Another Victoria's Secrets

This actually happened more than two weeks ago (Mar 3-5, 2016) but I hadn't have time to write about it so I will now. The company I work for, Brilio.net, bought me a ticket to Yogyakarta so I went there by 7 a.m. AirAsia flight. I was told to wait for the Jakarta group but apparently someone from the tour & travel company picked me up and drove me to the hotel.

nobody was there so I had free breakfast alone

So I got in the Neo+ Awana Hotel by around 9 a.m. and nobody from the company was there. But at around 11.00 the groups from both Yogyakarta and Jakarta came. I knew only Ivana at first, my colleague in Bali. Then I got to know more of the English team and then a lot more. For the first day we stayed mostly in the hotel's meeting room, listening to presentations and had group discussion.

Mang Engking castle restaurant

At dinner time we went by bus to Mang Engking restaurant in Jl. Soragan, Godean. It is a Sundanese restaurant but what made it special was the old castle in the complex. The dinner was served as the band played music for us, then one by one stepped on the stage to do karaoke for ice breaking. After that most of the people went back to hotel rooms, but I went to Alun-Alun Kidul with 3 others.

Maria, Aldio, two guys from next table, Ivana and me at Alun-Alun Kidul

It was Aldio's idea at first and Maria, Ivana and I came along. Our goal was to pass the blind-walking through the twin trees from north to south, but none of us made it. Ivana and Maria turned to the east while Aldio and I to the west. Apparently none of us had such peaceful mind that we all failed. After that we had some hot drinks by lesehan at the east part of the field.

Slili beach

The next day we all woke up early and by 7.30 two buses departed to Gunung Kidul (South Mountains), in Bantul area in the south. I was again in the Jakarta bus because the Yogya bus was all packed. We headed first to Slili beach, next to Krakal, in line with Baron beach, east of Parangtritis. I went to Krakal in 2011 with my cousin Anna and her Dutch friends, and this time I had more time to explore the two beaches (read here for the story and here for some tips while in Yogyakarta).

Krakal beach

We had lunch at Goa Pindul tour by Wirawisata and had some outdoor fun activity before we went to the Pindul Cave by small trucks. The cave has a river flowing underneath and we could float through it using tire tubes the tour company provides, complete with life vest and rubber shoes. We had to hold hands to keep the flow in line and the guys next to me were Aldio and Yoshi. At the end of the cave the guide made us get off the tubes so we got all wet there.

via traveleastjogja.xyz

The trip wasn't over though. We had to walk a little bit and had another truck brought us to a bigger brown-water river where we could continue floating on tubes. It is a bit like rafting but we don't have to row--just lie relaxed on the tube and enjoy the scenery around--it was splendid when you face backwards. There are some 5-7 meters high cliffs people can jump off and a short waterfall we could feel the water bumps on our heads and shoulders. The tubing wasn't far but it was nice already. Read more about Pindul Cave here.

they got me duet singing with Yoshi

Sekar Kedhaton

  
We headed back to the city that took about 2 hours drive and had a stop at Tugu Chocolate shop at Kotagede area before the Javanese gala dinner at Sekar Kedhaton just across the street. It was another karaoke night and they got me sing for 2 songs (I hope they could bear the torture). We called it a day earlier and headed back to the hotel because we still had some group task for the next day.

the presentation on last day

gudeg tahu at Yu Djum

The last day went quickly because after breakfast and photo session we were back to the meeting room and had each group presenting the task given. I had to leave early at around 12.30 p.m. and went to the airport with the same driver who picked me on first day. We had a quick gudeg lunch at Gudeg Yu Djum on the way and got in the airport in time.

the souvenir I placed on my TV cabinet now

I flew back to Bali by myself but brought back a lot of nice memories with new friends home. I think this is the best company I've ever work for, because we share the same vision--which is important for efficient work between employer and employees. Well, I hope to stay long here!

my prayer for the day went with an offering to the sea

Guess I was still in the mood of Nyepi (Hindu's Silence Day that happened last week on Mar 9th) so I decided to spend my 32nd birthday just by myself. I turned my birthday notification in Facebook private and started the date by midnight in silence. It was surprising to see who really remembers and without any notification. Some of the close family forgot but unexpected friends remembered. It just so random it's fun to know. Ironically, none of the people that I meet daily here knows/remembers my birthday. Well, it's okay tho.

to have someone who looks up to you like this is the most precious birthday gift ever

I also just figured out that I share the same birth date with two new friends: Ratna whom I met casually few months back and Dhea Seto, the young artist. The latter one I found pretty hilarious, because I think we are admiring each other. Dhea said that I inspired her and I think she's an amazing talented young person herself. She's just 18 while I'm 32.

another lovely & touching birthday greeting that I got from my cousin <3 i=""> <3 br="">

I woke up earlier than usual to enjoy the 'silence' and as the day went by I had fun having unexpected people greeted me. But at around 2-3 p.m. people started to broke the silence and posted on my timeline, on Whatsapp groups and suddenly messages were coming in. After working at home like usual, at 4 p.m. I decided to go to the beach and so I went.

Sanur beach

I went to Sanur beach instead of my favorite sunset spot, Petitenget. Sanur has its own beauty and magical force that I picked it as I really needed the magic back then. The calm beach really made my day, and I spent my grateful moment there for another 30 minutes enjoying the bluish scenery before I had to go back home.


The rest of my birthday was just like any ordinary day, only that I got some surprises as the day was ending. An old friend came unexpectedly and he brought a lot of laughter to brightened up my night. The next day, an ex told me that "awesome people celebrate birthday in one week" so therefore I extended the celebration for the next day, which made my last 3 birthdays really blessed and complete.

wonderful birthday dinner by the beach at Mano<3 i="">

So for everyone who greeted me a happy birthday, I thank thee. For someone who took part in celebrating my day and complemented it, I am forever grateful, loved and naz*. And for everyone who's reading this, I wish you the happiness that I feel now--may the odds be ever in your favor!

Thank you!<3 i="">
<3 i="">

<3 i="">

<3 i="">*) Naz (n.) means the pride that comes from knowing that you are loved no matter what you do.

 
It's been a while for me to write stuff for my own pleasure. I'm now writing articles daily for Brilio.net and just found the pattern that works for me as I am working remotely. Last night, a scriptwriter friend invited me to his friend's place (where he stayed for Nyepi) and we chatted from 11 p.m. until almost 4 a.m.--the time when he had to be heading to the airport and go back to Jakarta.

I think among all of the character studies, the most interesting one is when someone is giving their perspective on you. You will always hear something new about yourself, the sides you didn't see before. And last night, along with 2 cans of Bintang beer, I got myself zapped back to the literary world. We discussed a lot about life and its many perspectives.

Last night Ipang (famous with his real name M. Irfan Ramli) said some interesting stuff about me, exactly the same thing an Uber driver said to me just about a week earlier. It's just interesting to find two different people say about the same thing, isn't it? He said that I am a structured person, both from my gestures and words. I guess that also makes me a quite conservative person, which he also said. And that I was a very calm person, which made me wonder how restless the people he'd met.

I don't really like to labeling something, especially to describe myself--the thing I often have trouble with. People say you can trust people you can have conversation with until 3 a.m. because they will talk the truth. And you just got to trust your gut in trusting a person. Your radar will warn you if it's the otherwise.

Anyway, it's not that I'm taking all that people said about me, and neither should you. I'm just saying that it's interesting to hear how people see you from their perspective. Sometimes new adjectives are given, making you wonder if your character/personality is really like that. But most of all, the discussion really intrigued me to write about something other than the Nuswantara trilogy and articles for Brilio. So I guess I should thank him for the time and worth discussion!

I am currently in Jakarta now since Friday night, caught the night flight back to hometown. I have planned this trip but was quite burdened to have to go but I did anyway--after being soaked wet in rain on the way for lunch at Whale & Co. that day. So long story short, I'm home. My brother also came home so we were gathered that weekend, with my sister and her husband coming the next day.

brother, Mom, in-laws, sister and me

On Saturday we had lunch together with my sister's parents-in-law at Pondok Kemangi, then had some coffee at Living World mall. It was an all-day family day and it felt really good to be together again with the people who love me. I felt the love, really. And to celebrate the lovey dovey day, we had a Black Valentine's Movie Night at CGV Blitz for Deadpool with Mom and my brother. Perfect!


The next day I went with my brother and picked up Alif, my schoolmate, on our way to Kempinski Grand Ballroom at Grand Indonesia for Jovita's wedding with Chris. This was my first reason to come home this time. It was a romantic Valentine's wedding full of pink flowers and lots of meat. LOL. Yes, that's the romantic part to have great meal on this particular day (;

Alif, Alex, Sandria, me and Natalie

I was happy to have attended this wedding because Alif is going to go to Japan for 2 years and Jovita is going to Australia with her newly-wedded husband, while Alex will be busy preparing his wedding with Sandria. This might be our last reunion (of my Jakarta schoolmates) for some time now. And in the party I had a chance to meet Natalie, another schoolmate I didn't remember. That was also a nice thing to have.


I had some business meetings on Monday and all work at home on Tuesday. But I got to visit IKEA store on Tuesday night (and this morning as well, for it is never enough to visit it for only 1-2 hours. We need at least 4--especially when you just moved in to a new home. You must be agree with me!) So basically I'm happy to have found the stuff I'm needing in Bali.

Tisa, Angelika, my aunts & Mom, me and Lauren

Andreas, Toba and me

Later today, I went to The Foundry No. 8 at SCBD with Mom. There I met my big family (aunts, cousins and girlfriends) and also my childhood friends Andre and Toba. It was Toba's band Zealspeaks' album launching with Dimas (drum) and Danny (vocal). Andre and I came to support Toba (guitarist) and also Hizkia--my cousin--for some of his paintings were displayed there.

Gilang, Samuel, David and me

I also met Dimas' friends Gilang (bassist), Samuel and David (the latter two were also supporting) so I felt more like a reunion with old friends there. I do have a lot of new friends but old friends always feel like home. I guess you know what I mean. Perhaps if you know someone long enough, although you don't get to meet them so often, they become a part of you that irreplaceable. Especially childhood friends.

the famous St. Marc Café from Japan

yummy chococro that you must try!

www.twitter.com

Oh My God! Really, I was that shocked when I read that Twitter notification I got from National Library of Australia this morning saying that my book Gateway To Nuswantara is now available in their catalog in Canberra. I'm all excited, glad, proud, happy and can't help but think "how could it be" but be so grateful for this opportunity not all Indonesian writer could get. I believe I'm not lucky but blessed! _/|\_ #thankyou #millionthanks

www.brilio.net

By the way I apologize if I haven't posted on my blog for a while. I've been writing articles for Brilio.Net (which is part of KapanLagi.com) since last week and have been working remotely from Bali (their offices are in Jakarta and Yogyakarta). I find this is really fun: doing the things I love (which is writing) in a place I love (Bali, definitely) at anytime that I can, and getting well paid for it!

I guess God has finally answered my prayer for a perfect job, and here it is--comes to me just as the new year started. I hope I can have this job for a long period because the demand is quite high, too!
So if you want to check my writings, tips and tricks, stuff about Bali--everything that comes up in my mind--just check here. Stay tuned there, guys!

me and my new friend at my other new friend's café

New Year Eve dinner with Mom at Nirvana, Seminyak

before counting down to 2016

wardrobe: LBD by Forever21, slip-on by Toms and kaftan outer by NurZahra

I thought I was going to spend my Christmas alone here in Bali because I couldn't go home and my friends here are mostly Muslim/Hindu. But last Saturday I met this girl Christine who would spend her Christmas alone, too, so we agreed to spend it together this year. I picked her up on Dec 24 afternoon for Christmas Eve mass at FX Kuta Church at 6 p.m.

Metis Restaurant with garden view

me, ready to finish my big lunch!

my lunch: roasted turkey with pork stuffing, cranberry sauce and potato gratin

me, James and Mba Liz at Metis

James, Mba Liz, me and John at Mano

Due to my book writing project of "NurZahra: A Grateful Ode to Nature and Culture" (published by Afterhours Books), I have to do a photo shoot for the author profile so I asked a photographer friend to capture me wearing the outfits from NurZahra. Rina Ng is a longtime friend of mine. We knew each other since elementary years in Bandung and she has been living in Bali for almost 8 years now. She is an interior design graduate from ITB and focusing in photography now. Check out her works here.


For this photo shoot I was wearing NurZahra's indigo shibori chiffon kaftan outer and the matching NurZahra's indigo shibori chiffon shawl. The white sansan singlet and white viscose pants are from Nyaman Boutique, Bali. Photo location is at Ramada Encore, Seminyak.
Visit Rina's other works also here.

Sometimes you have money, but sometimes you must live on budget. Still, eating is a must and finding great food in budget has its own glory. Here I list the food under IDR 20k (the food alone) but taste great that you'll crave for more.

1. Warung Roti Canai & Teh Tarik Bunana

you can see how they make the roti canai and teh tarik from behind the glass

Been my favorite since 2012, the small parlor from Jl. Raya Kerobokan is now moved to Jl. Sunset Road for a bigger and easier to find location. My all-time favorite is the Roti Egg Keju (egg and cheese bread) with iced Teh Tarik (Malaysian thé au lait or milk tea). The small portion of roti canai is around IDR 11,000-13,000 and for the large one is IDR 17,000-20,000. It's really worth the money, isn't it?

the roti canai comes with curry soup

They have some branches all over Badung regency in Bali:
- Jl. Sunset Road No.28, Kerobokan; across from KZU near T-junction with Jl. Raya Kerobokan.
- Jl. Danau Poso No. 1, Sanur; just at the T-junction with Bypass Ngurah Rai.
- Jl. Uluwatu 2 No. 32x, Jimbaran.


2. Warung Bali (Ibu Ketut Nari)

food display

For lawar and Balinese rice lover, this one shouldn't be missed. The betutu chicken, corn, lawar (some Balinese-style vegetables with beansprout and coconut), pork and satay--the taste of Bali in a very affordable price. It is only for IDR 15,000 and you'll get this 'nasi campur' (a little of everything in one dish with steamed white rice) to make your tummy happy. They also have ayam betutu (chicken cooked in betutu style) and other food by request.

the Balinese 'nasi campur'

 
A very humble place right across the Kerobokan Traditional Market, Jl. Tangkuban Perahu (50m from Lio Square), this one is surely not to be missed (when you're on budget).


3. Warung Sate Madura Pak Ayex

chicken satay and lontong with gulai (curry) soup

It is not really easy to find a nice Sate Madura, with options for chicken or lamb, with rice or lontong (rice cake). But for a portion of 10 pcs of chicken satay with 1 lontong, it will cost you only IDR 12,000--the lamb curry is Rp 10,000 and the lamb satay is only IDR 17,000. The portion is indeed small but for people on diet like me, it's just perfect.

This simple parlor is located at Jl. Tangkubang Perahu, across of the east corner of Kerobokan jail, right at the intersection of Jl. Pengubengan Kauh, and open from 10 a.m. till 11 p.m. Call them at +6287 861 161 033.


4. Kedai Mie Cici

yamien manis ayam pangsit (sweet noodle with chicken and wonton)

If you love yamien (Bandung-style noodle) and can't find a good one anywhere in Bali, go to Kedai Mie Cici. Either sweet or savory noodle, they have a great taste for this and especially great wonton (that filled with lotsss of chicken meat inside) for only IDR 20,000. If you don't like noodle, they also have this batagor (baso tahu goreng or fried fish cake-and-tofu) or banana fritters.

batagor kuah (soup of fried fish cake and tofu)

This small parlor is open from 11 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. from Sunday to Friday, at Jl. Beraban No. 66, Banjar Taman, Kerobokan. Their phone number is +62 878-2355-6065 if you need.


5. Buka Baju (Gubuk Makan Bakso Keju)

bakso kuah campur (7pcs)

If you would like to try something a little different, this one can be an option. They have this bakso (beef or chicken meatballs) with cheese inside that makes it unique. But my recommendation goes to bakso keju, bakso goreng and siomay. The others are quite standard, but everything is under 20k. I haven't tried the grilled meatballs tho. Well, perhaps on my next visit (;


This one is located at Jl. Tangkuban Perahu, on the east of Jl. Gunung Salak intersection. Call them at +6281 2330 8668.