Yogyakarta, Indonesia: Malioboro and Sorsowijayan

Finally got round to blogging about our Indonesia trip in June 2012, right about time to start planning for my December pilgrimage. Shame on me!

Just a short trip from Yogyajakarta (Borobodur) -> Mt Bromo -> Bali. For the first time, we didn't book advance accommodation for Yogya and simply walked round the backpacker area (an adventure!), which is fine provided it's not the peak traveling season. And we booked tours to Borobodur and Prabanum (1 day) and another tour to take us to Mt Bromo en route to Denpasar.

The trip was quite fuss-free, just book air tickets, plan rough itinerary (print some maps) and buy Groupon for a Bali Villa (cheap but far-flung), and things generally got progressively expensive from Yogya to Bali (as expected). And the DPN airport was a mega ripoff of small retailers. Be warned!

We landed in Yogya airport (Bandara Adisucipto), took the regular bus to the city area, Malioboro, on a Trans Jogja Bus (~Rp 3000). Apart from being affordable, it's a chance to mingle with the locals. Expect some squeeze on well-maintained buses with your luggage.

Then we walked to Gang I and II in Jln Sorsowijayan. Some dude in the Gang will offer to bring you around losmans (hostels), and we deduced that he probably received a commission from the hostels. We checked out some hostels before putting our money down. Ours was quite a 'steal' and note that Wifi is quite a 'basic' amenity already. There are plenty of choices (with shared/ensuite bathrooms), at least in June, no worries!

After which we explored Malioboro area on foot, checking out tour companies and taking their flyers (for research purposes)... and headed to Malioboro Mall (how could we miss it?) for a late, late lunch.

Day 1 -

innocuous-looking but deadly chilli

Headed to the Arcade

not sure if 'instant' was the most apt word

Always important to check out Macs/KFC/etc. to compare items and price

Our destination tomorrow, today (at Macs)

Well, if you have a friend called Christine

Gudeg - Jackfruit? Where?

tempted

Streetside music. Awesome Indo music.

>>Insert .avi file here<<

Our humble abode. What's that on the curtain?

Nights are for Wifi (for FB, twitter and what-nots) and sleep.

Batam, Indonesia

Read some old blog posts recently and decided that it might be a good idea to blog travels with photos circa old days.

Triplets (I coin myself) went on a short Batam getaway recently by purchasing a Groupon, because a fuss-free trip was long overdue! Total  cost was under $200sin. Just had to whine about currency conversions and boast about how after pooling our money together we became instant millionaires! Batam is pretty affordable to live in but to holiday in, is still quite expensive, especially the food. But do stock up on creams and such at the huge supermarts, because it can be quite worth it if products are made in Indonesia (and sometimes, the same products are exported to Singapore but its price trebled). Guide was quite witty too, but wasn't cheap if you add everything up!

Our mode of transport - by sea, our entertainment - 'contract' bridge with our best imaginary friend

Then onwards to our compulsory day tour (aka where we shop for local delights so that guides earn commission to make up for the cheap tour price and we find souvenirs to buy home). First stops: Kuey Lapis and Otak otak

Boredom breeds Innovation

Then before lunch, you'd had to walk through the tourist shops and browse through knick knacks and dubious food

As if you need more encouragement to use the toilet

The non-course of the 7-course dinner

Thoroughly enjoying the meal. Us, forty years down the road?

Goldfish to Arowana: Whacha lookin' at?

Restaurant for our lunch

Let the PENs unite

At the Miniature Houses Museum. Hmm.. looks like...

At the Cultural Show, I enjoyed this 'lion' dance more than the uncoordinated dancing, coconut biting, coal and glass eating, and jumping through rings of fire (acts which were awesome but heart-wrenching).

The Slums of Batam:

At THE Mall with the Fello Fitty Restaurant. A long wait for our Fello Fitty Food. Fancy some savoury cheese with chocolate? Then chiong-ed to the supermart for some snacks, cup noodles, Magnums and alcohol to pass the night.

Our Hotel atop a hill. Capturing view amidst Adele.

Dinner Set Meal: Fish and Chips, Supper: Snacks (such foresight!), Breakfast: Buffet

Then checkout, to ferry terminal, then to the Mall across terminal. Dumped our baggage before eating and shopping~

Can't miss em' A&Ws for some curly fries and root beer float

Teh Botol and Ria Ayam Penyet

(If it's too good to be true, it's most  likely not)

Oil *Gasp!*

Shopping for snacks, kuey lapis, lollipops, lotions and hair masks..

Awesome trip! Who's up for fuss-free Cameron / Fraser's Hill?

 *Pardon the unrotated photos

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Quick getaway to KL in August 2012 - food mostly - Thank you to Uncle, Aunty and Cousin!

Walking along the main street - getting lost is fun! Found a food street

Back in a Mall

Confused

Oh Pavilion

Short getaway!