Wanna Play at Wonderia Amusement Park? Be carefull

Yesterday, I watched news about accident that happens at Wonderia Amusement park on TV. This amusement park is located in Semarang, Central Java. It seems that something went wrong on of its rides that caused it to fall down. 12 injured from 16 people on it.

This news really shocked me, because I used to went there with my family. And everything seems to be fine, nothing to be worried about.

What I can conclude from this accident is that the maintenance of rides and other entertainment ar poor especially at Wonderia.

Now, I won't allow my kids to play on any dangerous rides at any amusement park anywhere. Just pick the save one, just in case.

So be carefull if you want to take your kids to a play ground.

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Indonesia Travel Experience: Kediri (part 2)

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.

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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. :)

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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.

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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.

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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 :)

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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 :

Hotel standard room, as you can see, it has a long sofa near the window that you can use for another 1 person. :)

This is their bath room, quite standard.

Washtafel.

When I had my breakfast, I took some pictures of Santika's restaurant. The food is mostly Indonesian food. But you can have some javanese food here if you like.

Another picture of Santika's Restaurant.

In my next Post, I will tell you a beautiful place to eat called Gama Restaurant. They provides Sea food and one of the best place to eat in Semarang. See you.

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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.

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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.

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Pandanaran Hotel Semarang

Last week I went to Semarang and stay at Pandanaran Hotel. It's an affordable hotel with swimming pool.

With only less than 40 dollars you can stay there. The drawback is only the room. It's just too small.

I don't recommend this hotel unless you are price sensitive person. Like me :)

Have a nive travel to Indonesia.

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Banjarmasin City of River -Part 1

Banjarmasin is a city in South Kalimantan (Borneo). Last week, I had a chance to visit Banjarmasin for the first time. This is the first part of my experience to visit that city.

Since there ara many aircraft accidents lately, I decided to choose Garuda to fly with. Garuda is the safest flight carrier in Indonesia.

Worse of the worst, at the same day to my flight, Garuda also had a terrible accident in Yogyakarta (more than 10 people died). Imagine how afraid I am then to fly only a few hours later. See the fig on the left, thats the photo I took on the same day with the accident at Sukarno-Hatta Airport Jakarta. It shows many reporter try to capture one of the family victim visiting Garuda Care Center.

During the flight, I experienced many turbulence and it scared me, really. I never afraid to fly before, but this time, I'm.

Fortunately we land savely at Syamsoedin Nur Airport of Banjarmasin. Thank God.....

We stay at Hotel Banjarmasin International, I don't think that I will ever stay at that Hotel anymore. We got the most expensive room available the suite room, since all the other room already booked. The room is dirty, and considering the rate around USD 100, the room is not convenient. It doesn't worth your money at all, trust me.

Tommorow, I will go to Pasar Apung (Floating Market) over Barito river. I will write it on my next post.

See You.

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Bakso Malang Karapitan (BMK): Colourful Place Various Food in Bandung

Since I lived in Bandung I've heard about BMK and very curious about it. Fortunately, last week I had a chance to try it.

When we went to Alun-alun bandung, I saw BMK’s logo at Kings Plaza. It was lunch time, and we decided to get something to eat. Actually me and my wife had a different choice, she wanted to go for Hoka hoka bento and I wanted to try BMK.

while arguing our choices infront of BMK's entrance, one of the waitress came and she showed us the menu. After seeing the menu list, my wife agree with me to try BMK menu.

well, we finally sit in that restaurant.

There are broad range of choices that we can pick. From meat ball to steak and a lot of juices are provided there. I tried their meat balls (I like it because I could ask for Yamien – the noodle separated with meat ball). I could tell that I like it very much, and so was my wife who try their chicken barbeque. The taste is nice and the colourful surroundings make it even better. Conclusion: the combination between various food, delicious taste and the atmosphere make BMK will be one of your favorite place to try Indonesian food.

Have a nice vacation!

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