I only stayed for 1 day at Kediri, so there is not much that I can share with you. We had dinner at Ikan Bakar Cianjur Restaurant (why would I travel that far only to eat west Java's food. I could easily find it in my home town Bandung). The place is great and so as the food. I ordered fried Chicken and tofu.
The day after, I came back to Bandung by "Kramat Jati" Bus. The ticket only cost me 13 US dollars. Actually there are limited ways to travel from Kediri to Bandung, train or bus. If you want to use flight, then you have to go to Surabaya first.
Travelling from Kediri to Bandung took about 14 hours by bus. So be prepared to sit for a long time before you go.
Ok, that is it for Kediri. Next, I'll tell you about Balikpapan, it's very interesting experience that I got there. C U.
Indonesia Travel Experience: Kediri (part 2)
Indonesia Travel Tips: Before You Go (Part 5)
Travel Tip #7: Freeze a meal for when you get back
One of the saddest parts of a vacation ending isn’t that you have to go back to work. It’s figuring out what to make for dinner again. You are cooking before you ga in any case so make a little extra and freeze it. Sometimes getting to the grocery store takes a back seat to all the other must-do’s that are eagerly awaiting your return.
Travel Tip #8: Double Check Those Documents
It is just happened to a friend of mine. She woke up with a feeling to double check those airline tickets. Good thing she did because her flight was leaving in four hours, not in three days like she originally thought. Also ensure that you have your car rental slip, airline tickets (destination, schedule), hotel confirmation numbers, passports and travel insurance. You may have forgotten to do something and having more than a day to do it will make it feel less stressful. If you haven’t already, purchase an organizer that can hold all of your documents. Saves you the hassle of checking and rechecking those suitcase pockets when you need to have them ready.
Travel Tips #9: Lock Up
Make sure all your windows and doors are locked. This includes basement windows, that side door you rarely use and your garage. Be careful to not make it look like your house is sitting empty thoudh. For example, it is a good idea to leave your blinds the way you normally would. Keep in mind if all your blinds are closed it is easier for an unwanted visitor to take what they want – no one from the outside will be able to see what they are doing.
Indonesia Travel Tips: Before You Go (Part 4)
Continuing part 3 of Indonesia Travel Tips: Before You Go Series, now you can read some more useful travel Tips before you go abroad like to Indonesia. Here they are.
Travel Tip #4: Cancel magazines and newspapers
Even though we live in an electronic age where we can pay bills and shop online, the amount of mail that stuffs our mailboxes is incredible. Don’t attract attention to your home with one that is pited high with flyers and magazines that are dated from last week. Plus, why would you pay for a subscription you aren’t even going to read? However, if you di have a home sitter, you can keep your subscriptions coming and catch up on the news and that week’s fashion trends when you return.
Travel Tip #5: Medications and Vitamins
Most People who have prescriptions won’t forget to pack enough for their trip. However, it is always a god idea to bring a little extra. Yous flight might be delayed, a storm may hit and you need to stay a while longer or there’s just one more stop you decided to make. Play it safe – not having what your body needs is a stress you can avoid. It is also important to buy enough vitamin C, Tylenol and Imodium. Purchasing these abroad can be quite expensive.
Travel Tip #6: Avoid Smells
It only has to happen once and you will never forget to empty all the garbage before you leave again. What a horribly potent smell. Carve out some time the day you leave to empty all the garbage cans. Another must do – empty the fridge of itemsthat may spoil. This can include fruit, meat, eggs and milk. There’s no need to grow penicilin while you are away. Something you might not think of is to clean and flush your toilets before you go, especially if you are training the kids. Remembering to flush is a hard thing to do for the little ones, so make an extra round just to make sure.
Indonesia Travel Experience: Kediri (part 1)
Traveling from Surabaya to Kediri took abour 2,5 hours draive by car. I arrived at Kediri at 6 pm and went directly to a new hotel called Grand Surya Hotel. This hotel owned by the biggest company in Kediri : Gudang Garam. Gudang garam is one of Indonesia big cigarrete company.
Grand Surya's Hotel Sign
Grand Surya Hotel exterior. As you can see, the building is still new.
THeir front desk, I like the picture above them. :)
The Cafe
The first time you came into this hotel, you can get some rest in this cafe to refresh yourself. THey have plenty of coiches to drink here.
The Grand Surya Hotel's Room and Resturant
Hope you enjoy this hotel as I did. :)
Read More......Indonesia Travel-Experience: Surabaya (Pictures/Photos)
As I've promised earlier, here are some pictures that I took during my trip from Semarang to Surabaya.
I started from Tawang Station in Semarang (the train schedule is 08:30)
Picture of Tawang Train Station Semarang
I arrived at Pasar Turi Train Station about 14:00. Here is Pasar Turi looks like.
Don't be surprised, many passengers just sit on the floor since there are not many waiting seat available.
See, not many seat available :)
Pasar Turi monument. It's an old train.
Lunch at Malioboro Restaurant (Kartini Street).
My Favourite food: Soft Bone Chicken (left) and tofu omelette (right).
Inside Malioboro Restaurant
My Drink: Cingcau Young Coconut. Fresh considering the hot environment of Surabaya.
Indonesia Travel Experience: Surabaya
During my trip from Semarang, Kediri and Balikpapan, I must go to Surabaya first before I go to Kediri to pick up a friend.
I leaved Semarang for my business trip to Kediri by Train. Means, I went to Tawang Station to get a ride to Surabaya. I choose Train for my trip from Semarang to Surabaya, since it's a low budget and fast. Around USD 10 and less then 6 hours to reach Surabaya.
If you came from Semarang, then you will end at Pasar Turi Station. I arrived at Surabaya just about lunch time, so I went to Malioboro restaurant in Kartini Street, just a couple minutes from Turi Station by car. They have a lot of menu, but my favorite is Flying Gurame and special chicken with soft bone. You can literally eat chicken bones if you try that menu. The food are delicious, and the place is very comfortable.
I'll put some pictures later. Nest stop is Kediri.
Travel to Indonesia: Semarang part 3 (GAMA Restaurant)
Having lunch at Sederhana Padang Restaurant is not to interesting for me since I've tried it a couple times. It's located in Pandanaran Street, close to Simpang Lima. But I should inform you that Sederhana Restaurant have many branch all over Indonesia. Almost in every big city I've ever visited. Even though their price are relatively expensive, but since their brand name and delicious food make them one of the most favorite restaurant in Indonesia. If you like spicy food especially Padang's food I recommend this resturant for you to try. Additionally, you can find it almost everywhere during your trip to Indonesia.
For dinner, I went to a restaurant called GAMA Restaurant located at MT. Haryono Street Semarang. It's a sea food restaurant, and this is my first time to try it. The food is not too special, but the atmosphere is different. I like their interior. It's simply an ordinary house that turned to be a restaurant. So you can choose to eat in their main room with some tables on it, or pick a room just for your group. From the amount of guest in that restaurant, I assume that this is one of the most favorite place in Semarang to enjoy Sea food.
Since Semarang is a city by the sea, you can find many restaurant that provides sea food there. As an alternative you can tray Kampung laut, Sari laut or other sea food restaurant.
The next day I leaved for Surabaya by Train. It took only less then 6 hours to reach Surabaya.
Well, don't forget to visit Semarang if you travel to Indonesia. Next post, I'll tell you my story about Surabaya and Kediri. See you :)
Travel to Indonesia: Semarang part 2 (Hotel Graha Santika)
I stayed at Hotel Graha Santika for 1 night. And this hotel is a nice place to stay. You can access Simpang Lima, Gramedia Book store (just right on the left of it), and Baiturrahman Mosque by foot.
Thi is a picture of Santika's front desk, with javanese interior.
This hotel also have it's own swimming pool, not big but its the biggest pool available compare to other hotel around Simpang Lima.
I took some pictures in my room, and this is a standard room. You can have it only less than US 50 per night. Here they are :
Travel to Indonesia : Experience in Semarang
As I've mentioned in my last post, my first destination is Semarang. There are many ways to reach Semarang from my city Bandung. I can choose train, plane, bus or travel agency.
I usually choose travel agency because unlike other options, they are able to pick me up directly from home or anywhere I choose. And when I arrived in Semarang, they also will drop me anywhere I want. So if you are totally blind about your destination, travel agency is a good solution for you. I have 2 favourite travel agency, Sentral Travel and Fortuna Travel (dial 108 to find out their numbers), and this time I only get Sentral Travel for my trip since the other is fully booked.
Travelling from Bandung to Semarang took about 8 hours and they picked me around 8:30. So I finally arrived in Semarang around 5 in the morning. There are plenty of time for me before my meeting at 9, so I took a walk around Simpang Lima, the center of Semarang city and took some pictures around.
Here are some of pictures that I took.
Simpang Lima Area. The heart of Semarang.
Baiturrahman Mosque, The main Mosque in Semarang. Located in Simpang lima.
Simpang Lima view in the morning. Around 6. If you noticed, you can see Ciputra hotel on the left and Horison Hotel in the front.
People of Semarang use Simpang Lima as a jogging area. Here you can see some one is walking, and some bikers (in red) behind.
You don't have to worry about shopping. You can find many places like Ramayana super store around Semarang. Ramayana located at the South of Simpang Lima.
Hotels in Semarang
When you go for Indonesia Travelling, you shouldn't worry about where to stay. Just like in Semarang you can find many stars hotel. Here are some of them located around Simpang lima.
Ciputra Hotel. A 4 stars hotel. Located north of Simpang Lima.
Horison Hotel. Located at the east of Simpang Lima.
Graha Santika. This is where I stayed during my trip in Semarang. I will show you some pictures and review about this hotel in my next post. See you around. Read More......
Leaving for Semarang, Surabaya, Kediri and Balikpapan
Tomorrow, I'll leave for Semarang for a couple days and then Surabaya, Kediri and Balikpapan. Wait for my experience and stories next week.
This is my first experience travelling to Kediri and Balikpapan. Can wait to see those city and I hope I have enough time to enjoy them and share it with you.
Warm regards.
Indonesia Travel Tips: Before You Go (Part 3)
Travel Tip #3: Home sitter and timers
It is always a good idea to have someone check on your home if you are gone longer than a weekend. However, timers can play a important part if they set up appropriately. You aren’t fooling anyone if the same lights turn on at exactly the same time every day. But now you can find timers that can duplicate your daily activities. It can save your habit when turning on and off your lights for a couple days. And when you leave your home, it will turn your lights on and off exactly the way you do in the last few days.
If you are comfortable with it, having someone stay at your home provides great peace of mind. They will be there in case the furnace or air conditioner shuts off, the water tank bursts or a storm hits the area. Plus more and more insurance agencies are requiring that a minimum someone must walk through your home every few days. Double check with yours to see what expectations are.
Read other usefule Indonesia Travel Tips here.
Indonesia Travel Tips: Before You Go (part 2)
Travel Tip #2: Passport and Travel Insurance Tips
Ensure your passport are up to date and that each member of your family has one. This includes Jr. Also if you have recently changed your name you will need to ensure your passport has the most current info. Remember, passport is the main and probably the only ID accepted abroad. Should you need to apply or renew, it is best to do this as early as possible. Waiting for them to come can be nerve wracking if on a tight deadline. It is also a lot more costly.
Regarding travel insurance – don’t chance it. You get insurance because of things you can’t foresee. Research various agencies and see which ones can offer you the best rate as well as best services.
Indonesia Travel Tips: Before You Go (part 1)
Once you have decided on your destination the countdown begins. Although there is a lot to think about, planning and preparing for your great escape can be a lot of fun. Here are a few key pointers to help get on your way adjusted for Indonesian travellers. Sent directly from your destination, Indonesia.
Travel Tip #1: Find out where you are going
Perhaps this trip is a once in a lifetime vacation. Or, it could be a simple getaway. Whatever your reasons for leaving, it is important to find out what your destination has to offer. Here are some questions and answer if you are planning a trip to Indonesia:
If you are planning to stay a little bit longer in Indonesia, You can use TV as your additional resource. Nowadays, there are some good television programme about travelling in Indonedia, so that you can watch them to find out many interesting places to go (unfortunately they are still in bahasa Indonesia, but at least you could ask later to your hotel about the place you heard).
- Are there any good shows or events?
Indonesian tourism is not very well managed, unless for some specific place like Bali. But, I assure you that there are a lot more than just Bali to watch around. Not many event arranged every time some tourists come by. So, you better ask your agency to find out what kind of event are there happens during your vacation. Asking from your relatives that already came to indonesia also can be a very good and trusted sources. - What tours are available and do you need to book them in advance?
You just need to ask your travel agency to find out. - What is the weather like?
As a tropical country, Indonesia only has 2 seasons, rainy and dry. Plan your travel to Indonesia on a dry seasons, since you will get the best of Indonesia tropical view best. Consider that in rainy season you will likely to waste your time in your hotel seeing rain drops falling outside your window. - Can you eat the local food and drink the tap water?
No. You definitely can’t drink tap water in Indonesia. But you can buy mineral bottled water for a very affordable price (around 100 cent for 1 L of drinking water). They are available almost every where. The most popular brand is AQUA. Local Indonesian food are spicy, so be prepared with a lot of new taste from our food. Some of tourist find them delicious, but the other would rather eat in their hotel to get the most close with their native food.
Knowing these details beforehand can help make the most of your vacation.
