasi kereta.

    Dimulai dari kereta komuter. Ada dua line kereta komuter di KL Sentral yaitu KTM Laluan Seremban dan KTM Laluan Pelabuhan Klang.

    Bersiap naik KTM Komuter Laluan Seremban menuju Batu Caves.
    Itu dia platform KTM Komuter di basement.

    Selain KTM Komuter, moda transportasi menuju ke pusat kota yang paling populer di Kuala Lumpur adalah LRT (Light Rail Transit). LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya lah yang beruntung karena menjadi satu-satunya LRT terpilih yang menyinggahi KL Sentral.

    Yuks naik LRT ke pusat kota.
    Ticketing vending machines….Tempat membeli token (tiket) LRT.
    Automatic gates menuju platform LRT Kelana Jaya di level 2.
    Tertangkap juga wujud LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya di Stasiun Pasar Seni.

    Selain Skybus/Aerobus dan Airport Coach, Pariwisata Malaysia juga menghadirkan KLIA Transit dan KLIA Express yang merupakan kereta premium menuju Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Premium tentu identik dengan harga mahal tetapi pastinya menjamin sebuah kenyamanan.

    Konter tiket KLIA Transit beserta automatic gatenya.
    Tuh, KLIA Transit….Keren kan.
    Sudah barang tentu…Super nyaman.

    Eatery

    Perihal makanan,….Sebagai transit hub terbesar di Malaysia, pastinya KL Sentral menyediakan banyak eatery.

    Di level 1 terdapat beberapai food and beverage shop seperti La Cucur Express, Panettone (vegetarian food), Meals Station, I Love Yoo!, Chatime, Swiss Oven, Secret Recipe, Starbucks, Burger King, Ayam Penyet Express dan masih banyak lagi.

    Makan Penang White Curry Bowl di Panettone (2018).

    Di luar KL Sentral (sekitar jalan Tun Sambanthan) juga terdapat beberapa kedai makanan yang cukup murah dengan cita rasa jempolan. Aku mengunjunginya karena sering menginap di sekitaran KL Sentral.

    ABC Bistro Cafe….Tempat nongkrongku di sekitaran KL Sentral.

    Hotel Murah Terdekat

    Jalan Tun Sambanthan adalah jalur penting di daerah Brickfields. Daerah ini menyediakan restoran, pertokoan dan tempat tinggal. Brickfields juga menyediakan banyak hotel dari bintang lima hingga hotel dengan budget bersahabat.

    Hotel Westree saat trip Malaysia-Singapura 2018
    Hotel M&M saat mengunjungi sebuah event internasional 2019

    So….Kunjungi KL Sentral dengan baik dan nikmati saja fasilitasnya.

    Kisah Selanjutnya—->

  • Let’s Visit !….Senado Square

    My trip by city bus No. 10A ended when passing Kam Pex Community Center Bus Stop Avenue de Almeida Riberio. Luckily, bus driver allowed me to get off at a T-junction which nice view of Ponte Cais 16 Hotel in its center.

    Kam Pex Community Centre bus stop.

    That receptionist seemed to be son of hotel owner. Every question which I threw to him, He always answered easily, “Wait sir, I firtly ask to my mom”. Gosh, very luckily kid who will get a legacy a hotel later….Hahaha

    Checking-in finished after I gave USD 16 to get Villa Ka Meng Hotel’s room key.

    As easy as clicking my fingers, suddenly my eyes saw big “halal” logo in front of a restaurant. And the surprise was, a Chinese was the owner of restaurant. Loulan Islam is that restaurant name.

    With a big smile, he asked what did I want to eat and offered a menu with such effort. His index finger danced around to writing various Chinese alpabhets in the air. My irresistible laughing made whole restaurant visitor happily laugh. Burying my sleepiness which affect me since early morning.

    I paid a little more than standard street food prices which I ussually hunt. At least, I got a Halal dish reference in Macao.

    Passing at left side of the road….I headed to Senado Square which was very near. But before actually achieving it, I stopped at a money changer to exchange my US Dollars for Macao Dollars.

    Exchange only a little of USD Dollars !….Don’t forget to little preparing in Shenzhen !.

    Finally I set foot in Senado Square, second destination in Macao that I visited.

    The uniqueness of Senado Square is its floor motif which seems to be bumpy and identical to white and black color. The square which was full of tourists really showed that this place is a UNESCO historical heritage. It wasn’t a big surprise about its visitors who very crowd.

    Classic buildings which adorn every sides of square were be easy targets for tourist’s camera.

    St. Dominic’s Church.
    Historical museum which ever functioned as an orphanage and health clinic.
    Macao city hall which very classic.

    Main Square’s wide limited my ability to explore all of it. And then, I sat at its side to hide from sun which very hot.

    Chinese tourists: “Malaysian?” A middle-aged man greeted me under a tree which effectively reduced heat of the sun.

    Me : “Me?….Oh, I’m Indonesian”.

    Chinese Tourist: “Waaa…Indonesian. Nice country”.

    Me : “Ever go to Indonesia?”.

    Chinese Tourist: “Yes….Bali, Medan and Batam”.

    Me : “Great….How about Indonesia?”.

    Chinese Tourist: “I Like….I eat Nasi Padang there. Nice”.

    Me : “Hahaha….Ya ya ya. The most delicious food in the world”.

    Chinese Tourist: “Ever go to China?“

    Me : “Absolutely….I will go to Shenzen after my journey in Macao”.

    Chinese Tourist: “Ohhoo….Good good. Welcome to my country”.

    Me : “Thanks Sir”

    Our conversation ended when a woman who I suspected as his wife approached and invited him to continue their seightseeing at Senado Square.

    Some spots at Senado Square:

    “Taxi zone” map.
    Taxi which was waiting for passengers.
    Damn….Why did I capture that trash can.
    Payphone.
    A city bus which passes Senado Square.

    So….If you go there when in Macau….Just enjoy it.