COFFEE SHOP IN MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA : Local Edition Coffee & Tea

Finding a nice coffee shop that suits you is a struggle, especially if you’re new in town, like me. Early on my second day in Metro Manila, Philippines, I had to find somewhere to work from. Often times, we found those nice comfy coffee shops with great coffee and food but then later we found that it doesn’t provide WIFI (why?!?!). That’s sad. Then we have to find another one – and it’s a hard job, especially if you know nothing about the city and if transportation is your main problem, like here in Metro Manila.

For us, a place to work from doesn’t necessarily have to be a coffee shop, but still we prefer one. It just need to have a pretty fast and stable wifi, a comfortable seat, and a comfortable ambiance. That’s all really. Oh, plus good food.

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Macau. Worth a Visit? (1 Day Itinerary Included)

Besides gambling and shopping, which are not my thing at all, is there really anything else to do here?
So I went to Macau last May for the very first time and decided to stay for 3 nights before heading to Hong Kong. This whole Macau and Hong Kong trip was not well planned and prepared. We didn’t really have the urge to explore the city. We just need to go somewhere in between Indonesia and China, before heading to Beijing, just so we don’t need to take a 7-8 hours flight from Indonesia. So I thought maybe Hong Kong is a great choice, everybody seems to love this city. And besides, I’ve never been to Disneyland before and there’s one in Hong Kong!

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Kuliner Jambi : Kwetiau Hance

Selain Mie Pangsit, kuliner wajib aku di Jambi itu adalah kwetiau. Kwetiau di Jambi itu beda loh dengan kwetiau Medan atau kwetiau Jakarta. Karena kwetiau di Jambi terbuat dari tepung beras, dan bentuknya pun lebih tebal.

Belum banyak tempat makan kwetiau yang aku coba. Tapi diantara tempat-tempat itu (halal maupun non halal), yang paling aku suka itu so far Kwetiau Hance (non halal), atau biasa ada yang nyebut kwetiau Ace atau kwetiau Atek. I found that the non-halal version has this thicker and more intense flavor. The power of lard 😉  Lanjutkan membaca “Kuliner Jambi : Kwetiau Hance”

Loy Krathong & Yi Peng Festival, Chiang Mai

Loy Krathong and Yi Peng (full moon day) are both two famous festivals in Thailand. They both take time on the full moon day on the second month of Lanna lunar calendar, which usually falls on November (but please check the exact date before you go!).

Loy Krathong, which means “to float a basket”, is a kind of festival where people will gather on a river side, or pond, or somewhere with water to release their “boat” or krathong. The krathong is traditionally made from banana leaves with some flowers and incenses on it. The more modern one can be made of bread (yes, bread) and even styrofoam (booo). I think people will normally make a wish before releasing their krathong. Lanjutkan membaca “Loy Krathong & Yi Peng Festival, Chiang Mai”

Mini Travel Guide : Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon as it is still sometimes be called) is often said to be the biggest city in Vietnam. It was once the capital of France’s colony. And it is also one of the city in Vietnam tourists usually visit. This city offers a lot more than I’ve imagined before.

It has these elegant boulevards and beautiful colonial buildings. It offers so many kind of food ranging from the cheap sidewalk local stalls to the expensive fine restaurants. It is the place I’d like to spend my time wandering around just to find a nice local coffee shop.

I went there last January 2014. I can’t believe the fact that I’ve been postponing on writing this post for nearly two year!! So, before these precious memories of mine got lost forgotten, I want to share let’s say, a mini travel guide about where to go, what to do, and what to eat in Ho Chi Minh city.

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Short Trip to Pangandaran

Pangandaran is definitely one of the most overrated yet easily reached tourist destination in Java Island, Indonesia. It’s once (and still) a fishing village which later grew bigger and bigger and became famous among local tourist who long for a sunny day at the seashore and fresh seafood in their stomach.

What’s unique about Pangandaran is that it’s located on a Peninsula, so you might find the beaches facing East and West at the same time. I mean, not literally the same beach facing East and West but you only need 5 minutes walk from the East part of the beach to the West – that’s pretty convenient (for me)!Lanjutkan membaca “Short Trip to Pangandaran”

Tips for Travelling from London to Jakarta

When crossing continents it’s always important to research and plan ahead, as the long haul flight invites a slew of unforeseen hassles from airport parking spaces to immigration problems to even hotel accommodation. For example, for tourists travelling from a European metropolis like London to a Southeast Asian city such as Jakarta, the overall process from airport to airport can be complicated and taxing. Covering a distance of about 11,679 kilometers or 6392 nautical miles away, the mere flight takes more than 15 hours, which means it’ll prove to be a challenge even to the most frequent traveller. Fortunately, here are some tips on how to enjoy the whole trip from London to Jakarta.

Pre-book a Parking Space

When driving to a London airport like Gatwick or Heathrow, aside from considering the travel time and traffic, it’s also important to pre-select a parking spot. These landing fields are some of the busiest and most crowded in the world, so expect heavy congestion all throughout. In addition, knowing the different advantages of the types of parking is ideal for preparing for every eventuality. A UK-based parking aggregator lists the four examples as on-airport, off-airport, meet and greet, and airport hotel with parking. That way, travellers can start their vacation on the right note.

Know the Visa Requirements

British citizens can visit Indonesia without a visa for a maximum of 30 days under the waiver scheme. On the other hand, for business travellers, tourists should apply for a visa that lasts up to 30 days upon arrival and costs about £25. It’s also worth noting that this visa can be extended once as long as travellers apply to an immigration office within the country. Other requirements include proof of onward travel, as well as departure and airport tax.


Make the Most of the 15-Hour Flight

Before boarding the plane, it’s wise to stay hydrated and wear comfortable, layered clothing. It’s also advisable to drink green tea as it helps fend off jetlag. During the flight, try and limit food intake to a decent amount. A medical website points out the difference in the digestive system on land and in the air. Having said this, tourists should just opt for a simple snack inside the plane or better yet eat a packed sandwich beforehand.


Find a Good Location

Upon arriving in Jakarta, tourists should’ve at least reserved a decent accommodation in some of the best places to stay in the city. For tourists who have more than enough, the wise choices would be Lingkar Kuningan and the Bunderan Hotel Indonesia area. Ritz Carlton Kuningan, Grand Hyatt, and J. W. Marriott appeal to travellers the most, as they are all located near Jakarta’s places of interest.

Kuliner Jambi : Ice and Bean

Jambi itu panas banget deh! Jadi kalo sore-sore gitu bingung mau ngapain, aku dan Fred suka ngidam makan yang dingin-dingin dan manis. Tapi aku dan Fred itu nggak suka yang terlalu manis. Biasanya kalo beli dessert di luar itu selalu aja kemanisan. Maklum, udah beberapa tahun ini kami mengurangi konsumsi gula, jadi udah terbiasa dengan yang nggak terlalu manis.

Nah, kebetulan aku tau Ice and Bean Jambi dari salah satu temenku, katanya enak dan bahannya 100% natural, tanpa perasa ataupun pewarna, apalagi pengawet.

Yuk mari kita icip-icip!

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