LCC

Nine Hours Stopover in Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2

7 July 202211 July 2022travelingpersecond

For most travelers, Kuala Lumpur International Airport becomes the most fantastic point to jump into other Asian countries. Of course, the existence of Air Asia’s Low Cost Carrier (LCC) makes it so. Since 2001, Air Asia has been providing travelers with low-cost access to travel around Asia. Thanks to Air Asia, I have stopped at KLIA for 21 times when exploring Asia.

But in this story. it was eighth stopover….Yup, this was the eighth time I set foot in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

After ten o’clock at night, the giant wheel of Air Asia D7 505 gently touched against KLIA2’s runway. The 5 hour 50 minute journey from Seoul was over. My first impression of tasting the wide body Airbus A330 was really pleasant. Flying across Yellow Sea and East China Sea took place with virtually non-existent turbulence, calm and smooth without a hitch. That was probably one of the advantages of riding a large plane when exploring sky.

After taxiing for a few minutes, Air Asia D7 505 was stopped in apron and as soon as the plane door opened, I entered KLIA2 building via aerobridge. I returned to KLIA2 after ten days before stopping by at it before jump to Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It was such a happy feeling that night because I was already close to home, only 2 hours 15 minutes away by air.

And for me, stopping at KLIA2 would be more convenient if I left immigration counter, because I could find many culinary offerings at Gateway@klia2 mall instead of just sitting in transfer hall.

“Transit, Sir. I want to find food for dinner”, I lightly greeted an immigration officer in front.

“Where are you going?”, he asked while checking my green passport.

“From Seoul, want to go back to Jakarta, Sir”

“Oh…”, He briefly answered and then ordered me to face the camera and do fingerprints. By midnight that night, actually my stomach was already filled with wind because the dinner schedule had long passed. But to complete the schedule, I chose to hasten my steps towards a restaurant. It was NZ Curry House which was an Indian restaurant located at Transportation Hub level 1 Gateway@klia2 mall.

(On my last visit at KLIA2 at the end 2019 when I was about to fly to Kochi-India, this restaurant area was undergoing renovations, either closed or just being repaired).

The mainstay menu which I often order when I stopped at this restaurant was “Nasi Lemak” with boiled eggs and a cup of hot O tea. For that menu, I usually only spend 6.5 Ringgit.

While tasting spoon by spoon of Nasi Lemak, I understood that after that I would only spend the night on the 1st floor while waiting for tomorrow to arrive. Therefore, I wasn’t in a hurry to eat my simple dish.

After eating, I took the time to change into a t-shirt in the toilet near restaurant and then went up for a while to level 2 to look for souvenirs at Jaya Grocer. For me, KLIA2 was also a favorite place to look for souvenirs if I didn’t have time to stop by in downtown, the halalness of Malaysian products, which were 61% of its citizen was Muslim, was a guarantee in itself. My main shopping target was the packaging of “Teh Tarik Aik Cheong” so I could enjoy it in my working days in my homeland’s capital. A package of Teh Tarik Aik Cheong contained 15 sachets I redeemed for 13 Ringgit that night.

After I got souvenirs, I immediately looked for a spot to lay down in 1st floor because that time had touched the dawn and my eyes had also turned red as if asking me to immediately close them.

Shortly after choosing, there were rows of empty seat in 1st floor in a corner of hall. After acquiring it, I felt half asleep on it until dawn.

However, I deserved to be grateful for KLIA2’s presence in my long history of traveling around Asia.

Next Story—->

Sembilan Jam Singgah di Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2

20 June 202124 June 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Bagi sebagian besar pengelana, Kuala Lumpur International Airport menjadi titik paling aduhai untuk melompat ke negara asia lainnya. Tentu keberadaan maskapai Low Cost Carrier (LCC) Air Asia yang membuatnya demikian. Sejak 2001, Air Asia telah memberikan akses murah bagi para pejalan untuk berkeliling Asia. Berkat Air Asia pula sudah 21 kali aku menyinggahi KLIA selama menjelajah Asia.

Tapi dalam kisah ini adalah delapan….Yups, ini kali kedelapan aku menjejakkan langkah di Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Lewat jam sepuluh malam, roda raksasa Air Asia D7 505 berdebam lembut menyentuh KLIA2. Perjalanan 5 jam 50 menit dari Seoul pun usai sudah. Kesan pertamaku mencicipi pesawat berbadan lebar Airbus A330 sungguh menyenangkan. Terbang melintasi Laut Kuning dan Laut China Timur berlangsung dengan turbulensi yang bisa dianggap tiada, tenang dan mulus tanpa hambatan. Itu mungkin salah satu keuntungan menunggang pesawat berbadan besar ketika menjelajah angkasa.

Usai taxiing beberapa menit, Air Asia D7 505 pun merapat di apron dan sesaat setelah pintu pesawat terbuka, aku pun memasuki bangunan KLIA2 melalui aerobridge. Aku kembali menjejak KLIA2 setelah sepuluh hari sebelumnya menyinggahinya untuk melompat ke Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Sungguh perasaan yang membahagiakan malam itu karena aku sudah berada dekat dengan rumah, hanya 2 jam 15 menit jauhnya lewat udara.

Dan bagiku singgah di KLIA2 akan lebih afdol jika keluar dari konter imigrasi, karena aku bisa menemukan banyak sajian kuliner di Gateway@klia2 mall daripada hanya berdiam diri di transfer hall.

“Transit Pak Cik, ingin cari makan malam”, sapa ringanku pada seorang petugas imigrasi di hadapan.

“Dari mane mau kemane?”, tanyanya sambil memeriksa paspor hijauku.

“Dari Seoul, mau pulang ke Jakarta, Pak Cik”

“Oh…”, jawabnya singkat lalu mempersilahkanku untuk menghadap kamera dan melakukan sidik jari.

Menjelang tengah malam itu, sebetulnya lambungku sudah lebih dahulu dipenuhi oleh angin karena jadwal makan malam sudah lama lewat.Tetapi untuk melengkapi jadwal itu, aku memilih untuk menyegerakan langkah menuju tempat makan langganan. Adalah NZ Curry House yang merupakan restoran India yang terletak di Transportation Hub level 1 Gateway@klia2 mall.

(pada kunjungan terakhirku di KLIA2 di akhir 2019 saat akan terbang ke Kochi-India, area restoran ini sedang mengalami renovasi, entah tutup atau sekedar diperbaiki).

Menu andalan yang sering kupesan ketika singgah di restoran ini adalah adalah nasi lemak dengan telur rebus serta secangkir teh O panas. Untuk menu tersebut biasanaya aku hanya mengeluarkan uang sebesar 6,5 Ringgit.

Sembari mengecap suap demi suap nasi lemak itu, aku faham bahwa setelahnya aku hanya akan menghabiskan malam di lantai 1 sambil menunggu esok tiba. Oleh karenanya, aku tak terburu-buru dalam menyantap hidangan sederhana itu.

Usai makan, aku menyempatkan berganti t-shirt di toilet dekat restoran dan kemudian naik sebentar ke level 2 untuk mencari oleh-oleh di Jaya Grocer. Bagiku, KLIA2 juga menjadi tempat favorit untuk mencari oleh-oleh jika tak sempat menyinggahi kota, kehalalan produk Malaysia yang 61% berpenduduk muslim menjadi jaminan tersendiri. Target utama belanjaku adalah kemasan Teh Tarik Aik Cheong untuk bisa kunikmati pada hari-hari bekerjaku di Ibu Kota nanti. Satu kemasan Teh Tarik Aik Cheong berisi 15 sachet kutebus dengan 13 Ringgit malam itu.

Setelah oleh-oleh kudapatkan, aku segera mencari spot untuk merebahkan diri di lantai 1 karena waktu telah menyentuh dini hari dan mata juga telah memerah seakan memintaku untuk segera memejamkannya.

Tak lama memilih, terlihat deret bangku kosong di Lantai 1 di sebuah pojok hall. Usai mengakuisisi, aku tertidur setengah lelap diatasnya hingga subuh nanti tiba.

Bagaimanapun itu, aku pantas berterimakasih pada keberadaan KLIA2 dalam sejarah panjang perjalananku berkeliling Asia.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Bus from KLIA2 to KL Sentral

17 January 202025 December 2019travelingpersecond

KLIA2 is the most popular airport terminal for travelers to visit to Malaysia. So, if you are one of them, your chances to landing on KLIA2 (Terminal 2) will be higher than landing on KLIA (Terminal 1). This is because LCC (Low Cost Carrier) aircraft such as Air Asia and Scoot Air will land on KLIA2.

Of course, you will go to Kuala Lumpur downtown after landing. There are three choices of transportation modes which can be used, namely taxi, KLIA Express train and airport bus. Now, back to the opportunity, then the most chance which will be used by travelers is using airport bus because this transportation mode is the cheapest one. Here’s the comparison:

KLIA2 to KL Sentral.

1. Using taxi = USD 22.8

2. Using KLIA Express train = USD 14.2

3. Using airport bus = USD 3.1 (the most cheapest)

Therefore, I need to write my journey story when using airport bus from KLIA2 to Kuala Lumpur downtown, which passengers will be dropped off at KL Sentral.

Long time before, I had also written about my trip using Airport Coach from KLIA to KL Sentral. You can see it in the following link:

Bus from KLIA to KL Sentral, Malaysia

Now, I will write my trip from KLIA2 to KL Sentral. Here’s the story:

On exactly 9:15 hours, I passed KLIA2 immigration counter. Early morning flight didn’t provide me an opportunity even if only just eating an omlet like my usual day at home. This made my stomach was very hungry after arriving at KLIA2.

A moment later, I sat at HomeTown Hainan Coffee on 2nd floor of Gateway @ KLIA2 mall. Eating 2 half-cooked eggs for USD 1.5 made my stomach which continued to rebel slightly calm .

Its cool name is Omega Half Boiled Eggs….Hahaha.

Three restaurant waitresses were closely watching me when I pulled out many sheets of 1 Malaysian Ringgit. Yes, I asked for 50 sheets to DolarAsia money changer at Melawai Street, South Jakarta when exchanging money. Hahaha….Swear, I was really embarrassing five years ago.

Heading to 1st floor which is location of KLIA2 Transportation Hub. Then I hurried to Aerobus ticket sales counter.

Those are taxi and bus ticket sales counter at KLIA2.

At that time, Aerobus ticket fare (on 2014) was USD 1.2. But last time when I went to KLIA2 again in April 2019, this bus fare was already at USD 2.6.

Ticket fare have double increased after 5 years.

I waited for Aerobus Express at platform no A05 on 15 minutes before departure time. Positively thing of this bus is its time accuracy. Besides Aerobus Express, another bus company which operating on this route is Aerosky Ventures or better known as Skybus.

Only needed to show ticket which I had bought then bus staff would tore driver copy part of ticket. Every time I take a bus in Malaysia, for some reason I really like to taking a back seat. Sitting in the back might be more free for me to observe around.

Aerobus would run to KL Sentral via MEX (Maju Expressway) Toll Road. 50 minutes trip that I spent for watching situation of Selangor state streets.

Approaching the end of trip, bus slowly entered to Stesen Sentral road to stop at KL Sentral.

Do you know KL Sentral, right? It stands for Kuala Lumpur Sentral which is main train station in Kuala Lumpur and the largest train station in Southeast Asia. Located in Brickfields area and integrated with shopping centres, hotels, offices and condos.

Bus shelter with KL Sentral to KLIA/KLIA2 route is located in KL Sentral Basement. Here is the shelter:

Aerobus and Skybus which were taking passengers at KL Sentral.

From Basement, I only needed to go up by escalator to 1st floor to reached gate which headed to commuter and LRT platform.

I was already at gate and getting ready for Batu Caves.

For some transportation modes from KLIA2 to KL Sentral, you can get the ticket at 12Go Asia or at following link: https://12go.asia/?z=3283832

Bus dari KLIA2 ke KL Sentral

25 November 201924 January 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

KLIA2 adalah terminal paling populer bagi para traveler untuk menyinggahi Malaysia. Jadi, jika kamu satu di antara mereka maka peluangmu untuk mendarat di KLIA2 (Terminal 2) akan lebih tinggi dari pada mendarat di KLIA (Terminal 1). Hal ini dikarenakan pesawat LCC (Low Cost Carrier) semacam Air Asia dan Scoot Air akan mendarat di KLIA2.

Tentu kamu akan menuju ke pusat kota Kuala Lumpur setelah mendarat. Ada tiga pilihan moda transportasi yang bisa digunakan, yaitu taxi, KLIA Express train dan airport bus. Nah kembali lagi ke peluang, maka peluang terbanyak yang akan dipakai para traveler adalah menggunakan bus karena tarif paling murah tentu menggunakan moda transportasi ini. Berikut perbandingannya:

KLIA2 ke KL Sentral.

1. Naik taxi = Rp. 308.000

2. Naik KLIA Express train = Rp. 193.000

3. Naik airport bus = Rp. 42.000 (tarif termurah)

Oleh karena itu, aku perlu menuliskan kisah perjalananku menggunakan airport bus dari KLIA2 menuju ke tengah kota Kuala Lumpur yang pada umumnya penumpang akan diturunkan di KL Sentral.

Jauh sebelumnya, aku juga pernah menulis tentang perjalanan menggunakan Airport Coach dari KLIA ke KL Sentral. Kamu bisa melihatnya di link berikut:

Bus dari KLIA ke KL Sentral, Malaysia

Nah sekarang saatnya kutulis perjalanan dari KLIA2 ke KL Sentral. Berikut ceritanya:

Tepat pukul 09:15, aku melewati konter imigrasi KLIA2. Penerbangan pagi hari yang tak memberikan kesempatan walau hanya sekedar menyantap omlet seperti hari biasaku di rumah. Hal ini membuat perut langsung keroncongan begitu tiba di KLIA2.

Sejurus kemudian aku hinggap di HomeTown Hainan Coffee di lantai 2 Gateway @KLIA2 mall. Menyantap 2 butir telur setengah matang seharga Rp. 21.000 sedikit menenangkan perut yang terus memberontak.

Nama kerennya Omega Half Boiled Eggs….Hahaha.

Tiga pelayan resto pun memperhatikan lekat-lekat ketika aku mengeluarkan segepok lembaran 1 Ringgit Malaysia. Ya, aku meminta 50 lembar MYR 1 ke money changer DolarAsia Jalan Melawai, Jakarta Selatan saat menukar uang. Hahaha….Sumpah, aku ndeso banget ya lima tahun lalu.

Menuju lantai 1 yang merupakan letak dari Transportation Hub KLIA2. Kemudian aku bergegas menuju konter penjualan tiket Aerobus.

Itu adalah konter penjualan tiket *taxi* dan bus di KLIA2.

Tarif Aerobus kala itu (tahun 2014) adalah sebesar Rp. 17.5000. Tetapi terakhir aku ke KLIA 2 lagi pada April 2019 tarif bus ini sudah di angka Rp. 35.000.

Tarif sudah naik 2 kali lipat setelah 5 tahun.

Aku menunggu Aerobus Express di platform A05 pada 15 menit sebelum waktu keberangkatan. Keunggulan bus ini adalah ketepatan waktunya. Selain Aerobus Express, perusahaan bus lain yang beroperasi untuk rute ini adalah Aerosky Ventures atau lebih dikenal dengan nama Skybus.

Hanya perlu menunjukkan tiket yang sudah kubeli kemudian petugas merobek bagian driver copy dari tiket itu. Setiap naik bus di Malaysia, entah kenapa aku sangat suka mengambil bangku paling belakang. Duduk di belakang mungkin lebih leluasa untuk mengamati sekitar.

Aerobus akan berjalan menuju KL Sentral melalui MEX (Maju Expressway) Toll Road. Perjalanan selama 50 menit kuhabiskan dengan melihat suasana jalanan negara bagian Selangor.

Mendekati akhir perjalanan, perlahan bus merangsek ke jalan Stesen Sentral untuk merapat ke KL Sentral.

Kamu tahu kan KL Sentral?. Kepanjangannya adalah Kuala Lumpur Sentral yang merupakan stasiun kereta api utama di Kuala Lumpur dan merupakan stasiun kereta api terbesar di Asia Tenggara. Terletak di daerah Brickfields dan terintegrasi dengan pusat perbelanjaan, hotel, perkantoran dan kondominium.

Shelter bus dengan jurusan KL Sentral ke KLIA/KLIA2 ini terletak di Basement KL Sentral. Ini dia shelternya:

Aerobus dan Skybus yang sedang mengambil penumpang di KL Sentral.

Dari Basement, aku hanya perlu naik melalui escalator ke lantai 1 untuk mencapai gate menuju ke platform kereta komuter dan LRT.

Aku sudah berada di *platform* dan bersiap menuju Batu Caves.

Untuk beberapa moda transportasi dari KLIA2 ke KL Sentral, kamu bisa mendapatkan tiketnya di 12Go Asia atau di link: https://12go.asia/?z=3283832

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Scoot Air TR 457 from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore (KUL-SIN)

19 September 2019travelingpersecond

SCOOT AIR….Low Cost Carrier (LCC) from Singapore, which its stocks are owned by Singapore Airlines.

Scoot Air TR457 flight path. Source from https://flightaware.com

Scoot is 22nd airlines which I have ever used. Through flight number TR 457 on regular route Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Singapore (SIN), I firstly used Scoot Air service on March 31st, 2018. On that time, I boarded an Airbus A320 aircraft with 168 passengers in capacity.

Even though I ever used Tiger Mandala Airlines on November 26th, 2013 while heading to Bangkok and Tiger Air on January 11st, 2015 when I returned from Vietnam. Now the two airlines have merged into Scoot Air.

Look that ! Tiger Air identity in Scoot Air TR 457 plane.

Ambiguity of terminal where I would depart (whether from KLIA terminal 1 or KLIA terminal 2) made me a little nervous because departure list usually publishes 2 hours before flight. And of course, it takes time to move from KLIA2 to KLIA.

For international flights, I always start towards airport on 4 hours before flight time. So I left Westree Hotel on 05:30 and rushed to Skybus/Aerobus shelter which located in KL Sentral. Because distance from hotel to shelter is only 40 m, I only needed to walk for 3 minutes towards shelter.

Indian descent hotel security sharply watched me in inner door of lobby….Because I stood for a long time in middle of lobby door….I was seriously watching around….So quiet, I had to make sure that there wasn’t suspicious thing along road which I would pass towards KL Sentral.

Yesss….There aren’t any people on road….Fast walking. Like an racewalking athlete, I started to stay away from hotel. I arrived in shelter when bus was ready to leave.

With USD 3.1, I arrived at KLIA2 on 6:30. I immediately headed to information center to ask about terminal where TR457 would take off. On early morning, I disturbed information center officer with some questions because departure board didn’t display yet an information about TR457, so She had to pull keyboard and searching information for me….very kindly officer.

God…..my eyes glared while chewing Nasi Lemak (original food from Malaysia) with fried egg in corner of NZ Curry House….Look like a goat which was ruminating. It was a sign that I wasn’t ready to get early breakfast.

Yes, there wasn’t other choice, it was better to have breakfast in Indian restaurant with cheapest price before heading to 3rd floor for check-in, immigration and departure processes.

Check-in counter no Z2-Z3 for Scoot Air TR457.

After passing immigration counter, I headed to waiting room at gate L3.

I entered waiting room on 08:05. In boredom of waiting, Vietnamese came to me and ask something:

Vietnamese: “Hi, Can you explain to me about my cigarette (while showing a pack of cigarettes which have been smoked two stumps). Can I bring it when entering Singapore?“

Me : “Do you bring another one or just this opened pack?. If you just bring it, you can savely entering Singapore.”

Vietnamese: “No, I just bring it. So it’s savely. Thanks you.”

Me: “You are welcome”.

After waiting for 20 minutes, finally boarding process begins.

Scoot Air is identical with yellow. The charm of young air crews was very fresh when their appeaybrance is clad in yeloow t-shirt and shallow.

The sky is really clear, very comfort to fly without turbulence.

After fllying about 1 hour and 15 minutes, I landed at Changi International Airport Terminal 2. Trying to leave Changi as soon as possible to go to Greendili Backpackers Hostel in Race Course Road and then ready to explore Singapore for 7th time.

Searching MRT map before entering Changi International Airport immigration counter.

Let’s go to Mustafa Center for lunch before exploring.

Scoot Air TR457 dari Kuala Lumpur ke Singapura (KUL-SIN)

3 August 20193 August 2019travelingpersecond

SCOOT AIR….maskapai Low Cost Carrier (LCC) milik Negeri Singa yang kepemilikan sahamnya dikuasai oleh Singapore Airlines.

Lintasan terbang Scoot Air TR457. Sumber dari https://flightaware.com

Scoot sendiri masuk list ke-22 dari seluruh maskapai yang pernah kunaiki. Melalui nomor penerbangan TR457 dengan rute regular Kuala Lumpur (KUL) ke Singapura (SIN), Aku pertama kali menggunakan jasa Scoot Air tertanggal 31 Maret 2018. Kali ini Aku menaiki pesawat berjenis Airbus A320 dengan kapasitas 168 penumpang.

Walaupun sebenarnya Aku pernah menggunakan Maskapai Tiger Mandala pada 26 November 2013 saat menuju ke Bangkok dan Tiger Air pada 11 Januari 2015 saat kembali dari Vietnam. Kini kedua maskapai tersebut sudah merger ke dalam Maskapai Scoot Air.

Tuh kan sudah *merger*, masih ada identitas Tiger Air di badan pesawat Scoot Air TR457

Ketidakjelasan terminal asal keberangkatan (apakah dari KLIA terminal 1 atau KLIA terminal 2) membuatku sedikit gelisah karena biasanya Departure List baru keluar 2 jam sebelum penerbangan. Dan tentu perlu waktu untuk berpindah dari KLIA2 ke KLIA.

Untuk penerbangan internasional, Aku selalu memulai perjalanan menuju bandara 4 jam sebelum waktu penerbangan. Jadi Aku meninggalkan Westree Hotel pada pukul 05:30 dan bergegas menuju ke Skybus/Aerobus Shelter yang terletak di KL Sentral. Karena jaraknya cuma 40 m, Aku hanya perlu berjalan kaki selama 3 menit menuju shelter.

Security hotel keturunan India tajam memerhatikanku di pintu lobby bagian dalam….Lha iya, Aku berdiri lama ditengah pintu….clingak-clinguk kiri kanan kaya ayam mau nyebrang….Saking sepinya, Aku harus memastikan tak ada yang mencurigakan di sepanjang jalan yang akan kulewati menuju KL Sentral.

Yesss….Sepi, ndak ada orang….Kabuuurrrrrr. Bak atlit jalan cepat, Aku mulai menjauhi hostel. Aku tiba saat bus siap berangkat.

Dengan 12 Ringgit aku tiba di KLIA2 pada pukul 6:30. Setiba di KLIA2, Aku segera menuju information centre untuk menanyakan dimana terminal TR457 akan lepas landas. Pagi-pagi Aku sudah ngrepotin Si mbak India petugas information centre, karena Departure Board belum menampilkan informasi tentang TR457 maka Dia harus menarik keyboard dan mencarikan info untukku….Hadeuhhh, sudah manis….baik pulak si teteh….eh, si mbak.

Buseeettt….mataku melotot sambil mengunyah nasi lemak telur ceplok di pojokan NZ Curry House….kek kambing yang sedang memamah biak. Pertanda Aku tak bisa membohongi otak bahwa perutku belum siap bersarapan.

Ya memang tak ada pilihan lain, lebih baik sarapan di kedai makan India dengan harga paling murah sebelum menuju ke lantai 3 untuk proses check-in, proses imigrasi dan keberangkatan.

*Information Centre* di *Departure Hall*

Konter *check-in* Z2-Z3 untuk Scoot Air TR457

Setelah melewati konter imigrasi, Aku menuju ke ruang tunggu di *gate* L3.

Aku memasuki ruang tunggu pada pukul 08:05. Dalam kejenuhan menunggu, datang kepadaku wajah Vietnamese dan bertanya:

Vietnamese: “Hi, Can you explain to me about my cigarette (sambil menunjukkan sebungkus rokok yang sudah terhisap dua puntung). Can me bring it when entering Singapore?”

Aku : “Do you bring another one or just this opened pack?. If you just bring it, you can savely entering Singapore.”

Vietnamese: “No, I just bring it. So it’s savely. Thanks you.”

Aku: “You are welcome”.

Setelah menunggu selama 20 menit, akhirnya *boarding process* dimulai.

Scoot Air identik dengan warna kuning. Pesona pramugari-pramugara muda keturunan Tiongkok semakin segar ketika penampilan mereka terlihat berbalut t-shirt dan syall serba kuning.

Langit sungguh cerah, nikmat banget terbang tanpa turbulensi.

Setelah mengudara selama 1 jam 15 menit, Aku mendarat di Terminal 2 Changi International Airport. Berusaha secepat mungkin meninggalkan Changi untuk menuju ke Greendili Backpackers Hostel di bilangan Race Course Road dan selanjutnya siap mengeksplorasi Singapore untuk ke-7 kalinya.

Cari peta MRT sebelum masuk konter imigrasi *Changi International Airport*.

Makan siang dulu yuk ke Mustafa Centre sebelum walking-walking.

Sebagai alternatif, tiket pesawat, kereta dan bus dari Kuala Lumpur ke Singapura bisa dipesan melaui e-commerce perjalanan 12go Asia

Traveling to Many Countries, Why Not?

23 May 201930 June 2019travelingpersecond

“Donny, I wonder, How do you travel so much?? Working in office makes me travel less since I have to ask for permission. How about you?”

The question which arose in my WordPress App when I stuck in traffic jam on highway.…yesss.…Wulan “the cute” was a little curious why I can travel to many countries (yess….on January 2020, I has visited 25 countries).

Solo-traveling like marijuana.…but that’s for me, I don’t know how about you guys?.… If in three months I don’t travel, it will definitely make me “fall in depression (hahaha)”.… if depressed, I will usually stuck at corner of my desk.

Then definitely I will open my laptop and look for LCC (Low Cost Carrier) webs from various countries for cheap ticket.… that is a impact of my other strange habit….i.e I usually collect many airline tickets …. yes, I have tried 28 airlines during traveling as a backpacker.

Southeast Asia, East Asia and South Asia have been visited, next destination is Middle East….”You must go to Mecca” my mom said … “calm down,mom. I have a hajj ticket which is countdown in 9 years.… I hope I can “umrah” while waiting for Haj”, I answered.

Uppsss….Sorry, Wulan … I didn’t yet answer your question.

So these are why I can go to many countries:

I have big intention to explore 100 countries.

Intention is like fuel. No intention means no action. If there is no action, I will be stuck forever in Jakarta.

My intention is visiting 100 countries in my life. It is meaning that I will set my foot in 60% from all country on earth.

Do Anyone want to join with me?

2. Just being a crazy backpacker.

Even my friends called me “Crazy Backpacker”.…look it:

Yes….

I’m crazy….I always buy my ticket without thinking.…the important thing is cheap and headed for a new destination.

I’m crazy …. Every time I meet friends, I’m always provoking them to join in my trip.

Putri, Anggi and Dini (they are friends in my office) always refuse if I invited them to traveling.

I’m crazy.…I often dream about traveling.

I’m crazy…. Every I receive my salary.…I murmured, “Which destination will I visit?”

I’m crazy….When entering Korea, I almost deported because only bring USD 100 without a credit card in exploring Busan and Seoul for 6 days.

I’m crazy.…I almost got freezed to die in India because I was at station and get train with open windows at 4 Celcius degrees for 12 hours because my train which its cheap ticket about USD 2,3 from Agra to New Delhi was delayed

The point is employee with minimum income like me must be a little “crazy” to travel around the world. If your salary is good, you can stay in 5 stars hotels when traveling.

It’s easy concept……

3. No day without itinerary

Even I have made cheapest itinerary for my next 2 years trip.…crazy.

it isn’t easy to make an itinerary for the next 2 years

Good planning will help you to make cheapest trips.

4. Mark your time! You will know when you can travel

Make long weeked holiday list and note your leave time from a previous year. Flipping through a desk calendar has become my bad habit. Even though all long weekend holidays have been marked, I afraid if miss some holiday in calender

5. Visiting countries in similar region at a time.

The ideal way in planning a trip is visiting several countries in similar region at a same time. Why? Yes, because they are close together, they can be visited in one trip. For example, last year I visited Dhaka (Bangladesh), Mumbai (India), Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Maldives.

6. Connecting flight can save my money

If I booked many connection flight…It’s mean I don’t have a lot of money. Connection flight in this article mean travel through a lot of countries before reaching the main destination.

Direct flight are usually expensive … because of it….finally I also known as “connecting backpacker” by all of my friends.

For example: Next.…before arriving in Dubai, I will visit first to Kuala Trengganu and Kuantan (Malaysia) then to Kochi (India).…tired, but challenging.

Do you ever go to Kochi, India?

7. Surely, saving your money….

I can save USD 300 in a year from my daily meals budget. This just one of many way that I do:

well.…start from bring self lunch menu and eat it in city park when I work

And this USD 300 can pay for cost of meals, hotels and venues for travel twice. Just imagine !, except tickets, I only spent USD 200 to visit to Penang, Ipoh, Dhaka, Mumbai, Colombo and Maldives for 15 days… how can I do?

Watch out, don’t follow it … you can get sick….hahaha

8. Traveling every second which you have.…this is the concept of travelingpersecond.com

I usually use every bit of time for exploration. after meet my clients and before back to office, I usually take 30 minutes to visit a museum. So all my office-friends called me “The King of Museum”. How come, all museums in Jakarta have been visited by me, until I was confused about which next destination can be visit.

This is a example …. after meet customer, I can stop by at “Tebing Keraton”, Bandung

9. Extending my time when get duty in other town.

Getting duty to other city on Friday until Saturday are fun because I can extend on Sunday.

extend to Nusa Kambangan while on assignment to Cilacap

going to the “Watugong Pagoda” when extending after on assignments to Semarang.…and get bonus to meet ex-college friend

10. Traveling during office events, of course

When Marketing Conference event or Year End Party one in my company agendas can be changed to be semi-traveling by me.

visit “Borobudur temple” in third time because of Year End Party event

“Triwindu Market” in Marketing Conference to Solo

11. Pursue a bonus trip from my company

The marketing division in several companies provides bonus trips …

Well, I will work hard to get it….No say to failed.…

The important thing is I can travel for free and don’t reduce my leave. My leave can be took for other trip.

“Lengkuas Island Lighthouse” when got bonus trip to Belitung

8th Singapore trip because of achieving the target

Lots of other tips that aren’t enough to mention here guys … be patient, yess…

Hopefully I will finish my first book soon……

So, those are all of my behavior in traveling

Let’s traveling, guys.…traveling don’t have to be expensive … yes, right.

Traveling ke Banyak Negara, Kenapa Tidak?

9 April 20191 July 2019travelingpersecond

“Donny, I wonder, How do you travel so much?? Working in office makes me travel less since I have to ask for permission. How about you?”

Pertanyaan yang mucul di WordPress app-ku saat macet di jalan tol….yesss… “si imut” Wulan ini keknya sedikit penasaran kenapa Aku bisa kelayapan ke banyak negara (iya juga ya….ga kerasa Januari 2020 nanti Insyaallah telah terkumpul 25 stempel imigrasi yang berbeda….#garuk2dagu).

Begini, solo traveling itu ibarat ganja….tapi itu buatku ya, ga tahu kalau kalian?….tiga bulan ga ngelayap aja pasti bikin depresi….kalau depresi ya biasanya sering nyempil di pojokan meja kerja di rumah.

Lalu pasti guwe bakalan betah mantengin laptop cari web LCC berbagai negara demi tiket murah….itu akibat dari kebiasaan anehku yang lain….yaitu mengoleksi tiket maskapai yang berbeda….yes, 28 maskapai telah kucicipi selama menjadi backpacker.

Asia Tenggara, Timur dan Selatan sudah khatam, nah berikutnya adalah Timur Tengah….”Ke Mekah leee, jangan ngelayap mulu !”…. (tenang mak, tiket haji hitung mundur 9 tahun lagi…tar umrah mah backpacker aja mak sembari nungguin haji….#ampuniakuyaAllah).

Addoohhh….Sorry ya, Wulan….belum kejawab juga pertanyaanmu….#garukkeningngadukkopi.

Jadi begini kenapa aku bisa ke banyak negara:

Ya niatnya emang menjelajah banyak negara.

Niat itu ibarat bahan bakar. Ga ada niat maka ga ada action. Ga ada action ya guwe akan selamanya di Jakarta aja….#ampetua.

Niatku menyambangi 100 negara selama hidup. Artinya Aku akan menginjakkan kaki di 60% dari total negara di bumi.

Ada yang mau ikut aku? Japri aja……haseekkkk #ngarepdapatteman

2. Menjadi Backpacker Edan saja deh.

Bahkan teman sekantor pun memanggilku Backpacker Edan….ga percaya…nih:

Yes….

Guwe Edan….Issued tiket tanpa mikir…yang penting murah dan menuju destinasi baru.

Guwe Edan….Setiap ketemu teman selalu provokasi untuk gabung ngetrip

Putri, Anggi dan Dini pun cuman mantatin kalo diajak backpackeran….semprul tuh anak

Guwe Edan….ngimpi pun seringnya ngimpi jalan-jalan.

Guwe Edan….Setiap terima uang gaji…Gumaman pertama, “Ngetrip kemana ya?”

Guwe Edan….Masuk Korea hampir dideportasi cuma bawa uang sejuta empat ratus tanpa credit card buat 6 hari keliling Busan dan Seoul

Guwe Edan….hampir mati kedinginan di India karena berada di stasiun dan kereta jendela terbuka pada suhu 4 derajat selama 12 jam karena delay demi tiket murah 30 ribu Agra-New Delhi

Wah bisa ga kelar-kalar nih tulisan…..

Intinya buat orang penghasilan pas-pasan harus sedikit “edan” buat keliling dunia. Kalau gajimu gede nah kamu boleh tinggalin backpackeran…karena kamu bisa naik kelas menjadi Piknik-ers.

Gampang kan……

3. Tiada hari tanpa Itinerary

Bahkan trip 2 tahun ke depan pun sudah kubuat itinerary termurahnya….gileeee.

emang gampang bikin itinerary 2 tahun kedepan……pusing asli?…#ampenyolongwaktukerja

Merencanakan trip jauh hari akan membantumu dalam membuat perjalanan termurah:

4. Tandai waktu kapan Kamu bisa ngelayap

Buatlah list long weeked dan waktu cuti dari setahun sebelumnya. Membolak-balik kalender meja telah menjadi kebiasaan burukku. Padahal semua long weekend sdh ditandai, masih aja dibolak-balik tuh kalender berharap ada angka yang menjadi merah karena pusing dibolak-balik.

5. Mengunjungi negara se-kawasan sekali jalan.

Cara paling ideal membuat trip adalah mengunjungi beberapa negara sekawasan dalam satu waktu. Mengapa? Ya karena mereka berdekatan jadi bisa dilahap dalam sekali ngetrip. Contohnya akhir tahun lalu Aku mengunjungi Dhaka (Bangladesh), Mumbai (India), Colombo (Sri Lanka) dan Maldives.

6. Tiket ketengan menolong kantongmu

Kalau denger istilah Ngeteng…udah pasti Kamu ga punya uang. Ngeteng = jalan mutus-mutus melewati banyak tempat sebelum nyampai di tujuan utama.

Tiket direct biasanya kan mahal….karena dompet guwe tipis….akhirnya Guwe juga dikenal dengan sebutan backpacker ketengan…..

Contohnya: Next….sebelum sampai ke Dubai, Aku ngeteng dulu ke Kuala Trengganu dan Kuantan (Malaysia) lalu ke Kochi (India)…..lelah tapi asyekk

Kamu pengen ga sih mengunjungi tempat-tempat ya anti-mainstream kek Kochi gitu?

7. Banyak nabung lah yang pasti….

Guwe bisa berhemat 4 juta setahun dari uang makan harian. Tapi ya begini resikonya:

yah….gayamu lee….jalan2 ke luar negeri tapi ternyata bongkar bekel di taman kota saat kerja

Dan gilanya uang 4 juta itu bisa jadi biaya makan, hotel dan venue untuk 2x ngetrip. Kamu bayangin aja, diluar tiket Aku cuma habisin 2,5 juta untuk ke Penang, Ipoh, Dhaka, Mumbai, Colombo dan Maldives selama 15 hari….mau guwe ceritain?

Awas jangan diikuti ya…bisa kena thypus entar…hahaha

8. Jalan-jalanlah tiap detik sekalipun….inilah konsep lahirnya travelingpersecond.com

Aku biasanya memanfaatkan setiap waktu sedikitpun untuk eksplorasi. Pulang ke ketemu client kalau ada waktu 30 menit aja ya masuk museum. Makanya teman-teman kantor menjulukiku “The King of Museum”. Bagaimana tidak Museum se-Jakarta habis kubabat, sampai bingung mau kemana lagi.