Tasting the short Idul Adha in Ho Chi Minh

October 5, 2014

Actually, its on my itinerary. I intentionally took this trip during Moslem feast period. With parent permission, i would like to say that i want to have my Eid Adha prayer in another country and well, currently i plan to have it in Vietnam and even though i almost missed it, alhamdulillah i can make it. 

I woke up early in the morning for fajr praying when suddenly there's a voice of European girl asking me with a short question;

"Are you OK?" 

Yeah, its happening. Commonly, i will ask permission to other traveler before having my shalat in dormitory, but since its very early in the morning i never imagine that such a thing would be happened. Seeing me fully covered with mukena, and stay still after hearing her question, that girl went back to sleep, covered all of her body, then hiding inside the blanket. I frightened her huh... sorry. 

Moving forward, i left hostel early and decided to trust google map to find me the closest mosque. I have to find one and join Eid Adha prayer. And I got one.
 

Musulmane Mosque, DongDuk - next to Sheraton Hotel

Praying schedule at the entrance

Inside Dongduk Mosque

Pool inside the mosque - for wudhu

Musulmane Mosque, Ho Chi Minh was built in 1935 and famous as Dong Duk Mosque since its located close to Dong Duk Street. The simplest way to find this mosque is finding Sheraton Hotel in Ho Chi Minh since its just next to the hotel. I'm just happy knowing that the establishment of this hotel never ruined existence of this mosque. Just recalled what i found in Cheng Du, when i got the mosque just next into giant building but this mosque seems being abandoned.
 

The entrance is quite empty, i doubt there's some Eid Adha will be held there. But a small decoration clearly celebrate Idul Adha at the gates. A bit disappointment though till someone talk me in english; the mosque officer (Ta'mir, i thought). He said that they have held the Shalat yesterday, but there's a small group that just started the celebration today so i can join them inside. *Happy*

I took my wudhu at the place that most look like a small pool. Instead of standing, small chair provided surrounding the area. But i choose to stand. Stepped into the mosque, wearing my mukenah and be surprised again since the speech of the Imam ore done in Bahasa. I'm still waited and listened to the khotbah, at the end just noted thal all conversation are made in Bahasa. 

I found out lately that there are some Indonesian and Malaysian who worked close to the mosque area. If in Indonesia we have different hilal to celebrate moslem feast, no wonder those guys just made the shalat this morning. Eventhough its taste like local, I just  being grateful for having opportunities to take part at Eid shalat during this trip.

After a short chit chat and photo session, i decided to enter Benh Tanh Market. Bought some tshirt and back to the hostel. Yeah, its time for leavin Vietnam. I will have a long..long ride to Cambodia at 12 AM. See yaa ^^

Cho Ben Thanh

Take a footnotes at the famous Sand Dunes, Muine - Vietnam

Mui Ne

Muine can be reached through 5 up to 6 hours ride from both Da Lat and Ho Chi Minh. It was a seaside village that famous among traveler for its sand dunes and seafood, and i agree with that.

Arrived at night after leaving Da Lat, the rain poured my first step in Muine. I have to carry my bag from the bus stop and look for the Muine Backpacker Hostel. The cheapest and closest room from the bus stop that still available at that day. And surely, my bed is the last dorm bed available that night. Thanks God, can you imagine if i have to walk and ask each hostel again? I have to break my leg and say good bye for the next 11 days.

How i spent my day in Muine? As a sick girl, i rent a motorbike including the driver to assist me explore Muine in a short period. Most of the visitor who came in a group prefer using Jeep since the weather is windy and the sightseeing spot is far away from the tourist area.

I started early in the morning to visit the famous White Sand Dunes. Its a huge white sands with a breathtaking scenery. The next, Red Sand Dunes is not as beautiful as the first one. But since you already there, make a visit.

The road from the tourist area to the sand dunes is more fascinating compare to the destination itself. I love the beautiful scenery created by the farming fields at the top of the red flavor of the sands and soil mixed with the blue of the ocean. Fresh air blend with the wind and sunrise. No horn and traffic, the street almost empty like its designed for your own journey. Open your arms and feel the freedom for a while.

Only the sand dunes? of course not. Its a place called a "Fairy Stream", not to fairy for me, even beyond my expectation in a "not-so-good" thing, but i impressed with how the locals transform a small thing into tourist spot that surprisingly crowded with the visitor.

Last place is a fishing village, you can directly buy any fish and fresh seafood at the port. The fishy smell everywhere for sure, but nobody's care and enjoy the ambiance. Some people just get off from the boat or get ready to sail away. Some others keep busy to clean up some stuff and involved in a very serious bargaining process.

Do you think i miss some point about food on this trip? Not really. I do have some protein to keep my stomach feel good enough but never being fully accommodate. I have to get halal food, but i cant found any in Da Lat and Muine. I just having some boiled eggs and fruits at the rest area, sweet tea to manage my glucose and drink enough mineral water. Some seafood in Muine should be OK, but i'm not sure whether they have pork menu inside or not. In addition, its never good enough to enjoy seafood menu alone because you cant order many delicacies at the same time. Last, lets save the money ^^

Enough with all of those spots, i get back to the hostel for some shower and packing. I leave Muine at noon and headed to Ho Chi Minh. I booked my sleeper bus through receptionists and the driver pick me at the hostel promptly.

Lets go back to the city!!!

And the journey started in Vietnam

Yeah, the journey should be started in Kuala Lumpur but since i didnt do anything there other than transit, simply lets make Tan So Nath Airport, Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) as my starting point.


Some traveler notes told me to take Bus No 152 from the Airport to reach Cho Benh Tanh Area. Its cheap and easy to find because its passing arrival gate for both of domestic and international flights. But for me, its not that easy. I have waiting for 30 minutes and nothing. I started asking some airport staff and other foreigners and ended up with some direction that against each other. Even, i have moved from international to domestic flight area, until i've seen one of the bus passing by just outside the drop off area.

I went there and wait. Another passenger join and wait with me. His name is Huy. A college student studying in tourism in Ho Chi Minh. My first luck, because he can speak english then assist me to get into terminal. I plan to reach Pam Ngu Lao (Backpacker area in Ho Chi Minh) to see what i can do next, then if possible take overnight bus to Da Lat tonight. I told him the same thing, and whether he can understand what i'm saying or not; he keep saying "I will help you"

And a few minutes later, chaos happened.

We get off at Benh Tanh bus terminal (small open bus station), he asked to follow his steps while he keep asking to some local folks in Vietnamese. I started running to catch up his step, he moved very fast and again make a local conversation with the bus driver. With a fast look at me, the driver nodding his head and in a just few second Huy pushed me to get in to the bus. The bus leaving terminal to out of nowhere...

I'll be OK. I talk to myself.

After around 10-15 minutes, the bus enter a huge bus station. The driver take a look at me and told me to get off here with a sign language. And suddenly all the things became make sense again. It was a main bus terminal in Ho Chi Minh. I have to book my ticket to Da Lat from this terminal. And i got one departed at 11 AM. Its like, 10 minutes to go!!! hahahha, so i just make a fast move to find my bus. But instead a bus, i got minivan. Be ready for the eight and a half hours rocking the Vietnam land on summer.

Da Lat

Why Da Lat? Some people told me it was Paris of Asia. A beautiful and relaxing city. Indeed i thought the same way after i experience this city. And instead of wasting my time in a big city or beaches (where i prefer Indonesian beaches for the most), visiting Da Lat is not just a checklist but a memorable place ever.

Arrived around 8 PM last night. I rely on my notes of one address of backpacker hostel at the center of the city. The mini van dropped me at the gas station which is beyond my expectation. So i just get in to the motorbike and heading to the hostel when someone offered me his ride. I have to pay of course.

I stayed for a night at Backpacker Paradise Hostel. I got the name from hostelworld.com with a good review for a clean, nice and not too expensive dorm. Yeah, i spent only USD 4.5 per night. I got a towel, clean bed (dorm), welcome drink and very nice owner and staff. One thing that makes me not being comfortable is the dogs, since i'm afraid of it. I always stay away from them when i walked around the lobby. But nothing to worry since the owner will take care of it, and your room at the top floor. So they will never interrupt your resting time.

What you can do in Dalat:
1. Crazy House
2. Swan Lake
3. Temples
4. Cho Da Lat Market
5. City Centre
6. Da Lat Flower Park

I explore all of those area within a day using a motorbike (incl the driver). I want to stay longer and surely gonna back here someday.

I have a dream

23 October 2014

I have a dream. 

And hopefully you have one too. 

Its not a kind of dream that you keep dreaming of since you were a child, or maybe yes it is. Dont think too much, no one have to prepare a complex justification for their dream when someone asking about it. Its a dream, its not big enough if you're not scare of it. 

I almost forgotten when i started loving wandering around. Everywhere. Anywhere. But i clearly remember when i forced myself to experience the things called "solo travelling". Its scary, but addicted at the same time. And started from that scary moment, surprisingly i met with many wonderful people, share about everything and then finally i create my own scary dream. On a one fine day. Amin. 

I quit my job recently. A wonderful and fancy job for most people around me. But that fancy thing bring along the stressful day and take over almost 80% of my life. All jobs did the same i thought, so its not about the job but the choice that i made. And i choose to be happy, even only for a while. As full time traveler. 

Just once in my lifetime, I was dreaming of travel in a long long period, without any single distraction on a job things. I want to feel free and do everything i want. I met many Europeans people who traveled like one months up to two years. Yups, from a month to years. Mine, is not that long. That's not the point, but traveling in peace is all that i want. 

Its sound crazy. They will rigorously asking you with the reason you're leaving your job for a shit named traveling. I'm proud to be Indonesian, but for this i dont want to act like most of them. I wish i did not and never. 

I spent almost 2 weeks for tasting Java Trainlogy, a break and catch up with another 2 weeks ASEAN solo trip. I have to take a break, i'm literally sick girl on traveling. Thanks to my parents who love me to the fullest. Respect and support my decision and my future plan. Simply, they just want me to be happy. And this ASEAN trip, will become my first selfishness. 

The 10 cities and 5 countries within 14 days

Its not Europeans country, i don't know why but i love Asia to the most. I started from Kuala Lumpur - Ho Chi Minh - Da Lat - Mui Ne - Ho Chi Minh - Pnom Penh - Siam Reap - Bangkok - Viantiane - Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang - Bangkok - Jakarta. 

Its tiring, but wonderful. 

Have you ever have a hugs and kisses from an old lady that you just met?  even she can't speak on the same language as you but she tried. Expressing how she was being thankful. Or someone who brings you a hot tea at winter even before you introduce yourself? A happy face of strangers knowing that you are from Indonesia because they've been there and experience a great things then happily to share with others. 

Its not about the destination, but the journey that matters. 

Its not about the money, i wish i can feel those emotion. 

Its not about leaving my country and hometown, but to let myself blend with others on Indonesian's way while respecting others. 

What did i do to make it happened:

1. Be Brave. Take a risk. Nothing can substitute experience. 

Its a famous quote. Sounds silly, but you have to do it. 

2. Save your money. 

Travel needs money. And your life on your comeback needs money till you got another job. Be ready for it!!!

3. Make a plan. Just a plan, not itinerary. 

Attention to details itinerary create expectation, expecting something lead you to the brokenhearted. 

4. Release your soul. 

Just go as a child. Play around and do everything you want. 

5. Smile and share. 

Its a window of the world. 

6. Never forget the Creator. 

Keep do the prayer in any condition. Be obedience on the Lord's will. Insha Allah your trip gonna be one of the marvelous trip ever. 

What happened during the trip? Gonna tell you soon on this site. 

Keep dreaming...

"The world is not a wish granting Factory"

Solo. There's ambiguity on this word. Solo does mean "single" but also known as one of the big City in Java, Indonesia. So, the tittle has the same meaning as well. After leaving Azkaban, didn't mean i found paradise. Another Azkaban in form of sickness trapped me and got me into the fact that yeah "The world is not a wish granting factory."

I have a dream, to be true that was many. One of them is to have a real time to be a full time traveler. And that one encourage me to leave the Azkaban and i manage to do it for the past few weeks and surely on my upcoming solo trip on this early October. Having free time with no worries on job thing is kind of "a free thing" that transform into "everything" but peace. 

As i said, the world is not a wish granting factory. When i have a time, i'm not healthy and fit enough to explore just anything and everything. I got injury on my knee that made the doctor warned me not to have any excessive activity like walking, standing, running and hiking unless i take the surgery. Not only that's creepy thing, the following hard time for bed rest and recovering period just killed me all of sudden. 

But its me. Rather than taking the surgery with some reason that i couldn't tell here, i got back to my initial plan and make some rearrangement to make it wise enough for a sick, silly girl like me. Maybe its time to explore Indonesian Trainlogy, its been a long time since my first ride to Jakarta 8 years a go. 

Train in Indonesia (I prefer used Indonesian Trainlogy) has been reformed several years a go.  Especially in its operational aspect. No changes from my first ride, all of the couch are hard seat (No sleeper train available in Indonesia) and divided into three class, economic, business and executive. The main changes are 1) Air conditioner (AC) available at all classes, the difference only on the seat design and comfort 2) There's no outside snack traders allowed 3) Online booking and 3rd party booking available 4) ID card on check in gate is a must!!

I took my first rode last month during JFC and take the third, fourth and safter. Many ride for sure. Economic class. And i do love it. It reminds me a lot to my trip in India in 2012, and damn i missed the sleeper one. 

Solo - Central Java

I took Jaka Tingkir train, a weekly train leaving from Senen to Purwosari at 11 PM only on Monday. Non subside economic train that previously as additional couch during Lebaran Holiday. Economic train, no matter the distance, commonly cost 50K-65K per ride for one way journey, but this one cost IDR 95K. Unintentionally booked this train, but i love the train schedule that allowed me to have a sleep since its depart on midnight and arrived at 9 AM in Purwosari. 

Why Solo? 

Actually, my ancestor coming from Solo. My grandfather moving to Surabaya during the war, and unfortunately we never going back to Solo then. Other than that, i just want to visit one of the calming city with the hideous monarchy in Java. After Jogjakarta for sure. 

The second,  i have a mate, best friend who moved and lived here and we have not meet yet since her first baby born in Mojokerto almost 4 years a go. Hah, what kind of a friend am i? I stayed at her place, accompanied with one of my mate from Surabaya. Then, like the old days we enjoy the city. 

1. Shi Jack. 

Its kind of Angkringan Jogja with "Pure Milk" as the main favorite menu. 

2. Javareeyan Gift shop. 

Its a gift shop of course, located next to Shi Jack

3. Mie Anglo 

Noodles cooked in traditional method; like Mie Kadin in Jogja, but i prefer the one in Jogja. 

4. Sop Ayam Pak Min 

The lovely Chicken Soup that makes me want more and more. Its also available in Jakarta if i'm not mistaken. But taste this one in Central Java make it more special because of the special recipe and chef that almost original. 

Second day, we went to Keraton Surakarta, Pasar Klewer, queuing for Tengkleng but we give up then, having meatball for lunch, and Serabi Notosuman as a closing before i headed to my next destination. Yeah, its kind of marathon trip therapy. 

Madiun - East Java

I took Logawa from Purwosari to Surabaya, but finally i decided to get off at Madiun since i have another friend to visit, Nenek. She just move to Madiun for work with her baby, Hagia that not yet meet me since she was born. Poor girl hahahhah... And since i have a lot of free time, its not too much to make a visit even only in a short time. 

She took me from the Airport and drive me to her home before she went back to the office. Yeah, i came on working day and during office hour. But she promised me that its not gonna be too long and we can have our special culinary of Madiun for dinner. Nasi Pecel and Nasi Jontor. Double!!! 

I went back to Surabaya on the next day and she bought me another special culinary of Madiun, Bluder and Pecel as a gift. Arrrgh,  i love you Nenek ^^ 

So this is it, Jember, Solo, Madiun. Thanks for being friendly with my sickness during my trip therapy and hopefully i'm ready for the upcoming trip. Ganbatte!!!