ID: Jakarta Trip Day 4

Our last day in the city. After breakfast, we walked to Plaza Senayan which is situated just behind our hotel. Since it was still early, the shops just opened and there were not many people yet. After strolling for an hour, we decided to cross the road to Senayan City Plaza. This mall houses another set of high end boutiques (Plaza Senayan also has lots of boutiques), so it sorts of complement those in Plaza Senayan. It seems that this is bigger than Plaza Senayan.

We just walked around and around noon, we walked back to Plaza Senayan for lunch. Had kebab at the food court for lunch. The food court was bustling with people from nearby offices. Seronok jamu mata hahahaha.....

Around 12.30pm, we decided to walked back to the hotel and checked out at 2pm. For our transport to the airport, we booked with the hotel at Rph150,000 per trip with Avanza. Considered as a good bargain since this includes toll and luggage (with no extra payment if we stuck in traffic jam). Normal cab will cost around Rph110,000 inclusive of toll. However, if the traffic is bad, the fare may go higher. In fact, the transport booked with the hotel is also from Silverbird group of companies, the only trusted taxi services in Indonesia.

We left the hotel at around 2.40pm and praise to God, the journey was uneventful. We reached the airport within 30 minutes. There is nothing much to do at the airport, so we decided to go into the check in area. Scanned our bag and walked to the designated check in counter. Unfortunately, the counter is not yet opened.

MH occupied counters 36 until 40. In fact, there were around half a dozen of passengers waiting in front of the counters. In the vicinity, other airlines in progress of check-in their passengers are ValuAir VF504 to SIN, AirAsia Indonesia QZ7716 and 7676 to BKK and BKI respectively, Shenzen Airlines to Nanning, SQ961 to SIN, EK357 to DXB, and EY471 to AUH (which was delayed from 3.20pm to 7.10pm).

MH check in counters opened at 4.05pm and within minutes, we were checked in by a new staff (in my opinion - since she is not that smooth in handling the check in). Immediately after checked in, we proceed to immigration and into the airside. Now, since there are some time to kill, we settled at Starbucks with a nice view of tarmac.

Our bird for the day, MH722 is an Airbus 9M-MKE. I have been in this metal before on my flight to DXB four years ago. The flight log for this bird can be found here.

The plane landed at CGK as MH723 at 5.25pm and will depart at 6.30pm to KUL as MH723. The push back was at 6.30pm and within 15 minutes, we were airborne via runaway 25R.

Flying at 40,000 ft above sea level with average speed of 900km/h, the route took us along the Sumatera coast line into Palembang, Singapore and over the city of Johor Bharu before descending into KUL. The ETA was 9.20pm local time.

We landed safely via runaway 14L at 9.15pm, 5 minutes ahead of schedule and taxied to Contact Pier at Main Terminal Building. Parked at A8 and within minutes, we were in the terminal.

~ MT @ Malaysia
~~ KLIA, Sepang

~~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself~~

ID: Jakarta Trip Day 3

Today, we decided to have breakfast at Senayan Cafe on the ground floor. The only reason is for a comfortable table suits for breakfast. Choices just a bit better that those offered at the Executive Lounges.

After breakfast, our jalan-jalan programme was to take busway to Stasion Kota, the last station for this route. Just a short walk from the station is Kota Tua Jakarta (Old Jakarta). This was used to be the centre of Jakarta and few colonial buildings still in existence, with couple of them are not being well maintained. After snapping here and there session, we walked to the harbour (Sunda Kelapa, if I am not mistaken), which was a long and not so pleasant walk.... the map shows the distance not too far, but we were wrong. With the bad traffic along narrow roads and unpleasant smells from drainage, we felt we had a wrong choice to walk.

My advise is, take a cab or do not visit the harbour at all.

For a quick quencher, we stopped by A&W at Jakarta Train Station, which is known as Station Kota. From there, we walked along Mangga Dua street, again a wrong decision to do so. Once we reached Mangga Dua, we were disappointed. The complex is not as what is portrayed in the travel guides on Jakarta in the internet. For me, not worth at all to visit this place.

Since we walked quite a lot for the half of day, we found one reflexology centre that offer only Rph30,000 for 1.5 hour. Wow! a bargain. And being bad customers, we did not pay any tips .... hahahhaa..... not that we didn't want, but the masseur I got was not good enough.

(Actually, after we left the place, I felt a bit guilty for not giving tips.... may be next time :-))

We took a busway in front of Mangga Dua which is a different route from our normal busway. This time, it is a grey route (based on the colour of the bus used). We have to change two stations in order to get to our normal red-orange route along Jalan Jenderal Sudirman. Worse, it was peak hours and the bus was cramped! So, lesson learnt, try not to take busway during peak hours.

On the way back, we stopped by Plaza Semanggi, looking for early dinner. Actually, it was lunch and dinner together. We tried this american joint there, cannot remember the name though. We also visited Planet Hollywood, around 15 minutes walk from the mall. Again, a wrong move since the rain just stopped and peak hours. To make the matter worse, Planet Hollywood was not as I expected at all. Actually, it does not look like Planet Hollywood at all (at least in my opinion).

Walked back to the mall and later to the busway halte for a trip back to the hotel.

~ MT @ Indonesia

~~ Senayan, Jakarta

~~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~~

ID: Jakarta Trip Day 2

Woke up early for morning prayer and then, filled up stomach with breakfast at Executive Lounge level 12. In this hotel, there are two executive lounges; level 12 for non smoking lounge and level 16 for smoking lounge.

It is so unfortunate that the choices for breakfast are limited - and to make it worse, there is no proper table for breakfast. Patrons have to make do with coffee tables and we have to bend to eat or you bring the plate to you by putting it on your palm. Troublesome!

The view on Sunday morning was breath taking. A lot of city dwellers thronged the stadium areas for morning exercises. A lot of cyclists on the road as well as rollerbladers. It seems that on Sundays, the road around Gelora Bung Karno are reserved for cyclists and bladers.

A couple of hours later, we walked to the nearest busway halt, Gelora Bung Karno and took the bus to Sarinah station for a quite a long walk to Pasar Tanah Abang.

There is a standard fare for busway, Rph3,500 per pax for a trip. However, if you take the bus between 5am - 7am, it only costs you Rph2,000 per pax.

After a light shop at Tanah Abang, we decided to take a taxi back to the hotel. It is not far, but the traffic was not that good. We passed by the famous Hotel Mulia and enter teh hotel from the other side of the stadium.

In the afternoon, we took a busway again and now the destination is Plaza Indonesia (I cannot remember the station name).

My first impression once I stepped into Plaza Indonesia was "wow"!!!. I wonder who copy who i.e., Pavillion KL vs Plaza Indonesia. The set up has some similarities in terms of arrangement of shops within each floor and area.

After that, we walked across the street to Alun-Alun Indonesia within Grand Indonesia Shopping Town. It was like a maze to me, in which we actually got a bit lost in it. Tired of walking we decided to walk back to the busway station for a trip back to the hotel.

~ MT @ Indonesia

~~ Senayan, Jakarta

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

ID: Jakarta Trip Day 1

Since I just completed my MBA, I decided to give myself a treat. Spending few hours on airlines website, I managed to secure RM245 per pax return trip to Jakarta on MH. After being in the country for quite a long time, I am venturing out again.

Before I continue on, I want to thank my good friend, BH for sponsoring this trip (inclusive of the hotel stay :-)) thanks a lot!!!

Our flight is to depart at 6.05pm from Gate G4. This time, it is 9M-MMS, one of MH's Boeing 737-4H6 fleet. Since we checked in from home, we only reached KLIA about 4.30pm for endorsement of our boarding passes. No bags to check in.

Since I have not visited KLIA's airside for so long, we decided to take the aerotrain to the Satellite terminal - just to get the view :-) Noticed quite few changes. Now, there is a Jungle Walk (I think that is what it is called) where passengers can experience tropical forests at the airport. The entrance is behind the Information Counter in the aerotrain station vicinity. Also, more shops are opened, but still these initiatives, in my opinion fail to attract more passengers or airlines to utilize the airport. M4HB may ned to be more creative :-))

Strolling around the Satellite terminal, I managed to spot few foreign airlines i.e., Air Astana (I remember this airline that I took to Almaty, Kazakhstan - however, it was via Bangkok), Cathay Pacific, Etihad, Emirates, Silk Air, KLM, Qatar Airways and Xiamen Airlines.

30 minutes prior to ETD, we took the aerotrain back to Main Terminal pier for our boarding. After security formality, we took an escalator down to holding lounge. Wow! Looks like this is to be a near full flight. Our seat were 8E and 8F with 8D was occupied by a guy going to Jakarta for business with the oil company there.

Since this is MH, we do not have to buy food :-) we were served dinner with a choice of beef rendang with white rice or kuzi chicken with tomato rice. This is served with fruit cake, Ferrero Roche chocolates and Spritzer mineral water. BH chose chicken, so I decided to taste the beef. (Not that I wanted the beef, but I took chicken as well, there will be no photo on the beef :-)).

After the two-hour flight, the 737 landed at CGK terminal 2 via runway 07L and decked at D4 at 7pm local time. Within 30 minutes, we were out at the arrival hall looking for Bluebird taxi.

There are many touts inside the arrival hall, so the advice is to find the Bluebird taxi logo outside the terminal and approached one of the staff. They are recognizable with their blue Bluebird vest.

The fare started at Rph6,000 and to reach our hotel at Senayan the fare costs Rph90,000. This excludes toll charges and the additional fare from the airport (which is set according to zone where Senayan is in Zone I). The toll is Rph11,000 and the additional charge for Zone I is Rph10,500. For information, Zone II is Rph9,000 and Zone III is set at Rph7,500.

The hotel looks decent with run-out facade and 1970s lobby design. More detail of my review on the hotel can be viewed here and here.

Our room was at Executive Level overlooking Gelora Bung Karno sports area (consists of stadium, softball field) and have a nice view of Jakarta.

After shower, around 9pm ++, we walked to FXtainment Centre around 100m away from the hotel (at the intersection of Jln Jenderal Sudirman and Jln Pintu Satu Senayan) for a quick bite and to buy some drinks. It is always my policy to request for the hotel to clear the mini bar so I can utilize the mini fridge).

Came back to the hotel an hour later, watched tv and said goodbye to Day 1 around midnight!

~ MT @ Indonesia

~~ Senayan, Jakarta

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: 28 February

28 February, a date to remember.. today, at noon 28 February, 2010, I stepped out from exam hall signalling the completion of my MBA. Yes, I have completed my MBA...
Reminiscence this in March 2008, it has been a long way for me and time flies.... it has been two years. Every weekend back and forth from my home/office to the university. Doing assisgnments until late night and let me tell you.. every single second is worth it!

Although there will be no more weekend classes and for certain times, night classes, my quest for knowledge will not stop here.

A thank you to all my lecturers and friends who have been around for me, nights and days. A big thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Today is just a day to remember. The only event occured on 28 February that I treasure most is the landing of S4audi Ar4bian airlines at KUL five years ago, bringing me and my fellow KT56 from Haj.... what a coincident...

~ MT @ Malaysia
~~ Damansara, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Stuck!

Today, out of the blue, I decided to pay a visit to my gym after two months hiatus. Well, there is a reason why I didn't go to gym for the last two months.... and of course that reason is a typical reason given my every single one in my situation :-) Can anyone guess?

Yup.... it is "tak de masa la... busy...." :-p

Anyways, what happened at the gym was unexpected. After burning around 398 calories on stride machine, I went for a nice hot sauna.

While I was getting up from the sauna bench, my locker key detached from my towel and fell into the bench.

Arrgghhhh.... Clad in just a shower towel, went to the locker area and asked one of the patrons to go an called the gym staff to save me from embarrassing moment.

To make the matter worse, the cutter was broken, hence they have to resort using hammer to break my Yale brand padlock. According to them, the existing cutter was broken (and according to one of the staff, the management sort of don't care i.e., not bother to buy a new one - knowing this type of case always happen).

About five of the staff trying to assist me, and at least.. the hero came....yeah..... the B4ngla cleaner..... after few tries (well around 45 minutes), he successfully managed to let me get my pants back... yippeee..... no need to hang around in towel anymore....

My advise for anyone who has to bring your own padlock to the gym: 1) bring the smaller one, 2) have a spare at other places (i.e., in the shoes - provided you do not put the shoes in the locker), 3) get the padlock with easily available master key, 4) if you go with your buddy, keep one spare key with your friend and vice versa.

Luckily the locker door was not damaged. Hence I was not charged.

Better be careful next time!

MT@ Malaysia

~ Ampang, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself~

MY: Efficiency of Customer Services

On 20/1/10, I provided feedback on MH Enrich related process provided by the check in counter staff via its website. Only today, 8/2/10 I received an email from Enrich acknowledging receipt of my feedback.

I wonder how long more for them to analyze my feedback and get back to me.....

Do you think AK is better? hmmmm...... wait and see... I have one case pending from AK since July 2009!

~ MT @ Malaysia

~ Ampang, Selangor

~~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~~

MY: Ramadan 1430H

Ramadan is towards the end.... I just realized that being a student while having other committment is not easy.... insyaAllah I will survive...

Some photos from my flight KUL-KBR MH1396...

~MT @ Malaysia

~~ Kota Bharu, Kelantan

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Out....

The results from last semester is out.. alhamdulillah.... it looks okay....

tak sabar2 nak habis kan course ni..... aaarrghhhhh.... 7 more subjects to go.....

~MT@Malaysia

~~ Ampang, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: End...

Today is my last paper.... pretty tough to take three papers in a semester while working... next semester I will be taking four subjects, two of them are my specialization paper...

Now I am thinking to resign and concentrate on studies for this semester.... only from mid July until end of October... I probably living without income for the three months.. can I survive?

~ MT @ Malaysia

~~ Ampang, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself~

MY: Panic Attack

Panic attack...... :-(

I hope Prof Dr. ASM is lenient enough to give good grade.... 

First paper this semester.... next is Thursday and lastly Saturday.. wish me luck!

~ MT @ Malaysia

~~ Gombak, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself~

MY: Al Fatihah

My uncle passed way peacefully in his sleep early in the morning....

Al fatihah

~ MT@Malaysia

~~ Ampang, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: First Day

First day at the new client... in fact first day as freelance... 

to early to predict anything.... let see how it goes....

Buzz me for lunch for those in KLCC vicinity.... :-)

~ MT @ Malaysia

~~ Jalan YKS, Kuala Lumpur

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself~

MY: The Day

Today is the day I submitted my resignation..... got calls from the bosses to meet... want me to reconsider... I have to be firmed with my decision... prioritise..prioritise... I have to go back to my first intention of coming back to Malaysia.... and I want a fast result... if I stay, I may not able to reap the benefits sooner :-)

Bye team... I know you can do well without me! 

~ MT@Malaysia

~~ Damansara, Kuala Lumpur

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

ID: Day 4 BDO

Today is the last day. Actually, final day and our flight is in the morning. Had a simple breakfast and my bro's driver drove us to the airport slightly after 8am. We need to be early since my brother is going to work after that, so drop us first, went back home to pick up my brother.

The counters are not open until about 2 - 2.5 hours before departure. In fact, the morning shift for airport security just began. We have to wait outside for quite some times before being allowed into the terminal.

Checked in at 9am. It was a breeze since we don't have much things to check in. And we were second in the queue.

The flight to bring us back to KUL is PK-AWN, a Boeing 737-200 AirAsia Indonesia. It arrived from KUL at 10.45 am and supposed to depart for KUL at 11.20am.

Our flight number is QZ7597 and this aircraft will be in KUL for 30mins before continue back to CGK.

Boarding was called and it was done according to the section. Every passenger was given a departure card stated either "A" or "B". Don't really mind since all seats are assigned. It was a full board and the pushback was at 11.10am. 10 minutes ahead of ETD.

Landed safely at KLIA-LCCT at 2pm, 25 minutes earlier than scheduled. We were taxied to gate F66 and had a long walk to the international arrival of LCCT --> a new terminal which certain part till under constructions. Since it was a long walk, after clearing immigration, our luggage is already there.

We took a bus to KL Sentral and then LRT to Kelana Jaya. Thought to save cost however, we were doomed. The taxis there refused to use meter and all want to charge RM15 for a short drive to Tropicana area. really pissed off. Reported to the ministry via its website and hope action has been taken (since I didn't receive any acknowledgement from the ministry).

The taxi registration number was HB698o (#908) with "Upt0wn Ace Taxi" printed on the side doors. So folks, beware of this taxi driver. Don't get on unless he agreed to use meter.

Well.. thats the end of my journey to Bandung. It was a nice city and probably will go there again.

~ MT@Malaysia

~~ Damansara, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself~

ID: Day 3 BDO

Third day in Bandung... nothing much to buy anymore... thinking of relaxing, but my younger brothers wanted to buy some jeans.. so off we went to Toko Tiga. This outlet is famous among Malaysians who want cheap original jeans, especially Levi's.

Toko tiga is not within the normal outlets area. This shop situated within the centre of Bandung city. If I am not mistaken, near the existing streets of Bandung (looking from the surrounding shophouses).

Since it was Sunday, and the driver is off, my elder brother drove us there. Lots of brands over there and before you buy, may want to check the offers available. Bought Levi's jeacns jacket on sale for around RM50. Pretty decent I would say.

Cashier would ask which tour bus you came with since the driver will get some sort of commission when their tourists spend there. So, no surprise to see lots of tour buses parked along the already congested narrow street in front of the outlet.

For the jeans, you can get the alteration done for free and for a small fees if you want to attached back the original hem. Good bargain!

After Toko Tiga, we drove to Jalan Riau area, another cluster of outlets such as Secrets, Brand, Heritage, Cascade etc.. Bought Liz Clairbone and GA pants... and i think I am done for the whole trip :-)

Tomorrow would be the last day and our flight is in the morning. No more shopping... just go back, packing and relaxing .....

~ MT@Indonesia

~~ Dago Golf Resort, Bandung

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

ID: Day 2 BDO

My brother's driver dropped us at Victoria Outlet, our first stop of conquering the shopping streets of this Paris van Java.

Nothing to buy here, so we walked along Dago street where majority of factory outlets are situated. Stopped by one outlets to another, but nothing interest me. So, I am the less shopper compare to Izam :-)

Lunch time, we stopped by Kartika Sari. Wow, this place has changed a lot since my last visit. It is bigger and have couple of shops on the first floor. To my dismay the service for today's lunch was super duper slow. I ordered three dishes, "sup buntut", "kangkung belacan" and "sapi black pepper". The soup came first and followed by the other two 20 minutes later!

After lunch, need to burn those calories... so we walked to uphill (Kartika Sari was situated at the beginning of Dago lower part). Nothing much to buy along the Dago street, so we took a taxi in front of Episode outlet to go to Rumah Mode. Izam needed to change one of the shirts he bought for his nephew yesterday. The Guess shirt has a cross on the abstract printed on the back of the shirt. Getting taxi was not difficult, but to get the one that will use meter is not an easy task. The first two taxis were asking Rph40000 for that single trip. The third one, Taxi Putra was the saviour. It was raining at that time and the driver used meter, however the minimum is Rph20000, which is half than the first two taxis were asking.

When it rained in Bandung, there will be no fun. Shopping is not as great as a clear day. We were supposed to meet my brother and family for a dinner at The Valley, one of the restaurants near the golf course that offer a scenic view of the city. Another one is Sierra. Any visitors to Bandung must make a trip to these two (either one) for dinner and enjoy the view.

Since it was raining and "macet", my brother agreed to pick us up at one of the petrol station near Zenith outlet, not far from Rumah Mode. Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication and he was waiting at another station along the same road.

We did meet and drove to The Valley. It was situated half way towards our house, so, no worries if we were a bit late for dinner. The view was splendid and thank you Izam for the dinner.

~ MT @ Indonesia

~~ Dago Golf Course, Bandung

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

ID: Day 1 BDO

Arrived in the morning and in the afternoon, time to go for shopping. Went out with my brother and sister in law to Pasar Baru. Bought some "pelikats" and Izam bought some "telekung" and cloth for "baju melayu" and wool for pants.

Spent couple of hours there and then my brother dropped us at Rumah Mode. One of the favourites for Malaysians. And I was correct. Majority of people I bumped in Rumah Mode are Malaysians :-)

We were out until around 8pm and went back home at the golf course. A beautiful view of Bandung city at night.

Half of day on the first day in Bandung. Not bad..... :-)

~ MT @ Indonesia

~~ Dago Golf Course, Bandung

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

ID: A Trip to BDO (KUL - BDO)

Long Chinese New year weekend. I decided to join my family and brother in Bandung, Indonesia. My brother and his family have been staying there for nearly two years and my parents just joined them last week.

So this trip is a shopping trip cum visiting family :-))

Left Damansara around 6.30am to KL Sentral via a taxi.

 Decided to spend less in transportation as possible :-). Took Aerobus to LCCT from KL Sentral at 7.05am. Upon arrival at the LCCT, rushed directly to the check in counter. Luckily the counter was already opened and no one queuing there. Good!

Once checked in, walked to LCCT Food Garden for a breakfast. The price is reasonable.

By 9a.m. walked back to the terminal. Surprisingly, the departure hall was not as crowded as I expected. This is Air Asia Indonesia, hence the seat was assigned. Cool.. no rushing to get the good seat.

The aircraft, B737-200 christened PK-AWC arrived from Jakarta on time. The boarding started soon after and by 9.55am, push-back started. Was assigned seat 19E and Izam at 19F.

Landed at Bandung 11a.m. local time. It was indeed a small airport (I was told about the airport before). In fact, the only international flight into Bandung is from KUL. It shows the high demand from Malaysians to spend money in Bandung :-))

The overall arrival is crowded due to immigration and baggage claim area at the same place. All bags must be scanned by the only X-Ray machine. So, once you have cleared immigration, you sort of have to do a u-turn to put your hand-luggage into the machine.

The bags will be delivered based on the checked-in tag. So better get it ready. Once you spot the bag, just go and take it. If necessary, you need to open your bag for manual inspection. No worries, if you are not carrying anything illegal, no problem with it. 

I have to open my bag since I carried couple bottles of soy sauce :-))

Within 30 minutes, out of the airport to my darling nephew and niece outside the hall :-))

It was an uneventful flight!

~ MT @ Indonesia

~~ Hussein Sastranegara Airport, Bandung

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: It has been.....

XX years I live in this world!

Happy Birthday to me!!!!!

~ MT @ Malaysia

~~ Ampang, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~