This Is Me: December 2012

So here I am, sitting like a boss with nothing to do at all. I am really glad, happy, and secretly feel thankful that my vacation is going to end soon, it's tomorrow precisely. Finally H.O.M.E. It's not that I don't like my vacation; it's just that I really miss my mom, my friends, and my hometown, Medan! I had spent my holiday long enough for around 20 days. My holiday spots for this year were Java (Jakarta, Puncak, Lembang, Bandung, Surabaya, Malang, and Batu) and Bali.

Jakarta
Well, what a busy city! Jakarta is a city with a lot of tall buildings. There is nothing but glamor here. I visited Dufan (you should be patient here, there is a very very verrryyyyy long queue in each game. I waited around 1 hour to play a game that takes not until 3 minutes), Waterbom (remember to wear a swimsuit or rent it) and a mall here. Anyway, it should only take the longest 3 hours to travel from Jakarta to Puncak, but if you are unlucky, you could do the journey for a long long day. Traffic-jam everywhere, especially in this holiday season. Before Puncak, you have to stop at Taman Safari for it is the best place to spend a day. There are a lot of free shows from the cute animals. Just make sure you arrive here earlier so you won't miss any of the shows since it only opens until 5.30 p.m. (check the weather too, it's better to visit on a sunny day)

Dufan

Taman Safari

Puncak

Bandung
6 hours driving from Jakarta! I believe it won't take so long if not from the impact of traffic-jam. but it is paid off because the scene is unbelievably great! When you're almost there, you can see mountains everywhere. Bandung has quite a narrow street with a lot of cars, so yeah.. traffic-jam in the city again! However, it only takes around 1 hour from the city to Lembang. From Lembang, it takes you around 1 hour to Tangkuban Perahu - a very beautiful mountain. Indescribable how amazing is the view here at Tangkuban. Mountains and craters (sometimes fog) are all you can see here. I like everything here except the smell of sulfur - it's like the smell of fart -.- Eating grilled corns and drinking a cup of hot milk are the best companion while enjoying the view. Another place to visit at Bandung is Trans Studio. It is quite like Genting from the design and everything, only Trans is smaller and contains all indoor-games.
P.S. Should try the roller coaster at Trans Studio!

Tangkuban Perahu

Kampung Daun - Lembang

Trans Studio - Bandung

Bali
Honestly, from all of the places I've visited, Bali is the most impressionable place. Bali is a place where modern living and cultural traditions mixed together into one. I really adore the architectures of Bali. It has a lot of modern buildings;however, people still haven't forgotten to put a little touch of cultural concepts. This what makes me feel so proud as an Indonesian.

Day 1
First day at Bali is the most exhausting day in my life. I went to a lot of places - Pasar Seni Ubud, Monkey Forest, Goa Gajah (which has nothing to do with elephant), Desa Pejeng, Tampak Siring and Gunung Kawi - a place that has 300 stairs to go down and to climb up again. Feel like an athlete!

Monkey Forest

Goa Gajah

Pura Penataran Sasih - Pejeng

Tampak Siring

Gunung Kawi

Day 2: I spent my day mostly at various beaches :)

Kuta Beach

Garuda Wisnu Kencana

New Kuta Beach ( Dreamland)

Pantai Padang Padang

Padang Padang

Day 3

Bedugul Botanical Garden - Bedugul, Bali

Rumah Kaca - Bedugul

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan - Bedugul

Tanah Lot

Surabaya
Surabaya is the second largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta, but it is not as busy as Jakarta. Honestly, Surabaya itself doesn't have an attractive place to visit except malls. Tons of malls exist here. The one that impresses me is Jawa Timur Park (Jatim Park). I has lots of unique animals, animals that you have never seen in your life. Jatim Park 2 is located at Batu ( what a name right?). It took around 3.5 hours driving to Batu by passing a city called Malang.