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  • Mengenal Penang Sentral

    Semakin banyaknya direct flight dari Jakarta menuju Penang, membuat para traveler lebih memilih untuk turun di Penang International Airport daripada harus bersusah payah melintasi daratan negeri jiran selama 6-8 jam dari ibukotanya.

    Padahal jika Kamu mau saja bersabar untuk melakukan perjalanan darat tersebut maka memorimu akan terisi dengan pengalaman yang menarik dan disertai dengan pemandangan yang mempesona di sepanjang negara bagian Selangor dan Perak.

    Lalu….Buat Kamu yang melakukan perjalanan darat menggunakan bus maka mayoritas bus akan berhenti di Penang Sentral yang merupakan gerbang darat wisata Pulau Penang.

    Oleh karenanya….supaya Kamu tidak bingung dan bisa mendapatkan gambaran mengenai bentuk dan seluk beluk Penang Sentral, maka Kuhadirkan tulisan ini untuk Kalian.

    Yessss….itulah penampakan Penang Sentral.

    PENANG SENTRAL….Dibangun pada tahun 2018 sebagai main transportation hub milik Negara Bagian Penang. Penang Sentral secara strategis menggantikan peran Butterworth Bus Terminal dengan sistem integrasi yang luar biasa. Bisa Kamu bayangkan, bangunan besar itu mengintegrasikan terminal bus, stasiun kereta dan pelabuhan ferry dalam satu lokasi. Bangunan terintegrasi ketiga yang kukagumi di Malaysia setelah KL Sentral dan Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS).

    Butterworth Bus Terminal sebelum Penang Sentral selesai dibangun.
    Sumber: Travel-Penang-Malaysia.com
    Pulau Penang dilihat dari Penang Sentral.

    —–****—–

    Inilah kisahku membedah Penang Sentral….

    Jam 13:54, Aku sampai di Penang Sentral….ya iyalah, tentunya diturunkan di Drop Bay lantai 1.

    Dan demi menghadirkan tulisan ini, Aku relakan diri menunda sejenak menuju ferry terminal yang bisa melabuhkanku di George Town si ibukota Negara Bagian Penang.

    Selama 1 jam 20 menit, Aku akan mengeksplore Penang Sentral.

    LANTAI 1

    Bermula dari hall ini:

    Kamu akan diturunkan di Drop Bay Area ketika tiba di Penang Sentral.

    Secara umum lantai 1 ini digunakan untuk menurunkan dan menaikkan penumpang.

    Ini adalah platform intercity/express bus area saat Aku meninggalkan Penang Sentral.

    LANTAI 2

    Yuk, Kita naik ke lantai 2. Ada apakah gerangan?

    Begitu naik escalator, Kamu akan melihat sekilas luasnya lantai 2.

    So….Apa yang kamu cari?

    1. Bus Ticketing Counter.

    Konter penjualan tiket bus berada tepat dihadapanku setelah selesai menaiki escalator. Yang kulakukan saat itu adalah langsung membeli tiket bus untuk meninggalkan Penang dengan jadwal dua hari setelah kedatanganku di Penang. Keberadaan Self Ticketing KiosK yang menempel di salah satu pilar membuatku mengurungkan diri untuk bergegas ke konter. Lebih baik aku mengeksplore harga tiket bus termurah via mesin itu, karena banyak armada dengan tarif bervariasi menyediakan rute menuju Ipoh.

    Akhirnya kugenggam lembaran tiket bus Perak Transit setelah memasukkan uang senilai Rp 70.000….Tiket bus di tangan, hati pun tenang.

    Itu Departure Board Penang Sentral…. Self Ticketing Kiosk ada di pilar itu. Lihat ga?

    2. Information Centre

    Standar pertama ketika tiba di tempat asing adalah mengunjungi Information Centre untuk mendapatkan informasi sebanyak-banyaknya sebelum mengeksplorenya lebih dalam. Begitu pun Aku, menanyakan perihal pariwisata Penang, meminta brosur, mencari cara bagaimana meninggalkan kota dengan cara terbaik dan banyak hal lain yang kutanyakan ke petugas information centre.

    Mudah kok menemukannya….tepat di depan Bus Ticketing Counter.

    3. Ferry Terminal.

    Berjalanlah membelakangi Bus Ticketing Counter maka setelah beberapa saat  Kamu akan menemukan linkway menuju Ferry Terminal. Terletak di sebelah kiri arah jalanmu maka akan terlihat dengan jelas direction sign menuju ke Ferry Terminal.

    Linkway menuju Ferry Terminal.

    Berjalanlah lurus maka dalam belasan langkah maka kamu akan menemukan Customer Service Centre yang menjual tiket ferry menuju George Town. Nama ferry terminalnya adalah Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim.

    Murah kok….harga tiketnya Cuma Rp. 4.000. Satu tiket untuk pulang pergi

    4. Shopping Counter.

    Sebetulnya Shopping Counter lebih banyak berada di lantai 3. Aku tak sempat mengunjunginya karena sudah kesorean dan jika tak segera meninggalkan Penang Sentral maka eksplorasiku di Pulau Penang pasti akan terganggu.

    Shopping Counter yang kutunjukkan ini hanya yang berada di lantai 2.

    5. Eatery

    Kedai penjual makanan ada di dekat linkway menuju Ferry Terminal. Sudah pasti dijamin kehalalannya dan harganya yang tergolong murah.

    Iqbal’s Restaurant menjadi tempat makanku saat masuk dan keluar Penang
    Cobain cuminya deh….maknyus

    6. Stasiun Butterworth.

    Satu moda transportasi lagi yang terintegrasi di Penang Sentral adalah kereta. Nah, stasiun keretanya bernama Stasiun Butterworth. Hanya saja bangunannya terletak terpisah dari bangunan utama Penang Sentral.

    Untuk menemukan stasiun ini. Berjalanlah lurus melewati Bus Ticketing Counter di lantai 2, maka Kamu akan menemukan lift di ujung lantai. Kemudian turunlah ke lantai 1 melalui lift itu.

    Lift diujung ruangan lantai 2.

    Tak terlalu jauh setelah keluar dari lift di lantai 1 maka Kamu akan menemukan sebuah lorong dengan tanda KTM (Keretapi Tanah Melayu) sebagai petunjuk menuju Stasiun Butterworth.

    Penampakan depan lorong.

    Setelah beberapa puluh meter menyusuri lorong maka Kamu akan menemukan bangunan berwarna putih yang tak lain adalah Stasiun Butterworth.

    Maksud hati berburu tiket ETS (Electric Train Service) tapi ternyata sold out….ealah.

    OKE…Cukup sekian ya. Aku sudah menjelaskan semua hasil eksplorasiku di Penang Sentral.

    Jadi, akhirnya Kamu mau ke Penang lewat darat atau lewat udara nih?…….

  • Traveling to Kampung Ayer, Bandar Seri Begawan.

    My curiosity was paid off precisely when my first step down the bus in one of Bandar Seri Begawan Bus Terminal platforms. Unexpectedly, my journey around Southeast Asia took me to Hassanal Bolkiah’s land.

    Unique….Terminal is on ground floor of Bumiputera Multi Storey Complex and Carpark.

    A step later, I was already in “Afmal Restaurant” near bus terminal to enjoy a portion of “bakso” (Indonesian name of meatballs). Needed something fresh in my mouth to relieve tangling after an overnight stay without bathing in Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2). Freshness of “bakso” which I ordered became more meaningful when there was a little conversation with restaurant owner who come from Purworejo, Central Java, Indonesia….It means that He is from similar province with me in Indonesia.

    After being full, I rushed to get out of terminal area through “Bebatik” alley to main road (the road name is Mc Arthur Street). Right on other side of Mc Arthur Street, you will find Brunei River which is very clean. And right in the middle of Brunei River, standing a famous village throughout Brunei. It’s called Kampung Ayer.

    Every direction sign is always accompanied by an Arabic script.
    Precisely on edge of Brunei River.

    I always observed every motorboat which splitting Brunei River wide. There was no other way to get to Kampung Ayer, I had to ride that motorboats.

    Rushing toward Brunei River edge, I waited a motorboat arrival which heading to small port in front of me. After leaning, that motorboat was immediately filled with 2 other tourists. This boat was very fast in moving and never waited long for get passengers in river edge.

    A thing that you need to know is every Singapore Dollar can be used as payment tool in Brunei Darussalam with similar value with Brunei Dollar. So, 1 Brunei Dollar is same with 1 Singapore Dollar in value. But in many transactions, Brunei residents only accept payments in Singapore’s paper money and refusing Singapore Dollar coins. But in several transactions also, this coin can function….I hope you are lucky in using Singapore Dollar coins there….hahaha.

    With a 1 coin of Singapore Dollar, I finally arrived in Kampung Ayer Cultural And Tourism Gallery. This gallery is located in front of village. Free entrance made me so happy when filling a guest book in reception desk. Warm greeting from a Malay-speaking receptionist made me feel like I was in my home.

    That is Kampung Ayer Cultural And Tourism Gallery.
    I got a Free Tourism Guiding Book.

    Kampung Ayer itself was the center of Brunei’s government until end of 19th century. Therefore, The Brunei Sultan established his palace here. Another role as an important port in Brunei makes Kampung Ayer as the administrative center for commercial activities in Brunei. Every signing of important government agreements with other parties is done here.

    The appeal of Kampung Ayer as government centre made 50% of Brunei’s residents live there in the 1900s.

    Brunei “Keris” with 9 curves as a symbol of power.

    At exit door, I began to be stunned with neat ranks of houses in Kampung Ayer. I didn’t waste my time then visiting the village. Residents friendliness made me reluctant to quickly leave Kampung Ayer.

    Come on !….Go into that village !
    Very kindly and funny student, they were in Malay school uniforms.
    How can the water very clean like that?

    But soonly, I realized that I should immediately look for lodging to stay that night. Online searching for lodging that I did was never got a result. It maybe happen because Brunei Darussalam tourism isn’t been famous in Southeast Asia region.

    I decided to pull over by waiting for a motorboat in boat shelter. Didn’t wait a long time until a motorboat was picked me up. Together with a man and his son who are Kampung Ayer residents, I headed to edge of river. Looked like that man had an important agenda, it could be seen from his way in a very neat and smooth dressing.

    He: “Where are you come from?” He firstly greeted me with a smile.

    Me: “I’m from Indonesia, sir”. I gave a smile and I shook his hand.

    He: “Which part of Indonesia?”

    Me : “Jakarta, Sir”.

    He: “What profession are you doing here?”

    Me: “Oh I don’t work in Brunei, sir. I am just traveling now”.

    He: “Brunei is very quiet. Why do you visit Brunei? “

    Me: “Oh, Brunei is very religious, sir. I deliberately go to Brunei because I intend to travel around Southeast Asia. Glad to be in your country “.

    He: “Wow, it’s good to go around Southeast Asia. You don’t need to pay the boat. I paid for you”, He gave 3 Brunei Dollars to motorboat driver.

    Me: “Thank you, sir, nice to meet you,” I felt shy, even though I was very happy to ride a free boat.

    A little conversation with a local before I finally leaned in river edge.

    Boat shelter near Pasar Tamu Kianggeh.

    Let’s….Looking for dormitory!

  • Bus dari Singapura ke Johor Bahru

    Sepandai-pandai tupai melompat akhirnya jatuh juga….Dasar Donny si tupai.

    Yesss….malam itu guwe di usir dari terminal 2 Changi International Airport….Aseeeeekkkkkkkk….pasport ditandai….yuhuuuu.

    Sejak 2014, selalu kucing-kucingan dengan polisi bandara Singapura. Kini si kucing ketangkep basah sedang tidur di balik sebuah kursi tunggu di terminal 2 Changi International Airport….Memalukan.

    4 jam sebelum kejadian….

    Maskapai “abu-abu bintang orange” dengan nomor penerbangan 3K206 mengantarkanku ke Terminal 1 Changi International Airport pada 00:30.

    Karena stasiun MRT Changi Airport berada di Terminal 2 dan baru akan beroperasi pada jam 5:30, maka kuputuskan untuk berpindah ke Terminal 2.

    Akhirnya bersembahyang dan sekaligus beristirahat di dalam prayer room hingga pukul 02:00. Tapi dinginnya AC memaksaku berpindah ke deretan kursi di depan ruang tunggu penumpang. Asumsiku bahwa polisi sudah selesai menyisir area itu ternyata salah besar.

    Ditengah mimpi, airport security berpengawal dua polisi belia bersenjata laras panjang membangunkanku. Ahhhh….guwe faham….Njiirrr, ketangkep juga setelah 4 tahun kucing-kucingan perihal beginian .

    Airport security: “Helo Sir, Can me see your passport and ticket?”

    Guwe: (sambil menyerahkan passport)  “Good night Sir, I’m sorry before. I am waiting for first train to downtown. I just arrived 3 hours ago.”

    Airport security: “Sorry, How long do you will stay in Singapore?”.

    Guwe: “3 Days 2 Night, Sir”.

    Airport security: “This hall is only for transit passengers. You can’t wait the train here. Let me take you to immigration counter”….(Cekrek….Syem, passportku difoto. Dikirim pula ke boss nya via wa….Hmmh, Aku sudah ditandai di Changi….ketengkep sekali lagi pasti masalah….hahaha).

    Karena diantar tentara, petugas imigrasi wanita keturunan India itu pun menjadi judes dan marah-marah kepadaku ketika mengecap passport….semakin marah wajahnya makin seksi kek Kajol….hihihi.

    2 jam ga bisa merem….lah iya, lantai setelah konter imigrasi kan tak berkarpet. Mana mungkin tidur sambil duduk di bangku keras kek gitu.

    Di tengah kantuk yang sangat (itu karena siang hari sebelum berangkat, Aku kerja full di Bandung dan sorenya langsung ke Soekarno Hatta International Airport….gile ye, rumah di Jakarta, siang kerja di Bandung besoknya sudah ngelayap aja di Singapura….hahaha), kuputuskan untuk menyantap mie bersertifikat halal di kedai ini:

    Terletak tepat di exit gate setelah konter imigrasi terminal 2.
    Murah….Cuma Rp. 47.500.

    Halah….malah nulis ga keruan.

    —-****—-

    Yuk ah fokus ke tema….

    Tujuan akhir kedatanganku yang ke-7 di Singapura kali ini adalah Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Kenapa lewat “Negeri Singa”?….ya tentu akan lebih murah costnya.

    Selepas menyantap mie pagi itu, Aku bergegas menuju platform MRT di Changi Station. Dengan membeli tiket seharga Rp. 26.000 di mesin otomatis, Aku menuju Stasiun Jurong East dengan waktu tempuh 70 menit.

    Kenapa Stasiun Jurong East?….Karena disinilah letak shelter bus CW3/CW4 tujuan Johor Bahru via Tuas Checkpoint yang merupakan perbatasan darat di selatan Singapura dan Malaysia.

    Terpaksa menahan pipis karena bau pesing toilet dibalik keramaian Stasiun Jurong East. Maklum stasiun ini terintegrasi dengan terminal bus menuju berbagai daerah di Singapura dan bahkan keluar Singapura.

    Setelah membeli tiket bus di konter, Aku segera memasuki jalur antrian dan menunggu kedatangan bus. Dan akhirnya Aku kebagian bus CW3 yang datang 5 menit kemudian.

    Tiket bus CW3 seharga Rp. 26.000.
    Tertib mengantri sesuai jalur.

    Aku memilih bangku paling belakang supaya leluasa mengambil foto selama perjalanan.

    AC busnya mantab.

    Bus terus bergerak menuju Tuas Checkpoint melalui AYE Toll Road. Lancarnya jalanan Singapura,  membuat bus tiba di Tuas Checkpoint hanya dalam waktu 30 menit.

    Aku sengaja memilih jalur antrian yang dijaga petugas wanita keturunan Melayu untuk memudahkan pemeriksaan imigrasi. Alhasil proses perpindahan antar negara di perbatasan menjadi lancar.

    Ngantri di Tuas Checkpoint.

    Setelah melewati konter imigrasi, Aku segera menuju ke tempat menunggu bus yang akan mengantarkanku ke CIQ (Customs Immigration Quarantine) Sultan Abu Bakar Tanjung Kupang yang merupakan bangunan imigrasi milik Malaysia.

    Aku tak perlu mencari bus yang kutumpangi sebelumnya karena selama tiket masih tersimpan, Aku bisa meneruskan perjalanan dengan bus CW yang lain dengan tujuan yang sama.

    Pemandangan laut sepanjang Second Link Expressway yang merupakan penghubung Singapura dan Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

    Perjalanan selanjutnya pun dimulai. Kondisi Second Link Expressway dari arah Johor Bahru menuju Tuas Checkpoint macet parah di jam berangkat kerja kala itu. Sebaliknya, jalanan yang meninggalkan Tuas Checkpoint menuju CIQ Sultan Abu Bakar Tanjung Kupang kosong melompong.

    Kosong di jalurku vs penuh di jalur sebelah.

    Dan hanya dalam 15 menit, Aku tiba di CIQ Sultan Abu Bakar Tanjung Kupang. Tak ada pemeriksaan serius selama proses imigrasi dan akhirnya Aku bisa dengan cepat melewatinya.

    Selepas mengecap passport, berarti  perjalanan lanjutan menggunakan bus CW3 sudah selesai.

    Stempel masuk Malaysia via Imigrasi CIQ Sultan Abu Bakar Tanjung Kupang dan stempel keluar Malaysia via Imigrasi Bangunan Sultan Iskandar.

    Aku pun perlu mencari bus dari CIQ Sultan Abu Bakar Tanjung Kupang menuju Legoland. Beruntung banyak pengendara bus keturunan India yang menanyakan tujuanku. Sehingga Aku ditunjukkan bus CW7 yang melewati Legoland dalam rute resminya.

    Main lego di Legoland????……kek guweh.

    Sampai Legoland juga akhirnya.

    Mudah mendapatkan tiket bus dari Singapura ke Johor Bahru atau sebaliknya?. Cobain aja pesan via e-commerce perjalanan 12Go atau https://12go.asia/?z=3283832

  • Passing a Morning and Getting a Sunrise in Sarangkot, Nepal

    <—-Previous Story

    SARANGKOT …. is name of a village with an altitude of 1,400 meters above sea level in Kaski District, Gandaki Zone. Located in Pokhara which is a centre of tourism in Nepal, it makes Sarangkot as one of favorite destinations. Why ?….Because Sarangkot is the best viewpoint for observing Himalayan Mountains.

    Eight Himalayan peaks which can be seen from this village pushed me to put this village name in my itinerary.

    First day in 2018….Happy New Year, Donny!

    Sarangkot as if close in my eyelids. I ordered a daily rental taxi for USD 10,1 at Pokhara Lodge Hotel where I was staying. The good news was I would pay it jointly with 3 other tourists.

    It was still dark when Mr. Raj -the hotel staff- woke me up, “the driver is ready at downstairs,” He said. Brushing my teeth and washing my face only, I immediately descended hotel stairs to meet the driver.

    Driver’s hospitality was implied from every smile which was thrown in front of me. His amazing English accent shows that he is also a good guide for every guests. According to him, ability to speak English is a must because tourism is heart of Nepal’s economy.

    On early morning I started my trip to Sarangkot. A trip as far as 12 km, its large portion of route would pass through Pokhara-Baglung road.

    I became a lucky person because the sky was clear since yesterday night. It means that I will see beauty of Himalayas without cloud obstructions.

    Entering Sarangkot gate, Bus was stopped and I paid for USD 0,5 to buy a entrance ticket. It only took 30 minutes to arrive in Sarangkot parking lot.

    Entrance ticket

    Climbing dozens of stair, I was aware that I was at a height. But it was very early morning, making it hard for me to saw the view below me.

    A moment later, I arrived in spacious courtyard. This is the viewpoint which I mean. There were already a lot of tourist who sitting on edge of hill and waiting for sunrise. Some professional photographers look busy in preparing cameras and other equipments.

    Temperature was 4o Celsius. It was defeated by a shadow of Himalayan charms which filled my imaginative realm.

    Time was seem to be going on for a long when we were waiting for a thing which is loved.…Sun in Sarangkot also….as if tease me by delaying its appearance to warm the Himalayas.

    The sun was came….

    It began to shows its bright ray.

    Just choose!.…the nose of the sun or the nose of that charming girl.…
    That villagers must be happy, seeing beauty of Himalayas every day.
    Look at that Machhapuchhare peak…!

    When the sun’s rays hit ice glazes at Himalayas top, golden color would shine and it made my eyes hard to blink. Fear if that luxury view just vanished….Oh my Goddess

    The dawn was ended, I could see a real view of that courtyard. This is it:

    A courtyard to enjoying beauty of Himalayas.
    If you are still unsatisfied and want to see in more height….You can go up to roof in left of courtyard.
    Or at top roof in right of courtyard.

    Immediately moving to other side of courtyard !. You will see a closing view, namely Phewa Lake which is geographically located in south of Sarangkot village.

    Don’t look at the person !….just look at the lake !….focus!….focus!

    After staying above for 2.5 hours. I decided to go down. The village view which wasn’t visible when I departed, finally seen clearly and beautifully when I slowly left Sarangkot peak.

    Citizens’ housing from above.
    Downing dozens of stairs.

    Actually, if you don’t want to bother going there in very early morning from Pokhara, you can stay around Sarangkot and come in a day before. There are several inns which provide rooms for tourists who will enjoy Himalayas in Sarangkot.

    One of inns there.
    Many restaurants too

    After downing hill for 15 minutes, I finally arrived back in parking lot..

    Visitor’s cars in parking lot.

    After met again with our taxi driver, then I visited Purana Bazaar to see trading activities in that Pokhara’s famous market.

    Next Story—->

  • Bus dari KLIA2 ke Penang

    Tiket ketengan menuju ke Dhaka, Bangladesh mengharuskanku transit ke Kuala Lumpur. Plisssss deh….yang bener aja, Aku harus menginjakkan kaki di Kuala Lumpur untuk ke 12 kali.

    Hebat euy si Donny….

    Hebat apaan, Guwe bosennnnn….

    Aku harus cepat memutar otak untuk menjadikan perjalanan kali ini berkesan.

    Fine….Akhirnya Kuputuskan meninggalkan Kuala Lumpur dan memilih mengunjungi Penang dengan cara  memperpanjang waktu transitku.

    Hingga 2017, Aku tak pernah kesampaian mengunjungi Penang. Sementara jadwal klayapanku sudah jauh meninggalkan Asia Tenggara. Jadi kupaksakan diri untuk mampir ke Penang sebelum menghabisi Asia Selatan.

    Lalu….Bagaimana mencapai Penang dari KLIA2 (Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2)?

    Kukasih pilihan deh,

    Alternatif 1. Naik ETS (Electric Train Service)

    Biaya yang akan dikeluarkan jika naik ETS:

    1. Aerobus KLIA2-KL Sentral = Rp. 40.000
    2. ETS Stasiun KL Sentral-Stasiun Butterworth = Rp. 286.000
    3. Ferry dari Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal di Penang Sentral menuju Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal di Pulau Penang = Rp. 4.000

    Tarif keseluruhan = Rp. 330.000

    Alternatif 2. Naik Bus

    Biaya yang akan dikeluarkan jika naik bus:

    1. Direct bus dari KLIA2-Penang Sentral = Rp. 190.000
    2. Ferry dari Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal di Penang Sentral menuju Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal di Pulau Penang = Rp. 4.000

    Tarif keseluruhan = Rp. 194.000

    Sudah tahu kan Aku memilih naik apa?….

    —-****—-

    Malam hari pukul 22:05, Air Asia QZ 206 mendaratkanku di KLIA2. Artinya sudah jelas kan….moloooorrrr lageeeee di bandara….hahaha.

    Selepas mengecap passport di konter imigrasi, Aku segera menuju ke Transportation Hub di lantai 1 Gateway@klia2 mall. Dan selanjutnya Aku duduk manis di ujung NZ Curry House untuk menyantap nasi lemak dan teh O seharga Rp. 23.000 sebagai makan malamku….makan malam kok tengah malam….parraaahhhh.

    Tengah malam makan beginian….
    Menu yang sama kuulang dipagi hari kemudian sebelum berangkat ke Penang.

    Dan untuk mengamankan satu tiket menuju Penang. Di tengah malam itu pula, Aku membeli tiket bus StarMart Express dengan tujuan akhir Penang Sentral seharga Rp. 190.000.

    Tengah malam pun konter sangat ramai….Awas kehabisan tiket!….Coba deh beli di 12Go
    Tujuan akhir masih tertera terminal Butterworth. Sebelum Penang Sentral selesai dibangun, memang bus berhenti di terminal itu.

    Yessss….

    Makan sudah….

    Tiket sudah….

    Menjadikan malam itu nyenyak beristirahat di surau (mushola) Departure Hall lantai 3 KLIA2.

    —-****—-

    Dan perjalanan menuju Penang pun dimulai. Pagi itu tepat pukul 06:00, Aku menaiki StarMart Express di Door1-platform A01 sesuai tiket.

    StarMart Express sedang merapat di platform.
    Aku duduk di seat nomor 22.

    Karena ini perjalanan panjang maka kubekali diriku dengan membeli sebotol air mineral dan snack ringan seharga  Rp. 15.500.

    Menyusuri jalanan North-South Expressway, Starmart Express berjalan dengan santai. Dan 3 jam 45 menit kemudian, Aku tiba di Terminal Amanjaya, Kota Ipoh. Ipoh sendiri adalah Ibu Kota Negara Bagian Perak.

    Bus menurunkan dan menaikkan sejumlah penumpang di Terminal Amanjaya.
    Suasana jalan ketika meninggalkan Kota Ipoh.

    Pukul 11:00, Bus merangsek ke jalan Taiping dan akhirnya berhenti di Terminal Kuala Kangsar. Penumpang melakukan toilet break selama 10 menit.  

    Terminal Kuala Kangsar terletak tepat di jalan Persiaran Bendahara, kota Bandar Baru, Distrik Kuala Kangsar, Negara Bagian Perak.

    Pada jam 11:55, bus berhenti di kantor StarMart Express Taiping di Jalan Kampung Dew, daerah Simpang. Ini adalah tujuan akhir Bus StarMart Express dari KLIA 2. Dan untuk melanjutkan perjalanan menuju Penang,  penumpang akan dipindah ke bus StarMart Express yang lain atau bus yang bekerjasama dengan StarMart Express.

    StarMart Express @Taiping Head Quarter terletak di Distrik Laut, Matang dan Selama, Negara Bagian Perak.

    Dan kali ini, Aku dipindahkan ke Bus Eagle yang bekerjasama dengan StarMart Express.

    Bus “Hijau” ini dimiliki oleh perusahaan Eagel Coach SDN.BHD.

    Tak menjadi masalah buatku untuk dipindahkan ke bus lain yang penting sampai tujuan. Tapi tak tahu dengan penumpang yang lain, apakah mereka biasa juga atau mungkin ada yang sewot…..hahaha.

    OK lanjut yaaaa….

    Jam 12:30, Bus tiba di Terminal Bas Express Kamunting Raya untuk melakukan toilet break kembali selama 10 menit.

    Terminal ini terletak di kota Kamunting, Distrik Laut, Matang dan Selama, Negara Bagian Perak.

    10 menit kemudian bus perlahan meninggalkan Kota Kamunting dan mempertontonkan keindahan alam dengan melalui jalan yang meliak-liuk menembus perbukitan .

    Cakep banget dah alam Negara Bagian Perak.

    Terlelap dengan pulas karena jam tidur yang kurang pada malam sebelumnya di KLIA2 hingga akhirnya tak terasa bus mulai memasuki platform Penang Sentral pada pukul 13:54.

    Rasa ingin tahu yang tinggi membuatku tak terasa capek menaiki bus selama 7 jam 54 menit untuk mencapai destinasi impian….”Penang”

    Aku diturunkan di platform ini ketika tiba di Penang Sentral.

    So guys,…..Siapa sih yang ga mau melihat Kota Tua George Town yang menjadi Situs Warisan Budaya UNESCO ?

    Ayolah datang kemari….ngeteng aja sepertiku, dijamin murah meriah.

    Tiket bus KLIA2-Penang bias Kamu dapatkan juga di e-commerce perjalanan 12Go

  • Stay in Altitude….Beauty of Baiyoke Sky Hotel, Bangkok

    If I am asked, how many times have you traveled to King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s country?… Ummh 3 times, guys.…Easy first level question.

    Then if I am asked, what is the most memorable thing when visiting that “White Elephant Country“?….Tom Yam or its ladyboy (hahaha….kidding), guys….easy answer for second level question.

    OKAY.…before entering next question

    All of You have knew, how feel when do “crazy traveling” abroad in version of travelingpersecond.com….maybe, normal people will give answer “nothing nice”.

    But, this time I was a little showing off….hahaha. Because I save one story of my bourgeois trip to Thailand.

    This is the story….What will you do if you are given USD 740 by your boss and you were asked to spend it all for 3 days 2 nights in Baifern Pimchanok’s country?….This is a third level question.

    That’s a lot of money. But, many people bring much money for traveling to Bangkok. Waaw.…I’m really tacky. But swear….USD 740 are very much for me.

    It will be memorable thing if it can be spent to stay at expensive hotel in Bangkok.

    Yes, I finally stayed at Baiyoke Sky Hotel.

    Baiyoke Sky Hotel is 309 meters in height and it be 7th highest hotel in the world. So it doesn’t matter if you must to spend USD 110 per night for staying here.

    • Model of 85 storey hotel.
    • Its original building.

    Baiyoke Sky Hotel located in Khet Ratchathewi (Khet means a district), Bangkok Province. Ratchathewi itself comes from name of an empress, namely Phra Nangchao Sukumalmarsri Phra Ratchathewi.

    Besides having a Victory Monument as a landmark, Ratchathewi also has famous landmarks namely Baiyoke Sky Hotel which I am writing now.

    This hotel is located in a famous area….Its name, Pratu Nam. It also has other well-known destination, namely Pratu Nam Market. You must visit it if you go to Bangkok.

    The hotel itself has 2 main towers. Tower I is 151 meters high and is used for Baiyoke Suite Hotels. While Tower II is 309 meters high, it’s used for Baiyoke Sky Hotel

    I paid USD 9 to airport taxi driver after he transferred me from Don Mueang International Airport to Baiyoke Sky Hotel.

    Before entering hotel’s door, I observed busy trading activities in commercial shops which located on ground floor of Baiyoke Sky Hotel.

    Entering ground floor lift, a queue is so long in front of it. I stood in a tail of queue.

    Oh Donny….a bumpkin man. A doorman was approaching me, apparently He knew I had just taken queue behind.

    He: “Excuse me, Sir….Do you want to stay in or just go to observation deck?”

    Me: ” I want to stay sir ”

    He: ” Oh Okay, sir … This queue is for observation deck only. You can use that to go to lobby

    Me: ” Oh thank you sir “. Hi Donny, please read the instructions (my heart murmured). Then I began to move to other lift with few queue.

    The lift finally drove me to lobby.

    Classic reception hall.

    Finishing check-in process and get a access card. I immediately went to my room in upstair for a short break. There are three lift corridors on the floor where receptionist is located. The first corridor is used to go to exit door on ground floor. The second and third corridors are used specifically for guests towards their rooms and several interesting places in hotel, such as Baiyoke Floating Market, Bangkok Sky, Observation Deck, Stella Palace, Bangkok Balcony, Crystal Grill and Roof Top Bar.

    Walked through a corridor to search my room.

    I finally entered my room.

    • Soft mattress
    • I didn’t have a guest.…
    • It was just a little backpack.…
    • Took a bath in bath-up every morning and afternoon.

    For meals, I didn’t need to eat a toast as usual. Because it’snt dormitory.…keep calm, Donny.

    Ate as much as you want….

    • Appetizer, main course, dessert everyday
    • Bread and various jams.…made me confused.

    Besides that, you can also eat in a floating market concept. In this case, It’s no water in 75th floor where floating market is located. All buffets are in a boat style and there are traders at each boat.

    Because of second tallest building in Bangkok, it will be very disadvantage if you don’t enjoy Bangkok from 360-degree revolving viewpoint in top floor of Tower II.

    Scenery fare is about USD 14,8 for public. This time, I can enjoy it for free as a guest guest.

    On first night, I went late and 360-degree revolving viewpoint on 84th floor of Baiyoke Sky Tower had stopped spinning. I wasn’t long at revolving roof deck and I decided to get off. I only get this:

    Surprised, Peter Parker is very strong. It was 3 days, he hanged at 83rd floor….hahaha.

    There were also champion photos of Baiyoke Run Up International (running race up stairs to top of Baiyoke Sky Tower).

    I was able to get view of 360 degree-Bangkok view on second night. The 360-degree revolving point made me stunned when saw beauty of Bangkok at night.

    • Sirat Expressway toll road from above.
    • The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam from above.
    Hunting photos in a 360-degree revolving viewpoint.

    Baiyoke Sky Hotel also provides a mini museum to display several Buddha statues and artifacts.

    • there are many more statues in mini museum.

    Nearby Culinary

    Precisely across hotel, you will find Indra Square Shopping Mall. Open from 10am to 9pm, like most shopping malls in general, you will easily find lots of clothes, accessories, souvenirs, shoes and bags which sold through a bargaining process. Many Indian descents become traders here.

    Back to culinary, you can find Indra Food Square on top floor.

    • Buy coupons to be exchanged into food
    • What is your choice ?

    Want to Shop on the Street?

    Along street in front of Baiyoke Sky Hotel presents a night market which attracts hotel guests to visit it. Try to eat Bangkok durian on left front side of hotel !….really nice.

    • Night market corridor in left of hotel.

    Actually, luxury staying is very nice….hahaha.

  • Wallpaper dan Realita

    HAHAHAHA….Ternyata wujud kartunku kek gitu….ilernya itu loh gak nguatin.

    Sebuah ruang tunggu di Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport yang menjadi gerbang wisata Mumbai sengaja kupilih menjadi background dalam wallpaper ini.

    Kenapa Chhatrapati Shivaji ?

    Keterpesonaan terhadap modernnya bandara ini membuatku jatuh cinta dan terus mengaguminya. Bukannya Kansai International Airport modern juga?….Narita International Airport gimana?….Lalu Incheon International Airport kamu anggap apa, Don?.

    Yup ketiga bandara itu sangat OK….tapi kan ketiganya dimiliki negara dengan ekonomi super maju. Lumrah lah….

    Kutanya balik deh. Gimana rasanya ketika kamu menemukan sebuah bandara modern di tengah ruwetnya isi kota di sebuah negeri yang ekonominya belum sebaik Jepang dan Korea?.

    Tak tergambarkan rasanya, brur….

    Lalu, kenapa memilih bandara sebagai background dalam wallpaper ini?

    Sederhana lah….Bandara internasional adalah muka dari sebuah negeri. Dia menginterpretasikan ragam budaya dan tingkat peradaban sebuah negara.

    Kembali ke wallpaper yuks….

    Berikut filosofi dari wallpaper diatas:

    Peta dan Kompas…. Bak seorang polisi yang kemana-mana bersenjatakan pistol di pinggang, maka saya juga punya senjata serupa yang selalu kubawa ketika klayapan yaitu peta dan kompas. Kecakapan menggunakan kedua piranti traveling itu akan meningkatkan kepercayaan diri secara signifikan ketika berjalan di negeri orang dan tentu akan membuatmu menjadi lebih unik dibanding klayaper yang lain.

    Botol Minuman….Botol minuman adalah barang penting dalam melakukan penghematan. Mengisinya di water station bandara….di tempat umum….di hotel….atau memindahkan seisi teko restoran ke dalamnya adalah kebiasaan gila yang konsisten kulakukan.

    Mangkanye ketika sedang jalan barang sama Ane….jangan suudzan, Ane kaga jelalatan liatin cewek cantik kok,….tapi cari free water station demi berhemat.

    Kamera…. “Si mirrorles hitam” itu adalah Canon EOS M10 yang kubeli pada 2018. Jadi foto-foto yang kupublish pada era 2011-2017 adalah hasil jepretan kamera HP biasa, kupastikan artikel-artikel berbahan pengalaman sebelum 2018 akan menampilkan foto-foto beresolusi ala kadarnya….Ga papa ya, yang penting bisa memberikan Kalian informasi sebelum memulai perjalanan.

    Tidur….Tidur di bandara adalah cara terbaik dan teraman untuk menyelamatkan budget. Paling tidak menghemat biaya hotel 1 malam. Gilee guweh….total sudah meniduri 10 bandara di kawasan Asia….untung kagak hamil tuh bandara….hihihi.

    Lembar Itinerary….Aku adalah orang yang detail dengan itinerary. Selain cermat dalam penyusunan, Aku juga disiplin membawanya selama klayapan. Menjadi sindiran dan ketawaan banyak orang ketika lalu lalang membawa map berisi lembaran kertas itinerary, print out tiket pesawat, lembar konfirmasi pemesanan hotel dan peta jalur transportasi umum. Buat orang lain, ini terkesan ribet. Tetapi hal inilah yang membuatku nyaman ketika bersolo traveling. Persiapan dokumen yang lengkap identik dengan self confidence tauk.

    Backpack…. Ya begitulah kondisiku jika berada di bandara. Backpack tak pernah lepas dari badan. Karena semua perbekalanku ada didalamnya. And no more backpack. Oleh karenanya sejauh apapun pergi, Aku tak pernah membeli bagasi pesawat.

    Soooo….Semoga wallpaper ini bisa mendeskripsikan perilakuku selama klayapan…..

    Bandara mana lagi ya yang akan Aku kunjungi dalam waktu dekat?. Bagaimana kalau Sultan Mahmud International Airport?. Kayaknya OK deh….Mau ikut?

  • Three Viewpoints in Phuket

    My first post about Thailand isn’t about Bangkok as a capital city. But I will make you curious by presenting Phuket.

    Imagining beauty of Phuket since 2013, I could really see it by naked eyes in 2019. For six years I could only see Phuket from a photo which was posted on my desk. Many reasons of course, why I must wait very long. Because of time, bustle and of course about budget….hihihi, I think the last one is my problem.

    OK, by the way….

    PHUKET….is an island-area province in south of Bangkok. If it is measured, its length is along Jakarta-Cikampek (about 70 km) and its width is only along East Jakarta to West Jakarta (about 36 km).

    Phuket is indeed famous with its beach tourism. But for your information, 70% of its area are hills. That’s way, you can see the beauty of downtown and its beaches from above.

    Based on this, before enjoying all beaches in Phuket, I did one thing that other tourists rarely do.…Yeah, I started to climb its hills to do ” Phuket helicopter view “.

    That afternoon, Nok Air airline landed me at Phuket International Airport. Connected by airport bus, I was really dropped off in center of downtown. After checking in at Fulfill Phuket Hostel and lunch around it, I immediately rushed to rent a motorbike and went to a hill in northwest of hotel.

    1.Khao Rang Viewpoint.

    Khao Rang or Rang Hill is a viewpoint which located in north of Phuket. According to Khao Rang officer who I asked, Khao Rang usually visited by Phuket residents at night after work or on weekend to celebrate their holiday after 5 busy days at work.

    Very lucky that I was there on Sunday afternoon, so it was very easy to find Phuket residents who were going back and forth

    Needed about 10 minutes from Fulfill Phuket Hostel to actually get into Khao Rang through its south gate (there are two gates to go to Khao Rang, one in south and other one in north).

    Parking my motorbike in a hurry because of my impatience to saw how Phuket face, I don’t care about many young couples who are seen sitting in every corner of Khao Rang.

    I immediately looked around to determine from which point I will see Phuket. Yes.…that was the viewpoint that I was looking for:

    A European style building is displayed at end of Khao Rang.

    Oh God….Phuket which is bordered by coastline and insulated by small hills on each view sides makes me stunned for a long time and beat the sun heat.

    Nice?….Why are you stunned?….hahaha
    How nice is it?
    Me and the view.

    If you want to stay longer in Khao Rang, You can enjoy Phuket view while eating Thailand foods in Tunk Ka Cafe. If you don’t want to enter cafe because of expensive price, You can enjoy some snacks or coconut water in some food stalls outside restaurant.

    Then what did I?….I didn’t buy anything….I prefered to go to next viewpoint.

    2. Phuket’s Big Buddha

    Out of Khao Rang parking area, I directed my motorbike to southwest. I would explore as far as 20 km towards Big Buddha statue by motorbike.

    Through heat of Phuket’s streets, I stopped by in a traditional market in middle of trip. Sightseeing market to see local people trade, slowly I heard faint sound of Sundanese language (Sunda is other name of West Java, Indonesia) among boisterous tone of market.

    “I have to find this person”, I thought. Approaching sound until I found two teenagers from Sukabumi (a district in West Java province) who are undergoing students exchange which become their Tourism Vocational School program. They were assigned in a resort at Phuket and were shopping at behest of resort’s head chef.

    Leaving the market, I resumed my journey up winding hill to its summit.

    I saw Chinese tourists rejoice on ATV to same place, even some European tourists could be seen heading to top of hill by jogging and walking.…It was crazy, that’s really far away.

    I can say that it’is “combo venue”. Because besides getting a higher viewpoint, you will also enjoy beauty and sacredness of this statue.

    Finally I arrived in Big Buddha.

    Located on top of Nakkerd hill, this 45 meters in high statue was built in 2004.

    Walk to end of giant statue plaza !, this is what you will get:

    Guys.…that’s exotic appearance of Ao Chalong Bay….exotic like Jennifer Garner (upsss….You know my idol….hahaha)

    Big Buddha became a closing trip of all my climbing on that Sunday.

    I had to be patient to climb again next day.

    3. Kao Khad View Point

    Next day….

    I would longer sit in Kao Khad, so I decided to enter Family Mart across my hotel to prepare some packed beans and soft drinks to enjoy beauty of Phuket.

    Heading to south, I went through Phuket’s streets. I would cover a distance about 8 km now. Passing through traffic jams at several points of road which were being renovated and also through underpass project, I enjoyed local faces who were moving towards their respective livelihoods.

    Viewpoint which isn’t so high made my motorbike easy to run faster and reached my destination in just 12 minutes.

    Here is it, Kao Khad viewpoint :

    Seeing from everyhere, the whole island really spoiled my eyes
    Kao Khad beach….beautiful

    So….after seeing some little scenery that I gave….Will you go to Phuket?

  • INI LOGOKU….MANA LOGOMU?

    Dimana-mana logo adalah identitas. Fungsinya begitu penting karena menjadikan brand semakin kuat. Keren….kata generasi milenial.

    Karenanya, Saya memutuskan untuk mendesain sebuah logo dengan harapan membuat “blog klayapan” ini menjadi unique. Logo ini tentu akan menjadi dasar dari semua varian logo aktivitas yang merupakan derivat travelingpersecond di masa mendatang. Siapa tahu Aku akan memiliki biro perjalanan suatu saat….ngimpiiiii.

    Ternyata bikin logo itu gak gampang ya….4 bulan dipenuhi kebimbangan dengan bongkar pasang komponen logo.

    Concernku bukan membuat logo yang nampak bagus dilihat orang, tapi lebih pada desain yang menggambarkan kata hati dan karakterku yang sesungguhnya. Simple….tapi bikin si pembuat logo pusing tujuh keliling.

    Terimakasih lho Giovanni yang sudah sabar mendesain logo travelingpersecond. Hayo, penasaran kan siapa Gio?….Ah fotonya terlalu cantik buat guwe pajang, tar kalian gak lihat tulisanku malah lihat foto si Gio lagi….belum lagi kalau pacarnye mencak-mencak….hahaha.

    Udah deh, lupain aja si Gio.

    Lalu makna logonya apa sih, Don….ribet gitu desainnya…..gak milenial banget sih.

    Gini lho pren:

    1. Orang beransel….ya itu guwe lah….kemana-mana bawa ransel….masuk toilet guwe bawa….tidur guwe peluk….bahkan kalau lagi kesepian aja guwe ajak bicara….njirrr
    2. Bisa kah jalan 2 minggu dengan dua celana panjang?….Itu kenapa gambarku di logo pakai celana panjang….hahaha
    3. Kok gitu ambil foto pakai kamera?….ya iyalah lah, kan Aku solo traveler. Ya bisanya selfie….hohoho
    4. Landmark apa ntuh?….iye, itu Burj Al Arab di Uni Emirat Arab yang melambangkan dunia timur. Di kiri ada menara Eiffel yang melambangkan dunia barat. Bukan dunia politik ya tapi dunia jalan-jalan….hmmmh. Aku sebentar lagi selesai menjelajah timur….Oh Eiffel, Aku tak sabar lagi.
    5. Pijakan kaki di gundukan tanah menunjukkan bahwa Aku adalah sang pejalan kaki yang tangguh. Jalan 8 km sehari mampu?….pasti mampu juga lah kalian, cuman sehari ini…..fine, bagaimana kalau 14 hari?….hahaha.
    6. Ada gambar bintang kan?….Ssst, itu rahasia…..belum saatnya….hihihi
    7. Lalu kenapa semua dibungkus dalam lingkaran kompas. Aku ceritain dikit ya, tahun 2013-2017 adalah saat dimana Aku kelayapan tanpa menggunakan internet. Senjata andalanku cuma peta negara/kota setempat dan kompas kecil seharga Rp. 25.000 yang kubeli di Gra**d*a
    8. Itu huruf S dan E ngapain? Iye….Aku kan klayaper dari South East Asia (SE-Asia).
    9. Halah ada pesawat segala…..Iye bro, kenapa ya Aku tuh selalu excited sama kendaraan terbang itu. Mangkanye Aku suka coba-coba berbagai maskapai kan…..
    10. Semua didasari dengan tagline “Learning Culture by Traveling”. Ya, kelihatannya idealis banget. Tapi memang Aku selalu berusaha menyelami budaya negara setempat selama kelayapan.

    Yeeeaaaayyy….akhirnya punya logo.

    Do’ain ya jadi semangat menulis.

  • Trip to Pahawang Island, Lampung

    PAHAWANG.…come from word “HAWANG” which is a name of a Chinese who came to this island in 18th century. And then HAWANG have a big family and they acculturated with other migrants from several Indonesian area to occupy and prosper PAHAWANG.

    My arrival to Lampung is indeed because of Pahawang. It made my sleep never well before I really set foot there.

    My legs were still fatigue after long trip in Ied Mubarak holiday from Solo (my hometown), even didn’t even 24 hours resting….I immediately filled my backpack and went to Lampung to immediately kill my curiosity about Pahawang.

    Becaue my remaining budget was little, so I decided to visit Pahawang in just one day trip. Boat and hotel cost are relatively expensive in Pahawang Island, It was beating my ego to overnight in Pahawang.

    And for save my money, the best way is joining into open trip. Since I have office friends from Lampung, finally I was connected by them into Aero Travelindo Utama which is one of many open trip organizers there.

    The core of open trip is paying an expensive trip cost by sharing cost with other tourists.

    Didn’t need to long thinking, I immediately transferred a down payment of one day trip cost. Oh yes, the overall cost is USD 13 include lunch per tourist.

    Starting trip to Pahawang, I rode a rented motorbike towards determined meeting point, namely Dermaga 4 Ketapang (Ketapang’s Pier 4).

    • On 5:30 am, I left hotel and pass Lampung Banking Monument.

    Based an information from taxi driver who I met a day before, the route which I had passed was indeed very crowded and many Indonesian Navy soldiers who used motorbike toward their office.

    Their existence on my route when morning condition was still dark made me feel very comfortable. By slowly driving, I tried to enjoy Way Ratay road situation as main access to Dermaga 4 Ketapang.

    • “Welcome” fish statue in Pesawaran tourist area.

    The Sun slowly began to uncover morning darkness, my motorbike slowly drove in coastline to present sea noise on my left side.

    I slowly passed each Ketapang pier gate from gate 1, until finally Pier 4 (Dermaga 4) gate was found.

    • On 06:31 am, Dermaga 4 Ketapang was in front of me.

    Parking my motorbike on pier edge for USD 0,75 then I decide to eat “lontong sayur” as my breakfast menu. By paying USD 0,85, my stomach already felt ready to sail immediately.

    Ringcall from open trip organizer guide me to their office around Pier 4 to pay off payment and take a life jacket a nd snorkel.

    Couldn’t wait to hug Pahawang

    On 9 am o’clock, my boat began its journey, slowly the beauty of coastal village was clearly displayed when I was away from pier. Settlements under hill with yellow glow of morning sun combined with some thin white smoke from resident activities were able to make me stunned sitting in end of ship’s back deck.

    Hills became a view along sailing.
    Race with speed boat to Pahawang.

    Along sailing, I always curios because organizer never gave a briefing before trip began. What will be done firsty in this trip?.

    Need waiting for 1 hour 15 minutes, I finally found out that snorkeling was opening activity in this trip. For easy finding a snorkeling location, tourism operator makes a floating house to leaning each boat which carrying tourists.

    Docked soon.

    I decided to jump straight from boat when other tourists queue up to go to floating house. Enjoy coral reef by under water viewing made me amazed by coral density below me. Slowly feeding fishes with dry biscuits in my hand to saw it closer and enjoy cute fishes there.

    Little sad too, when I saw some tourists who didn’t understand how supposed to enjoy coral reef tourism.…They likely didn’t care, some of them step on coral reef to make them standing.…It was unfortunate.

    “Welcome to Pahawang” from top of a floating house.

    I had to immediately interrupted my excitement in enjoying coral reef, because a jellyfish greeted me with its painful sting. I was forced to back in boat to reduce poison spreading in my neck.

    Waiting for others to finished.…

    1.5 hours snorkeling made me know that next agenda was definitely having a lunch…. I was very hungry.

    Slowly going away from snorkeling area, I headed to Pahawang Island. Passed arrival gate, I straightly went to under of coconut trees to eat grilled fishes and “Sayur Asam” vegetables which just came out from stove.

    Arrived on Pahawang island.
    Our menus.

    I also didn’t waste my time. After lunch, I explored around island to enjoy beauty of Pahawang.

    Maximizes 1.5 hours for Pahawang exploration.

    Precisely on 1:30 pm, I left Pahawang island and sailed to Nemo Park for seeing clown fish activity.

    A little sea anemone colony where clown fishes live in was seen in this sea park. Clown fishes that live here are majority still small in size. It looks like that this park is being developed to become a habitat for clown fishes in the future.

    In end section….

    Trip was closed by visiting Kelagian Island on 3:30 pm. Most tourists prayed in a mosque, layed down in a row of rented gazebo, played soccer on soft white sand or enjoyed coconut directly from its shell in this island.

    Kelagian Island which is managed by Indonesian Navy.
    Beauty of soft white sand.

    Exactly at 16:00, Pahawang one day trip was truly over. Return to Dermaga 4 and then I was back to hotel and prepared to relaxing in “Teropong Kota Bukit Sindy” (city night viewing from a hill) that I set up as my next night destination in Bandar Lampung.

    Trip was ended.

    Next Story—>