This is my second attempt at writing a blog post. I had the opportunity to travel earlier this year, and some of the details may have faded from memory. The information may not be entirely accurate, but I hope you enjoy the atmosphere and stories I share. Please forgive any errors.
- The story begins with a round-trip flight booking from Don Mueang to Penang, made a long time ago.
-Driven by a love for extended stays outdoors, "I quit my job to create my own Long Holiday."
- From Don Mueang to Penang (we threw away the return ticket), so we went on a whim from Penang to Surabaya, Surabaya to Bali, and Bali to Don Mueang.
- Departure: January 23 - February 9, 2016. Our trip is a casual one, not aiming to visit every place or gather in-depth information. We'll decide what to do on the spot, haha.
I enjoy taking photos, but I get tired of taking out my camera. I prefer to relax and soak in the atmosphere, observing the locals. I carry an A4 drawing board with me.
Drawing paper, let's go!
- Due to our limited language proficiency, we printed everything, including booking confirmations, flight information, maps, and even saved essential vocabulary on our phones.
3 days in Penang
There are several ways to travel to Penang, Malaysia.
- Traveled by airplane (we used this method for this trip).
- Travel by train from Hua Lamphong Station - Butterworth, change trains at Padang Besar, and take a ferry across to Penang (we use this method for travel
Second trip to Penang.
- Travel to Hat Yai by van (we haven't used this method yet, but many reviewers have provided detailed information, so you can try searching for it). We have taken a van from Penang to Hat Yai before. You can find them at shops with signs, hotels, or money exchange shops.
Exchange money
We exchanged money in Thailand. The exchange rate at that time was 1 RM = 8.700.
SIM
We only stayed for 3 days and didn't buy anything (just looking around). However, if anyone is interested in KOMTAR, it is available for purchase.
Our accommodation is booked on booking.com with payment upon arrival.
Boarding a bus here:
- Enter through the front door.
- Tell the driver your destination.
- They will announce the fare.
- Pay with exact change, as they do not provide change.
- It's helpful to have a map and point to your destination.
- The driver will calculate the fare.
- Inform the driver when you reach your destination.
- Exit through the rear door.
Bus ticket appearance
Notes:
- The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.
- I have preserved the original HTML structure.
- I have not attempted to answer any questions or evaluate any tasks from the input text, as instructed.
- I have translated the text to the best of my ability, aiming for the same quality as a local speaker.
- Upon arrival at the airport, simply walk out of the terminal. You will find a bus stop in front of the airport. You can hail a bus there, which is an easy way to get around.
The first night, I booked a stay at Qube. To get there, I took bus number 102, which goes directly to the hotel. I wasn't sure which bus to take, so I asked the staff. I figured most people would get off at Komtar, as it's the central hub for connecting to different places. Since I was being cheap and didn't buy a SIM card, I had no idea where the hotel was or how long it would take to get there. I also couldn't remember what I told the bus driver when I got on. Before leaving Thailand, I took a screenshot of the map on my phone, starting from Komtar. It was easy to follow. I also looked at the hotel's pictures on Booking.com, so I knew what it looked like. After a while, I saw the hotel! I shouted, "That's my hotel!" and got off at the next stop, walking back to it.
One night's stay here costs 49 RM, which is equivalent to 381 Thai baht. This is the most extravagant hostel I've ever stayed in. It has a TV, games, movies, and internet access. The remote control functions as a mouse (I'm so out of touch, I used it like a regular mouse and almost dropped it). There are reading lights, vanity lights, a locking door, a safe, a keycard locker, and toiletries with slippers. I'm not going anywhere; I'm going to stay here and enjoy myself. After a quick nap, I'll explore the area. The accommodation is conveniently located near the beach, market, and shopping mall.
Interior of the sleeping compartment
The surrounding area of the accommodation offers a variety of amenities. To the right, guests will find the beach, while to the left, a shopping mall and a night market are within walking distance.
Morning: Checked out, walked downstairs to return the shower equipment, chatted with the receptionist, took a picture. They kindly gave me a pack of rice as provisions. What kind of rice is this? It's delicious again! I swear! I eat everything and it's all delicious, what kind of crazy person am I? I finished it all, but I'm still not full, so I left my luggage and went to eat at the McDonald's near the accommodation.
After returning to the hotel to drop off our luggage, we walked out to wait for the bus near the hotel. We jumped on the 101 bus, remembering to show the hotel map. We paid the fare but must have forgotten a step. Tell me when we arrive! We sat comfortably for a long time, enjoying the air conditioning and the scenery. We got lost, of course. We rode until the end of the line. What to do now? We walked to ask again. Our English wasn't very good, so the driver called a Chinese woman to help us communicate. "I'm Thai," I said. This happens every time. We changed buses and showed the map again, this time following the steps. I remembered the phrase "Tell me when we arrive" from home. This time, I didn't miss it and stood behind the driver. The driver called for us to get off and explained something, which I didn't understand. I saw his hand pointing to the right and heard one word clearly: "cat." We got off the bus and walked to the right, asking people nearby about the name of our hotel's alley. They didn't know, so we walked further and saw a bus stop sign with "Cat" on it. We waited for a while, and the bus arrived. We showed the map and followed the steps. It was a free cat bus! The driver explained something again, and I pretended to understand. Finally, we arrived. We walked and looked up. There it was! We found the alley to our accommodation (my heart was pounding like a drum). We stayed at The 80's Guesthouse, a hostel, for two nights. The price was 70 RM, which is 544 Thai baht. We had printed our booking confirmation, so we didn't need to say much. We just handed it to them. You can travel even if you don't speak the language! Today, we walked around and explored the city. We walked until we were confused and lost. I'm forgetful and prone to getting lost.
The person pronounced "Love Lane," which we named LOVE LANE, a land of wonders. During the day, this alleyway appears peaceful, but at night, the lights, sounds, and colors come alive. There are pubs and bars that are inviting to sit in.
Thank you for the accommodation pictures from Booking.com.
This map only shows the drawing. There is another map that shows the wire work.
Today, January 25th, I set off on a new adventure. I asked for a map from the hostel to see where everyone goes. Let me know your walking plan! I love walking, even if it means my feet are sore. We went to see some paintings, and it was a great way to experience art. Having a map of life makes things so much easier. (I should have asked for a map at the airport.)
English:
We strolled until we stumbled upon an event. Taking turns carrying each other, we witnessed musicians performing, captivating the attention of numerous tourists.
The artist has created numerous ironwork pieces, too many to display here. Some of these works are available as postcards, while others are not included on the map. Sadly, some pieces have even disappeared from the walls.
The final painting was heavily inspired by Penang.
4 Days with a Local Guide in Indonesia
On the morning of January 26th, 2016, after checking out of our hotel, we walked to the bus stop to catch a ride to the airport. We were flying to Surabaya with AirAsia. We were seated at the back of the plane, and when we arrived at our seats, we found a woman already sitting in our spot. She didn't seem very friendly. She moved over for us, and after a moment of silence, she started a conversation. She asked us where we were going and what we were doing. We told her we were going to Mount Bromo. She said it would be cold and asked if we had brought jackets. We told her we had, and she laughed. She said it would definitely be cold and that our jackets wouldn't be enough. She said no one had told her it would be cold. Then she started teaching us some basic Indonesian, including the alphabet, numbers 1-10, introductions, and some essential phrases. We exchanged numbers and addresses and talked until we arrived in Surabaya. We said goodbye at the airport. She really likes to talk (she recently messaged me on WhatsApp out of the blue, which surprised me, and invited me to visit her again). If we hadn't already scheduled a guide for that day, we would have taken a car to Malang with her. Was that a close call or what?
No problem, here is the translation:
***Entering immigration was a breeze. No forms to fill out, just a few quick questions about the purpose of your visit and the length of your stay.
Note: The original text provided was empty, so the translation is also empty.
A short language class to see how serious it is. Not just one page, but three pages. Writing a book on a plane is not easy (don't blame my bad handwriting, blame the shaking plane). Write your name, address, and virtual phone number clearly and in detail.
This passage describes a trip to Indonesia, where the author booked a tour guide named Andrew through email before arriving in the country. The author recommends Andrew's services due to their competitive pricing, especially for solo travelers. The tour cost 2,900,000 IDR (a special price obtained after negotiation). The author emphasizes the convenience of having a guide, especially considering language barriers and the risk of being scammed. The passage concludes by mentioning the itinerary provided by the guide.
Day 1: January 26th
19:00 PM airport pickup.
19:30 PM: Depart for Ijen.
9:00 p.m. Dinner
11:00 PM Road to Ijen
Day 2: January 27th
05:00 AM: Sunrise observation from Position 2.
7:00 AM: Visit the Hot Spring Waterfall
09:00 AM Check in at Catimor Homestay, a place to rest.
11:00 AM: Embark on a sightseeing tour of the surrounding coffee plantation.
4:00 PM: Return to hotel for rest.
Day 3: January 28th
2:00 AM Ijen Tour for Blue Fire, Crater, and Sunrise
09:00 AM: Conclude Ijen tour and proceed to Bromo.
14:00 Arrival at Cemara Indah Hotel, Bromo.
4:00pm Sightseeing at SurWaterfall.
7:00 PM Return to the hotel for a rest.
January 29th (Day 4)
03:00 AM: Transfer by jeep to Mount Bromo for sunrise viewing at Penanjakan 1, the Crater, and the Savanna.
10:00 AM: Conclude Bromo tour and return to hotel.
11:30 AM: Check out and proceed to Madakaripura Waterfall.
1:00 PM Arrival at the Waterfall
15:00 Depart from Waterfall, proceed to Surabaya.
6:00 PM Check in at Krowi In.
19:00 Surabaya City Tour
21:00 - Return to Krowi In, a rest stop.
Day 5: January 30th
8:00 AM: Check out and proceed to the airport.
10:00 AM: Arrive at the airport and check in.
January 27, 2016
The journey began at 9:30 PM in Surabaya. Upon exiting the airport, we were greeted by a guide holding a small paper sign with our name misspelled. After introductions, we embarked on a journey to Kawah Ijen. We stopped at a supermarket for snacks and used the restroom (which surprisingly required payment at the gas station). On the bus, I proudly announced that I had made a friend on the plane and even showed off my ability to count from 1 to 10 in Indonesian. The guide kept us entertained with stories to avoid silence during the night drive. After some snacks and conversation, we drifted off to sleep. At one point, we found ourselves surrounded by dense darkness, sparking a moment of fear that we were being led to our demise. However, exhaustion ultimately won over fear, and we continued sleeping. We were eventually awakened to watch the sunrise, but unfortunately, clouds obscured the view. We then arrived at our accommodation, Catimor Homestay, where the cold temperature was immediately noticeable. We watched a drama with the staff while I took notes and sipped on lukewarm coffee (waiting for the grounds to settle). After exploring the surroundings and having dinner, we learned that we would need to leave the accommodation at 1 AM the next day to visit Ijen and witness the blue fire, crater, and sunrise, as planned.
Before entering the hotel, I visited the Hot Spring Waterfall. The water flow was minimal.
The area surrounding the hotel.
January 28, 2016
Knock knock, the guide woke me up on time. I jumped into the car with a lunch box, bread, and boiled eggs. When we arrived at the starting point, the guide handed me over to another guide. I was cold and tired even before I started walking. I also forgot to bring water. I dragged the guide along, "Take me up! Pull me! Drag me!" It was cold and dark. The guide had a flashlight and a mask. We walked and rested, but we finally made it.
The way up was dark, but this is the view on the way back. Seeing the view makes the fatigue disappear. Really?
Corridor view
My legs are already wobbly from walking this far.
Oh, Bluefire, you're so small, but you produce so much smoke. It's hard to breathe, and you just keep spewing it out.
Dawn has broken.
From the Bromo volcano, we continued on, enjoying the beautiful scenery and fresh air. We stayed at the Cemara Indah Hotel near the volcano, which was still erupting powerfully when we visited. We were not allowed to approach, but could only watch from afar. At night, the windows and doors shook with each eruption. In the evening, we walked to a nearby restaurant for dinner. It was a small, unassuming place selling food and groceries, where everyone gathered to escape the cold, chat, and sip tea or coffee by the fire. I loved the atmosphere of this place. The next day, we had to leave the hotel at 4 am to watch the sunrise (the hotel rents out warm clothes, which we did, as it was indeed very cold when we went to see the sunrise).
Look at the cool sky at Bromo tonight.
January 29, 2016
At 4 a.m., the jeep driver knocked on the door of the room. We had to walk again to see the sunrise. However, if anyone was tired, there were horses available to ride up. I don't remember the price anymore.
After breakfast at the accommodation, we packed our belongings and took one last photo before departing.
Next, we headed to Madakaripura Waterfall. Be sure to bring a raincoat, as you'll definitely get wet on the hike in. Thankfully, our guide advised us to bring one. If you don't have one, you can buy one there. We changed into our rain gear and followed our guide into the falls. The waterfall was beautiful. On the way out, our guide seemed to be asking for a tip, but we didn't have much money, so we didn't give him one. We saw our guide pay him, though.
After that, we returned to Surabaya city and stayed at Krowi In, a clean and comfortable hostel. We were the only ones in the room on January 30, 2016.
11 days in Bali
Today, we flew to Bali on Lion Air, which was delayed several times. We received snacks as compensation for the delays. The airport announcements were in Indonesian, so we had to ask people around us for translations. The flight was originally scheduled for 1:30 PM, then 1:50 PM, and finally 3:50 PM. We arrived at Denpasar Airport around 6:00 PM. Bali is one hour ahead of Thailand. After exiting the airport, we sat down to gather our bearings and then walked to the taxi counter. We were quoted 400,000 IDR for a ride to Ubud, but we declined and walked away. We had read online that the fare should be around 200,000 IDR. A man approached us and offered a price of 350,000 IDR, which we also declined. We told him that we had been to Ubud before and that the fare was 200,000 IDR (although this was not true). Another man approached us and offered a price of 250,000 IDR. It was starting to get dark, and we were getting a little nervous. We continued to decline all offers. Everyone seemed to be shaking their heads at us. Finally, a man called us over to his car, and we followed him. We asked him again if the fare was 200,000 IDR, and he agreed. We were relieved. We stayed at Nani House 2 for four nights. The accommodation was clean and comfortable, with a fan and an on-site spa. We then moved to Duana's Homestay for four nights before returning to Kuta to stay at Bread and Jam Hostel for two nights (we liked this hostel, but it was difficult to access due to the narrow alleyway). We returned home on the 9th.
The exchange rate at the time of our purchase was 0.0027 IDR.
Transportation Options in Bali:
There are several ways to get around Bali, including:
- Renting a motorbike is probably the most cost-effective option.
- Local guides may be expensive, and I think they are not suitable for those of us with limited budgets.
- One-day tour packages are available with hotel pick-up. Choose from 10-11 options with prices listed.
When purchasing, a detailed invoice will be provided.
- We choose to walk this way. Haha, love walking.
What to do in Bali?
- Enjoy the thrill of haggling at the market and getting the best prices.
- Party
- Visit the Ubud Palace and watch a traditional Balinese dance performance for 80,000 IDR. The performance takes place in the evening, around 7 pm.
- This place has a lot of delicious food. We like to go to local restaurants because they don't add extra charges, and the food tastes good.
- Bali has yoga, I saw many foreigners playing it.
11 Days in Paradise: A Journey of Relaxation and Exploration
For 11 days, we immersed ourselves in the tranquil beauty of the island, spending our days basking in the sun and swimming in the crystal-clear waters. The island's laid-back atmosphere lulled us into a state of blissful relaxation, leaving us with little desire to do anything but rest and recharge.
One day, we embarked on a day tour, visiting eight different locations for a cost of 180,000 IDR. Unfortunately, the weather conspired against us, with rain and clouds obscuring the majestic volcanoes. Despite the setbacks, we enjoyed the cultural performances at Ubud Palace, appreciating the artistry and vibrant costumes.
A day dedicated to spa treatments provided a welcome respite, though the experience was initially met with a touch of self-consciousness. Each day, we explored the charming streets of Ubud, savoring delicious breakfasts at our accommodation and indulging in local delicacies throughout the afternoon. Every shop we encountered became an opportunity to delve into the intricate details of Balinese craftsmanship.
As dusk settled, the vibrant market came alive, offering the perfect opportunity to hone our bargaining skills. We returned to the market every evening, etching its every detail into our memories. As night fell, we sipped on refreshing beers, reveling in the chance encounters with people from all corners of the globe. These shared moments, united by time and place, sparked lively conversations and even boasts about our respective flight times.
In these 11 days, we found ourselves rejuvenated and enriched by the island's beauty and the connections we forged with fellow travelers. It was a journey of relaxation, exploration, and unexpected encounters, leaving us with a treasure trove of memories to cherish.
This performance was truly captivating. We particularly enjoyed the playful expressions and gestures, which perfectly complemented the costumes, movements, and music.
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Appearance of the admission ticket
Let's take a tour of our 180,000. It's raining and the clouds are blocking the view.
Staircase rice field, entrance fee 10,000 IDR.
Gunung Kawi Temple
The entrance fee is 15,000 IDR. When visiting the temple, it is recommended to bring your own sarong as it is likely to be required. Sarongs are typically worn when entering religious sites in Indonesia.
Admission fee to Tampaksiring: 15,000 IDR
This area provides a changing room for individuals who wish to enter the water.
Lunch
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Extremely expensive. I stopped by an expensive shop for nothing.
Continuing to Kintamani, the view of the volcano was obscured by thick white clouds. Missed it by a hair.
The scene cuts to Bangli, where heavy rain is falling. People are asking each other if they should get off the bus. I offer to lend them my umbrella, but the rain is too heavy. No one gets off, and we miss another stop. We then continue to what appears to be a mask-making workshop. Villagers are sitting there, carving wooden masks for visitors to see and buy.
Admission to Goa Gajah costs 15,000 IDR.
You can walk in here to see it. The one-day tour is finished.
Take a look at the atmosphere of this place.
The bustling atmosphere of the morning market
The people in this city are friendly and always try to talk to you. It is full of temples, rice fields, and abundant nature. Every day, there are small offerings with sweets, flowers, rice, and incense at various points around the house, which can be called the whole house. When buying things here, you can bargain for almost half or more than half, for example, 50,000 baht to 15,000 baht. However, it is calculated in Thai baht so as not to take advantage of it. Just bargain reasonably.
Bali is roughly like this. I'll go again next year.
Ending with a drawing. Hehe.
This image draws inspiration from the way of life.
This image draws inspiration from masks created by local villagers.
This image is purely inspired by emotions, haha. Here is a summary of the expenses.
Expenses
Don Mueang - Penang 2,800 baht, round trip with AirAsia, but I threw away the return ticket. A one-way ticket should be cheaper.
Penang - Surabaya 2,043 THB, flight by AirAsia.
Surabaya - Bali 947 Baht, flight by Lion Air
Bali - Don Mueang 3,499 Baht, flight by AirAsia.
Total cost of the machine is 9,289 baht.
Cost of living in Penang
Qube 1 night 381 baht
The 80's Guesthouse 2 nights 544 baht
This includes approximately 1900 baht for food and bus fare.
The 5-day volcano tour costs 2,900,000 IDR, which is equivalent to 7,830 Thai baht for a single traveler.
The main expenses in Bali are:
Nani House 2, 4 nights, 1788 baht.
Duana's Homestay 4 nights 2069 baht
Bread and Jam Hostel 2 nights 776 baht
Taxi to Ubud 200,000 IDR 540 Baht
Show ticket 80000 IDR 216 THB
One-day tour: 180,000 IDR (486 THB)
Spa 229500 IDR 620 baht, if I remember correctly.
The entrance fee to various attractions is 300 baht. We don't remember the exact prices for all of them.
Approximately 2,000 baht for food and shopping.
Total 8,795 baht, excluding food and shopping expenses.
18-Day Trip to Penang, Mount Bromo, Ijen Crater, and Bali: 27,814 Baht (Only realized how much I spent after the trip was over, haha!)
Hinataqn
Friday, October 4, 2024 3:26 PM