Poststick

Finally it is the poststick. A few things to share from this whole trip in Yogyakarta.

1. If you intend to get a local SIM card for your trip, please remember to register your phone IMEI at the port of entry or if not you will face the same problem as me. Of course, some would recommend Smartfriend SIM card. This is a possibility, but probably due to my stay, I was not able to use Smartfriend at all. Best and easiest is to register your phone IMEI at the port of entry.
2. Language command of the local is relatively weak in terms of English. So expect to end up using Google Translate to speak to the local or abit of Indonesian. Even in Yogyakarta, the people there not many speak English.
3. To go from Yogyakarta International Airport to the city centre, there is many taxis available at the departure quoting prices about 100000+ based on memory. But there is a train which runs between the city centre and the airport which cost about 20,000 per pax and is quicker about 40 minutes. Do book in advance, tickets available only three days in advance. So please book or you would be disappointed when the ticket is sold out. Of course, there is a quicker one which skips Wates but is 50,000. To buy ticket and view schedule: https://www.railink.co.id It was still cheaper overall if you take Gojek from the train station to your location.
4. Lastly, there is public transport in the city centre, but please use at your own risk as there is limited information online like the price and also where does it stop. Please use after you have researched and know where each bus stop.

Day 5: Yogyakarta City

As everyone who is a tourist, I decided to visit the three to visit tourist attractions or tourist traps. Borobudur Temple, Mt Merapi and Prambanan Temple.

I got a private driver to drive me to those three places without tickets included. After almost 2 hour of driving, I reached Borobudur Temple which is a Buddhist temple built in about 1000 AD but abandoned due to volcano eruption. What is left is restored to what we see today. The temple is built with Buddhist’s ideology in it, and thus the lower tier is when the people still living in this corrupted world and thus carving depicted those reality. And the highest is Nirvana, thus there is many Steph to signify those meaning. Yet the vantage point is Dagi Hill which overlooks the temple from a distance and really nice to take photo of it albeit small. Surprisingly enough they also had some animals’ enclosure too if buildings are not your thing. But as I had in the city, I got lost trying to figure out where is where since the sign posts are not very clear on where to go. Before exiting, there is a museum to describe the conservation effort and at the exit is the start of tourist trap where there is market set up to sell wares which repeat from store to store and it is super long to go through the whole thing so be warn cause they will literally prey on you and sell things in your face. Alternative is to do the temple climb, but there is really limited slot and you need to book it the day before. After which I took the car to Mt Merapi.

Mt Merapi, I am not sure how other people do it, but most of the time, it is really a jeep tour where you can decide how long you want to go and what you want to see. I went on the short one which is about 400,000 to go up and last less than 1 hour. The one I went does not accept card so prepare cash. But other than that, the tour brought me to see a museum converted from a house that was burnt down from a volcano eruption and thus showing what was left from the eruption, time stopped, things burnt and even animal carcasses. From there it was upwards to alien rock where from an angle it looks like a person with face. And on a clear day, you could see Mt Merapi there too. Be warn too it will get colder also, especially for myself as I went up on a rainy day. Afterwhich, it was all the way up to the bunker where people died from inside as the volcano protected the survivor from ashes but not from lava. There were lit cigarettes probably in memory of the two people who died. From there it was a downhill back to the start. There is many different tour agency and many things so decide what you want to do and what you want to see. Highlight is to go through a river by jeep.

Lunch was meh, but the driver just brought me there. From there it was to the last spot, Prambanan Temple. Pramabanan Temple is a nice place to just walk and explore and if you are Hindu, you can visit all the shrines which worship the main god of Hinduism. Saw some skipped many since they were about the same in terms of set up. Spent the rest of the time to up North to visit the other temples which are believed to be Buddhist from the Steph. So you can spend some time at Prambanan but leave more time to visit the others especially Cardi Sewu which is the largest site and still ongoing rebuilding and there is equivalent legend about it. Like Borobudur, it has also an animal enclosure where you are allowed to feed the animal too. Then it was museum and into the tourist trap again. But the difference is that it was not snaky like Borobudur but a straight line from one end to another. Then I am out and back to my AirBnB where I checked out and move to another temporary residence.

At night went out to walk to get dinner, visit Lawson but relatively void and tried Mixue before heading back to rest for the night. As I would be flying early the next day.

If you need a driver for a whole day, he charges 750,000 for the whole day for the whole car. He is Wedha, +62 878-3603-2969. He also does phototaking too. You can try negotiate too. Nice person to chat to as he has good command of English and able to share much historical information about the different places. He is very prompt to reply and also on time to pick up. Do consider him. But you can suggest where you want to go.

Day 4: Kebumen City to Yogyakarta City

Coming to an end to the journey at Kebumen City, we travelled to Yogyakarta International Airport to part ways there. Will speak more about the train later on but was at the airport at about 10am and could not get myself on the train till 1pm so stayed at the airport to about 1pm before travelling to the city centre.

Train ride took about 40 minutes and reaching to the Yogyakarta train station. Coming out of the train, it was just jam packed with people, and there were many also waiting around the area to drive you via motor to your next location. As I had no data, I decided to take the long walk over to my AirBnB. Little did I expect that it was about 1 hour of walking and because the location on the map provided by AirBnB was not very clear since it was not exact address but thankfully one of the local found the place through a part of the name of the place and finally settle down. Will speak more about this AirBnB later on. After settling some administrative stuff, decided to go on city tour and thankfully she has a bicycle that I could borrow. It was really YOLO as I did not know where I was going to or what am I going to see. Without the bicycle mount for the phone, it was really difficult, navigating and finding places of interest so went in the wrong direction a few times.

Anyway in general, the city is definitely stuck historically, with many of older buildings that is dated and not much high rise building. I will cover where is a possible place to shop or at least tourist area. Leaving my AirBnB, the first stop was Taman Sari. But before that, rode under Plengkung Gading and reached the Alun-Alun Kidul Yogyakarta which is like a very big square of grass and all around there are either pushcart that sells food or activity that can be done like painting. Going to Taman Sari, as it was late, could only see the external of the building before turning to see the street art which is simple but full of their cultural belief. From there, turn and got a lost a fair bit before reaching the Yogyakarta palace. Probably due to my lack of research, did not manage to go in to the palace, only took a picture from the northern square. My guide explain a fair bit on how the palace was built, which was to abide by the four elements of the Chinese culture. Fire was due to Mt Merapi, Water was due to a beach, air is due to the structure, how it allows for natural ventilation and earth if I am not wrong is on the ground it is. The Northern Square is purposely without grass but sand that is mixed from the volcano and beach (please fact check above as my memory is vague). Yogyakarta is the last city to still have a sultan and thus there is no Chief Minister like other cities.

From the Northern Square, turn upwards to see a globe like Universal Studio and you will be on your way to Jln Malioboro which is the tourist street and where the hustle bustle really begins. Once you moved past the Post Office or the monument you will be in Jln Malioboro. There will be many shops, night market and even shopping centres. There will be many food options available too. Of course along that way you would see Gedung Agung Yogyakarta which is the President’s palace which is quite grand. Spend time there but it could be quite squeezy and things can be quite repetitive be it clothes or shop. But a good place to just experience tourist and local just congregating in the same place.

As there was too many people, I had to push most of my time. After settling my dinner and seeing Jln Maloboro, I decided that it was a good time to head back home where I was caught in a traffic jam. So had to ride defensively and also steer clear of vehicle since they do not necessarily look out for you. That marks the end of the day. Will just let the rest of the photo be my memory and recollection of what I saw and experienced.

Day 3: Kebumen City

Still in Kebumen, we followed the local suggestion to go to a near by beach at Pandai Happy Ayam Putih. Interesting name. Overall it is a nice place to visit with nice scenery and also nice wind. Many IG worthy places especially the swing Pandai Happy. But please do not go into swim there, the waves is super high and could be quite dangerous for many. But journey in is quite deep, had to walked a long way in along the plantation before reaching the beach. Will share more on this too in the post-stick. There are many food options at the beach, many beach side dining options but the food is more or less the same.

Lunch at a road side call Bakso Rusuk was a refreshing experiencing, eat bakso and mie ayam or chicken noodle. Lunch was very well prepared and taste was good especially the chicken that was so flavourful.

From the beach, we went back before going towards Bukit Hud, a new touristy place with a nice view of Karabolong. Ticket was 20,000. The options available is either going by the car to go to a spot then walk abit to the top or can walk all the way but I have yet to try this. The car stopping area is still being built up properly. Slowly there is quite a few thing that can be done like walk out on a glass platform or a merry go round on the cliff. Will look forward to the new updated one soon. Overall, at the top is nice scenic place to enjoy the view of Karabolong where there is alot of people there with many taking photos. There is a playground too near the car stopping area also with many similar one so do not need to fight with people for it.

From there we head to Mang Engking for dinner which serves seafood. Options were either eating at the main restaurant or on a platform that is surrounded by the pond where many kois are available. If there is too much rice, you can feed the fish with it. But the food is quite nice especially the seafood is prepared fresh.

Last day of Kebumen and now heading to the city area to explore for 2 more days.

Day 2: Kebumen City

Went from our residence to Rahayu River Tubing. Initially we scheduled for 10am at the river but reached at 12pm due to delay and also lost. But overall the organised had been kind to wait for us to start and not like Singapore or other places, threaten to cancel our booking because we are late.

We were being provided lunch at the tubing, It was Fried Tilipia with Rice before starting the journey. Will post more of the photos when I receive from the instructor. Basic safety briefing was being conducted and a short prayer also for safety. The whole trip, the instructor help to navigate us through the different courses and they also help to take many photos through the process. But there was a point where we had the chance to to jump off the rock. It was high but not very scary depending on your tolerance level. The guide will teach you how to jump like which direction and they will standby to rescue if needed especially at one place where the water is faster. Will let the photo do the talking. But the instructor also held on to some of us especially in places where the water is faster so that we do not fall off. It was fun and a well worth it experience. For 9 SGD, we could have the whole course and food and snacks provided. https://www.instagram.com/rahayurivertubing/ is their internet. Message the number provided to reserve.

Moving from there we went to Kebumen city and had shopping. The local brought us to their local shop where the price is relatively cheap which has a lot of discount being given too. Shop for a lot before going for dinner at Bakso Aan. According to another local, that Bakso is one of the nicest in the area, others include Bakso Urip which is more rave. They had many different options available so take a while to choose, from normal Bakso to bakso with egg where they wrapped the egg in meatball to bakso with dumpling. Quite a nice food outlet to eat and to enjoy and not many people overall.

Day 1: Sin to YIA to Kebumen City

Writing this blog again, mainly to record where I went for my most recent Yogykarta trip that I went on quite last minute. But also to record some touristy places in Kebumen City because information online is limited. Lastly also to record my walk in Yogykarta city.

Taking a plane from Singapore, I landed in the new Yogykarta airport, I will talk more in my day 4 blog on transport to the city centre. My friend pick us up and went towards Kebumen City for lunch and our stay for the next few days. The airport is super huge, not sure why they made it so big but be prepared to walk alot from the gate to the immigration. Now arrival passenger have to fill up digital custom declaration which you must be prepared to do when you are in the airport. Use the wifi and then scan the qr code available. After that the custom officer will scan the qr code and you are done. There is no SIM card available for purchase in the airport, must go towards the city to do so. Will talk more in my post-stick on some things to take note with regards to getting a local number in Indonesia to be used.

Lunch was at Sate Ayam Ambal Pak Tino Kebumen here they sell mainly satay but of course they had other food available too. A nice and relax place with very big space to make it a very relax place to have food except of course the issue of flies which come as free during the meal but this won’t be the last time to see flies. We tried their Chicken Satay and their Mutton Satay. They Mutton Satay was not like the normal satay we tried in Singapore, it is being soaked in a sauce that has chilli instead of dipping into peanut sauce. For 5 people, it was about 30+ Singapore dollar which is not too expensive for us. Went on to get fruits and SIM card that the local brought us before heading back. Ended the day back in the room as it was so dark outside.

Laos Poststick

Putting in my final post on Laos as conclusion which is 2 months due.

The transport between cities is definitely trustable although on the bus you will feel that you will crash in an oncoming vehicle. Personal recommendation is to take the overnight buses so that you can save the money on accommodation if you intend to go between Luang Prabang and Vientiane or Huay Xai to Luang Prabang as the timing is sufficient for a night sleep. But of course the bus is not ideal for sleep if you are not used to sleeping on anything except on mattress. I have spoken my experience of the bus. The problem is that from the bus station to the city definitely need tuktuk or city to bus station and for Luang Prabang is definitely not an easy feat as there are many bus stations. If you trust the tuktuk enough then just take them to go to city.

Money is definitely a problem. However, it works the same as Cambodia. You can either use USD or Kip. However, the market rate for kip to USD is 8000 I think but like Cambodia, those more prominent shops will use market rate to convert. But just bring USD to Laos and change it to Kip as there are little place which change Kip even in Singapore. Change more and you will get a better rate.

Of course, the middleman will definitely will try to earn abit of money from you especially buying the bus ticket. If you know where to buy then buy yourself if not just give abit more no choice as information is limited online and that you cannot buy it online. I tried to post the information I have as much as possible. However, I believed that the tuktuk will know which bus station if you tell them your destination. Yet, buying at the bus station may run the risk of not having a place like from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang.

Lastly, Thailand to Laos is a definitely ideal to plan to travel both side. I cover the Laos side which has taken a bit of time since someone posted new information of border crossing from Chiang Khong to Huay Xai leading to Luang Prabang and Vientiane via the use of bus. Of course I did not share much on the boat ride which is nicer if you have time to spare to see scenery based on much review.

A wild trip with limited planning beforehand as time was limited to sit down and think so relatively spontaneous trip. The fixed we have decided before hand how many days in Luang Prabang and Vientiane but the content is decided on the spot. So yes if you have no plan just take a bike and cycle and see what you past by. Thats all! To my next trip!

Vientiane Poststick

Vientiane is a place that is developed city meaning that traffic is a problem along with sights to be seen.

Traffic is relatively heavy which makes it hard to cross the road to the other side especially riding through the roundabout and is a very common sight in Vientiane. As we knows roundabout means riding around the roundabout meaning that having the courage to enter the roundabout and leaving at the right time. But it was quite scary at times as the car are going fast and they do not give way to us to enter and there is no other means to go out. So is either you grit yourself to go through it and pray the car are nice to you or go straight and end up further into the road but less cars.

There is limited things to see in Vientiane, and the point to point is very far away. Furthermore, the maps need alot of updating.

But the good thing is that there is a bus that is being set up which goes about the city and the airport. Have yet to try it but it seems like a good process especially the place it goes. But based on the route, it just go about the road parallel to Mekong River, 2nd and 3rd road from Mekong River and further would be a challenge. But from aiport to the city is a consideration.

Day 5: Vientiane-Singapore

Waking up, walking towards Cafe Sinouk for breakfast. Because it is a day to return, we are limited to go places.

We decided to go to morning market which is at Talat Sao Shopping Mall. Tuk Tuk wanted to charge us more for the ride. But with information from my hotel, I manage to push the price downwards.

Morning Market is just a disappointment, nothing much there at least not the morning market we expected. Electronics, clothings and just nothing much elses. Food was just a small corner.

Going from Talat So back to hotel before going towards the airport to leave for Singapore.

Change your Kip to USD before entering the departure hall as there is no money changer after departure hall. Furthermore the only food available is cafe. Abit of disappointment.

This marks the end of my Laos trip.

No photos oops.

Day 4: Vientiane

Reaching to Vientiane via night bus, we were sleeping in individual cockpit or at least cockpit for the leg with minimal wiggle space if you bring alot on the bus. The bus has light on the aisle beds when on is yellow light. So if you eat the fried rice, you feel like you are eating white fried rice with unknown items inside. Other than which is just sleep all the way.

At Vientiane bus station, the same scenario occurs again, Tuktuk gathers around you to take you to the next destination. The price for us was 50,000kip for 3 person. Then we just took the Tuktuk to our hotel which was so easily miss cause there was no proper signs. Reaching our hotel, we rest abit before hunting for breakfast while waiting for the bicycle rental company to be open. Circling opposite our hotel, we found many cafes and minimal traditional Laos breakfast, so implication is that it is mainly for tourist. We settle for breakfast at a Cafe. From there we walked back to the bicycle rental shop at 10,000kip per bike for a day but you need to hold your ID with them. Definitely a point of concern because how can you leave your ID or passport or drivers license with the company especially foreign country. So Thank God I got an ID which was used during my army days and technically it is not valid for use in Singapore.

From the bicycle shop we headed off to our first stop which was to visit a local church, Nakham Church and it seems like forever the ride to the church. And we made it to the church and met with some pastors there as they had their Meeting. Of course the church is not at the city centre but slightly peripheral place. So from there we need to cycle to more city centre for other scenery. But the ride was killing us and the sun was terrible. So we took two stops along the way to National Museum.

Sadly the National Museum was moved from the original place and the building was totally deserted. Opposite the National Museum was the Cultural Centre which was equally deserted but the impression gotten is that there are activities there. From there we cut to the back door and continue cycling and rested at Nam Phou Garden which was essentially a beer area at night. From there we continue cycling straight to visit the Presidential Palace where we took photo of the Palace with the gate and stick the phone to catch one without the gate.

Moving on from the Palace we head towards the Victory Monument, but stop turn right after we cross the road to visit Sisaket temple before going towards the Victory Monument and at halfway mark where the Vietnamese Restaurant is before turning right and more right to That Tham which is just a monument in the middle of nowhere used as a roundabout. Going back to the Vietnamese Restaurant, we had lunch. The food is good but sadly the staff is really limited like one staff that deals with ordering and payment.

Moving from the Vietnamese Restaurant we went straight down where traditional shops could be seen on the right while modern shops or shopping more are more prominent on the left. So going straight for a long time before reaching National Rehabilitation Centre which can be easily gone past without realising COPE Visitor Centre is in there too. Parking the bicycle outside, we walked inside because parking bicycle indoor need to pay. Walking to COPE Visitor Centre, you would be greeted with their gift shop which you can buy and donate for their work.

Background to COPE is that post war, there were many bombs that were not exploded which is on the ground hidden. As a result, people going on their daily living subsequently end up detonate the bomb causing their limbs to be lost due to the explosion. So the work is to help the people get prosthetic limbs or wheelchairs to go back into their daily living. What happens is that many people end up making their own prosthetic limbs which is not ideal. But of course, now the work has slight expanded from just those then. So the exhibition started from the background of the bomb to why people approach those bomb to showing the prosthetic limbs that are built by the victims and those that were used by the organisation and showing their work. Of course ending with success story. You can also try their wheel chair outside to see how it feels to go about which is meant for long distance travelling.

Going through some roads and alleys, we end up back to Victory Monument. Will cover on Poststick the pain of cycling in Vientiane and that will explain why there is such an incident.

Reaching Victory Monument is just tiring with the ride. Rested a bit. Without climbing up, walking aroud the garden can see a monument which is a mark of China’s gift to Laos. Climbing up, it is surprising to see shops placed inside the monument to sell to tourists, all kind of souvenirs. Total climb is about 7 story? But the nicer scenery is at the roof and not up the tip which must climb a very narrow stairs and seeing scenery through windows.

Coming back we head towards the direction of UXO where we stopped halfway to have a break and chill. UXO we went was closed which we didnt have information beforehand, but thank God the staff saw us outside and willing to let us in to visit. It is relatively new so some maps and books has no mentioned of it. But concept wise is about the same as COPE. UXO means Unexploded Ordinances as mentioned in COPE they are the bombs which was not exploded during the war when they dropped. So UXO job is to clear the bomb in the places.

Moving from UXO, we head back to Victory Monument, going down towards Presidential Palace before turning left towards the road parallel to Mekong River before turning towards Mekong River Park. We did a small climb upwards to see the sunset before visiting Mekong River Night Market. Mostly if not all is clothings or other souvenir. But it is relatively long, cannot walk finish. We turn out halfway back to our hotel to return our bicycle and hunt for dinner. We at a stall beside Big C mini, food was good.

Then it is goodnight

The bus to Vientiane which looks better at least is individual bedding

Nakham Church

Namphou Park Monument

Presidential Palace without the gate

Opposite the Presidential Palace can spot Victory Monument

Didnt photograph at COPE, so fastforward to Victory Monument

Gift by China to Laos

Shops at the floor of the Victory Monument

View from Victory Monument, less fantastic than Luang Prabang, will talk more at my last last Poststick

UXO exhibition showing the work

Statistics on the bomb in Laos. *Palms together and pray*

Sunset at Mekong River Park