- 14:25
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If Traveloka approve of my dream to go to Nepal, I would definitely be grateful and I would have the privilage to visit this beautiful country. I would photograph as many as I could and I could share my exciting and humbling travel experience with the world. But, to make things more clear, I should explain how I'd explore Nepal if I won my dream vacation.
Explore Kathmandu, thoroughly
A friend told me that capital Kathmandu packs a hard punch for travellers. Arriving in Thamel is a gratifying shock- streets lined with shops selling colourful clothes, accessories, bags and lots of tea. I already pictured the old-world streets, hustle and bustle of local markets and fascinating architecture is a beautiful and captivating embrace on arrival.
Hike the famous Annapurna Circuit
The popular trail in Annapurna- winds through colourful patchwork valleys, deep moss-grown forests and clear icy waterfalls. I could admire the spellbinding glimpses of massive mountains and stunning horizons as I begin my trekking from Poon Hill through Annapurna foothills. Ouh, what a view it would be!
Treasuring Pokhara's gems
I was told that Pokhara was filled with delightful activities and explorations. I could try various activities as an adrenaline junkie- ranging from the paragliding cliff, skydiving (I've done this in Dubai, a must-do for everyone!) mountain biking, water-rafting to less extreme activities : having a relax day out on the scenic lake or rent a bike in town.
Playing with elephant at Chitwan National Park
A bit different from Serengeti National Park that offers great herds of buffalo, giraffes and thousands of eland, impala and Grant's gazelle, Chitwan prompts you into a world of dense fenland, crocodile-infested waters and massive forests containing a diverse selection of wildlife. I better get my inner jungle girl's spirit up because I will enjoy this so much!
Everest Base Camp
Aside from ABC, the next exciting experience is climbing to Everest Base Camp. To climb the Mt Everest seems impossible for now (it take years to prepare- physically and mentally & cost LOTS of money). The camp lies at an altitude of 5,364 meters and is more of rest points for people looking to climb the world tallest mountain.
Cafe-hunting, anyone?
From the commercial neighbourhood of Thamel to Pokhara, an endless cool-looking old cafes are perfect for travellers that wanted to try the local cuisines or sharing stories and laughs with the locals over coffee breaks. There are rows of beautiful cafe align the mesmerising Lake Phewa in Pokhara- it was also a nice spot to stagnate in the sun and engross in the picturesque scenery. I can already imagined myself enjoying all that, only if Traveloka give me this chance.
These are among a few activities that I can think of doing if I get the chance to go to Nepal. Nepal is emphatically one of the world's most beguiling countries for the adventure wanderers, and that what makes me more determined to explore : there is no doubt it will be an amazing worthwhile experience.
Hope to see ya, Nepal!
- 13:46
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Our Eid video is now up and running on my YouTube channel. Check it out on the link below.
- 12:24
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A pop song blasted by sudden in the early morning. My body jerked as I heard some incoherent mumbles from the other bed. F is waking up and my body felt drained from my short nap because we both slept late the night before.
I snatched that bloody phone, scratch my bedside and looked at the time.
"Damn. Wake up, it's already eight!"
I bolted towards the bathroom while F was taking her time. We tried to pull an all-nighter but we dozed off the minutes we prayed for Subuh.
Half an hour later, we strapped on our sneakers and ready to explore the city. Stepping out of the apartment, we were immediately swept up by the buzzing of motorbikes, the yelling drivers and the constant drumbeat that seemed to pulsed from all corners. F and I walked along the local train station and crossed over to the other side.
Then, as I sauntered up to the taxi's passenger window, F sputtered "Wait. Do you wanna try Careem?"
I turned to look at her. The taxi driver was starting to sounds impatient. "Bisur'ah, lau samah!"
I took a quick look on my Careem account and saw seventy Egyptian Pounds balance on my online wallet. I bid the taxi goodbye, muttering sorry while the driver shouting profanities towards us.
F and I look at each other and shrugged.
"So, where do we go first?"
I explained a little about our activities of the day while waiting for the Careem driver to pick us up near to a big chai place. Fifteen minutes later, we hopped in at the back of the car while the driver was trying to communicate with us in his broken English with thick Arab accent.
"You been here before?"
F answered yes while looking out the window. "But it was like six years ago, so I can barely remember this city anymore."
I was awe-struck. Alexandria has been different from my last visit. Beautiful as it was, I quickly learned that the city's aesthetics had nothing on its characters. We bid him goodbye when we arrived at our first stop - Pompei's Pillar.
I snatched that bloody phone, scratch my bedside and looked at the time.
"Damn. Wake up, it's already eight!"
I bolted towards the bathroom while F was taking her time. We tried to pull an all-nighter but we dozed off the minutes we prayed for Subuh.
Half an hour later, we strapped on our sneakers and ready to explore the city. Stepping out of the apartment, we were immediately swept up by the buzzing of motorbikes, the yelling drivers and the constant drumbeat that seemed to pulsed from all corners. F and I walked along the local train station and crossed over to the other side.
Then, as I sauntered up to the taxi's passenger window, F sputtered "Wait. Do you wanna try Careem?"
I turned to look at her. The taxi driver was starting to sounds impatient. "Bisur'ah, lau samah!"
I took a quick look on my Careem account and saw seventy Egyptian Pounds balance on my online wallet. I bid the taxi goodbye, muttering sorry while the driver shouting profanities towards us.
F and I look at each other and shrugged.
"So, where do we go first?"
I explained a little about our activities of the day while waiting for the Careem driver to pick us up near to a big chai place. Fifteen minutes later, we hopped in at the back of the car while the driver was trying to communicate with us in his broken English with thick Arab accent.
"You been here before?"
F answered yes while looking out the window. "But it was like six years ago, so I can barely remember this city anymore."
I was awe-struck. Alexandria has been different from my last visit. Beautiful as it was, I quickly learned that the city's aesthetics had nothing on its characters. We bid him goodbye when we arrived at our first stop - Pompei's Pillar.
Pompei Pillar rises from the ruins of the ancient and famous Temple of Serapis, which was once used to keep the overflow of manuscripts from the Great Library of Alexandria. This place is located in the southwest of the city, Carmous.
As I began to feel comfortable exploring the winding streets after we exited Pompei Pillar, my ease grew in another regard - F and I pushed the boundaries once set and began exploring and talking to any stranger that we found along the way.
"Where to next?" F suddenly asked.
The sun was scorching hot, I just wanna get inside somewhere that has a roof on it and cool off.
"Er, I was thinking that we can go to Kom el-Shuqafa. The place is gonna get close by four today and it's already one-thirty now."
F drank her water, stood up and look at me.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go!"
I snorted a little. "Coming."
Situated just to the west of Pompei Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqafa is the largest and most important burial site dating back to the Greco-Roman period in Egypt. It was unearthed by coincidence in 1900 as they are laid out on several sacrophagi and shelf tomb (chambers)
Any sort of photography is strictly prohibited.
Forty minutes later, we found ourselves in a massive area of ancient rubble mound in the central of Alexandria city known as Kom el-Dikka.
Located at Yousri Street near to the main train station, it was easily access by tram and taxi. The place that is also known as Mound of Rubble revealed to house a whole swag of ancient ruins including small Roman theatre. The remnants of Ptolemaic temple and the mosaic flooring of a wealthy Roman era dwelling now known as the Birds Villa.
We spent a good an hour and half exploring while ate our fig-jam sandwiches. Although I've been enjoying the escape from the chaos back in Zagaziq, Alexandria has been bustling with heavy traffics especially on the Corniche.
"It's crazy hot. I need an ice-cream right freaking now, or cold water, at least."
I couldn't agree much - the weather had been challenging that day, we felt dehydrated along the journey. We bought two chocolate ice creams and a big bottle of mineral water.
"Let's find a place to sit."
Downtown Alexandria's wide waterfront road is as much a striking symbol of the city as any of its monuments. Corniche is the place that you get to feel for the era of cosmopolitan elegance and decadence that marked Alexandria in the late 19th century. Much of the old architecture still stands along the Corniche, and visitors get to stroll along the street that housed the remnants of Cecil Hotel and Windsor Palace Hotel. According to sources, Cecil Hotel played host to British Secret Service during World War II.
"I wish we can do this every single day, babe."
I smirked. "After we finish with med school perhaps."
Appreciating moments isn't always easy- it always requires attention. Even while travelling, trudging along with my green backpack, focusing on trying to get from a place to another, I sometimes find myself getting caught up in a monotonous cycle.
I took a peek on my travel partner and be grateful for her, just be there with me, enjoying every single minute of our time in the historic city. It doesn't matter whether I am in thick smog of the city or in the serenity of the countryside, all I need to do is awaken my senses and focuses myself on the present.
On that moment, I know that I am living my life the best that I could.
- 17:32
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The autumn in Egypt is not so different than summer. With temperature ranging about 30-37 degrees daily, it felt like summer never ended.
It was two days before Eid Adha that I first suggested to a close girlfriend of mine about going to Alexandria. We were sitting on the floor while watching Modern Family in her room. She looked at me for a few seconds before shrugging her shoulders and agreed.
"What do you say if we spend our holiday in Alex for a few days?"
Pregnant pause ensued.
"Yeah, cool. I haven't been there since our first year."
After we celebrated Eid Adha on the 12th, I sat on the floor of my bedroom to pack my backpack, close to midnight. With the budget of 400 Egyptian Pounds for three days and two nights, we were trying to be as cheap as possible.
I even bought a toothbrush for two freaking pounds because I forgot to bring mine on the trip.
The clock turned to nine in the morning when we finally took off to Alexandria. We sat at the back of an old black Peugeot with other locals, which never would have happened without a little bit of luck and a lot of spontaneity.
We arrived at the main station in Alex around noon. The three-hours car ride took us through the string of small cities and vast lands. F and I would look out to our respective windows every once in a while to see the unfamiliar surroundings, commenting on the things that we saw.
We bought a mineral water and a couple of Molto for the journey and then we took a taxi to get to our accomodation as soon as we arrived.
"Ya Ammu, maugud 'adat?"
The taxi driver immediately shook his head no.
I was contemplating to take another taxi that will use meter ('adat) but we didn't see lots of taxi there. We hopped in and prayed that the charge wasn't exorbitant.
But, there's no such luck.
Cheap my ass.
Once we got there, we checked in and rest for while. It was almost three in the evening when we settled down and most attractions will be close by five. After a casual discussion (we discussed while lying on the bed and laughing on The Big Bang Theory), we decided to go to the main mall in Alex and bought some foods and supplies.
We took a tremco (minivan) for three pounds each near to Mubarrah, a little close to the railway station. We arrived at the mall twenty minutes later and heading to Carrefour. We took what we need and paid. We took the same route on our way back (we saved a lot of money because it can go up to 50 pounds per taxi ride), ate our dinner and watched The Big Bang Theory until midnight.
"So we're gonna have a full day tomorrow, eh?"
I nodded while keeping my eyes on the screen. "Maybe. We can still go on our last day if we have no time for all of the places tomorrow, no worries."
F hummed with approval.
"Sounds good."
It was two days before Eid Adha that I first suggested to a close girlfriend of mine about going to Alexandria. We were sitting on the floor while watching Modern Family in her room. She looked at me for a few seconds before shrugging her shoulders and agreed.
"What do you say if we spend our holiday in Alex for a few days?"
Pregnant pause ensued.
"Yeah, cool. I haven't been there since our first year."
After we celebrated Eid Adha on the 12th, I sat on the floor of my bedroom to pack my backpack, close to midnight. With the budget of 400 Egyptian Pounds for three days and two nights, we were trying to be as cheap as possible.
I even bought a toothbrush for two freaking pounds because I forgot to bring mine on the trip.
The clock turned to nine in the morning when we finally took off to Alexandria. We sat at the back of an old black Peugeot with other locals, which never would have happened without a little bit of luck and a lot of spontaneity.
We bought a mineral water and a couple of Molto for the journey and then we took a taxi to get to our accomodation as soon as we arrived.
"Ya Ammu, maugud 'adat?"
The taxi driver immediately shook his head no.
I was contemplating to take another taxi that will use meter ('adat) but we didn't see lots of taxi there. We hopped in and prayed that the charge wasn't exorbitant.
But, there's no such luck.
Cheap my ass.
"So we're gonna have a full day tomorrow, eh?"
I nodded while keeping my eyes on the screen. "Maybe. We can still go on our last day if we have no time for all of the places tomorrow, no worries."
F hummed with approval.
"Sounds good."
- 12:07
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"See you guys soon."
My little brother couldn't be more subtle as he sped away in his car when he dropped us off at the airport. Ika and I carried our backpacks along with some food to munch on. It was still early in the morning but the airport was already bustling with travellers.
Our flight left Kuala Lumpur at seven forty-five in the morning, heading to Langkawi International Airport. We were re-routed to Penang due to bad weather. After stranded for an hour and half in Penang, the flight jetted off to the intended destination.
We originally planned to go to Banda Aceh but it sounds even better to go travel locally. So yeah, we decided to start with Langkawi this time.
We were on another of our road trip- the third during this trip home - and once again, my youngest brother wasn't available to join his sisters.
Over the past few days on the road exploring Langkawi, we have scrambled over tree trunks, stood on wild wind-swept Cenang Beach and consumed about galleons of water because the weather was devastatingly hot. My little sister patiently sat on the passenger seat while tolerated my temper when we were stuck in the jam. She'd accompanied me to a place I just had to hunt down and visit after a friend recommended it or after seeing it on Instagram.
"You should turn here, sis. Can you please follow the GPS for once?"
Annoyed, I replied "I did. Can't you see that we're so far away from the place that we're supposed to go?"
or something like "Are you sure this is the right way? We're so far off right now."
Lil sis, thank you for being patient with me.
Somewhere in amongst the dreams of a road trip, the idealization of sunny weather and perfect photographs, reality sets in. And that's how we rolled with reality and dealt with bumps along the way that has helped us become most excellent road trip buddies.
From island hopping until Beras Basah Island to fumbling and bumbling at the Cenang beach, I am always considering the context in which I am here.
Our trip began as soon as we registered with SB Guide tossing blue-black sticker to plastered on our shirts and pointing the way to urban minivans. After racing through the mid-afternoon streets to a beach, we switched to boats heading towards Tasik Dayang Bunting.
My little brother couldn't be more subtle as he sped away in his car when he dropped us off at the airport. Ika and I carried our backpacks along with some food to munch on. It was still early in the morning but the airport was already bustling with travellers.
Our flight left Kuala Lumpur at seven forty-five in the morning, heading to Langkawi International Airport. We were re-routed to Penang due to bad weather. After stranded for an hour and half in Penang, the flight jetted off to the intended destination.
We originally planned to go to Banda Aceh but it sounds even better to go travel locally. So yeah, we decided to start with Langkawi this time.
Over the past few days on the road exploring Langkawi, we have scrambled over tree trunks, stood on wild wind-swept Cenang Beach and consumed about galleons of water because the weather was devastatingly hot. My little sister patiently sat on the passenger seat while tolerated my temper when we were stuck in the jam. She'd accompanied me to a place I just had to hunt down and visit after a friend recommended it or after seeing it on Instagram.
"You should turn here, sis. Can you please follow the GPS for once?"
Annoyed, I replied "I did. Can't you see that we're so far away from the place that we're supposed to go?"
or something like "Are you sure this is the right way? We're so far off right now."
Lil sis, thank you for being patient with me.
Somewhere in amongst the dreams of a road trip, the idealization of sunny weather and perfect photographs, reality sets in. And that's how we rolled with reality and dealt with bumps along the way that has helped us become most excellent road trip buddies.
Our trip began as soon as we registered with SB Guide tossing blue-black sticker to plastered on our shirts and pointing the way to urban minivans. After racing through the mid-afternoon streets to a beach, we switched to boats heading towards Tasik Dayang Bunting.
The path was paved and quite easy to access. It was quite slippery and I was sweating under the sun and with frequent photo stops, it took us longer to reach the beautiful lake. The deeper we walked, the more visible the rocky front became and we were stunned by the vast beauty of this famous lake.
"It's majestic!"
My little sister was ecstatic when we finally made it to the lake. We took lots of photo while making some silly antics for the video. An hour later, we were on the boat again to go see a group of eagle feeding on fish. It was an awesome fifteen-minutes experience to watch the predator circling the sky before hurtling towards the water.
"Now, we're going to Beras Basah Island. This is gonna be our last stop before going back to mainland." Our guide finally spoke.
We detoured to the island where every single person on the boat become swimmers. My sis and I walked around the beach with small backpacks on our backs. We passed some shacks and some animals before we stood in front of a small jetty, perfect for a photo or two.
This is Langkawi. Langkawi is faded with city lights and has cool, bright white beaches, just like in Krabi or Phuket.
We reached our hostel in the evening with a warning of heavy rain. My sis was pondering an idea of having dinner at Kuah Town but I was really exhausted by the dinnertime. We went out and bought some foods to our liking at pasar malam.
There were juices and fried chickens and a good book to look forward to. We were like children, eating on the bed while talking with our mouths full and unpacking our 55 liters backpacks.
I stayed awake. Cairo on one side, San Francisco on the other. I was awake and the wind was blowing hard as I sat on the front porch at three in the morning. I was no longer searching for the context in which I was there. If an entire people in Langkawi can be more than one thing, so do I.
I am an avid traveler, a mostly-good driver, a medical student and a part-time Malaysian blogger.
And I have to drive again in a few hours.
Adios.
- 17:42
- 0 Comments
Today is a weird day.
I woke up a few times during the day because I slept after five am. I woke up after a certain familiar face came up in my weird vivid dream- Kak Rose, you gave me quite a scare.
I remembered that I was in her living room, sipping hot black coffee in the middle of the summer night while she kept reviewing our roadtrip plan across the USA. The rustling of the papers seems so real and her voice sounds like a big sister coaxing her little sister to sit down and pay some damn attention to the things that she say.
But I could tell that this was just a flashback memories that I had since her death.
I know. This was just a piece of my memories of her.
I know. This was just a piece of my memories of her.
The scene changed and I am now behind the wheels, driving in the dark highway- I had no idea where we were. I looked around and saw Kak Rose was asleep, at least I think she was. Her breath evens out, syncing with the slow classical music that she had me listen for hours just because she said "Classical music is good for you, trust me."
Well, guess what, I really feel that it does not.
I saw a few cars on the opposite side of the road, lights flashing out battling the surrounding darkness. Kak Rose abruptly woke up and gave her eyes few rubs before her raspy voice asks where we were.
I shrugged, "I don't know. But the GPS said that we are almost in Arizona."
I saw her head bobbled up and down before she went back to sleep.
And just like that, the scene changed again.
A still silence lay over the land. A pair of black birds flew overhead, exchanging chatters in their foreign tongue. Kak Rose and I cooked and ate dinner by the car, basking in solitude.
We saw two minibuses a few hundred metre in front of us, they were building campfires and singing around as they ate and having fun.
"This is fun too, no?"
I chuckled. "Yes sis, this is fun. Eating a pack of hot cup of Maggi in the car on summer night is very appealing."
Kak Rose made faces. "We are having more fun this time around. Before, you were travelling around by your own but you've got me this time. That ought to say something."
We were in Antelope Canyon for a day before continuing to other canyon.
But then, I woke up.
I laid on the carpeted floor with a pillow in my hand. My body hurts but my mind was reeling- the dream had been surreal. My orbs were looking around before it settled on the balcony in front.
It was ten in the morning and the African summer heat greeted me with morning wind.
I am back, right?
"Happy Independence Day, Malaysia." I read the messages on my Whatsapp chats and on Twitter and Facebook. And the clock turns 10.01 in the morning.
I saw Jue was watching The Big Bang Theory, sipping hot coffee no doubt while laughing at something that Sheldon said.
Yes, I definitely am back in the reality. The feeling that lingers deep in my heart will always be there and I want you to know that you're always gonna be in my prayers.
See you again, R.
I saw a few cars on the opposite side of the road, lights flashing out battling the surrounding darkness. Kak Rose abruptly woke up and gave her eyes few rubs before her raspy voice asks where we were.
I shrugged, "I don't know. But the GPS said that we are almost in Arizona."
I saw her head bobbled up and down before she went back to sleep.
And just like that, the scene changed again.
A still silence lay over the land. A pair of black birds flew overhead, exchanging chatters in their foreign tongue. Kak Rose and I cooked and ate dinner by the car, basking in solitude.
We saw two minibuses a few hundred metre in front of us, they were building campfires and singing around as they ate and having fun.
"This is fun too, no?"
I chuckled. "Yes sis, this is fun. Eating a pack of hot cup of Maggi in the car on summer night is very appealing."
Kak Rose made faces. "We are having more fun this time around. Before, you were travelling around by your own but you've got me this time. That ought to say something."
We were in Antelope Canyon for a day before continuing to other canyon.
But then, I woke up.
I laid on the carpeted floor with a pillow in my hand. My body hurts but my mind was reeling- the dream had been surreal. My orbs were looking around before it settled on the balcony in front.
It was ten in the morning and the African summer heat greeted me with morning wind.
I am back, right?
"Happy Independence Day, Malaysia." I read the messages on my Whatsapp chats and on Twitter and Facebook. And the clock turns 10.01 in the morning.
I saw Jue was watching The Big Bang Theory, sipping hot coffee no doubt while laughing at something that Sheldon said.
Yes, I definitely am back in the reality. The feeling that lingers deep in my heart will always be there and I want you to know that you're always gonna be in my prayers.
See you again, R.
- 10:00
- 0 Comments
