The Pearly Pearl Museum Benteng Heritage

Remember the Jakarta By Train website that I mentioned earlier? The web creator - Anggara - decides to make a gathering of his web readers and his twitter followers regularly, in the form of a tour toward some unique destinations in Greater Jakarta, using commuterline. The gathering's called #TourKRL. 

A few months ago (disclaimer: this is a very very late post, ha!) me and Ilma joined the #TourKRL to Museum Benteng Heritage in Tangerang.

at Tangerang Station with fellow #TourKRL members 

It's fun to meet strangers (turn friends) with the same interest! I rarely found people who's fond of museum before :(

We then walked into Pasar Lama area. This crowded area near Cisadane River, is believed as the initial settlements of Chinese ethnic in former Batavia. The initial settlers are part of Admiral Cheng Ho's followers in 15th Century. These settlers have since become known as Cina Benteng, or Chinese of the Fort, as Cisadane River becoming the site of Dutch Fort in 17th Century. Today, the Cina Benteng community are living in harmony with their Moslem neighbors. 

Cisadane Riverside

on our way to the museum

What's so special of the Museum Benteng Heritage is, it's a private owned Museum and Banten's filthy corrupt government (Ratu Atut and her clan *sigh*) do nothing to help it. Museum Benteng Heritage is founded by Bapak Udaya Halim, an education figure in Tangerang, in order to preserve and appreciate Chinese cultures and traditions.

Bapak Udaya is a Chinese Benteng descendant who lived in Pasar Lama when he was a kid. Much later, he bought one of the abandoned shop-house there, renovated it while keeping it as original as possible, and turned it into museum.

I can't imagine how much Bapak Udaya spent in the restoration. He had to travel here and there to find Chinese Benteng related heritages that spread across Asia. Not to mention the museum's impressive decor that got awarded by FIABCI (International Real Estate Federation). Our guide also told us that some artifacts and collections had to be separated into tinier pieces because Bapak Udaya and his family carried them on a commercial planes, and Bapak Udaya's brother (who's apparently an architect) had to reconstruct them.

The museum is quite small but its' interior is sooooo pretty. Too bad taking photo is restricted inside the museum :( You can find out about the museum here.

posing in the museum lobby

at the Museum's terrace

The museum also have a heritage walk program around Pasar Lama area. It's kinda pricey but totally worth it. After all, idealistic people like Bapak Udaya should have to be supported, right? Our government will do nothing about culture and tradition or tourism. I'm kind of irritated to see area in front of the museum is filled with garbage from the traditional market that hasn't been cleaned yet. Our guide said that the museum already complained and asked for some acts of the government to fix it but no actions have been taken yet :(

Near the museum, there are also Klenteng Boen Tek Bio, the oldest Chinese temple in Tangerang.

at one of Klenteng Boen Tek Bio's gate

Around May or June, a festival named Pe Cun is held in Cisadane River. There will be dragon-boat race and Barongsai procession. And not to mention the yummy Chinese foods! :9

I also have another travel stories with the fellow #tourKRL member. 'Til the next posts!

Credits: some of writing materials are taken from this.

Laughing My Self Out

"You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself."

My favorite line from a bio of a selebtweet that I follow. And yes, I started this new age (ahem, I'm just getting older) with a laugh, over my stupidity. I regret it, but then, after all what had happened, I realized that the only thing I can do is just, well, give it a sincere laughter.

And the rest of the day just turned easier, after I laugh over my self :)   

Another Day in Bangkok: Songkran Festival and Chinatown

Just shortly after booked a round ticket to Bangkok with the girls last January (that I blogged before), I found out that I won another round ticket to Bangkok from Air Asia! :D Yeaayyyy! Bangkok, I'm back!

The quiz was held in twitter to celebrate Air Asia's CEO Birthday. I never expected I'd win! Ahaha apparently my lucky charm still works, eh? Anyway, for the gift, I could freely chose date between January to April 2014. But, the free ticket only valid for one person. Thinking that I'd probably go alone and the trip would probably be my first ever trip alone, I chose the date of Songkran Festival at mid April 2014.

While getting closer to the departure date, I was really nervous since I have never going abroad alone before. I also worried that I'd be bored to death since I'd have none to talk to and how could I enjoy the festivity while I am feeling lonely? And what if I'd lost and couldn't find anyone speaking English? What if there'll be another shutdown and demonstrations like we met last January? And so on and so on...

But I tried to calm myself down by kept thinking, that I'm lucky. Not everyone got the chance to see the famous Songkran Fest. And not everyone can go abroad without paying no fare :D

And then, just two days before departure, Emi texted that she wanted to go with me! Omaigod I was soooo relieved :'D Finally I won't be alone there!

And so there we were, enjoying water festival and exploring the city!

view from Silom BTS Station: thousand of people marching armored with water splash gun 

EPIC! All kind of women, men, kids, elders - all roaming down the streets searching for the next victim :D

Songkran Festival is a celebration for Thailand New Year Day. Everyone participates by throwing the water to another person as a symbol for washing the bad things away and starting the new year with clear mind and soul. The water also mixed with some kind of white chalk that means blessing. 

The festival happened after lunch, because in the morning they usually pray and visit the family. The roads were rather empty and only tourists passing by. But around 2 PM, it seemed like everyone were coming to the streets carrying water-guns! And they kept throwing and splashing water to everyone! It was a chaotic fun!

the water mixed with some kind of chalk and left the streets covered with white mud

cheater Emi didn't want to get wet so she carried herself a raincoat. Cheater! >:))

posing in front of Silom Station - just exactly before someone splashed me in the head!

earlier before lunch, the kids at Chatuchak Market already shot us

Pro tip for enjoying Songkran: don't let yourself dry for too long! Seriously, just smile and mingle with random strangers you meet and have yourself a blast. The festival is really entertaining.

Aside from getting wet, we also managed to visit another places in Bangkok, especially since this is the first time for Emi. We went to the famous Wats (Emi was really fond of Wat Arun, but hey, who doesn't?) We went to Chatuchak and Asiatique (still my favorite spot in Bangkok, ever) and some night market near Pratunam Shopping Centre. Actually, we tried to go to Pratunam and Platinum because I haven't got the time to go there on my previous visit. But apparently, due to the national holiday, the shops closed earlier. And while trying to find the nearest BTS Station (we're lost, haha!) we found a night market nearby that sells Chatuchak-like stuffs. Even better that we didn't have to thrust around.

at the night market

We also went to Bangkok Old Town - the area near Hua Lampong MRT Station, and more known as Yao Warat or Chinatown Area. This part of the city looks really similar to Jakarta's Glodok. 

at old Hua Lampong Train Station. The neo-renaissance-like architectural was nice, but very dirty and smelly :(

a cute statue near the Yao Warat Gate. Still wondering what animal is this :))

The Chinese Arch that marks the beginning of Yao Warat Road

People say the best time to visit Yao Warat is at night, because at the day the roads will be looked as same as other part of Bangkok busy district. But at dawn, street food restaurants will pop out. There's even a culinary walking tour here that offers tasting some famous local eateries and visiting some landmarks. 

Another highlight of Yao Warat other than its Chinese heritage and culinary vaganza, is Wat Traimit, or The Temple of The Golden Buddha, where the world's acclaimed largest solid-gold Buddha image is located. Too bad, I came there in the afternoon when the wat has closed already :( I also couldn't take the temple's yard properly because of the cloudy weather.

the nice Monk in the Wat Traimit's yard

can you see the golden tower at the background? It's Wat Traimit

  

Please do forgive me for the un-proper picture ><" Anyway, although Yao Warat is full of Chinese communities, apparently there are a lot of Moslem in the Bangkok Old Town area :D Since Emi wears hijab, we're recognized as Moslem and greeted salam. A nice simple thing that matters :')

I just love our short trip to Bangkok this time. And I'm glad I was there.

See ya on another post!

Girls Days Out: Bangkok!

Super Mega Ultra Extra Late Post about my trip to Bangkok with the girls, that happened about a century ago last January....

Our ritual 'morning meeting' trip. Who says women can't read map, eh?

We already planned about this since end of 2013. Although facing the worrisome fact that we'd be in town on the onset of Bangkok Shutdown, we kept going, and thankfully, we enjoy all of our times there, safe and sound.

We stayed in a hostel named D'Talak (such a horrible name for us Indonesians xD). The hostel was not fancy but quiet clean and ok, and located near a MRT Station, which is the most important part of us since we're exploring the city by train. Trains (both MRT and BTS) apparently are the most effective public transportation in Bangkok - you can't count on their taxi (they're meter-less and always offer you high rate) or bus (annoying traffic everywhere). With all its hustle and bustle, Bangkok really reminds me of Jakarta, even in some certain ways I don't feel like in abroad :))

Mandatory Visit: The Temples
You're not going to Bangkok if you haven't seen their stunning temples (or Wat, as locals call 'em). There are more than 400 Wats around Bangkok, but the most famous among tourists are this three:
Wat Arun

Wat Arun: The Temple of Dawn

Located in the riverside of famous Chao Phraya, Wat Arun is so far the prettiest among all of temples I've saw. It's built of thousands tiny pieces of colored glass and porcelain that placed delicately into wonderful patterns. The glasses reflect lights at night and will be looked even prettier at sunset. 

How detail! Wonder how long did it take to build this? (*o*)

Dare yourself to climb the spire! We can see the Grand Palace and Wat Pho opposite.

View from the top. Very windy up there

Wat Phra Kaew 

Also known as 'Temple of Emerald Buddha', Wat Phra Kaew located within the area of The Grand Palace. Inside of the shrine is the Buddha statue carved from jade. Since no one but The King is allowed to be near the statue, we could only see it from the outside. Too bad it was really crowded, so I can't get the pic of the statue :(

Temple of Emerald Buddha

Wat Pho

This is a large complex of temples with gigantic The Reclining Buddha statue as a highlight. The chapels' architecture is also worth-seeing (and very instagrammable :p)

the girls feat Wat Pho's Guardians

Wat Pho's courtyard

The smiley Reclining Buddha statue. It seemed he's got a Budhha's Delight :))

All of the temples are in the same neighborhood. I suggest to visit Wat Phra (and Grand Palace) first, next Wat Pho, and then crossing the river to Wat Arun. You could take BTS to Saphan Taksin Station (Silom Line) and transfer to Central Pier (or Sathorn Pier) by tourist boats. Very important tips: watch your wallet! They say there's some pickpockets at the boats (thanked God we didn't meet one). Also, pay attention to the boat type - there are several kind of boats with different price range depends on your budget.

The Grand Palace

This city's famous landmark is also still functions as the King's Home and government building. Beside Wat Phra Kaew, I love how its' architecture style and Europe-ish inspired. 

The Chakri Maha Prasat (Grand Palace Hall)

Chakri Maha Pasat's awesome decor

The Chakri's buildings were inspired by various architectural style the former King Rama saw on his trip to Java and Singapore, but designed by Englishmen (or so it said in guide book :P). That's why the culture mix are so strong on these buildings.

The Phra Thinang Boromphiman (Boromphiman Throne Hall)

As a vintage-looking building fetish, I just loooved to wander around Grand Palace. If only the sun wasn't that hot!

The Shopping Galore

Chatuchak Market

We went to Chatuchak weekend market (obviously). Since we're too busy strolling around (we even get lost each other!) we didn't even have time to take proper pictures. To be honest, I didn't really fancy Chatuchak's kind of clothes because of the materials seem cheapo (well, most of them) but I worship their interior designs stuffs! There are tons of cute vintage cupboards, coffee tables, lamps, anything! Well, basically you can find ANYTHING at Chatuchak - from trendy clothes for human and pet(!), to real animal (idk if it's legal), to groceries to medicines. There are new stuffs and preloved ones. There are also hip local designers product with better quality and massive convection products (with lesser quality 'course). Literally you can find anything here.

The foods were also tempting and varies from Thai Food, Mexican Food, Spanish Food, Indian, anything. And no worries, we can find halal foods easily here (just ask first).

the friendly Cook with extra large Paella pan. He's making a love for us! xD

Pro tips while visiting Chatuchak: if you go in a group, do choose a meeting point and meeting time after you finish your shopping, because the chance for you to be separated and lost. Also, wear the most comfy t-shirts and shoes since the weather is going to be very humid.

Anyway, it's really easy to find Chatuchak. Just take MRT to Chatuchak station or BTS to Mo Chit station. You can also take direct bus from Don Mueang airport.

Asiatique The Riverfront

With a free shuttle boat from Saphan Taksin, this current it place for youngsters is really accessable. It's a combination of a night market with dining experience, in a big warehouse-like hangar. I love this place! I think I can spend the whole afternoon reading here my self in one of its hip coffee shops.

the Bangkok Eye

We can find stuffs similar to Chatuchak or MBK (in a bit higher price) but without too much hassle and less crowded situations. There are also upper-scales boutique with interesting displays. This place is such an eyecandy.

the food hangar arena at dusk

riding a ricksha in the bay front

There are another places we visited. Such as Khlong Toei traditional market near our house and some random restaurant recommended by Tripadvisor. I ate some very lickin tasty tom yam and pad thai :9 Bangkok street foods are also make me drool :9

After 3 days, I went back to Jakarta while the girls continued their trip to Chiang Mai. I definitely will go back to Bangkok again!

Card to Post

This is my current addiction.

some of the cards I've received

Don't you just curious to hear from random person, from other random part of the world? Well if you don't, let me enlighten you, this is FUN.

Find out more about it here. Happy postcrossing!