Four Days in Serbia

For detail see http://joelserbia.blogspot.qa/


Got 4 days holiday for the Eid, decided to go to Belgrade 6-9 July 2016 due to following reason:
- Found the music festival event, EXIT, on Fest 300 page, during the period
- Found that with US visa, for Indonesian passport I can enter without applying visa
- Relatively close to Qatar, though not that close, about 4-5 hours flight, with direct flight from Qatar Airways

Arrived in Belgrade just before noon time, after getting local cash from the ATM in the airport, the transfer to my hostel using public bus was quite smooth.
Since the check in was only allowed after 2pm, I went for lunch to a restaurant named "?", recommended by the hostel staff, read about this restaurant before and was willing to try.
My first Serbian meal was not that OK, due to my chose I guessed, followed the waiter recommendation to order bean soup and Serbian salad.
While the soup might be acceptable, I couldn't accept the chopped raw onion in the salad.
Should have ordered the mainstream meat meal.

After a quick shower, joined the free walking tour, like many others in European cities.
The tour was quite enjoyable.
The pretty young guide was quite interesting, teaching us dancing and giving us rakija (Serbian most famous liquor) and souvenir of paper money, the money used during Yugoslavia economically worst period.
I became a friend with one Spanish participant lady and we had a dinner at Restaurant Šešir moj on lovely Skadarska Street.

Early morning, the next day, after eating my "birthday cake" as a breakfast, I headed to the train station to Novi Sad. It was quite funny how difficult to find information from which platform the train to Novi Sad would depart since the lady in the Info booth didn't speak English.
The train was cheap and new, but crowded many people headed to Novi Sad for EXIT.

Arriving in Novi Sad still in the morning, I decided to go to Subotica, a pretty town in the Hungarian border, famous for its pretty buildings.
I missed the guided tour for the town hall arriving 15 minutes late, so I just wandered around the town.
Found a nice decorated restaurant called Boss Cafe.
Decided to go back to Novi Sad by train since I had Couchsurfing gathering for the EXIT at 6pm.

Thanks to Couchsurfing (CS), I got friends to go to the music fest together.
We gathered in front of the Cathedral and met new friends.
Before heading to the festival, we had a picnic in the Danube Park, sitting on the grass, chatting with our new friends.
The group, many local Serbian, and many Turkish, also there were girls and boys from neighboring Slovenia, to the further South Africa and furthest Antigua & Barbuda.
After drinking rakija and stuff, finally we decided to go to the festival to see Bastille, a group famous for its song, Pompeei, I knew this song from the cover in Glee.

So many people, mostly young, and mostly white people joined the festival.
There were many stages, we went to the Main Stages, to see Bastille and Ellie Goulding.
Since I only knew one song from Bastille, Pompeii, covered in Glee, I didn't enjoy their performance.
I enjoyed Ellie Goulding performance since I knew many of her songs, though I think her dress taste was awful. She was wearing training trousers and oversized jacket that she took off later, turned out to be just black tight shirt.
Same awful with the dance.
There were no dancers, only 3 back singers, but the band was good.
One of the band member played piano, sometime guitar, while the drummer was good looking.
Ellie sometime played guitar.
The performance ended and peaked with my favorite and her most popular song, Love Me Like Do from the movie Fifty Shades of Grey.
After the Ellie performance, we moved to the Dance Stage, which looked much more bigger than the Main Stage. So crowded that we could not proceed to be able to see the stage clearly.
There was aerial dancer and laser light play in the Dance Stage area.
Feeling cold and tired, I decided to go back earlier, about 3AM.

The next day, even though I slept about 4AM, I woke up about 8AM.
After having breakfast, I went to the famous beach on the Danube river, the Strand.
It was pretty cheap, only RSD 50 to enter, and it was cool, a lot of bars along the white sandy beach.
The water was a bit cold for me after a dip try.
There were many beautiful young people on the beach.

After a quick pizza lunch, I went back to Belgrade by bus.
Arriving Belgrade, I walked from the train station to Moskva Hotel, passing the buildings bombed by NATO.
I was looking forward to seeing and staying at this famous and historical Moskva Hotel.
Since the price was only EUR 77 with breakfast, I was wondering why so cheap.
But when I entered the hotel, I know that you got what you paid.
Though the exterior looked wow, the inside looked so so, and the room was small, like a business hotel in Japan. I went to the spa, which was OK, with jacuzzi pool, steam and dry saunas.

Having difficulty deciding where to get my last dinner in Serbia, finally I went back to Skadarska Street, to try Restaurant Dva Jelena, opposite of the restaurant I came before yesterday.
I joined the pub crawl tour that departed at 10pm, was looking forward to going to the floating clubs on Sava River.
I might have to believe what people said that Belgrade has the best nightlife in Europe.

My last day, before heading to the airport, using bus from my hotel, I went to a quick photo visit to the famous Saint Sava Temple and Saint Mark Church.

Here are my best 5 for this trip Serbia
1. The cost. Cheaper than most European countries and Japan. One glass draught beer (500cc) costed about USD 2, and had fine dining costed less than USD 10. Hostel bed in Belgrade costed EUR 10, and the intercity train and bus costed less than EUR 10. 1.5L water bottle costed about half Euro.
2. The Serbian people. They are friendly and humble, fun and crazy.
3. Dining in restaurants on lovely Skadarska Street. Lively with people and live music.
4. The Strand, the beach of Danube River in Novi Sad, with live DJ music and beautiful people.
5. Splavs, the floating river clubs in Belgrade. Lots of clubs with different music along the riverside.

Review and Tips from Traveling Thailand (Bangkok, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan) April 2016

7 days traveling Bangkok, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, 16-22 April 2016.
Below are tips and review for future reference.


Places

Chaweng Beach (Koh Samui)
The most popular place in Koh Samui, with big shopping malls, a lot of convenient stores, pharmacies, bars, restaurants, massage parlors along its main street.
The beach itself is quite beautiful white sandy beach, with small wave.

Angthong Marine National Park
Joined the tour by 100 Degree East at Koh Samui, including snorkeling, kayaking and visit to the Emerald Lake.
Paid THB 4950, which was quite expensive compared to other tour operators, but we got exclusive treatment, only 11 participants (4 were children) we got 4 staff with us.
We started at 9:00, which was later than other operator.
We rode on the private ferry for about 45 minutes, to reach our snorkeling point in the north part of the islands.
The snorkeling was quite disappointing, not many things could be seen, and the corals were dead and not colorful.
After snorkeling, he visited another island to have lunch in a pretty beach, than took a nap on a hammock on the beach. Some of us did he hiking to the top (30 minutes return).
Then, we moved to another island to start kayaking.
I didn't know why my kayak wasn't moving faster enough to catch up with others, maybe I rowed it wrongly.
Then we did the small climbing to see the Emerald Lake, which was a salt water lake, connected to the sea by underwater channel.

Haad Rin (Koh Phangan)
Famous for Full Moon Party.
Since it is located in a narrow strip in the island south, there are two beach, Haad Rin Nai (Sunset Beach) and Haad Rin Nok (Sunrise Beach) where the Full Moon Party is located.
Both beaches were not clean and not fit for swimming, but good view for sunset and sunrise.
In the southern part of the Sunset Beach, there is a nice reggae bar, didn't get the name, on a wooden platform. The cocktail was THB 150.
On the same Sunset Beach, there is also like a bar on the tree.

Leela Beach (Koh Phangan)
Just located south of Haad Rin Nai, separated by a cliff.
Quieter beach with Coco Hut hotel dominated the area.
There was a long, about 200 meters, plastic pier, in the end of the pier, it was good spot for snorkeling, lots of fishes.
Further south, there was a wooden path, leading to Lighthouse Bungalows. In the middle of the wooden path, there was a rest area, which was good for a nap.

Than Sadet (Koh Phangan)
Though it was by coincidence I wrongly chose my accommodation in this area, Than Sadet was truly nature gift. The lagoon shape white sandy beach, and the bungalows on the rock.
There are several waterfalls, since I didn't have motorbike, I went to the nearest one, though the water fall itself was small, it was a nice place take a nap on the rock, or swimming in the natural pool.

Transportation

Bangkok

Don Muang Airport
There is possibility to use public transportation, like combination of buses or train, but it seems taking an effort and long time to get to the city, so I chose the easiest way, i.e. airport taxi.
It was completely by meter. To my hotel in Silom area, the taxi fare itself was about THB 300, then it is optional, but to take 2 highways, we need to add THB 70 + 50.
Don Muang Airport is the old Bangkok airport, once abandoned after the opening of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport, but then re-opened to serve mostly LCC cheap airlines.
There are lots of money exchange banks, and SIM card sellers too (mainly dtac).

Suvarnabhumi Airport
Bangkok main international airport now.
Can be accessed by SRT train, with the link to Metro Petchaburi Station at Makkasan station (10 minutes walk between the stations) and to BTS at Phaya Thai Station.

Metro and BTS
Metro is underground train and BTS is aboveground train.
Didn't use any pass or card, just bought the token and ticket at the office or machines

Bus
The cheapest option, less than THB 20. Google Map worked.

Taxi and Bike Taxi
Taxi is by meter and Bike Taxi is by negotiation.
Bike Taxi is the best way during traffic hour.


Samui and Phangan Islands

Ferries between Islands
Online ticket sale: http://www.ferrysamui.com/
15% discount.
But can be bought at site too without difficulties.

Koh Samui Island Ferry Terminals
There are several ferry terminals from Samui to Phangan Island depend on the ferry company.
I used Lomprayah that departs from Maenam.
But the most convenient terminal due to closer distance to airport and Chaweng main town is Bangkrak (Big Budha) terminal.

Koh Phangan Island Ferry Terminals
Main terminal is in Thong Sala.
However, there is also terminal in Haad Rin, convenient for Full Moon Party.
Ferry from Haad Rin to Samui Island Bangkrak (Big Budha) terminal cost THB 200 and took about 45 minutes.

Koh Samui Inland Transportation
I didn't rent a bike, but it is cheap, about THB 250 per day.
Many warning in the internet about the contract, that make people pay huge amount of money if they scratch the bike.
There is Songthaew minibus around the island.
Taxi is expensive.
Private taxi from airport to Chaweng is THB 300 (I ordered by my hotel).
I hired taxi from Chaweng to Maenam Pier for THB 350 after negotiation, normally it is THB 400-500.

Koh Phangan Inland Transportation
I saw some songthaew but didn't actually use it.

Accommodation

Koh Phangan (Than Sadet): Mae Pen Rai
Located in the remote beach of Than Sadet.
Booked the bungalow on the rock by Airbnb, didn't realize that the place is remote and far from the Full Moon Party in Haad Rin. When I came to know that the place was in remote area, from the instruction how to go from Airbnb, I decided to try to stay only one night, then move to Haad Rin for the Full Moon Party.
As per the instruction, from Thong Sala Pier, I looked for the once a day taxi that departs on 13:00, I had to look for Mr. Wat at Teets Than Sadet, to get onto the shared taxi for THB 200, if I missed this, I had to pay THB 800 for a private taxi.
I had a hard time to find the shared taxi (actually it was a Songthaew), had to ask more than 10 people, finally found it, fortunately the car had not departed.
Even though there was no other passengers except me, the driver didn't let me sit on the seat next to the driver in the front, so I had to sit on the back seat, and the road to the Than Sadet was windy mountain road, so I sit on the floor not to get car sick.
After about 45 minutes uncomfortable drive, finally I arrived in Than Sadet, the secluded beach.
My jaw dropped when I saw the natural lagoon beach in front of me.
Had to walk to the right end to the reception of my bungalow, Mai Pen Rai.
Since the receptionist couldn't find my booking (later on Airbnb host RoomFilla informed me there was some issue that my booking was not transferred properly), the boss, Mrs. Fiona gave me the key of a bungalow on the rock.
She asked me to follow the staff, who helped to bring one of my backpack.
We had to cross the white sandy beach to the other side, then climbed the rock.
Then we had to walk on the rock, passing a low pass that we had to bow lower to pass under the big stone.
When I arrive in my bungalow, my jaw dropped again.
The whole bungalow was for me!
One double bed and one single bed, the balcony with the sea view, that night I slept with the natural wave sound.
There are some waterfalls on the map, since I didn't have a motorbike, I hiked to the nearest one, there was a sign on the main road, went to the stairs down into the jungle from the main road and found the stream with many rocks. The waterfall was small, there was a pool, and some people were taking a nap on the rocks.
With the price of only USD 23 per night, this was a real treat!

Koh Phangan (Haad Rin): Star Hostel
Booked the hostel with highest rating in Booking.com.
Not cheap, 12 bed dorm for THB 1000.
Above expectation, the bed and the room were comfortable.
And as the review said, the owner, Mr. Van from USA, whose married a local Thai lady was very friendly and helpful. He informed me about Sea Breeze Resort and Coco Hut (Leela Beach) and even took me there by his motorbike. He even lent me swimming pants (though too big) and snorkel.

Koh Samui (Chaweng): B2@Samui Resort
Booked the cheapest room in the cheapest resort with access to the beach in Booking.com.
Didn't have much expectation due to cheap, and when arrived in my room, just thought "you got what you paid". The room is very small in the ground floor and outside the door was the main access to the beach.
There were small pool and restaurant just near the beach.
The beach was nice.

Bangkok: Mirth Sathorn
Located between Silom and Sathorn Road, behind BNH hospital in a quiet area, which is good.
Small hotel, small room, single bed.
Booked for THB 1650 per night for 2 nights, without breakfast during Songkran.


Food

MK Restaurants (everywhere)
Big chain restaurant of Thaisuki hotpot.
They are everywhere, had dinner at Silom Complex.
Don't like the hotpot taste and the chilly sauce.
The roasted duck was good though.
I like the ordering system by e-pad.

Issaya Siamese Club (Bangkok)
A high class restaurant. Renovated old house.
Nice decoration.
Nice food, but quite expensive.
Location is hard to find, especially if walking from train station.
Spent THB 3,554.54 for 2 persons, but we ordered too much.

Mango Tree Bistro (Central World, Bangkok)
Spent THB 960 for 2 persons.
Nice food.
The only restaurant that let us in after 22:00 in Central World shopping mall.

Food Court in Chaweng Main Street
Many seafood stalls in this roofed open air food court, located in the southern part of the Chaweng Main Road. Difficult to choose which one is better than another. Took 7 king prawns for THB 300 then clams for THB 120.
One unique hand made ice cream stall, run by a cute French girl. One scoop THB 60, 2 scoops THB 100. She said her boyfriend made the ice cream. She has been living in Samui for 2 years, saying that it was difficult to find a job in France, but in Thailand it was easy to start a business.

Little Home (Haad Rin, Koh Phangan)
Popular with tourist, reasonable price, ordered Pad Thai, but not that yummy.

Samui Pier Resort (Bangkrak, Samui)
A resort nearby Bangkrak (Big Budha) Pier.
Had lunch here, spent THB 264 for Panang curry and a beer.

Bars

Chaweng Beach, Samui
A lot of bars in the Chaweng main street.
One of major bar is Ark Bar on the beach side. There is daily fire show, and dance on the beach.

Haad Rin Nai (Sunset Beach)
There is a nice but simple bar on a wooden platform at the south side of the beach, like a reggae bar.

SIM Card
http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Thailand
Bought dtac 7 days prepaid package for THB 300 at the seller in Don Muang Airport.
Lots of seller greeted passengers coming out.
Was satisfied with the unlimited SIM.


ATM
Everywhere, mostly has charge fee of THB 200.

Traveler's Cheques
Surprised that it still exists here, can be exchanged at Money Exchange Banks in the airport.

3 days trip to Mumbai (4-6 October 2014)

Report
Traveling date: 4-6 October 2014

Guidebook
Wikitravel on Mumbai.

Visa
Visa on Arrival for Indonesian passport.
Must bring:
1. Passport size photo (1)
2. Copy of return flight ticket
3. Copy of hotel booking
4. Pay Cash USD 60

Accommodation
Stayed in Diplomat Hotel, booked with Agoda, about USD 75 per night.
The only good thing about this hotel is the location.
Just behind the famous Taj Mahal hotel nearby the Gate of India.
A lot of restaurants are in walking distance, including McDonald, and Starbucks is just across the street. And the famous Leopold Cafe (appeared in Shantaram) is 5 minutes walking.
From nearby big road, can ride bus or taxi.
The AC is non-split AC which is noisy, the TV is brown-tube not LCD, the elevator is manual opening, overall facilities were not satisfying.

Eating
Since I was afraid of getting stomachache, I avoided food street, I ate mainly in the restaurants.
- McDonald's
There is one just a block away from my hotel and Leopold Cafe. There is no beef, instead there is vegetarian paner (cheese) burger. Lots of spicy choices.
- KFC
Ate in the airport. Lots of spicy choices too.
- Mahal Moti
In Bandra. Upper class. Delicious. Ordered Butter Chicken, Roti, Nan, Crocquete, and 2 Lemon Lime soda, costed 1311 rupees.
- Copper Chimney
There are one in Fort area, and one in Highstreet Phoenix. Upper class. Ordered gravy prawn curry, gravy bean meal, and kofta in gravy, 3 beers, spent 2800 rupees.
- Thrishna
Upper class seafood restaurant, located in Fort Area, not far from Rhythm house, recommended by Wikitravel, Trip Advisor (rank 22), and my Japanese friend lives in Mumbai.
Ordered very yummy crab garlic butter and spicy fried fish, and beer, spent 1750 rupees.

Transportation
- From airport to my hotel in Colaba, I took prepaid taxi, and paid 550 rupees. It is a mini car (normal taxi in Mumbai) and non-AC. Take about an hour in early morning (no traffic jam), from the International airport to Colaba.
- Taxis are cheap. Initial rate is 21 rupees. From Colaba to Phoenix Mall costed 200 rupees.
- Rickshaw is tuktuk. Initial rate is 17 rupees, only operate in certain area (north area).
- Bus is super cheap. From Colaba to CST train station is 8 rupees. From Malabar Hill down to Gigaon Chawpaty Beach was 5 rupees.
- Local train is super cheap too. From Churchgate to Mahim Junction (for the famous slum area Dheravi) was 10 rupees. Same price from CST Station to Bandra. From Lower Pare (Highstreet Phoenix Mall) to Churchgate was 5 rupees.
- Ferry from Gate of India to Elephantas Island was 160 rupees (return).

Sightseeing
- Elephantas Cave.
A world heritage ruins in the caves, located in an island about 1 hour ferry ride from Gate of India. Entrance fee was 250 rupees for foreigner (for local only 10 rupees). Arriving the island, there is small and over crowded train take people to the start of the climbing stairs, the train costed 10 rupees, but have to fight to get on.
It was better that my expectation, the pilars in the cave were beautiful, so as the carvings.
There is trekking area called Canon Hill, started just before the ticket entrance. About 15 minutes walk to the first canon, then 5 minutes more to the second.
- Gate of India
The most famous icon in Mumbai.
- Taj Mahal hotel
You can enter to see the luxurious interior.
- CST Station and colonial buildings in Fort and Colaba areas.
Beautiful colonial buildings, and art deco building.
- Gigaon Chowpaty Beach
Dirty due to rubbish, but interesting to see the local people.
- Juhu Beach
Located in the north, a bit cleaner that Gigaon Chowpaty Beach.
- Hanging Garden at Malibar Hill
Can see the necklace shape of Chowpaty beach and Marine drive. There is famous boot-shaped hut.
- Slum tour to Dheravi
Joined Reality Tour, costed 750 rupees per person. Meeting at 09:15 at Churchgate in front of book store inside the station. Then we rode the local train to Mahim Junction.
The tour was both, interesting and depressing.
Interesting that the people in the slum area working hard in business like recycling plastic, leather work, and clay pot.
Depressing seeing safety is not a concern in the working places, and the habitat is not hygienic.
Another company conducted the same tour is Be the Local, charging cheaper 500 rupees per person, departing from Mahim Junction station.
- Crawfort Market
Just nearby CST train station. Can see people selling spices, fruits, vegetable, meat and pet.
- ISCKON
Khrisna temple located near Juhu beach. No visit is OK too.

Missed Attractions
- Movie tour
Was full.
- Prince of Wales Museum
Was closed on mondays.
- popular worship places such as Haji Ali mosque and Mahalaxmi temple
- afternoon high tea at Sea Lounge at Taj Mahal Hotel.
- meal at Shree Thaker Bhojanal.
Was closed on Sunday nights. Ranking no.1 in Trip Advisor recommended restaurant.

My Diaries
Watching Slumdog Millionaire and reading Shantaram, made me want to visit Mumbai since long time ago. Moreover, I love Bollywood movies, their dance and music, their beautiful and handsome actress and actors.
I used 4 days Eid Al Adha from my company to go to Mumbai for 3 days, 4-6 October 2014.
Chose the cheapest available ticket, I flied Indian Jet Airways.
Going flight plane was old and no individual monitor, but returning flight had the monitor.
Arrived 5AM in the morning, applying visa on arrival, then took taxi to my hotel, Diplomat hotel in Apollo Bandar, Colaba area.
Since it was too early to check-in, I walked around the hotel.
Didn't expect it that my hotel is located so close to the most famous the Gate of India and Taj Mahal Hotel. So the location of my hotel was perfect, but not the facilities.
When I checked in Facebook, a notification came that a Japanese friend was living in Mumbai.
Thanking Facebook for the reminder, I contacted that friend and made appointment to meet later.
Then I called the Reality tour to join their slum tour started at 9AM. Though was a bit expensive (750 rupees) than Be the Local tour (500 rupees), I chose the Reality since it started in the morning, and it said 80% of their profit goes to the slum community.
So I took a taxi to Churchgate station where the meeting point.
With other travelers, the guides took us by local train to Mahim Junction station, the nearest station to Dheravi slum area.
Was divided into several groups, I was grouped with a Taiwanese and a UK gay couple.

The guide took us to the area, and reminded us that taking pictures was not allowed.
The first stop was plastic recycle industry.
They separated plastic rubbish into several types, then they grind to make it small like pallet, which to be sold to plastic manufacturers.
The machines used for grinding the plastic were all locally made in the area.
Then the guide took us to the residential area, leather industry area, clay pot making areas.
That day was 2 days before Eid Al Adha celebration where they cut goats, that we saw a lot of goats. Couldn't imagine on Eid Al Adha day when they cut all the goats, should be blood everywhere.
While it was interesting to see the industries and the life in the slum, it was also depressing seeing the work conditions that not considering safety. Also the hygienic condition was so poor.

Three Days in Copenhagen, 8-10 July 2015

Copenhagen was my last stop for my 2 weeks journey to Scandinavia (http://joelscandinavia2015.blogspot.com/).
Years ago, when I read that Scandinavia, including Denmark, has one of the highest living standard in the world and environmentally super friendly place, I imagined super clean, super in-order city.
Though it was not like what I was thinking, the city is more crowded and not that super clean and super in-order, it is a pretty nice city with many historical building and nice cafes.
They said that Danish people, people living in Denmark, is the happiest people in the world.
Yes I could see that during my visit, local people, especially white people, were very friendly and smiley (on other side, I felt local Asian immigrants were not friendly).

Copenhagen has collection of nice hostels, that I found difficulties to choose ones, since I stayed only two nights. They have the biggest youth hostel in Europe (maybe in the world), called Danhostel, is just like a tower hotel. Finally I chose Urban House, and I was happy about my decision. I also stayed in Woodah Hostel, attracted to the free yoga every morning and free organic breakfast, but... mmh I should've stayed in Urban House more. Urban House is a really cool hostel, with cool interior, cool bar and well management, located just few minutes from the central station.

I felt Danish people is very strict in time.
Twice, I was left by the train in front of my nose, the conductor didn't even want to wait for a second to let me in. Another example, I booked the famous and popular Schønnemann Restaurant, came 30 minutes late, and they said they had sold my table already.

Well, this is the list of what I like about my stay in Copenhagen.
1. Urban House hostel
2. Nyhavn, my favourite place in Copenhagen, pretty harbor in the canal, with colorful buildings.
3. Canal tour, is a must-do thing in Copenhagen. Choose the yellow company.
4. Free Walking tour, a nice introduction to the city, started from City Hall and end in Nyhavn.
5. Transportation system is very convenient. Buying a transport pass, 1 day or 3 day is a must, otherwise single journey is too expensive.

Nyhavn, or the New Harbor

Little Mermaid and big me :)

Smørrebrød, the Danish open face sandwich

changing of the guard at Amelienborg Palace

Journey to Romania for 4 days, 17-20 July 2015

Using Eid holiday (17-20 July 2015)  in Qatar, I went to Romania.
Chose Romania since I was curious about Dracula thing, then I still had my Schengen visa valid, though Romania is not a Schengen Area, people with valid Schengen visa can enter Romania.

During my searching using their official tourism website, it reveals that so many nice places to visit in Romania. So many historical castles and villages, also beautiful natural places.

Since I had only 4 days, I concentrated to Bucharest and not-so-far Transylvanian region, to see the Dracula castle.
Many advised to rent-a-car to save time, since I planned to visit many cities, Bucharest, Sinaia, Bran, Brasov, Sighisoara and Sibiu, but since I was tired and had a night out, I decided to use train.

Bucharest was a vast city.
The Palace of the Parliament, the impressive building built by notorious dictator Nicolai Ceaucescu, was indeed impressive. Billions of dolars were spent to fulfill the Ceaucescu dream after he saw what North Korea had.
There was a big concert by major artist, Robbie Williams, in front of the palace.
Misdirection made me go around the vast complex to find the entrance.
The mandatory 40 minutes guide tour showed me the wow interior of the buildings, many of the rooms now can be rented by public.
The old city itself is quite small, since Ceaucescu destroyed most of old building, replacing with communist type of concrete buildings.
I joined the free walking tour which was nice, but 6pm in summer time in Bucharest was very hot.

The next day I joined the tour to visit 2 popular castles, Peles Castle and Bran Castle or Dracula Castle.
Our guide, Serban, was quite funny and had lots of stories about history and cultural of his countries, so the tour was quite fun.
Our first stop was Peles Castle, the most beautiful palace in Romania, a summer palace for the royal family.
Bran Castle is the most visited place in Romania by tourist, due to its marketing as Dracula Castle. However, not only that the palace is not pretty, but the relation with the dracula is very thin. Only that Vlad the Impaller, the model of the dracula story by Bram Stoker, was lived a while in this castle.

Since our tour had a short visit in Brasov, I requested them to drop me there, since I planned to stay there one night.
When the bus dropped us in the big square in the old town of Brasov, I was amazed by the beauty of the old town, with the back of the mountain wall, where on the top there was "BRASOV" sign, like the Hollywood sign.
I wished I had more time to explore the city, but the next day, I took the train to Sighisoara, the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Sighisoara, like Brasov and Sibiu, is one of the seven medieval Transylvanian cities.
The city was quite small, that I walked around the sites in the city in about 2 hours.

Sibiu was my favourite place during this trip.
It was the richest amongst the seven medieval city.
I believe the good management by the former major, now the president of Romania, Mr. Klaus Johannis, made the city nice.
The old town is bigger and spacious than Brasov, though it is lack of Brasov mountain back.
I really enjoyed the dawn there, with the red sky as the background of the historical buildings.

The next day, I took the 6 hours train back to Bucharest.

Romania is cheap! A lot of nice restaurants with affordable price, with a glass of beer is less than 2 euros at almost all restaurants.
Surprisingly, a lot of places for tourists, like old towns, medieval villages, castles and old churches, including fortified churches. A lot of natural places too for hiking, which I didn't go this time.
The public transportation between cities, like train and bus, is not that convenient, so next time I will rent a car to explore remote places.

Like:
1. Ciorba, the sour soup!
Especially Ciorba de Burta, the beef trip (belly) soup :)
2. The Price
Romania was cheap!
Dining in a nice upper grade restaurant with beer costed about USD 10!
3. Beautiful Faces of Romanian Youngster
Both boy and girl are good looking, especially the young locals work in the restaurants.
4. Old Town of Sibiu, really pretty.
5. Old Town of Brasov, really pretty too.

Dislike:
1. The trains
Slow, always delay, hot.

One of the biggest room in the Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest

Papanasi, Romanian traditional desert

Peles Castle, the prettiest castle in Romania

the famous a man with a dog in Callei Victoriei

the Dracula Castle

getting married couple in Brasov

Nobu Doha

Finally, after waiting for 4-5 years, I ate at Nobu Doha.
Yes, about 4-5 years ago, when I was in Qatar that time, it said that Nobu Doha would open soon, but till I was demobilized 2012, the restaurant still had not opened. There was a news that the project was cancelled.
Am happy that it finally opened, after I returned to Qatar again this time.

I knew Nobu-san from Japanese TV program called 情熱大陸, the program that tell the stories about great Japanese people to be proud of. Nobu-san left Japan and started his first restaurant in New York. Now he became famous internationally, and opened many restaurants over the world.

Nobu Doha is located literally on the say, in the edge of ferry pier, behind Four Season Hotel.
Though the price is expensive for my standard, since in Doha a lot of rich people, locals and high paid expats, when I was there it was full.

With 4 Japanese colleagues, avoiding choosing food from the big menu collection, we decided to take Omakase course. Omakase literally means "up-to-you" or "you choose for me". There are 2 omakase courses, QAR 450 and QAR 650, we took the cheaper one.
It was quite a volume, started with sushi, ended with 2 deserts.
What made unsatisfyingly expensive was the drink.
In Japan, any restaurants provide free hot tea or water, but here, they charged QAR 35 for a glass of green tea, and QAR 55-65 for a tea pot.
Would love to come back though.

http://www.noburestaurants.com/doha/experience-3/

Beautiful Spots from Movie Shankar's I

Watching Indian (Tamil) movie of Shankar's I, I was amazed by the beautiful locations appeared in the movie, mostly in China.
After a search in the internet, I listed below beautiful locations used in the movie.
1. Lexiaguo in Yunnan, China
2. Red Seabeach in Panjin, China
3. Li River in Guilin, China
4. Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan, China
5. Huanglong in Sichuan, China
6. Jodhpur, the blue city in Rajakhstan, India

The movie poster

Huanglong

Guilin

Red Seabeach

Guilin

Lexiaguo

猿温泉 Monkey Hot Spring

２０１３年３月９日～１０日、来日したインドネシアの高校同級生とその妹と一緒に、戸隠でスキーをやった次の日に、外国人では有名だが、日本人の中であまり有名じゃない、世界唯一の猿が入ってる温泉、地獄谷温泉に行ってきた。
長年行ってみたかった夢がかなった～
雪が降ってて寒かったけど、それを忘れて、可愛い猿達の写真を撮ってた～

With my two Indonesian girl friends coming to Japan, we went to the famous monkey hot spring at Jigokudani onsen at Nagano on the second day of our ski trip to Togakushi.
We forgot the cold weather and the falling snow, and too took many pictures of the kawaii monkeys.

Breaking Guinness World Record by 2130 Ukulele Players at Yokohama

This weekend, Yokohama is Hawaii.
There are 2 different events at Akarengasoukou (Red Brick Warehouse) and Osanbashi, both in Minato Mirai.
The one in Akarengasoukou was calleed Ukulele Picnic, trying to break Guinness World Record on number of people playing ukulele at the same time.
Finally they succeeded with 2130 people playing ukulele at the same time.

今週は、横浜はハワイ！
みなとみらいの赤レンガ倉庫と大さん橋でハワイのイベント。
赤レンガ倉庫でやってるイベントは、ウクレレピクニックっていって、ギネス記録で、ウクレレをやる人数を新規にする挑戦した。
結果、成功して、2130人も集まって、ウクレレの演奏した。
芸能人になった元相撲取りのコニシキさんもいた。



Back to Japan!

Here I am, back to my second hometown, Japan, after 5 years 8 months work in Qatar, 1 month traveling to American continent and 2 weeks more in Indonesia, I resumed my work here from 18 June 2012.
Still need more time to get used to work and live in Japan, though I am happy working in the new office in Yokohama Minato Mirai.

5年8ヶ月のカタール赴任を終えて、2012年6月18日から、日本勤務復帰した。
まだ日本の生活リズムになれるのに時間かかるな～

Tennocho area, from my apartment



Tribute to Miss Isabel

Miss Isabel...

that's the name you chose before we went to Rio

David Guetta, Intercontinental Beach, Oct.2010

Birthday Party, July 2007

Looking for desert rose, 2007

Diplomatic Club, 2009

Rio, Feb.2010

Yeah, we went together to the Rio Carnival in 2010 with Mo and Ju...

We did a lot of things together since we firstly met in end of 2006 in Doha...

We had breakfast together with A-chan and my two other friends, Tak and Mat... in Le Notre

Yeah, we have been friends for more than 4 years since then...

Now that you are leaving Qatar soon...

It is time to say good bye... 

with hope to see each other again sometime somewhere...

Thank you for being a such good friend...

thank you for being a sister for me here in Qatar... with your many advises...

you were my shoulder to cry on when I was sad and depressed

You are so funny

with your "tennen boke"

your tsukkomi

your stories

bout your volley ball club, tibet, bollywood movie

bout cuba, bout your flights...

 

Thanks for being an oasis in this country

we had lots nice dinners

some clubbing and dancing nights....

With you, I could do lots of thing that nobody would do...

like dance exercise at the Aspire Park... :p

I am glad you had found your life partner

a nice one

and am glad I contributed somehow in your encounter with your love

Meeting you was one of greatest encounter in my life

i really hope the best for you from deep in my heart

and will always "ouen" from far

we may now say good bye because we won't meet in Qatar again

but we will keep in touch through the net

and we will get back together in Doha in 2022 with Mo and Ju...

bon voyage mon amie!

Momo Farewell, 2010

Japan wooooon! over Qatar

After thrilling 95 minutes game, Japan won over Qatar!!!!
The team had to fight not only with Qatar team, but also to referee and supporters.
Al Gharafa Stadium, Doha, Qatar, 21 January 2011 (Fri).

Click here for pics....


対現地チームのカタール。
現地チームよりの審判とスタジアムの9割を占める現地サポーターと戦わないといけなかった～
10人で、最後の最後に、勝ち点を入れて、３－２で勝った！
本当お疲れ様！

Museum of Islamic Arts, Doha, 17 September 2010

http://picasaweb.google.com/joel.jalan/MuseumOfIslamicArts17Sep10#

One another nice and peaceful Friday with some young colleague in Doha... my second time to the Museum designed by I.M.Pei...

this is my favourite photo today... ひげ比べ

Another 3 weeks….

Look up my calendar
The first day of September
Another 3 weeks you said
Before you would talk to me again

Have you ever thought
How I am supposed to live
This another 3 weeks
Till you would talk to me again

I know that I made mistake
I know that I deserve
To suffer another 3 weeks
Till you would talk to me again

Another 3 weeks
You may find new life, new love
I may change as well
World may change

Would we be able to be closed again like before?
After another 3 weeks…
Would I be survived?
Without you talking to me another 3 weeks…

Another 3 weeks is no short
But I have no other choice
Than to wait another 3 weeks
Promised I’ll be waiting…

Traveling Ethiopia

Itinerary
24 Jul 10: Addis Ababa
25 Jul 10: Lalibela
26 Jul 10: Bahir Dar
27 Jul 10: Gonder
28 Jul 10: Axum
29 Jul 10: Addis Ababa

Summary
Finally I got my revenge to enter Ethiopia, after being deported 2 years ago coz I could not get the entry visa.
There are 3 areas that I want to travel in Ethiopia, 1) to see the only permanent lava lake on earth, Erta’Ale, 2) to see the minor tribes, including the famous Mursi people with plate in their lips at Omo Valley, 3) to see the historical world heritages in the North.
Since Erta’Ale was too hot to visit during summer, and I couldn’t find someone to travel with me to share the cost to Omo Valley, this time I decided to go to the historical routes since it is the shortest, the easiest and the cheapest, even I took a lot of domestic planes.
I visited 5 cities, the capital, Addis Ababa, Lalibela which is famous for the rock-hewned churches, Bahar Dar with the monatries in Tana Lake, Gondar with the castle, Axum with the stelae (obelisk) in 6 days.
Except for Bahar Dar to Gonder, which by bus, all I went with airplane.
This time I traveled the first half of the trip with my pretty friend, Miss J.
In Addis Ababa, my host from Couchsurfing Kume, guided us around the city. We tried to chew Chat or Qat in a coffe shop, we tried also traditional food and honey wine called Tej. We drank the famous Macchiato also. The day we were there was university graduation day. We met also few wedding ceremonies.
In Lalibela, we hired a guide and visited the famous 11 rock-hewned churches. It was amazing to imagine how in the old times, people dig and carved the massive hard rock to make the churches. We enjoyed also the hotel Tukol Village and the village there. The lunch with rice in Jerusalem Guest House was a good relief from Ethiopian traditional sour bread, injera.
In Bahar Dar, we stayed in Ghion hotel near the Lake. We chartered a boat and visited 2 monastries on the islands in Tana Lake. It was good to know the life of monks in the island. In the afternoon, we chartered a car to go to Blue Nile Falls. The trip to this falls was better than expected. The hiking was nice, and the falls were huge. At night, we went to an Asmaric House, where the local enjoy the comedian and drink. Miss J enjoyed the evening dancing in front to the public in the club. I separated with Miss J and continued my travel to Gonder.
After frustating waiting the bus to depart from Bahar Dar, finally I arrived in Gonder afternoon. I went to the famous Gonder castle and hired a guide there. The young guide took me around the castle, and then we went to Debre Berhan Selassie church famous for the Monalisa-smile angels and Fasilada Bath. I had also a nice chat with a French Madam and few Spanish.
The next day, I flied to Axum, where I meet Canadian-British gentleman, Iain. We went together to the famous St.Mary of Zion church, hired a guide and watched the monthly ceremony there. Then he guided me to the famous Axum stelae and tombs. I made a good chat with Iain and I guessed we are now officially friend.
The next day, I flied to Addis and a promised to meet Iain in the afternoon at the famous café Tomoca. I met Kume in the airport, had lunch together, and visited Ethnographic Museum inside Addis Ababa University. The city had black-out and the museum was dark. I met Iain again in the café, had a chat, and headed to the airport together since he had to see his girlfriend in the airport. We stopped at Boston Daily Spa for me to have massage, while Iain waited at a restaurant in the same building. After the massage, we walked together to the airport.

Five nicest experiences this time:
1. Wandering about magnificent Lalibela rock-hewn churches.
2. Hiking to the Blue Nile Falls.
3. Exploring Axum stelaes and tombs with Iain the archeologist/ anthropologist
4. Exploring Gonder city with its famous castle and Debre Berhan Selassie church with its thousand Monalisa-smile angels
5. Boat trip at Tana Lake, visiting the monastries, the hippos and papyrus raft.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58138&id=1639731922&ref=notif¬if_t=like

W Hotel Spa experience

Today, using my benefit winning the third prize of World Environment Day photo contest, I went with my friend D to W Hotel Spa. The package included use of the room with jacuzzi for about 2 hours and massage for 75 minutes.
It was a great relaxing experience. The room was decorated cool, the jacuzzi and the shower were nice, and the massage was good.
Thanks to elephants in Amboseli National Park! :)

世界環境の日のフォトコンテストの賞品で、ドーハWホテルのスパ体験を、友人と二人で体験してきた。７５分のマッサージと２時間部屋の利用のパッケージだった。
マッサージもよかったし、部屋も格好良かった。ジャクジやシャワーも気持ちよかった。
ケニアのアンボセリ国立公園の象たちに感謝！

Winning Qatar World Environtment Day Photo Contest and Watching Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra

Today was the award ceremony of Qatar World Environment Day 2010. I won the third prize with my photo showing a group of elephants at Amboseli, Kenya. (see http://joeljalan.blogspot.com/2010/06/photo-contest.html)
The ceremony itself was a good experience. The event was sponsored by UNESCO also.
The prize I got was a bit disappointed though, an iPod from Virgin Megastore and Spa coupon from W Hotel. Saw the pictures that won the 1st and 2nd places, but I think they are not so impressive. Anyway, photo contest is very subjective, can't complain.
My D cancelled going with me, I invited my Polish friend, with a condition that I would go with him to watch Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra concert after the award.
The concert, titled The Best of Musical, was music from famous Musicals, like Phantom of the Opera, Chorus Line, Sound of Music, My Fair Lady etc. This was my first time watching the Orchestra. Enjoyed so more than I expected caused they played the songs I knew.