Yogyakarta: Once in A Year - Sekaten Fair

Even 5minutes before our appointment hour, I still couldn’t ensure myself whether I’m going. Last time I went to Sekaten was like 5 years ago! Damn, I didn’t really enjoy our local festival because, well, personal. Sekaten is identic with its play land, its cheap goodies, foods, traditional toys, cotton candy, and the most important one imo is the exhibition in the center, usually educational. About personal obstacle is that.... I never have guts to have fun.

Surabaya Trip Part II: Full Day Trip

Continuing my previous post; EHEF was my main destination. So for these trips, they're only such time killer till the time my train depart to Jogja. But for these trips, I did take so many pictures, since I paid less attention compare to EHEF, hehe

Yogyakarta Station

Surabaya Trip Part I: EHEF 2014

It was 30hrs before my trip, I just decided it very dramatically due to heart break! AGAIN! Isn’t that annoying you have someone disappointed you and you need an escape to at least relieve the pain? That’s what I did, for the second time. At the first, I made my way to escape my country Indonesia! But several days ago, I just made it to Surabaya, but with so much European taste. Hell yeah!

1. European Higher Education Fair 2014

This was my main destination that I finally visited Surabaya. I’ve been dreaming living in Surabaya several years ago but the univ I applied in was rejecting me, so, poor me, staying in Jogja was win-win solution. But anyway, EHEF was an exhibition presenting tens European Universities in one place; they're from: Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom.

Beringharjo, The Heart of Traditional Market in Yogyakarta

Beringharjo, as I believe it is the largest and oldest traditional market in Yogyakarta as it has started its activity since 1758 (source), provides like the whole things from A to Z *I guess* hehe

Beringharjo market is very close to main tourism spots in Yogyakarta, which are Malioboro, Fort Vredeburg, Alun-Alun Utara, and Keraton Yogyakarta (Sultan’s Palace).

Batik area in Beringharjo Market

Merapi Walk

This was a quite old trip with friends to Merapi but only in the slope, not to the peak. It’s 3km to the peak of Merapi Mountain and we did enjoy the nature and the giant damage after the massive eruption in 2010 (yes, it’s getting beautiful since the eruption and become one tourism spot in Yogyakarta).

Merapi Mountain in bright day

Semarang: Chinese Temple Sam Poo Kong

Just to close our trip to Semarang, Sam Poo Kong, the Chinese temple, was our last site before we were heading home. And this time I seriously am not capable to tell the history ever since I don’t really read it. But then there’s this power of Google just to answer my curiosity. Or Wikipedia.

Chinese Temple, Sam Poo Kong

I’ll tell a bit more about my trip to Sam Poo Kong. So we were heading from Ngaliyan, and took public transportation or local people call it angkot to Karangayu. There’re some yellow angkot  across Karangayu traditional market that is going through Sam Poo Kong. So twice angkot only cost IDR 6000.

Semarang: Lawang Sewu

The afternoon, the best part in my opinion to take a nice walk to the center of Semarang city. We got the best moment for sunset and a nice view for Lawang Sewu. We started our trip after visiting Masjid Agung a.k.a The Great Mosque of Central Java by taxi only cost IDR 25000.

Lawang Sewu

Semarang: Culinary Trip

Not only visiting some popular tourism spot, we also went for some foods especially traditional and local food of Semarang. The spot that providing local food located in Simpang Lima, Semarang and also Pandanaran, very close with Simpang Lima that you need like 10 minutes walk.

Simpang Lima Semarang

Semarang: The Great Mosque of Central Java (Masjid Agung Semarang)

Our first journey to Semarang was started in Masjid Agung Semarang, or The Great Mosque of Central Java. I was going with my other 3 female friends and all of them are a very very, very good Muslim, so they’re happy when I recommend them this place J As well as because we’re from Yogyakarta and there’s no such huge mosque like this Great Mosque of Central Java (Masjid Agung Semarang) so we kinda curious to see the greatness of it.

The Great Mosque of Central Java from 19th floor Tower

Sukuh Temple "The Erotic Temple" and Jumog Waterfall

Six riders were going through 80km by motorcycle from Yogyakarta to Karanganyar, Central Java. There're two tourism spot we visited. There's a lot more nice places to visit actually but we only got one day trip and we wanted to really enjoy it so we only took two places.

Candi Sukuh (Sukuh Temple) a.k.a "The Erotic Temple"

I'm not really mastering about the history of this place. So if you need any reference about this Sukuh Temple, you can read on Candi Sukuh Wikipedia

Sukuh Temple

Jakarta, Monas (The National Monument)

I was spending one day short trip to Jakarta, my first and priority was to get to IMAX because there isn’t any in my city, Yogyakarta. But the movie and walk around the Gandaria City Mall was only last like 2 hrs since I'm not really a mall lover. So, I took a nice and enjoying afternoon walk in the center of Jakarta, the heart and the symbol of this capital city of Indonesia, which is Monas, that stands for Monumen Nasional (National Monument). We can actually go inside this National Monument and going up with its lift to see Jakarta city from above. Unfortunately it’s open only at 8AM till 4PM, and I arrived there around 5PM.

National Monument (Monas)

Don’t worry, this place is never quiet. There’re always and will always be people. Even some people there only for little jogging or vacation, me, I like to enjoy the nice view while this National Monument wasn’t so crowded. It was Ramadan, the fasting month for muslims. Many people were selling traditional food of Jakarta, which is kerak telor in the yard of the place. I didn’t buy any since I got no companion and too awkward to eat all by myself in an open crowd. So I just took pictures of The National Monument and some other interesting stuff.

Late Summer in Singapore [Part II]

So we had the first part of the evening with walking around ION and… a nap! Sweetest nap ever since walking around all day was so tiring and gave me one royal backache.

After took a rest for a while, we were going back to Merlion Park at night, Saturday night, to watch song of the sea. 

street food Chinatown

Late Summer in Singapore [Part I]

September 2013, I was kinda sad, mini brokenhearted lol. I wanted to release this sadness while at the same time, I knew my friends was about to take vacation. So I joined them and fortunately we had same flight so we departed together.

SGD

We had evening flight from Yogyakarta and arrived in Singapore at 10pm. We were so amazed with the sophisticated look of Changi Airport so we took like 2 hours to look around. The Singapore’s International Airport is very clean, very tidy and roomy. Most of the floor is covered by carpet, thus there’re many people also took a rest there, sleeping on the floor. Yes, it is very common to see many people sleep on Changi, like we did! And the best, its free wifi is amazing, absolutely waaaay better and faster than in my hometown :D  

Fun in Bogor [Part II] - Fooding

Several food we ate while in Bogor. It is a must for you to try the typical food of Bogor too, which are: Talas/taro (or any processed food of it like Lapis Talas cake, etc), Asinan Bogor, and Roti unyil.

"Some frustrated travelers were so tired to hunt awesome foods and chose to take junk-fast food instead"

Fun in Bogor [Part I] - All Play

Earlier this year, I spent 2 short days in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, enjoying holidays and trying largest play land. So I started my holiday from Yogyakarta by train. We took night train so the next morning we already were in our first destination, Pasar Senen train station, Jakarta. From Pasar Senen station, we went to Bogor Station by commuter line.

Ramadan in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Part XII] - Price List

Talking about price list for one Umra trip, it's a bit more expensive when Ramadan because more reward as well than the other months. I'll write down several goods with its price even tough honestly I didn't buy all of them. I know it by asking when you know, window shopping :D

price list of  umra in Ramadan

Ramadan in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Part XI] - Summarize + Tips

Madinah

You may enjoy the mosque, Masjid An Nabawi since it is quite cool inside. If you are women, you're not supposed to bring digital camera inside. While waiting for next prayer, read Al Quran or take a rest inside bcos I believe it's better than the heat outside. At sunset or sunrise time, get into the yard to see those giant umbrellas are opened or folded incredibly. In Ramadhan, you may be the guest of anyone. The local people would kindly ask you to come with them and serve you some meal, highly recommended to accept their invitation. I don't recommend you to shop too much in Madinah, same item as in Makkah but priced way more expensive. But if you are rich, that's totally up to you.

And the best you shouldn't miss, Raudah. Raudah is open for women two times, after Dhuha and after Dhuhr. But in Ramadan plus after Tarawih. Men got the rest of the time since Raudah is part of men's praying area.

Makkah

The weather in Makkah is better than Madinah but somehow you might get quite far hotel, might be uphill too. So you may also spend most of your time inside the mosque of Masjid Al Haram. Several places are open, such Ka'bah area, so it might hot at noon. There are several cool places too *but i hadn't explored all yet* *hope i could visit there again sometime*. Do Tawaf once a day at least, or how many times up to you. There are several places to do Tawaf, not only in first floor close to Ka'bah. You may access first, second, or third floor. But you do need to touch and see it closely. It's magical feeling, indescribable. Drink as much Zamzam water :D it's free and unlimited.

Ramadan in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Part X] - All the Food (Madinah-Makkah)

Most of the foods we got are Indonesian. Maybe you'll be disappointed but trust me, adapting new food is hard. Moreover, you do need eat to keep your energy while fasting. So, whatever tour agency you join, ask them to provide your daily local food at least, you can find yourself local arab food easily there.

IMO, it was so hard for me to accept local arab food since their spices smell so strong so does the taste.

Ramadan in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Part IX] - Vacation in Makkah

The vacation in Makkah was the shortest one. Since mostly we visit Makkah is for praying, so vacation/tour was not the priority. But we got several tour to know the city and visited main places for Hajj.

First we visited Hira Cave. It's located on top of the Al Nour Mountain. To get into the cave we need to climb up 2 hours while our leader only gave us 20 minutes so we only see the cave from the ground. *tbh i can barely saw any sign of a cave

Rock stone around Jabal al-Nour

Still in Jabal al Nour 

The next spot was Jabal Rahmah, or Rahmah Mountain. There was a statue, as the spot where Adam and Eve first met.

Ramadan in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Part VIII] - The Unfortunate & Solution Seeker

It was unfortunate moment. Why? I got period/menstruation in Makkah. When all we know that the main purpose visiting Makkah is for Umra or Hajj. While if you're on period, you're not allowed to do this prayer. You must be suci. But thank God Alhamdulillah I had done my 1st Umra.

And the primacy of Umra in Ramadan is that the reward is equal with doing Hajj with Rasulullah. So we might have as many reward as we want just depend on our intention.

One thing more, i didn't bring any pads nor tampon. So i need to find the closest pharmacy or supermarket. Another thing, i didn't bring enough cash. So how was i supposed to pay?

Ramadan in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Part VII] - Moving to Makkah and Got Lost

Third day in Saudi Arabia, after we spent first two days of Ramadan in Madinah, we moved to Makkah. We were about to do Umra, so we stopped at one mosque in Bir Ali to take Miqat (first step of Umra, which is the intention & wearing special ihram clothes). This mosque located only 15 minutes from Madinah city. Then we continued to Makkah for 5 hrs via bus.

I used to live in tropical, means that forest and plants are so common, but not in here. Here there're mostly desert, rocks, stone mountain.

the view of our road trip

We arrived at Makkah at 3pm, still about to do Asr prayer. The tour leader asked us to continue Umra after breakfasting. So most of us still wore ihram clothes (special-all white clothes for Umra) till night. After we finished breakfasting with big meal at the hotel and did Maghrib prayer then we went to Al Masjid Al Haram (greatest mosque on earth with Ka'bah inside, center of all prayers around the world). There was one leader that led us to Masjid Al Haram since it was quite far from our hotel, we didn't know the direction, nor the place to do next step of Umra.

Ramadan in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Part VI] - Vacation in Madinah City

Not gonna tell too much in this post, but some spots of tourism *I guess* since we only had like 20 minutes for each spot.

My Mother and I, at Jabal Uhud

The first place we visited was Mosque Quba. This is the first ever mosque, located in Madinah *ever since the first instruction to pray Sholat was commanded here*. Once you visit this place, do 2 raka'ats prayer, because the reward of shalat in this mosque is equal with one time Umra.

Ramadan in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Part V] - Most Valuable Prayer in Madinah

Al Masjid An-Nabawi is the most well-known mosque in Madinah. There is a Green dome as the sign of grave (cemetery) of Prophet Muhammad PBUH (it's inside the mosque) that used to be His house. There are two other grave beside Prophet Muhammad PBUH's, which are Abu Bakar Ash-Shiddiq and Umar bin Khathab 

Source

The most valuable prayer would be in Rawdah. It is the space between Prophet's Minbar (a pulpit in the mosque where the imam (prayer leader) stands to deliver sermons <taken from wiki>)  to His house (now His grave). This place is still located inside Masjid An Nabawi, marked with green carpet, while the rest of the mosque has red carpet.

Ramadan in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Part IV] - Getting to Deeper Prayer at Night

Masjid An-Nabawi at night

Right after we finished our iftar meal and pray maghrib, we still had time to get back to the hotel to eat big meal and clean up before we continued to Isha prayer. Time between Maghrib and Isha is the shortest among the other prayers, that's why, even we had the schedule for Isha prayer at 8.45pm, but the muadzin (a man who summon for prayer) started it at 9.15, so people could have enough time to eat and everything.

Ramadan in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Part III] - Start Enjoying Madinah with its Food, People and Heat.

To be honest, Madinah was so so hot, even at dawn. And what I really feel was the heat from air conditioner, not 100% from the sun. Walking through 3 blocks with all building seems like hotel, of course there are so many air con. Because basically, Madinah in summer is very very hot. It was 43^o celcius. Some staff said it was and might be strike to 50^o. Damn.

That's why fasting in summer in such desert was so challenging. Imagine, walking 500 meters to and from the mosque under 43^o celcius while fasting (no drink no eat). Somehow I believe there'll be more reward too hehe.

Ramadan in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Part II] - Touching Madinah

And YAASSS finally arrived to our hotel in Madinah. We stayed at Al Eiman Royal Hotel, Madinah. The hotel is 3 blocks away to Masjid an-Nabawi. It was 2am and we were so tired with 2 days trip but we were asked to have our sahur (meal at dawn before fasting). Not so in a good mood to eat since all we needed that time was a proper and nice sleep.

The view from our hotel room, 14th floor

Ok, well we need to be ready and finished our meal because 4am local time subuh/dawn prayer is already started and we had to be ready at the greatest mosque of Madinah, Al Masjid An-Nabawi, at at least 3.30am. Why? We didn't want to missed the prayer and we needed to get a comfortable place to pray so we should come earlier. If you're late, no place to pray or you might pray on the yard or even the asphalt road! Here they always have thousand and even hundred thousand pilgrims everyday.

Ramadan in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Part I] - Starting the Trip

This first section i'm gonna tell about the trip from Indonesia to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. So, joined a tour agency An-Nahl that has several branches in Indonesia. We started our journey from Yogyakarta, Indonesia to Jakarta, to gather with the whole group. From Yogyakarta we're only 13 people, including me, my mother, my aunt, my uncle and my cousin. We also had a 75years old grandma that was traveling alone, with no family member to accompany her.

(left to right) My aunt, my mom, me, and my uncle.