Thai Airways

Ponytail at Shanti Stupa

20 April 2021travelingpersecond

“Preparing your leg to climb Anadu Hill!“, Said Mr. Tirtha while clenching his right fist forward.

Yes I knew. At the end of that time, I had to conquer hundreds of steps to enjoying the beauty of 47 years old pagoda, one of eighty pagodas of peace which scattered all over earth.

Riding northwest, the tiny taxi engine grunted nearly 20 minutes to complete 3.5km journey. Arriving at parking area, Mr. Tirtha showed me where to started climbing.

It took a long time to conquer all stairs. Gasping….I leaned against a railing for a moment on the way. Slowly drinking my remaining mineral water, I took a break while enjoying the beautiful faces of Nepalese girls who kept passing by. Nepalese girls were slender who love to have long black hair, brown skin and a face which is typical of South Asia. It would be lucky if you find the slanted eyes….beautifully authentic….Ouch.

Like lightning, I stuttered when a Nipon girl passed me and smiled while saying a short “Hi“. Automatically my lips smile at her while watching her closely. I was still stunned as she climbed further and further away. “Who and Why?“, I kept asking myself.

“Oh, my gosh…..That ponytail beauty with the surname Kawaguchi who sat on my left on Thai Airways flight TG 319“, my memory snapped my reverie. She had disappeared around the corner. I was determined to look upstairs later.

Description: D:BC ReportsFoto and VideoGo Abroad15. NepalIMG_20180101_175219546.jpg — The statue made on November 5, 2001.

Starting to enter a large courtyard and were greeted by a statue of Mr. Meen Bahadur Gurung, Deputy Minister of Defense of Nepal who was instrumental in developing the stupa.Path to stupa.

World Peace Pagoda is known by another name as Shanti Stupa. Shanti is Sanskrit which means peace. So basically this is a peace monument which builts in the form of a stupa. This stupa was built by a Buddhist order from Japan who named as Nipponzan-Myohoji.

Description: D:BC ReportsFoto and VideoGo Abroad15. NepalIMG_20180101_175609084.jpg — Standing at an altitude of 1110 m above sea level.

The front court was silent, there was only one kind of hum sounded by a monk in a room. Silent and sacred. Meanwhile, on the far side was the southern edge of Phewa Lake and Himalayan indentation, which was extraordinarily attractive.

Description: D:BC ReportsFoto and VideoGo Abroad15. NepalIMG_20180101_174802127.jpg — Pokhara from the top of hill.

Description: D:BC ReportsFoto and VideoGo Abroad15. NepalIMG_20180101_174751420.jpg — Phewa Lake and the Himalayas…. Pokhara assets.

My heart stopped when a red helicopter suddenly took a sharp dive into the lake. This was the first time I saw a helicopter fall and sharply hit it.

My breath suddenly stopped, but finally able to quickly suck the air back when helicopter was able to align its muzzle with lake surface. Damn…. It was just a paid adrenaline game, of course visitors around me were ignoring it….Oh, Donny.

My eyes searched all directions looking for Kawaguchi’s whereabouts. Pounding hope to find her. 15 minutes already….. I haven’t even seen her.. Maybe she had rushed back, I was lost the opportunity to apologize because I didn’t remember it well….

Description: D:BC ReportsFoto and VideoGo Abroad15. NepalIMG_20180101_174943517.jpg — A fake smile behind my disappointment.

It was late afternoon, time to go back to hotel.

L See the situation of Shanti Stupa here: https://youtu.be/wSOfTsqJjX8

Old Transportation from Tribhuvan International to Thamel

27 January 202111 February 2021travelingpersecond

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Thai Airways TG 319 was perfectly parked in Tribhuvan International Airport’s apron at exactly 14:08 hours. There wasn’t aerobridge which greet me, one by one passengers descended the stairs on either side of plane door.

Aviation security: “Hi, Sir….Please, directly stepping to airport building!“, While stepping closer while hold a handy talky and his hand clearly pointing at my face….Assertive with a dark skin and thick mustache.

Me: “OK, Sir….I’m sorry“, without thinking, I put a black Motorola E4 into right pocket of Emba’s brown pants whixh I was wearing.

In the end, I failed to capture my face image along with Thai Airways TG 319 in one frame because of it. Then I began to enter in passengers queuing who entered into terminal building.

My hands tightly gripped my backpack’s shoulder harnesses and my face saw from side to side, paying close attention to Tribhuvan’s interior, which momentarily felt like I was passing through a temple room. Red-brown brick patterned walls with several carved decorations were scattered in every corner of room. Then I was greeted by a line of Visa on Arrival application machines on left side. Without any command, I understood and immediately took a queue at machine in the middle.

In the queue, I was intrigued by behavior of a son who was inputting visa data for his mother who not tall. He ordered his mother to step closer.

Snap 01….Just her forehead which was captured….Failed.

Then he told his mother to tiptoe.

Snap 02….The photo was 100% her face….Failed again.

A second later, his mother while looking at me with full of smiles, stood on top of small cardboard which she was still carrying a while ago.

Snap 03….Yeaaaa….It worked.

I immediately went to payment counter after successfully printed out the VoA application form. No needed to queue long, I got my visa after handing over USD 25 to female staff who wearing blue saris and on middle-aged age. “Oh, Indonesia. Welcome to Nepal and enjoy your trip. ”, She said when ending our immigration transaction.

Now I was getting closer to arrival hall exit gate. Before I actually went out, I took very slow steps to read whole information in a hallway. Instantly I quickly stopped at information board which displayed transportation rate to several areas in Kathmandu. Finally, I was relieved to find the word “Thamel” which became my next destination. It was only cost 700 Rupee (USD 6) to got in a dull red minivan which could accommodate 4 passengers and its last row seats were removed and changed as luggage.

Ticket seller: “Where will you go, Sir?” Asked to me while holding a wad of red transaction notes.

Me: “Thamel, Sir“.

Ticket seller: “Do you want private booking or shared booking?“.

Me: “Is there someone who is ready to join with me?“.

Ticket seller: “Come!… .Come!”, he asked me to follow him and out through airport door.

Competition in tourism services in Thamel area.

After a while, I finally entered an old car which looked like a Suzuki “Carry” (Carry is a brand from Suzuki manufacturing in Indonesia) from the 80s. The car slowly drove leaving Tribhuvan and down a dusty road. Yes, only dust which I remembered in the first time when I had to tell about this “Land of a Thousand Temples”.

At an intersection, the car stopped and was entered a man who dressed in dapper Bollywood style and accented with extraordinary English. Offers all kinds of tour packages, from hiking, rafting, trekking and canoeing. It was common knowledge that Nepalis were competing to earn money from their tourism excellence which was famous for the beauty of Himalaya. I told him that I had bought all tour packages which I was going to take while stayed in his country from Jakarta via online. Even though, in fact I never had any tour packages which I prepared. I prefered to follow my heart and foot in my Kathmadu and Pokhara exploration.

Hotel Holiday House for 1,100 Rupee (USD 9.4) per night.

Passing the Ring Road route, I continued to be stunned by road view which at a glance resembled to old Indonesia. Thamel, which was only 6 km away from Tribhuvan, was finally reached in 25 minutes.

Now I entered a famous tourist area in Kathmandu. Dropped down in an alley and taxi driver showed me which way to head towards hotel which I had booked.

Next Story—->

Thai Airways TG 319 from Bangkok (BKK) to Kathmandu (KTM): White Blanket of Himalaya

21 January 202128 January 2021travelingpersecond

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Thai Airways TG 0319 flight route: Bangkok-Kathmandu.

After Fajr, I rushed to find flight information board to make sure my connecting flight would be on time or maybe it would be delayed. I found it in main transit hall corridor.

The boarding pass which I’ve held since leaving Soekarno Hatta International Airport.

As a follower of eating on time, by 06:00 hours, I was busy to looking for halal food. Now only halal which would be the my requirement….Because I couldn’t choose a menu with street food price, of course. Exploring 3rd floor of Suvarnabhumi, I finally stopped at Silom Village.

Couldn’t find a “Halal” logo….Finally, I stopped at a “Non-Pork” restaurant.

My menu: fried rice chicken served with salted egg for THB 220 (USD 7.34)

I closed breakfast that morning by sipping a cup of warm tea which was able to expel the wind in my body after a night of cold sleep in the main corridor of transit hall and continued at prayer room.

Then I headed to gate C10 to wait for Thai Airways TG 319. This time I only needed to step one more floor via escalator to reach the gate.

Those were gates at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

While waiting for boarding time, it was better to charge my smartphone as the only documentation tool which I carried….As usual, I was the amateur backpacker. I also tried to reread an itinerary which I was ready to use for my exploration in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Interesting spot in departure hall area.

My boredom in seeing planes in Suvarnabhumi International Airport runway was broken by presence of Thai Airways, BOEING 777-200 type. Paid close attention to loading process so that I didn’t feel boarding time arrived on time.

Thai Airways TG 319 was preparing to immediately fly for 3 hours 33 minutes.

Entering aircraft cabin and in a blink my eyes became fresh. Apart from the beauty of flight attendants, also because airplane seats have colorful seat covers. Plane cabin looked like colorful candy.

I sat at right side of cabin and flanked by two young girls. On the right, a Chinese girl who I didn’t know what her name was and a Japanese girl on the left whose her surnamed was Kawaguchi….Very beautiful with her ponytail.

I sat down while feeling a little sorry for being unable to quickly choose an airplane seat after online ordering ticket. This caused my opportunity loss to sit in a ideal position for photographers, i.e window seat. Because this flight would be very close to some of peaks of Himalayas which would show off their snow blankets.

When that moment happened, almost half of passengers stood up and faced to right window. It was the position where I sit. I couldn’t take pictures very well and prefered to still sit and recorded brief flight sessions right over Himalayas in my brain memory. It was still beautiful memorized, until this article was published….Amazing flight.

Started to filling out an immigration form which was given by a cabin crew.

The landing process was equally attractive. The view presented residential building of Kathmandu residents which were dominated by brownish square shape. Now I was ready to set foot in Tribhuvan International Airport which had become a gateway to Nepal for the last few decades.

Aviation security: “Hi, Sir. Please, directly stepping to airport building!”, He said, forbidding me to take a selfie image under Thai Airways.

Me: “OK, Sir….I’m sorry“, I answered with a little annoyed….Hmmh.

The arrival hall which wasn’t too luxurious and was only equipped with an old screening gate, made me smile because I felt like on Indonesia’s 80s era.

Then I submitted a Visa on Arrival application at visa issuing machine and then paid for USD 25 at a counter which was guarded by elderly female staff, I finally entered Nepal.

Are you looking for a flight ticket from Bangkok to Kathmandu? You can buy it through 12go Asia. This is the link: https://12go.asia/?z=3283832

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12 Hours Staying at Suvarnabhumi International Airport

13 January 202128 January 2021travelingpersecond

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Through aerogbridge, I immediately headed to transit hall to waiting for next Thai Airways connecting flight. The time was 23:15 hours. I tried to find an information center location to ask about the most comfortable place to rest at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Me: “Hi, Ms. Where is a better place for rest and getting food ?, Transit hall or departure hall?“

Staff: “I think you will be better staying in transit hall. Departure hall is very crowded than you think. There is food court in transit hall, so don’t worry ”.

Me: “Oh, okay Ms. Thank you”.

Finally, her suggestion led me to immediately enter the transit hall. Smoothly passing a ticket and passport checking counter, then I quickly ended it through a x-ray screening.

I would spend a night for 12 hours until Thai Airways flight TG 0319 went to Kathmandu. Arriving at transit hall, I immediately looked for the best spot to closing my eyes. The situation was still busy, it wasn’t possible for me to find a row of empty chairs to stretch out my legs.

Finally, it took about 1.5 hours to explore the entire transit hall.

Midnight began to pass, slowly the airport began to lose its visitors. The long row of blue benches seemed to be empty. Some cleaning services were seen starting to wipe that benches with perfume and sterilizer. They seemed to know my signs to immediately use that benches which looked like a springbeds in my eyes.

Really soundly asleep with backpack as pillow until dawn. Slowly, sound of passengers in their morning flight started to interrupt my “Nepal dream”. I woke up but still feeling sleepy, I decided to look for a prayer room and hoped to continue my dream.

Fajr time in Bangkok was on 05:20 hours. While waiting for it to arrived, I swiftly took a sleeping spot at the back end of mosque. But this time, I had to curl up due to the coldness of room due to prayer room’s large AC.

A few hours later, congregation’s footsteps began to often be heard entering the room. Fajr time was approaching. It couldn’t sleeping anymore, get ready to do Fajr in congregation.

I was happy to be able to pray with Suvarnabhumi’s moslem workers in Bangkok. I mingled with security, immigration staffs until airport polices. After praying, I had a little conversation with one of immigration staff. A thing that I caught was that Bangkok’s moslems account for about 10% of total population of the capital. That percentage was ranges from 800-900 thousand people.

As dawn has passed, it was time to clean myself in toilet then got some snacks for breakfast before TG 0319 taked off on 10:30 hours to the capital of Nepal.

Next Story—->

Thai Airways TG 436 from Jakarta (CGK) to Bangkok (BKK)

7 January 202122 January 2021travelingpersecond

Finally, I repeated my journey to “White Elephant” Country after my last exploration in 2013. For four years, I waited for that opportunity. If in 2013, I flew with Air Asia to Don Mueang International Airport so this time I was very lucky because I was able to catch a cheap promo which was issued by Thai Airways in April 2017.

Waiting for 8 months before actually flying was something that was very unpleasant. Not because of Bangkok, but only because of my desire to taste premium wide-body aircraft. A year before, I had boarded in same type of plane belonging to Air Asia when I returned from Incheon.

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After Friday, I perfected my packing for 11 days trip which would certainly make you were curious. At exactly 15:00 hours, I hurriedly carried my backpack on “angkot” (a small public trasportation in Jakarta) which went to Kampung Rambutan Terminal. That angkot which took so long to arrive, punished me by taking a DAMRI bus in next- a departure schedule.

On 16:00 hours, DAMRI launched but not long after, toll road became stuck. DAMRI didn’t moved in a long time. There have been road repairing in a tunnel combined with an incident which a truck rolled over 400 meters in front. Even though, my flight was scheduled for 19:05 hours. That means, I have to be ready at 17:55 hours before actually boarding….Too tight time.
Luckily, a Highway Patrol sirens began to sound in its way heading forward. Significantly, 15 minutes later DAMRI smoothly drove to Terminal 2-Soekarno Hatta International Airport.

Thai Airways finally became the 18th airline which I rode.

Luckily, Soekarno Hatta International Airport was very quiet and only needed 5 minutes for check-in process, and then I got a purple and white boarding pass. I passed all x-ray checkpoints very quickly as only a 45 litre backpack which needed to be screened.

I entered tAirbus A330-300 via its right-side cabin lane to find a seat numbered 52K. This time, it would be very relieved that I sat alone in three column seat. I was a plebeian….Just this time, I got on a plane with an LCD screen in front of my eyes….I pushed all button as I liked.

Jakarta-Bangkok is 3,000 km away and can be approached in 3 hours and 35 minutes with an average speed of 475 knots (880 km/hour). You can imagine how fast it is.

The moslem meal was served after giving a brown rice cracker and apple juice.

During flight, beautiful Thai-faced flight attendants were indeed captivating as far as my eye could see. Unfortunately, I was just a backpacker….If I was a top class businessman….. I would definitely propose to her….Hihihi.

Landing in the first time at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Arrival at 22:35 hours left me with no other option. It was impossible to leave the airport and heading for the city. If there was time, I might as well be reluctant. Because Bangkok wasn’t my destination….But, NEPAL.

Yess… .Nepal would be the 11th country which I visited.

Do you want to know about my next story to “The Land of a Thousand Temples”?
Just follow my story when I explored it.

Search for flights from Jakarta to Bangkok via 12go Asia. This is the link: https://12go.asia/?z=3283832

Next Story—->

Kuncir Kuda di Shanti Stupa

29 April 202014 April 2020travelingpersecond

“Prepare your leg to climb Anadu Hill !”, tutur Mr. Tirtha sambil mengepalkan tangan kanannya ke depan.

Ya, aku tahu. Di bagian akhir kali ini, aku harus menaklukkan ratusan anak tangga untuk menikmati keindahan pagoda berusia 47 tahun, satu dari delapan puluh pagoda perdamaian yang tersebar di seluruh penjuru bumi.

Menanjak ke barat laut, mesin taksi mungil itu menggerung hampir 20 menit untuk menuntaskan perjalanan sejauh 3,5 km. Tiba di area parkir, Mr. Tirtha menunjukkan darimana aku harus mulai menanjak.

Perlu waktu lama untuk menaklukkan seluruh anak tangga. Terengah….Aku sejenak menyandari pagar tangga di tengah perjalanan. Pelan menenggak air mineral tersisa, aku beristirahat sejenak sembari menikmati wajah-wajah ayu gadis Nepal yang terus melintas. Para gadis Nepal berperawakan langsing yang gemar memiliki rambut hitam panjang teurai, berkulit cokelat dan berwajah khas Asia Selatan. Akan beruntung jika kamu menemukan yang bermata sipit….cantik otentik….Aduhai.

Seperti kilat, aku tergagap ketika seorang gadis Nipon melewatiku dan melempar senyum sembari berucap singkat “Hi”. Otomatis bibirku menyungging senyum kepadanya sambil mengawasinya lekat. Aku masih terbengong ketika dia menanjak semakin jauh. “Siapa dan Kenapa?”, batinku terus bertanya.

“Oh, astaga…..Itu si cantik berkuncir kuda bermarga Kawaguchi yang duduk di sisi kiriku dalam penerbangan Thai Airways TG 319”, ingatanku menyadarkan lamunan. Dia sudah menghilang di tikungan. Aku bertekad mencarinya di atas nanti.

Mulai memasuki pelataran nan luas dan disambut oleh patung Mr. Meen Bahadur Gurung, Deputi Menteri Pertahanan Nepal yang telah berjasa dalam pengembangan stupa.

World Peace Pagoda dikenal dengan nama lain Shanti Stupa. Shanti adalah bahasa Sansekerta yang berarti perdamaian. Jadi pada dasarnya ini adalah monumen perdamaian yang didirikan berwujud stupa. Stupa ini dibagun oleh sebuah ordo Buddhist dari Jepang bernama Nipponzan-Myohoji.

Pelataran depan begitu hening, hanya terdengar satu jenis dengung yang dibunyikan oleh seorang biksu dalam sebuah ruangan. Hening dan sakral. Sementara di sisi jauh tertampil tepian selatan dari Phewa Lake dan lekukan Himalaya yang luar biasa memikat.

Jantung terasa berhenti ketika helikopter berwarana merah mendadak menukik tajam jatuh ke danau. Baru kali ini melihat helikopter jatuh menghujam dengan tajamnya.

Nafasku yang mendadak berhenti, akhirnya mampu menarik udara kembali dengan cepat ketika helikopter itu mampu mensejajarkan moncongnya dengan permukaan danau. Astaga….Itu hanya permainan adrenalin berbayar, pastas saja pengunjung di sekitarku mengacuhkannya….Ndeso kamu, Donny.

Mataku menyusuri segenap arah mencari keberadaan Kawaguchi. Berdebar berharap menemukannya. 15 menit sudah…..Tak kunjung pula aku melihat batang hidungnya. Mungkin dia sudah keburu pulang, hilang sudah kesempatan untuk meminta maaf karena aku tak mengingatnya dengan baik….Sudahlah.

Sudah sore, saatnya pulang ke hotel.

Lihat suasana Shanti Stupa di sini: https://youtu.be/wSOfTsqJjX8

Transportasi Lawas dari Tribhuvan International ke Thamel

20 March 202021 March 2020travelingpersecond

Faktur pembuatan *Visa on Arrival* Nepal

Thai Airways TG 319 terparkir sempurna di parking lot Tribhuvan International Airport tepat pada pukul 14:08. Tak ada juluran aerobridge menyambut, satu persatu pelawat menuruni tangga di kedua sisi pintu pesawat.

Aveseq: “Hi, Sir….Please, directly stepping to airport building!”, sembari melangkah mendekat dengan menggenggam handy talky dan tangannya jelas menunjuk mukaku….Sangar dengan tubuh tegap gelap dan kumis tebalnya.

Aku: “OK Sir….I’m sorry”, tanpa pikir panjang kumasukkan Motorola E4 hitam ke kantong kanan celana coklat Emba yang kukenakan.

Akhirnya aku gagal memasukkan gambar wajah beserta Thai Airways TG 319 dalam satu frame karenanya. Lalu aku mulai menyelip dalam iringan penumpang yang menyemut memasuki terminal.

Kedua tanganku erat menggenggam shoulder harnesses backpack dan muka mendongak menoleh ke kanan-kiri memperhatikan dengan lekat interior Tribhuvan yang sekejap berasa melintas dalam ruangan sebuah kuil. Tembok bermotif bata merah coklat dengan beberapa hiasan ukir tersebar di setiap sudut ruangan. Kemudian aku disambut dengan sederet mesin aplikasi Visa on Arrival di sisi kiri. Tanpa perintah apapun, aku faham dan segera mengambil antrian di mesin sebelah tengah.

Dalam antrian, aku tergelitik dengan tingkah laku seorang anak yang sedang melakukan input data visa untuk ibunya yang berpostur pendek. Diperintahnya si Ibu untuk mendekat.

Cekrek 01….Jidatnya saja yang terfoto….Gagal.

Kemudian disuruhnya si Ibu untuk berjinjit.

Cekrek 02….Fotonya 100% muka….Gagal deui ahhh.

Sedetik kemudian si Ibu sambil menatapku penuh senyum, berdiri di atas kardus kecil yang beberapa waktu lalu masih ditentengnya.

Cekrek 03….Yeaaaa….Berhasil.

Aku segera menuju konter pembayaran setelah berhasil mencetak form aplikasi VoA. Tak perlu lama mengantri, aku mendapatkan visaku setelah menyerahkan Rp. 337.500 kepada staff perempuan bertubuh tambun berkain sari biru dan berumur setengah baya. “Oh, Indonesia. Welcome to Nepal and enjoy your trip.”, sapanya mengakhiri transaksi imigrasi kami.

Kini aku semakin dekat dengan pintu exit di arrival hall. Sebelum benar-benar keluar, aku melangkah pelan sekali untuk membaca segenap informasi di seluruh selasar. Sekejap aku cepat merapat ke papan informasi yang menampilkan harga transportasi menuju ke beberapa area di Kathmandu. Akhirnya lega mendapati tulisan “Thamel” yang menjadi tujuanku berikutnya. Hanya berharga Rp. 87.000 untuuk menaiki sebuah minivan merah kusam yang mampu menampung 4 penumpang dan bangku baris terakhir dilepas dan dirubah sebagai bagasi.

Penjual tiket: “Where will you go?”, menanyaiku sambil memegang segepok nota transaksi berwarna merah.

Aku: “Thamel, Sir”.

Penjual tiket: “Do you want private booking or shared booking?“.

Aku: “Is there someone who ready for join with me?”.

Penjual tiket: “Come!….Come!”, menyuruhku untuk mengikutinya keluar pintu bandara.

Perlombaan para jasa wisata di area Thamel.

Sesaat kemudian, akhirnya aku memasuki sebuah mobil lawas mirip Suzuki carry keluaran tahun 80-an. Mobil itu melaju pelan meninggalkan Tribhuvan lalu menyusuri jalanan penuh debu. Ya, hanya debu yang kuingat pertama kali ketika harus bercerita mengenai “Negeri Seribu Kuil” ini.

Di sebuah perempatan, mobil berhenti dan memasukkan laki-laki berpakaian necis ala film Bollywood dan beraksen english luar biasa. Menawarkan segala rupa paket wisata, mulai dari hiking, rafting, trekking dan cannoing. Sudah menjadi rahasia umum bahwa warga Nepal berlomba-lomba mengais rezeqi dari keunggulan pariwisata mereka yang tersohor berkat keindahan pegunungan Himalaya. Aku berujar kepadanya bahwa semua paket wisata yang akan kujalani selama di negerinya sudah kubeli dari Jakarta via online. Padahal nyatanya tak pernah ada paket wisata apapun yang kusiapkan. Aku lebih memilih melangkah menyusuri kata hati dan kaki saja dalam eksplorasi Kathmadu dan Pokhara.

Hotel Holiday House seharga Rp. 130.000.

Melewati jalur Ring Road, aku terus tertegun dengan pemandangan jalanan yang sepintas mirip Indonesia tempoe doeloe. Thamel yang hanya berjarak 6 km dari Tribhuvan akhirnya tertempuh dalam 25 menit.

Kini aku memasuki area turis terkenal di Kathmandu. Diturunkan di sebuah gang dan driver taxi menunjukkanku ke arah mana harus melangkah menuju penginapan yang telah kupesan.

Selimut Putih Himalaya dari TG 319

16 March 202021 March 2020travelingpersecond

Jalur terbang Thai Airways TG 0319 Bangkok-Kathmandu.

Selepas Subuhan, aku bergegas mencari keberadaan flight information board untuk memastikan apakah connecting flightku akan tepat waktu atau mungkin delay. Aku menemukannya di koridor utama transit hall.

*Boarding pass* yang telah kupegang sejak meninggalkan Soetta.

Sebagai penganut paham makan tepat waktu maka menjelang jam 6 pagi, aku sibuk berjibaku mencari makanan halal. Kini hanya halal yang akan menjadi syaratnya….Karena aku tak bisa memilih makanan harga kaki lima tentunya. Menjelajah lantai 3 Suvarnabhumi akhirnya aku hinggap di Silom Village.

Tak bisa menemukan logo “*Halal*”….Aku singgah di “*Non-Pork*” resto.

Menuku: *fried rice chicken served with salted egg* seharga Rp. 99.000

Sarapan pagi itu kututup dengan menyeruput secangkir teh hangat yang mampu mengusir angin dalam tubuh setelah semalaman tidur kedinginan di koridor utama transit hall dan bersambung di mushola.

Lantas menujulah aku ke gate C10 untuk menunggu Thai Airways TG 319. Kali ini hanya perlu menaiki satu lantai lagi melalui escalator untuk mencapai gate.

Itu dia barisan *gate* di Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Sembari menunggu boarding time, lebih baik mengecharge handphone sebagai satu-satunya alat dokumentasi yang kubawa….Biasa, amatiran. Aku juga berusaha membaca kembali itinerary yang telah siap kugunakan untuk eksplorasi Kathmandu dan Pokhara.

Kebosananku akan lalu-lalang pesawat di runway Suvarnabhumi International Airport dipatahkan dengan kehadiran Thai Airways berjenis BOEING 777-200. Memperhatikan proses loading dengan seksama hingg tak terasa waktu boarding pun tiba tepat waktu.

Thai Airways TG 319 sedang mempersiapkan diri untuk segera terbang selama 3 jam 33 menit.

Memasuki kabin pesawat sekejap mata menjadi segar. Selain karena kecantikan para pramugari juga karena bangku pesawat yang memiliki seat cover penuh warna. Kabin pesawat terlihat bak permen warna-warni.

Aku duduk disisi kanan kabin dan diapit 2 perempuan muda. Sebelah kanan berkebangsaan Tiongkok yang entah siapa namanya dan seorang gadis Jepang di sisi kiri yang kutahu namanya bermarga Kawaguchi….Sangat cantik dengan kuncir kudanya.

Duduk sembari sedikit menyesal karena kalah cepat memilih bangku pesawat pasca pemesanan tiket secara online. Hal ini mengakibatkan hilangnya kesempatan duduk di posisi istimewa bagi para photographer yaitu window seat. Karena penerbangan ini akan sangat dekat sekali dengan beberapa puncak pegunungan Himalaya yang akan memamerkan selimut saljunya.

Saat momen itu terjadi, hampir sebagian penumpang berdiri dan menoleh ke jendela sebelah kanan. Itu adalah posisi dimana aku duduk. Aku tak bisa mengambil gambar dengan baik dan lebih memilih untuk duduk tenang dan merekam sesi singkat penerbangan tepat di atas Himalaya itu dalam memori otakku. Masih terbanyang indah hingga tulisan ini terbit….Amazing flight.

Mulai mengisi *immigration form* yang diberikan oleh awak kabin.

Proses landing juga tak kalah memikat. Pemandangan yang tersaji adalah deretan bangunan tempat tinggal penduduk Kathmandu yang didominasi bentuk kotak kecoklatan. Kini aku bersiap menginjakkan kaki di Tribhuvan International Airport yang telah menjadi gerbang wisata Nepal dalam beberapa dekade terakhir.

Avseq: “Hi, Sir. Please, directly stepping to airport building!”, Ujarnya melarangku mengambil foto selfie tepat di kaki Thai Airways.

Aku: “OK, Sir….I’m sorry”, menjawab dengan sedikit kesal….Hmmh.

Arrival hall yang tak terlalu mewah dan hanya dilengkapi dengan screening gate uzur membuatku tersenyum karena aku seakan berada di Indonesia era 80-an.

Mengajukan aplikasi Visa on Arrival dalam mesin penerbitan visa dan kemudian membayar Rp. 337.500 di sebuah konter yang dijaga oleh staff perempuan tua, akhirnya aku shah memasuki Nepal.

Cari tiket penerbangan dari Bangkok ke Kathmandu? Bisa beli kok melalui 12go Asia. Berikutnya linknya: https://12go.asia/?z=3283832

12 Jam Menginap di Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

12 March 20207 March 2020travelingpersecond

Melalui aerogbridge, aku segera menuju transit hall untuk menunggu connecting flight Thai Airways berikutnya. Waktu menunjukkan pukul 23:15. Aku berusaha menemukan lokasi information centre untuk menanyakan tempat ternyaman beristirahat di Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Aku: “Hi, Ms. Where is better place for rest and getting food?, Transit hall or departure hall?”

Staff: “I think you will be better staying in transit hall. Departure hall is very crowded than you think. Many food stall are in transit hall, so don’t worry”.

Aku: “Oh, okay Ms. Thank you”.

Akhirnya, sarannya menuntunku untuk segera memasuki transit hall. Melewati konter pemeriksaan tiket dan passport dengan lancar, kemudian aku mengakhirinya melalui x-ray screening dengan cepat.

Aku akan bermalam selama 12 jam hingga pernerbangan Thai Airways TG 0319 menuju Kathmandu. Setiba di transit hall, aku segera mencari spot terbaik untuk memejamkan mata. Situasi yang masih ramai, tak memungkinkan bagiku menemukan deretan bangku kosong untuk selonjoran.

Akhirnya, menghabiskan waktu sekitar 1,5 jam untuk mengeksplore seluruh *transit hall*.

Tengah malam mulai berlalu, perlahan airport mulai kehilangan para pengunjungnya. Deretan bangku-bangku biru memanjang itupun nampak mulai kosong. Beberapa cleaning service terlihat mulai menyeka bangku-bangku itu dengan pewangi dan sterilizer. Mereka sepertinya tahu gelagatku untuk segera meniduri bangku-bangku yang tampak seperti springbed dalam penglihatanku.

Sungguh terlelap berbantal backpack hingga menjelang fajar. Perlahan suara geretan koper para penumpang penerbangan pagi mulai menginterupsi “mimpi Nepal”ku. Aku terbangun tetapi masih tak kuasa menahan kantuk. Kuputuskan untuk mencari mushola dan berharap bisa melanjutkan mimpi.

Ruangan mushola yang kosong dan menggoda.

Waktu subuh di Bangkok adalah jam 05:20. Sembari menunggunya tiba, dengan sigap aku mengambil spot tidur di ujung belakang mushola. Tetapi kali ini, aku harus meringkuk disebabkan dinginnya ruangan karena AC besar mushola.

Beberapa jam setelahnya, derap langkah para jama’ah mulai sering terdengar memasuki ruangan. Waktu Subuh kian menjelang. Sudah tak lelap lagi, bersiaplah diriku mengerjakan Subuh berjama’ah.

Bahagia rasanya, bisa shalat bersama kaum muslim Bangkok pekerja Suvarnabhumi. Aku berbaur dengan security, staff imigrasi hingga para polisi bandara. Sehabis shalat aku sedikit bercakap dengan salah satu staff imigrasi. Satu yang kutangkap adalah kaum muslim Bangkok berjumlah sekitar 10% dari total penduduk Ibukota. Persentase itu berkisar di angka 800-900 ribu.

Subuh telah berlalu, saatnya bersih-bersih di toilet lalu mencari sedikit kudapan untuk sarapan sebelum TG 0319 take off pada pukul 10:30 menuju ibukota Nepal.

TG 436: Mewah Mengudara Menuju Bangkok

8 March 20208 March 2020travelingpersecond

Akhirnya aku mengulang perjalanan menuju Negeri Gajah Putih setelah eksplorasi terakhir pada 2013. Empat tahun lamanya, aku menunggu kesempatan itu. Jika 2013, aku terbang bersama Air Asia menuju Don Mueang International Airport maka kali ini aku sangat mujur karena bisa menangkap promo murah meriah yang dikeluarkan oleh Thai Airways pada April 2017.

Menunggu selama 8 bulan sebelum benar-benar terbang adalah sesuatu yang sangat tak mengenakkan. Bukan karena Bangkok nya, tapi hanya karena hasrat mencicipi pesawat premium berbadan lebar. Setahun sebelum, aku pernah menaiki jenis pesawat yang sama milik Air Asia ketika pulang dari Incheon.

—-****—-

Selepas Jum’atan, aku menyempurnakan packing untuk perjalanan selama 11 hari yang tentu akan membuat penasaran. Tepat jam 3 sore, aku bergegas memanggul backpack menaiki angkot menuju Terminal Kampung Rambutan. Angkot yang begitu lama tiba, membuatku terhukum dengan menaiki bus DAMRI satu jadwal keberangkatan lebih lambat.

Jam 16:00, DAMRI meluncur tetapi tak berselang lama kondisi jalan tol menjadi stuck. DAMRI sungguh lama tak bergerak. Terusut sudah terdapat perbaikan jalan di sebuah terowongan dikombinasi dengan insiden truk terguling 400 meter setelahnya. Padahal penerbanganku terjadwal jam 19:05. Itu berarti aku harus siap pada jam 17:55 sebelum benar-benar boarding….Mepeeetttt.

Beruntung sirine Highway Patrol mulai terdengar merangsek ke depan. Signifikan, 15 menit kemudian DAMRI melaju mulus menuju Terminal 2 Soetta.

Thai Airways akhirnya menjadi maskapai ke-18 yang kunaiki.

Beruntung Soetta melompong dan hanya perlu 5 menit untuk proses check-in kemudian boarding pass ungu putih tergenggam. Semua pos pemeriksaan x-ray kulewati dengan sangat cepat karena hanya satu backpack 45L saja yang perlu di screening.

Aku memasuki Airbus A330-300 melalui jalur kabin sebelah kanan untuk menemukan bangku bernomor 52K. Kali ini akan menjadi sangat lega karena aku duduk di bangku kolom tiga sendirian. Ndeso….Baru kali ini naik pesawat dengan layar LCD didepan mata….Pencat-pencet sesuka hati.

Jakarta-Bangkok yang berjarak darat sejauh 3.000 km di tempuh dalam waktu 3 jam 35 menit dengan kecepatan rata-rata 475 knot ( 880 km/jam). Bisa dibayangkan betapa kencangnya.

*Moslem meal* yang disajikan setelah *brown rice cracker* dan *apple juice* di berikan.

Selama penerbangan, pramugari cantik berwajah khas Thailand memang sungguh memikat sejauh mata memandang. Untung saya hanya backpacker kere…..Andai aku businessman kelas atas…..Pasti aku akan lamar dia….Hihihi.

Pertama kali *landing* di *runway* Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Tiba pada pukul 22:35 menyebabkan aku tak punya opsi lain. Tak mungkin keluar bandara dan beranjak menuju kota. Jika ada waktu pun, saya mungkin juga enggan. Karena bukan Bangkok tujuanku….Tapi, NEPAL.

Yess….Nepal akan menjadi negara ke-11 yang kukunjungi.

Mau tahu kan kisahku berikutnya ke “Negeri Seribu Kuil”

Ikutin kisahku selama disana ya.

Cari tiket penerbangan dari Jakarta ke Bangkok melalui 12go Asia. Berikutnya linknya: https://12go.asia/?z=3283832