Mount Merapi continues to erupt here in Indonesia. It's actually due to her I ended up going to Bali after all. I was at the very end of Java and my idea was to slowly get back towards Jakarta and take the train via Yogyakarta again, but it didn't feel very appealing with the volcano. No idea if it will impact the train, and besides there is enough pressure on the infrastructure as it is, with tens of thousands being evacuated.
Better then to go over to Bali and fly from here, it was the closest airport. Now I just happen to take the extra turn over Sulawesi...
31 Oct 2010
Missing blogposts - the one about the timer
Of all the blogposts that went missing due due to some technical issue the one about how I sat in the car timing the air-condition to create a compromise to stop the Germans and the French Belgian to fight was probably the best - I wrote it while waiting for the timer to finish that round and switch to the "No aircon" 10 minutes. Remind me about it when I come back and I will try and rewrite it...
Manado, Sulawesi
Manado in Sulawesi, the very top of Sulawesi, is supposed to have the spiciest food in all of Indonesia. So that's where I am heading next. Bought flight tickets today and tomorrow evening I am flying out (Monday the 1:st).
Manado isn't a big tourist spot, or so they say, and that suits me. I'm not very good at being a traditional tourist...
From Manado I'll later in the week fly to Jakarta and from Jakarta home.
Manado isn't a big tourist spot, or so they say, and that suits me. I'm not very good at being a traditional tourist...
From Manado I'll later in the week fly to Jakarta and from Jakarta home.
30 Oct 2010
Annoying
Had written plenty and the mails were waiting in my outbox. Unfortunately my iPhone decided to censor and delete the messages after a certain time without Internet connection, so therefore there some 5-6 posts - long posts - that you won't see.
But all is well.
And it's been a very interesting trip so far.
But all is well.
And it's been a very interesting trip so far.
For the true local experience
Yes, I ended up on Bali after all. Hopefully I'll be travelling on to Manado, Sulawesi, if I can find a good airline ticket, because I have been told that Manado food is the spiciest (and sometimes the weirdest) in Indonesia, but right now I am on Bali. The 3-day tour ended I'm the harbour and it felt stupid to go back when Denpasar airport was so (relatively) close - if I'd head to Surabaya, which is an industrial city, I would have to travel much further and I wouldn't be sure if I could find a flight from there anyhow,, and back to Yogya was no alternative since the volcano, Mount Merapi, blew again. So I let the group travel ahead, went and grabbed something to eat, and later on I took the ferry myself. Me and as far as I could see, not a single westerner. Yay! They all went at the same time, in a bigger group.
And let me tell you, I'm pretty alone on the but too, from a westerner count perspective.
Local busses are bumpy, run down, and the driver as well as the passengers smoke on board. But it's cheap - I'm paying 25000 Rp for the trip, to make it simple I just take away the three last zeros and get 25 SEK or 2.5 EUR for a trip - but I'm reality it's even less. It's not even 2.5 USD - but I use the translation just as a frame and instead compare prices within the country. But also then it is not a big deal. And it is quite fascinating, I listen to the locals, observe, make notes and enjoy looking around.
But I do have a suspicion that there won't be any going to the airport to look for tickets today... I'll be staying on Bali for a day or two. Or maybe even three...
The ring of fire
The ring of fire, that's what they call the Indonesia area, it's full of volcanoes and earthquakes are not uncommon. It would have scared me years ago but nowadays I am more relaxed about it. I'd rather experience things and have fun and actually live then not dare anything and realise life passed me.But of course one doesn't have to be stupid because of that...
So I left Merapi and Yogyakarta behind and went and looked at more controlled volcanoes. The Bromo tour was well worth it. The nature is amazing, even though I don't LOVE getting up at 3:30 to take off at 4:00 so I can see the sun coming up - but it was worth it!
Bromo isn't the biggest peak but it is beautiful, the top blown off so she looks like a volcano, or "Fire mountain" of the type you see in cartoons. She is next to another volcano, and we watched the sun coming up from a third peak. But of the volcanos are in the middle of a sand desert, it's like you imagine a moon landscape, almost.
I am so enjoying bring in Indonesia, it's an exciting country and the local people I have met are really interesting, and after all that is the main purpose with my travels, I love to meet people and learn about their lives. Nature is great to experience too, in between, but it is really the people experiences that are the best.
(And sometimes, but rarely, the worst.)
That. And the chance to contemplate and meditate.
26 Oct 2010
I am safe - but yes, there is a volcano erupting...
Since I have told you I am on Java, in Yogyakarta, I just wanted to let you know that I am safe and the volcano hasn't reached us in the city yet - see article from BBC below.
I am not worried but I HAVE bought some extra water just to be on the safe side...
At least I didn't go to Sumatra as I thought about and at least I didn't get caught in the tsunami.
---------------
Indonesia's most volatile volcano is erupting, spewing plumes of hot ash and hurling rocks into the air, volcanologists say.
I am not worried but I HAVE bought some extra water just to be on the safe side...
At least I didn't go to Sumatra as I thought about and at least I didn't get caught in the tsunami.
---------------
Indonesia's most volatile volcano is erupting, spewing plumes of hot ash and hurling rocks into the air, volcanologists say.
Go to BBC to read the original article.
25 Oct 2010
Train to Yogyakarta
Left Jakarta Monday and took the train to Yoyakarta. I was on the fast train - learned that all the trains starting with Argo are fast trains (the trains are all named).
Connections in Java are fairly good even if busses traditionally are faster in South east Asia, but it is still an eight hour trip - and my train was delayed so it took even longer. But I can't complain about the comfort, it was air conditioned, the seats were OK, and there was excellent service with food, snack and various drinks. The standard was of course Asian but I a in Asia, after all...
Just like before I was the only westerner though. It is clear here that the regression has taken it's toll, but also, Indonesia is to a great degree unexplored by the big hoards of tourists - exception being Bali, which is, I hear, instead overcrowded, at least parts of it. And since Bali is fairly small... Anyhow, I was on the train to Yogyakarta. And of course we were late. People claim that the trains are normally on time but I have my doubts. It seems that every time I am on a train in South East Asia it is late at least, but on the other hand I am prepared for it and make sure I bring enough water.
I have no problems eating the local food, even if I avoid the fresh fruit and veggies if they are not pealed, so I didn't have to starve, but the trip anyhow took it's toll, even if I slept through much of it, there is something about public transportation that always makes me sleepy.
The train was not full so we had plenty of space to move around and the wan who had the seat next to me moved up front when the train left Jakarta. You see, up front there is a TV. With poor reception, and with horrible picture because of that, but it IS moving pictures. And for some reason TV is very attractive In this part of the world, even in the food stalls there is often a TV. It's the American dream in a twisted way, and Tv is really the centre of attention very often. So the lady moved up to the TV and I got the whole section to myself. Now THAT is luxury. And I had brought my earplugs - tip of the day, never ever travel at least SE Asia without earplugs! - so I could have filtered out the sound had I wanted to - but I guess I have been travelling here too much, I am actually getting used to the noise.
I was supposed to look at the landscape and to some degree I did, vast areas of flat rice fields, and further away, the silhouettes of the volcanos that Indonesia is built up on. Very interesting - but then I fell asleep... And when I didn't sleep I also spent time studying my fellow travel companions. I was flirted with by a little toddler, I was looked after by the ladies on the train, there were conversations to try and decode. I am on autopilot and try to understand, and also pick up more and more things, it's a fantastic chance to get closer to a new culture and a new language.
Although I hope I get to speak to some westerners during this trip, it's nice to be on your own but from time to time it is good to have a conversation about something.
Although I met an almost teethless man in Jakarta, at Kota station, who, it turned out, knew a lot about Sweden because he had been in contact with the staff from Rädda Barnen, a Swedish charity organisation. He was telling me plenty - although I must admit I had problems focusing as one of the remaining teeth kept wiggling madly whenever he said something.
But looks can deceive...
Well, this is indeed an interesting experience!
Ps! I know, it would have been more fun with photos but I will add some later, when I am back. I don't have the cable to download, hence it has to wait.
Connections in Java are fairly good even if busses traditionally are faster in South east Asia, but it is still an eight hour trip - and my train was delayed so it took even longer. But I can't complain about the comfort, it was air conditioned, the seats were OK, and there was excellent service with food, snack and various drinks. The standard was of course Asian but I a in Asia, after all...
Just like before I was the only westerner though. It is clear here that the regression has taken it's toll, but also, Indonesia is to a great degree unexplored by the big hoards of tourists - exception being Bali, which is, I hear, instead overcrowded, at least parts of it. And since Bali is fairly small... Anyhow, I was on the train to Yogyakarta. And of course we were late. People claim that the trains are normally on time but I have my doubts. It seems that every time I am on a train in South East Asia it is late at least, but on the other hand I am prepared for it and make sure I bring enough water.
I have no problems eating the local food, even if I avoid the fresh fruit and veggies if they are not pealed, so I didn't have to starve, but the trip anyhow took it's toll, even if I slept through much of it, there is something about public transportation that always makes me sleepy.
The train was not full so we had plenty of space to move around and the wan who had the seat next to me moved up front when the train left Jakarta. You see, up front there is a TV. With poor reception, and with horrible picture because of that, but it IS moving pictures. And for some reason TV is very attractive In this part of the world, even in the food stalls there is often a TV. It's the American dream in a twisted way, and Tv is really the centre of attention very often. So the lady moved up to the TV and I got the whole section to myself. Now THAT is luxury. And I had brought my earplugs - tip of the day, never ever travel at least SE Asia without earplugs! - so I could have filtered out the sound had I wanted to - but I guess I have been travelling here too much, I am actually getting used to the noise.
I was supposed to look at the landscape and to some degree I did, vast areas of flat rice fields, and further away, the silhouettes of the volcanos that Indonesia is built up on. Very interesting - but then I fell asleep... And when I didn't sleep I also spent time studying my fellow travel companions. I was flirted with by a little toddler, I was looked after by the ladies on the train, there were conversations to try and decode. I am on autopilot and try to understand, and also pick up more and more things, it's a fantastic chance to get closer to a new culture and a new language.
Although I hope I get to speak to some westerners during this trip, it's nice to be on your own but from time to time it is good to have a conversation about something.
Although I met an almost teethless man in Jakarta, at Kota station, who, it turned out, knew a lot about Sweden because he had been in contact with the staff from Rädda Barnen, a Swedish charity organisation. He was telling me plenty - although I must admit I had problems focusing as one of the remaining teeth kept wiggling madly whenever he said something.
But looks can deceive...
Well, this is indeed an interesting experience!
Ps! I know, it would have been more fun with photos but I will add some later, when I am back. I don't have the cable to download, hence it has to wait.
If I disappear
If I disappear in Indonesia I have probably just fallen into a pot hole and drowned. Seriously, the pot holes in Jakarta are big enough for me to fall into. This once beautiful city is pretty worn down.
Although yes, there are quite big holes in the Bangkok streets too. And in parts of US. Nothing like this though!
I will certainly not have drowned when swimming in the ocean at least so no point in looking there. I am not a beach person at all and learned when I was young never to swim alone. Plus, who would look after my wallet etc when I was in the water? No, I'm more likely to fall into a hole in the street or into a volcano :-)
Or possibly just be adopted by an Indonesian school class, they seem to be trying hard to achieve just that... (I know now what it feels to have paparazzi after you...)
Although yes, there are quite big holes in the Bangkok streets too. And in parts of US. Nothing like this though!
I will certainly not have drowned when swimming in the ocean at least so no point in looking there. I am not a beach person at all and learned when I was young never to swim alone. Plus, who would look after my wallet etc when I was in the water? No, I'm more likely to fall into a hole in the street or into a volcano :-)
Or possibly just be adopted by an Indonesian school class, they seem to be trying hard to achieve just that... (I know now what it feels to have paparazzi after you...)
23 Oct 2010
It's a small world
It really IS a small world! I met with friends today, Sunday, a couple I got to know when I was in Malaysia two years ago.
She picked me up from the hotel and we drove to the health club to pick him up. Turns out he had met two friends there so they were having a drink and we joined them.
While we were sitting there talking about this and that and where I live it turns out that one of the friends actually works for the company I used to work for before! OK, he is hired in India and temporary relocated to Jakarta, Indonesia, so he is not working for the german branch, but it's enough that he mentions the name of the town where the German office is located and I immediately asks if he works for NN - and he does!
It's a small world, indeed.
She picked me up from the hotel and we drove to the health club to pick him up. Turns out he had met two friends there so they were having a drink and we joined them.
While we were sitting there talking about this and that and where I live it turns out that one of the friends actually works for the company I used to work for before! OK, he is hired in India and temporary relocated to Jakarta, Indonesia, so he is not working for the german branch, but it's enough that he mentions the name of the town where the German office is located and I immediately asks if he works for NN - and he does!
It's a small world, indeed.
22 Oct 2010
Jakarta
Just stepping of the plane you feel the difference between Jakarta and the other international airports and cities I have visited in Asia; Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Shanghai etc. Far less tourists arriving - the plane was nowhere near full so I got a whole row to myself and slept really well - but also the airport, it felt more like arriving to a small city, perhaps a domestic, than to a place with millions and millions of inhabitants.
It's warm already in the airport, which is better than hysterical air condition, but also very unusual, if better for the environment. It wasn't ridiculously hot, but warmer than normal. The airport itself also felt a bit worn down. It is clear that this is not the tourist metropol nor the business metropol that some of the other Asian cities are. Many of the tourists that come to Indonesia are heading straight to Bali - and it is bound to increase now that the film "Eat, Pray, Love" starring Julia Roberts is out...
Another noticeable thing when I arrive is the transportation into the city. There aren't clear signs and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. I always take a little time and take it in before acting, I want to have a chance to breath, but it's not easy: Everybody is more or less pulling at you and there isn't easy accessible bus/coach transportation nor trains like in for example Singapore - so taxi it is. I have been recommend to use BlueBird group, so after some search I find the right taxistand, reserve a taxi - and then I wait. And wait. And wait.
Jakarta airport is full of taxis. Just not necessarily the right ones...
It's warm already in the airport, which is better than hysterical air condition, but also very unusual, if better for the environment. It wasn't ridiculously hot, but warmer than normal. The airport itself also felt a bit worn down. It is clear that this is not the tourist metropol nor the business metropol that some of the other Asian cities are. Many of the tourists that come to Indonesia are heading straight to Bali - and it is bound to increase now that the film "Eat, Pray, Love" starring Julia Roberts is out...
Another noticeable thing when I arrive is the transportation into the city. There aren't clear signs and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. I always take a little time and take it in before acting, I want to have a chance to breath, but it's not easy: Everybody is more or less pulling at you and there isn't easy accessible bus/coach transportation nor trains like in for example Singapore - so taxi it is. I have been recommend to use BlueBird group, so after some search I find the right taxistand, reserve a taxi - and then I wait. And wait. And wait.
Jakarta airport is full of taxis. Just not necessarily the right ones...
Every time
What is wrong with smokers? Every time I am flying to Asia, someone is smoking in the toilets. How about getting some nicotine plasters or gums? There are good reasons why smoking isn't allowed, it's not just because it's disgusting with cigarette smoke and pretty darn rude to force your fellow passengers to inhale the stuff, but what if the cigarette but isn't properly put put? I certainly don't want to think about what would happen with a fire high up in the air...
*sigh*
That said I felt a strong urge to get Cuban cigars today, in the airport. It was almost irresistible. No idea why, what a strange craving!
But had I done it, I certainly wouldn't have wanted to have it while hiding in some bathroom... I would have had it on the balcony, with a glass of really good whisky or cognac in my hand ;-)
*sigh*
That said I felt a strong urge to get Cuban cigars today, in the airport. It was almost irresistible. No idea why, what a strange craving!
But had I done it, I certainly wouldn't have wanted to have it while hiding in some bathroom... I would have had it on the balcony, with a glass of really good whisky or cognac in my hand ;-)
Hotels when I travel
I don't like to stay in super fancy hotels when I travel. It feels like a waste of money, first of all the most expensive places are the ones where you always have to pay extra for everything - I've written about that before - and second of all, I don't get to use all the services anyhow. What I normally use is the bed, the shower and possibly the morning paper. I'm not even very good at using the air condition except to cool down the room.
But watching "Lost in Translation" I really remember why. Lost in Translation must be one of the best films ever. But it really shows what you see at many fancy hotels: a lot of empty souls who don't know what to do and fills their visit with artificial activities. When I visit a country I want to see the people, smell the smells, eat the local food, hear the bustling sounds of the city.
I can't ever be a local, but I can be more like the locals than the tourists. I can't even be completely local at home in Düsseldorf as I will always be the Swede, but I am OK with that. But I don't want to be the typical tourist either. And somehow it seems like I am pretty good at fitting in. In Bangkok it took a few hours and then people started to ask me for the way. I obviously don't look thai (or why obviously, I could have been adopted, I never show pictures of myself on the blog, but anyhow, I don't.) but I guess I look like an expat belonging in the city somehow.
Always a lot that isn't accessible for me, obviously, but travelling alone helps. I am rarely caught in a big eyed tourist crowd and I wander off on my own, go to the local restaurants, don't lie in the sun - I am so not a beach person - and I am pretty good at avoiding tourist traps - at least so far. I have fallen into some but as a general rule I am pretty good at avoiding them - I must have disappointed so many local vendors and shopkeepers, they just don't manage to sell to me...
Anyhow, that's not was I was supposed to "talk" about. The point being: I prefer smaller hotels.
Oh, and I want to go to Tokyo. I think I may try to get to Japan next year.
But watching "Lost in Translation" I really remember why. Lost in Translation must be one of the best films ever. But it really shows what you see at many fancy hotels: a lot of empty souls who don't know what to do and fills their visit with artificial activities. When I visit a country I want to see the people, smell the smells, eat the local food, hear the bustling sounds of the city.
I can't ever be a local, but I can be more like the locals than the tourists. I can't even be completely local at home in Düsseldorf as I will always be the Swede, but I am OK with that. But I don't want to be the typical tourist either. And somehow it seems like I am pretty good at fitting in. In Bangkok it took a few hours and then people started to ask me for the way. I obviously don't look thai (or why obviously, I could have been adopted, I never show pictures of myself on the blog, but anyhow, I don't.) but I guess I look like an expat belonging in the city somehow.
Always a lot that isn't accessible for me, obviously, but travelling alone helps. I am rarely caught in a big eyed tourist crowd and I wander off on my own, go to the local restaurants, don't lie in the sun - I am so not a beach person - and I am pretty good at avoiding tourist traps - at least so far. I have fallen into some but as a general rule I am pretty good at avoiding them - I must have disappointed so many local vendors and shopkeepers, they just don't manage to sell to me...
Anyhow, that's not was I was supposed to "talk" about. The point being: I prefer smaller hotels.
Oh, and I want to go to Tokyo. I think I may try to get to Japan next year.
Great things about Dubai
Great things about Dubai, things I had forgotten...The dates! Oh, the Dubai people know how to grow dates! And then you can get them with orange peel, chocolate, and and so on. Buy them in boxes, buy them per date, regardless they are fantastic!!!
Freshly squeezed juices!
(mum, look away: The water melon juice is delicious!!!)
In a country where the majority of the inhabitants are not supposed to drink alcohol and where alcohol is served only in the foreign hotel complexes and in the airport, the skills for making other drinks, without alcohol, had developed. These guys know how to do it!
Things not to like:
Why is the air condition always horribly horribly cold? Never go anywhere in Dubai without a sweater! Sitting in the airport waiting for my connecting flight I am freezing my but off and I have several layers of clothes on... And a big scarf around my neck!
21 Oct 2010
Since I sleep
And I'll sleep well on this :-)
And wake up in Dubai before continuing to Jakarta.
Things to do instead of packing
Things one can do instead of packing...
(Eventually I got my act together and did it and after work today I'll go straight home, take out a few things that I decided I don't need - after all I am going to be carrying this bag around - and then head to the airport. And off I go!)
Work late.- Cut your nails (they were horribly long, and I had meant to do it for some time but always forgot...)
- Call mum
- Draw a picture
- Send text messages to old friends.
- Do some bank transfers online.
- Do laundry
- Clean out old clothes and prepare them for charity.
- Clean the kitchen.
- Have dinner with a friend.
(Eventually I got my act together and did it and after work today I'll go straight home, take out a few things that I decided I don't need - after all I am going to be carrying this bag around - and then head to the airport. And off I go!)
20 Oct 2010
To pack
Instead of packing, which I should have done today, I went out for dinner with a friend. And now I am back, and what do I do? I write a blog post. Packing is really the most boring thing in the world... Or, well, I know, I do exaggerate, but really... On the other hand shopping is even more boring... Right, I am off packing! Don't expect updates from me while in Indonesia. If I happen to have something to say and a good computer somewhere I might but I am very reluctant to use shared computers for logging in - they tend to be infected with viruses. And since I am backpacking I am obviously not bringing my computer...
Can't believe it is tomorrow that I leave!
Can't believe it is tomorrow that I leave!
Death
My neighbour has passed away. I suspect it is the neighbour that was missing for a while - he wasn't dead then, I met him later (after having contacted the landlord and ask them to check that he was OK). He hasn't been spotted for quite some time though so I assumed he was in a home of some sort.
Now there is a sign by the mailboxes, on official paper from a home for old people, saying that "your former neighbour N N has passed away", and it also states when the funeral is. I assume it is the old man, as I said, but I am not totally sure - I recognise the names of the people in the building but can't pair the names with the faces, I'm afraid. I know it sounds bad but my flat is the first so I haven't got a good overview of who is in which flat...
But anyhow, names are not the point, my point being:
Am I supposed to do anything with this information? Are neighbours supposed to go to the funeral or at least send flowers? It feels weird, in Sweden I wouldn't unless I know the people well, but here it may be different? Am I going to become an outcast if I don't do anything?
Another acquaintance passed away recently and had I been home for the funeral I would have been there for it - I knew her and we have spoken many times - but unfortunately that happens when I am away. But WHAT am I to do about the neighbour, when I am not even sure who it is?
Oh, these social codes that I don't know...
By the way: German readers, do you know if it is common to advertise deaths like that? On an official document in a shared space? Or is it a special case - if it is the man I think it was it seems he was a very lonely man so maybe it is the only way to get word out and get someone to come to the funeral or at least send flowers?
Now there is a sign by the mailboxes, on official paper from a home for old people, saying that "your former neighbour N N has passed away", and it also states when the funeral is. I assume it is the old man, as I said, but I am not totally sure - I recognise the names of the people in the building but can't pair the names with the faces, I'm afraid. I know it sounds bad but my flat is the first so I haven't got a good overview of who is in which flat...
But anyhow, names are not the point, my point being:
Am I supposed to do anything with this information? Are neighbours supposed to go to the funeral or at least send flowers? It feels weird, in Sweden I wouldn't unless I know the people well, but here it may be different? Am I going to become an outcast if I don't do anything?
Another acquaintance passed away recently and had I been home for the funeral I would have been there for it - I knew her and we have spoken many times - but unfortunately that happens when I am away. But WHAT am I to do about the neighbour, when I am not even sure who it is?
Oh, these social codes that I don't know...
By the way: German readers, do you know if it is common to advertise deaths like that? On an official document in a shared space? Or is it a special case - if it is the man I think it was it seems he was a very lonely man so maybe it is the only way to get word out and get someone to come to the funeral or at least send flowers?
19 Oct 2010
Indonesia - starting with Jakarta
Within short I will be flying out on holiday. Indonesia is on the charts this time. I am flying in to Jakarta, and from there I will go - well, I don't know to where yet. I have a few ideas, there are some things I want to see on Java and after that I will try and go to one of the other big islands. I do know a bit what I want to see and do, and I know some food that I want to try, but it is still to some degree a blank sheet for me.
I love adventurous holidays!
But maybe, just maybe it is good to do a bit of planning in advance? I will reserve a hotel for the first few nights in Jakarta before flying out at least, I am arriving late, after a really long flight - or rather after two long flights, over Dubai - and it is nice to know where to go when you land. The rest of the hotels I will book while on the road though, I then have the chance to ask to check the room before I actually make my mind up. And I do have enough funding to stay in better hotels if needed, even though I prefer the more local places that doesn't charge a fortune and where you can get more connected to people - in big hotels and hotels belonging to big chains people are less talkative, and tend to mind their own business. Boring. I can stay at American hotel chains in US or even in Europe, no reason to do that when I travel.
I am a little bit, well, not nervous about Jakarta, but a little big... Extra excited, perhaps? I will meet some people in the city, a couple that I met in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia 2008, at an Indian restaurant - he is of Indian heritage, she is of German-Indonesian. I lost their phone numbers and mail address but found it back again just after I booked the trip. It is excellent to have some local contacts in the city!
BUT! Not even the locals seem to want to recommend anything in Jakarta, all they say is that the traffic is horrible and that all that is worth seeing probably already is in the guide book. Oh well, we shall see. I always was and always will be a big city girl, and I love to take in the atmosphere in the big cities. I am going to find local food markets and hawkers serving local food, I am going to take in the hectic life of Jakarta.
And then I will head out, towards new adventures, and perhaps towards a more serene experience. Perhaps I will go to Bali, perhaps somewhere else. The only thing against Bali right now is that I know it will be full of tourists, especially after Julia Roberts' new film "Eat, Pray, Love" came out - I was informed this week (haven't read the book yet) that part of the book and hence the film takes place in Bali, so I guess I will be the millionth visitor coming to Bali - and everybody will assume that I am there "to find myself". OH well, if I can get over that I may go to Bali. I am not a beach person but I hear there are other things on Bali than just beach (and I don't mean the rabies infected cats and dogs, I will stay well aware of them...).
Very much looking forward to my trip regardless!
I love adventurous holidays!
But maybe, just maybe it is good to do a bit of planning in advance? I will reserve a hotel for the first few nights in Jakarta before flying out at least, I am arriving late, after a really long flight - or rather after two long flights, over Dubai - and it is nice to know where to go when you land. The rest of the hotels I will book while on the road though, I then have the chance to ask to check the room before I actually make my mind up. And I do have enough funding to stay in better hotels if needed, even though I prefer the more local places that doesn't charge a fortune and where you can get more connected to people - in big hotels and hotels belonging to big chains people are less talkative, and tend to mind their own business. Boring. I can stay at American hotel chains in US or even in Europe, no reason to do that when I travel.
I am a little bit, well, not nervous about Jakarta, but a little big... Extra excited, perhaps? I will meet some people in the city, a couple that I met in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia 2008, at an Indian restaurant - he is of Indian heritage, she is of German-Indonesian. I lost their phone numbers and mail address but found it back again just after I booked the trip. It is excellent to have some local contacts in the city!
BUT! Not even the locals seem to want to recommend anything in Jakarta, all they say is that the traffic is horrible and that all that is worth seeing probably already is in the guide book. Oh well, we shall see. I always was and always will be a big city girl, and I love to take in the atmosphere in the big cities. I am going to find local food markets and hawkers serving local food, I am going to take in the hectic life of Jakarta.
And then I will head out, towards new adventures, and perhaps towards a more serene experience. Perhaps I will go to Bali, perhaps somewhere else. The only thing against Bali right now is that I know it will be full of tourists, especially after Julia Roberts' new film "Eat, Pray, Love" came out - I was informed this week (haven't read the book yet) that part of the book and hence the film takes place in Bali, so I guess I will be the millionth visitor coming to Bali - and everybody will assume that I am there "to find myself". OH well, if I can get over that I may go to Bali. I am not a beach person but I hear there are other things on Bali than just beach (and I don't mean the rabies infected cats and dogs, I will stay well aware of them...).
Very much looking forward to my trip regardless!
Weakness
When it comes to sweets I have one weakness (notice that I don't consider dark chocolate sweets, dark chocolate is a necessity and a life saver):
Lokum. Or "Turkish Delight" as it is called here.
Today there is a whole box of Lokum in the office kitchen. Our kind colleagues from Turkey gave a box to the visiting team from Germany. Did I mention that my office is really close to the kitchen?
Oh, the temptation. But I can NOT have the whole box, it would be rude. I have tried it though. Big mistake. How can I focus on anything but the delicious Lokum waiting in the kitchen?
May need to go to my favourite Turkish shop this evening...
Lokum. Or "Turkish Delight" as it is called here.
Today there is a whole box of Lokum in the office kitchen. Our kind colleagues from Turkey gave a box to the visiting team from Germany. Did I mention that my office is really close to the kitchen?
Oh, the temptation. But I can NOT have the whole box, it would be rude. I have tried it though. Big mistake. How can I focus on anything but the delicious Lokum waiting in the kitchen?
May need to go to my favourite Turkish shop this evening...
18 Oct 2010
Gloves
I am the owner of a very odd selection of gloves. There are a number of reasons.
First I have a lot of odd ones. When I used to drive - when I was in Sweden - I would often take off the right one, as the right hand had to do more detailed work: Switching gears, setting the air condition and so forth. I used to put the glove in my lap, and of course: When I got out of the car I had forgotten about it and lost it. Towards the end I got better, though, and started to put it on the passenger seat instead, a far better idea.
Second: Although I try and buy similar gloves so I can mix and match I am not always successfully. Very often I am caught out by cold weather and I have to get an emergency pair. I try and avoid the most expensive ones - there is a high probability that I will lose them anyhow - so I get what they have. Right now that has resulted in me walking around with a pair of glittery ones. And those who know me best know that glittery is no really my thing.
But rather glittery than cold!
First I have a lot of odd ones. When I used to drive - when I was in Sweden - I would often take off the right one, as the right hand had to do more detailed work: Switching gears, setting the air condition and so forth. I used to put the glove in my lap, and of course: When I got out of the car I had forgotten about it and lost it. Towards the end I got better, though, and started to put it on the passenger seat instead, a far better idea.
Second: Although I try and buy similar gloves so I can mix and match I am not always successfully. Very often I am caught out by cold weather and I have to get an emergency pair. I try and avoid the most expensive ones - there is a high probability that I will lose them anyhow - so I get what they have. Right now that has resulted in me walking around with a pair of glittery ones. And those who know me best know that glittery is no really my thing.
But rather glittery than cold!
13 Oct 2010
11 Oct 2010
Holiday
I have a lot of holiday that I have to take out this year and I am going to have to get it done SOON. So now I am looking for interesting places to go. Tips are MORE than welcome.
9 Oct 2010
8 Oct 2010
German engineering
And here is something that fascinates me. This picture is not from Düsseldorf hauptbahnhof, (main station), here we have lifts leading up to the platform, but it's from a smaller city. If you have a heavy bag, you don't have to carry it up the stairs, instead there is a little escalator especially for the luggage. Isn't that fascinating? You put the bag on it, it starts, and then you walk next to the bag, on the stairs, and just guide it up. Amazing! Never saw anything like it in Sweden. And this thing is old, it's been there as long as I remember, which is far longer than I actually lived in Germany. OK, maybe not old old, but for being a technical tool!
(Yep, I am a geek. But a nice little geek, I promise..)
5 Oct 2010
Escargot
OH, I forgot, I had escargots as well: Snails. Yummy! Not just the other delicacies, but also escargots with a lot of garlic. Ever got my friend from England to try and yes, he liked it. He didn't try after his wife had, but still, he tried, and he liked it.
The oysters were not a hit with him, he had smoked oysters out of a can before but it is not the same thing as fresh oysters that are so fresh that they are still very much alive an kicking.
But the snails, he dared to try the snails. Me and my French friend of course enjoyed it but then again we knew what we were doing, I always admire people who try things for the first time, when they are normally not very adventurous.
Of course I had to send a photo of the food to a German very dear friend, by the way, and talk about what we had eaten, and how I enjoyed it. I did it only to shock (and it had the expected effect), Germans and Swedes are sometimes a bit sensitive when it comes to food that isn't what they are used to... Call me evil...
The oysters were not a hit with him, he had smoked oysters out of a can before but it is not the same thing as fresh oysters that are so fresh that they are still very much alive an kicking.
But the snails, he dared to try the snails. Me and my French friend of course enjoyed it but then again we knew what we were doing, I always admire people who try things for the first time, when they are normally not very adventurous.
Of course I had to send a photo of the food to a German very dear friend, by the way, and talk about what we had eaten, and how I enjoyed it. I did it only to shock (and it had the expected effect), Germans and Swedes are sometimes a bit sensitive when it comes to food that isn't what they are used to... Call me evil...
4 Oct 2010
Wonderful Paris weekend
Spent the weekend in wonderful Paris. It is such a wonderful city, I love it. It is not like my London, where I feel at home, where I feel I belong, but it is fascinating and magical. I love Paris, but I will never be home in Paris, I will always be a tourist there. If London is my long time lover, Paris is my very dear friend whom I am still getting to know: We are close, but not as close as London, and not in the same way.
I visited Paris with an international group, drove there. It is a bit of a drive, that's true, but it worked out quite well. Normally I would never do it but we were that many - eight of us in total, and with a semi-local person so it was OK, and we didn't get lost in Paris either. Not that we drove around a lot but there was a little bit of driving taking place. As long as I don't have to try and find the way and get lost on my own there I am OK with it - but when I was out on my own adventures I used the Metro.
Well, I am going to try and write more about wonderful Paris later but for now, let me just say:
It was great, it was different, it was yummy! I got to eat some of the French favourites:
Oysters (MANY oysters - we went a bit crazy...)
Beef Tartar
Pate
I got the wonderful Parisian coffee.
I bought some French cheese (doesn't mean I don't miss Swedish cheese, French cheese is different).
And since my British friend didn't chose the wine we got some decent wines too... ;-)
(Talking about wines we we told a funny story about how our French friend were coming late to a party and how our English friend and his now wife called him before and asked him, rather desperately, to bring wine. Turned out they had bought a cheap wine which even they, not knowing very much about wines, understood was really bad. REALLY bad. And then when the French friend arrived they hid the bottle of bad wine because they were so embarrassed. They had told him it was a bad wine but not how bad... Although the price should have been some sort of indicator, certainly. If you only pay a few Euros for a wine it can not be good. It doesn't have to be super expensive but when it is cheaper to buy a bottle of wine than a soft drink, that is a very clear warning signal...)
Still missing: Macaroons (but I know where to get them in Düsseldorf), Pastis (but I have that at home), and a few other important food or drink related French experiences, but I will hopefully survive until next time.
(Macaroons link goes to a Swedish blog, "Alla har en bok inom sig". It's a wonderful little blog with a lot of inspiration if you understand Swedish. Amanda is an author and illustrator but also a food fan, her writing tips work for many other artistic expressions too)
I visited Paris with an international group, drove there. It is a bit of a drive, that's true, but it worked out quite well. Normally I would never do it but we were that many - eight of us in total, and with a semi-local person so it was OK, and we didn't get lost in Paris either. Not that we drove around a lot but there was a little bit of driving taking place. As long as I don't have to try and find the way and get lost on my own there I am OK with it - but when I was out on my own adventures I used the Metro.
Well, I am going to try and write more about wonderful Paris later but for now, let me just say:
It was great, it was different, it was yummy! I got to eat some of the French favourites:
Oysters (MANY oysters - we went a bit crazy...)
Beef Tartar
Pate
I got the wonderful Parisian coffee.
I bought some French cheese (doesn't mean I don't miss Swedish cheese, French cheese is different).
And since my British friend didn't chose the wine we got some decent wines too... ;-)
(Talking about wines we we told a funny story about how our French friend were coming late to a party and how our English friend and his now wife called him before and asked him, rather desperately, to bring wine. Turned out they had bought a cheap wine which even they, not knowing very much about wines, understood was really bad. REALLY bad. And then when the French friend arrived they hid the bottle of bad wine because they were so embarrassed. They had told him it was a bad wine but not how bad... Although the price should have been some sort of indicator, certainly. If you only pay a few Euros for a wine it can not be good. It doesn't have to be super expensive but when it is cheaper to buy a bottle of wine than a soft drink, that is a very clear warning signal...)
Still missing: Macaroons (but I know where to get them in Düsseldorf), Pastis (but I have that at home), and a few other important food or drink related French experiences, but I will hopefully survive until next time.
(Macaroons link goes to a Swedish blog, "Alla har en bok inom sig". It's a wonderful little blog with a lot of inspiration if you understand Swedish. Amanda is an author and illustrator but also a food fan, her writing tips work for many other artistic expressions too)
My lips are sealed
Literary. My lips are sealed. I have lost my voice and can't get a single sound over them.
It is interesting to participate in meetings at work without a voice. But of course I am at work because there is nothing wrong with me (at least not from a health perspective), except I can't talk. Feeling great otherwise. But please have patience. And don't call and expect me to answer... Send a text instead. Or an email...
It is interesting to participate in meetings at work without a voice. But of course I am at work because there is nothing wrong with me (at least not from a health perspective), except I can't talk. Feeling great otherwise. But please have patience. And don't call and expect me to answer... Send a text instead. Or an email...
1 Oct 2010
What's with the smileys?
Yes, I use smileys in text now and then. Informal mails to friends and so forth. What I do find a bit odd is that I have had several emails from brokers etc (especially insurance brokers) and bankers lately, as I am going over certain contracts etc, and they are full of smileys. I must say that I have difficulties taking the insurance brokers seriously when they in emails, without having spoken to me, include little smileys and other symbols. It doesn't feel very professional. Or does it? Am I perhaps just over-sensitive? Old fashion`?
Came home
Came home, washed my clothes and packed for leaving again. I will be back with some travel tips soon:
First London and Oxford...
First London and Oxford...
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