Some things that have come in VERY handy for me when backpacking or, in general, travelling on a budget. Not exhaustive, of course – just some thoughts that sprang to mind.

1. Stock up on discount cards

These can be of two types

• Backpacker cards: The most popular globally is HI/YHA;  another popular ones are VIP . There are often country or region-specific ones as well, such as BBH and Nomads.
• Student/Youth cards: ISIC is probably the most popular globally, followed by ISE.

These can go a very, very long way in getting you discounts on accommodation, travel, activities and entry to attractions. Some require you to be a resident of the country you are applying from (for example, YHA India will issue you a globally valid membership only if you are a resident of India), so plan ahead and apply before you travel. In fact, just apply right now irrespective of when you plan to travel – you could find yourself eligible for several discounts in your city!

I applied for a VIP card in Australia, and in just one trip to New Zealand it saved me almost as much as it had cost me.

2. Plan your trip

When travelling with limited time and money, be sure about where you are going and why. What kind of a holiday are you looking for (e.g. action, adventure, peace and quiet, etc)?  What are you most willing to spend on, and what trade offs you are willing to make (e.g. experiences vs food vs accommodation)? Think of the major spots you’d like to hit (a ‘must visit’ list), even if you don’t have a fixed itinerary and will spontaneously add more locations later. This also helps to ensure all members of your travelling party are broadly aligned, and that no one is disappointed!

If you’re planning to work and travel, figure out the best cities where you are likely to get a job and plan accordingly, as you could just find yourself stranded otherwise.

3. Pick up tourist brochures

Around the world, many airports, railway stations and tourist information centers have booklets explaining local attractions. Often, these are publications through which local operators advertise to potential customers and hence offer significant discounts. You are quite likely to find several coupons that you can use for a variety of benefits, such as a free drink when you order a meal at a particular restaurant, a huge percentage off the entry cost for an attraction or special deals on products and services.

I have found this to be extremely valuable in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

4. Check for deals at hostels

Several hostels have deals with local tour operators or attractions, and can help you save a fair bit of money if you book through them. So do ask (this information isn’t always displayed prominently) if your hostel offers any discounts through partners.

I have received discounts of up to 40% through hostels – so it’s clearly a huge avenue to save money without skimping on the experience.

5. Talk to your fellow guests

Not only will you get great tips on what to do or what not to, you’ll figure out activities you can do together that will save money for the group as a whole. A great example is sharing a car for a road trip – everyone’s a winner, and it’s way more fun than you driving alone. Ask if you can put up a note on the notice board at your hostel asking for co-travellers, or ask around in the lounge or bar.

6. Carry a guide book

Choose a guidebook that caters best to your needs, based on the kind of information you want, the nature of activities covered, the durability to last through your planned journey and so on.

My preference is Lonely Planet  – I find it the best resource for a traveller looking for a quick and concise low down on the where/what/when/how much of any city (s)he’s visiting. DK, on the other hand is great when you’d like to learn more about the culture and history of the places you are going to. It usually features several illustrations and photographs in rich colour. Frommer’s and Rough Guides are also popular series but I haven’t used either of them much to date. There are several other guidebooks, of course, but in my view these are probably the most useful.

Always carry one along. Not only will it tell you what to do, where to eat and where to sleep, it will provide useful reading material on long flights/rides, a makeshift pillow on hard nights and a map when you are hopelessly lost.

7. Carry a towel

This is why.

If you have more tips, tricks and suggestions, feel free to comment below!

วางแผนไป ออสเตรเลีย วันหยุด? คุณมีประกัน Backpacker ของคุณเสร็จ? ประกัน backpacker ดีมีประกันประเภทหมายพิเศษสำหรับคนผู้ใดไปประเทศใดบ่อยหรือตั้งใจจะอยู่ต่างประเทศนาน.

การเดินทางไปยังประเทศอื่นๆส่วนใหญ่ประกอบด้วยงานสำคัญๆเช่นการเดินป่าและ trekking หรือสิ่งดังกล่าวซึ่งจะช่วยให้คุณผ่อนคลายนี้. มีสถานที่งดงามมากมายทั่ว ประเทศออสเตรเลีย ที่มีขึ้นเพื่อช่วยให้มีผู้เข้าชมพักผ่อน. หากคุณวางแผนที่จะหลงทางผ่านสถานที่ครั้งใหญ่แล้ว Backpacker ประกันภัยการ เดินทาง จะเป็นสิ่งที่แนะนำให้เลือกมาก.

ชีวิตเต็มของความไม่แน่นอนและคุณควรที่ดีกว่าจะเตรียมอะไรมาตามวิธีของคุณโดยเฉพาะเมื่อคุณต่างประเทศ. หลายสิ่งสามารถเปิดออกจะร้ายแรงหากไม่ได้รับการดูแล. ในความเป็นจริงเพียงบาดเจ็บเข่าอาจทำลายการเดินทางทั้งหมดของคุณ. ตั้งแต่ปัญหาสุขภาพฉับพลันใดเหตุการณ์ไม่คาดฝันเหล่านี้ชนิด insurances ความปลอดภัยให้คุณที่ขั้นตอนของชีวิตทุก.

ออสเตรเลีย เป็นดินแดนแห่งความหลากหลาย. กับฤดูกาลที่ผ่านโดยภายใน fractions วันก็ทำหน้าที่เป็นจุดที่เหมาะสมที่สุดสำหรับพักผ่อน. คนมาที่นี่มักจะไปภูเขาสูง, เล่นสกี, trekking และอื่นๆ stuffs ผจญภัย. และมีชนิดนี้กิจกรรมอันตรายถูกวางสูงยัง.

จวนจะได้รับการกล่าวว่าถ้าคนไม่เอาประกันนี้และในกรณีที่เขาได้รับบางป่วยแล้วค่าใช้จ่ายทางการแพทย์สามารถเปิดออกจะเป็นหลายพันดอลลาร์ซึ่งไม่มีอะไรอื่นนอกจากวิกฤตการณ์ทางการเงิน. และเพื่อเอาชนะสถานการณ์ทำลายล้างเหล่านี้ประกันภัยการ เดินทาง ได้ถูกนำเข้าตลาด. ในความเป็นจริงนี้ไม่เพียงแต่เหล่านี้ยังครอบคลุมถึงอุบัติเหตุเช็ค, บัตรเครดิตและเกือบทุกอย่าง.

กับโรคฆ่าใหม่ที่มีผลต่อนักท่องเที่ยวทั่วโลก, insurances เหล่านี้มากขึ้นกว่าที่จำเป็น. และเมื่อมันได้มีมายังโลกโรคคุณไม่สามารถประมาทเพื่อให้โจมตีโรคไม่เพียงแต่คุณและครอบครัวของคุณแต่ยังสังคมที่คุณโต้ตอบกับ.

**Dalam rangka Natal… 25 Desember 2009
Selamat Natal…..

Natal telah menjadi hari raya global, tanpa memandang agama ataupun lokasi. Panduan wisata terkemuka Lonely Planet meranking 10 tempat terbaik untuk menikmati libur Natal…..

Bethlehem di Tepi Barat:
Komersialisme kini kian menggusur makna sebenarnya dari Natal. Maka untuk kembali pada akar dari Natal, tak ada yang bisa mengalahkan perziarahan ke tempat kelahiran Yesus. Manger Square (Pelataran Palungan) di bagian Old City, Bethlehem, pada malam Natal dipenuhi pohon Natal. Dan puncak perayaan bisa ditemukan pada misa tengah malam di gereja St. Catherine, persis ketika lonceng berbunyi pukul 24.00… Teng…

Desa Santa Claus, Finlandia:
Kalau tak puas dengan banyaknya Santa Claus di mal, berkemaslah dan terbang ke lingkaran artik Finlandia. St. Nicholas alias Santa Claus merupakan warga kehormatan di Desa Santa Claus ini. Walau terletak di daerah bersalju, di pedalaman hutan yang dihuni rusa, tapi para turis malah makin tertarik mengunjungi desa ini. Tak jauh dari desa itu juga terdapat taman ria Santa Park. Agak mahal mengunjungi tempat ini, tapi kamu dijamin puas…..

The Nutcracker – New York, Amerika:
Cukup banyak film yang menampilkan semaraknya New York di waktu Natal (Masih ingat Home Alone 2 kan….??). Lampu Natal di mana-mana, semoga ada sedikit salju turun, lalu Anda bisa melihat gemerlapnya pohon Natal terbesar di Rockefeller Center yang sudah dipasang dari awal Desember, ice-skating di sekitar pohon Natal itu, lalu berbelanja di toko-toko mewah di New York. Dan di penghujung acara ada pertunjukkan “The Nutcracker” oleh New York City Ballet… Humm…

Pantai Bondi, Australia:
Kebalikan dari semua klise Natal di bagian utara dunia, di pantai ini kamu tak akan menemukan salju atau lampu Natal. Tanggal 25 Desember pantai ini akan penuh oleh backpacker, dan digoncang oleh pertunjukan DJ dan band. Ini tempatnya untuk cuci mata…

Misa Tengah Malam, Vatikan, Itali:
Pastinya pusat dari gereja Katolik ini akan merayakan Natal dengan besar-besaran. Kota Vatikan memuat daya tarik spiritual secara umum, tapi waktu Natal atmosfernya lebih kental lagi. Aroma kacang chestnut panggang harum di jalanan dan seluruh kota dipenuhi presepi (adegan kelahiran Yesus). Tempat-tempat yang wajib disinggahi: Pelataran St. Peter, Piazza Navona, dan gereja Santa Maria di Aracoeli pada Bukit Capitoline. Vatikan merupakan tempat yang paling banyak menarik peziarah. Misa Natal tengah malam di Basilika St. Peter, atau di tengah hari pada 25 Desember, merupakan acara-acara tak terlupakan…

Dublin, Irlandia:
Umat Katolik di Irlandia merayakan Natal dengan rasa humor. Acara yang paling menarik adalah renang pada pagi 25 Desember, di kolam air asin 12 meter. Menjelang Natal jalanan kota Dublin selalu ramai, ada Pasar 12 Hari Natal di Docklands, pertunjukkan pantomim, lampu-lampu Natal, ice-skating, beserta bazar dan perayaan di Temple Bar. Jangan lupakan juga nyanyian Natal (Christmas Carol) di Katedral St. Patrick…

Nuremberg, Jerman:
Membeli hadiah Natal tak selamanya di pertokoan atau mal, cobalah mengunjungi Christkindlesmarkt (Pasar Natal), di Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg. Di sini sekitar 180 kios tenda menawarkan mainan, pernak-pernik, lilin, roti jahe, dan permen bagi para pengunjung…

Sambil berkeliling anda bisa menikmati bratwurst (sosis khas Jerman) dan anggur hangat yang dicampur jus atau rempah-rempahan seperti kayu manis, cengkeh, atau jahe. Setelah senja dan semua lampu Natal dinyalakan, tempat ini berubah seperti negeri dongeng. Ini tempat belanja Natal paling romantis… Aiiyyhh…..

Zurich, Swiss:
Terkenal akan coklat, pegunungan, dan salju, Swiss juga cocok untuk liburan Natal, terutama di kota Zurich, karena banyaknya pasar Natal (bahkan di dalam stasiun keretanya…), dan juga ada tur keliling kota dengan tema Natal. Juga ada pohon Natal ‘bernyanyi’ di Werdmuhleplatz, yaitu koor pada panggung segitiga yang disusun sehingga mirip pohon Natal, lengkap dengan nuansa hijau dan lampu kelap-kelipnya…

Tokyo, Jepang:
Natal di Tokyo selalu gemerlap.., tapi tak bernuansa agama. Tradisi Jepang lebih heboh merayakan Tahun Baru daripada Natal, tapi inilah cara umat non-Kristiani mencoba merayakan Natal. Harus diakui semangatnya.., dengan semua lampu dan dekorasi menakjubkannya… Tapi sayangnya Natal di Jepang bukanlah hari libur… Jadi ada sedikit anti-klimaks…
Malam Natal dirayakan meriah, dan mirip perayaan Valentine, karena inilah kesempatan pasangan muda-mudi menyatakan cinta… Tradisi perayaan Natal di Jepang adalah dengan memasak ayam goreng, lalu diikuti dengan kue taart dengan krim dan stroberi… Humm…

San Juan, Puerto Rico:
Pulau ini kecil tapi kepribadiannya mendalam… Puerto Rico merayakan Natal tanpa salju.., dengan irama salsa dan babi panggang… Perayaan berlangsung dari tengah Desember hingga peringatan Tiga Raja pada 6 Januari. Sejak pertengahan Desember gereja-gereja di Puerto Rico menampilkan nyanyian Natal di setiap misa.., dan kelompok-kelompok pengamen Natal alias Christmas Caroler juga mampir dari rumah ke rumah untuk menyebarkan keceriaan. Puncak perayaan adalah pada malam Natal, pada misa tengah malam… Singgahlah juga di Balai Kota, di Plaza de Armas untuk melihat dekorasi Natal dan juga ke pelataran Paseo de la Princesa…

Selamat Natal – bagi Temans yang Merayakannya…..
Salam dalam Berkat dan Damai…..

(Sumber : REUTERS, kompas.com)

Artikel terkait kLik disini…

Kembali kehidupan nyata yang sangat sesak untuk dilalui. hmm

Moda transportasi ala rakyat, ekonomis banget, dan banyak perasaan yang menjadi candu disana. Sebuah candu akibat adanya interaksi sosial yang humanis, dan mengkultur dalam jiwa manusia asli Indonesia. Manusia indonesia identik dengan ramah tamah, senyuman, dan  gotong royongnya. inilah yang mengitikadkan PT. KAI untuk membuat sebuah moda transportasi umum yakni kereta api kelas ekonomi. Sudah lebih dari beberapa tahun terkahir ini, gw hobi mondar-mandir dari satu kota ke kota lain dengan kereta ini. Entah dari yang namanya Sri Tanjung, Logawa, Kahuripan, Bengawan, Progo, Matarmaja. Sudah seluruh rel dari daratan jawa ditempuh oleh saya, dari ujung Merak Banten, hingga banyuwangi di ujung jauh sana. Jalur utara dan Selatan pun sudah habis saya lalui. Tentu saja dengan kereta ekonomi. Banyak ciri khas, paling gampang dilihat dari tata cara penjual yang silih berganti mondar-mandir tanpa lelah menjajakan barangnya.

“Ya beginilah, Kereta rakyat” menurut bapak terlemas setelah anaknya meraung kepanasan

“Duh de, Kasian yaa” seorang ibu mengasihani bapak berkaki satu yang melewati deretan kursi kami barusan

“Maap mas” kata-kata yang ering terlontar di kereta ini

tak sedikit pun candaan yang terlontar dari isi kereta.

“Mijon, Mijon, Mijon, Mijon” tertawa saya mendengarnya, kental aksen asli pribumi yang rumit mengeluarkan huruf “z”

“ewer ewer ewer ewer” sambil menyegirkan gincunya seorang waria bernyanyi

banyak pula yang merasa cemas, mungkin bagi kalian yang baru menaiki kereta ekonomi, sudah pasti cemas dengan banyaknya orang yang silih berganti keluar masuk. Hampir bisa dikatakan tidak ada kenyamanan disana, bohong  kalo ada yang berbicara kereta ekonomi nyaman buat kita. Pengamen bernyanyi seenaknya dengan tampang gaharnya, Penyemprot parfum tidak kalah unik dan menyeramkan tatkala mengeluarkan ancamannya, penyapu dadakan (biasanya ini yg paling dihormatin sebagai asongan kereta api ekonomi) tapi akan sangat menyebalkan saat penumpang sudah dalam keadaan terlelap.

Kereta Api klas Ekonomi, memang begitu, untuk mereka yang berklas ekonomi, memilih jalur hidup ekonomis. Atau mungkin karena nasib yang membuat mereka menjadi orang yang ekonomis. Tidak apalah, setidaknya mereka berkendaraan dengan halal.

Di dalam kereta api klas ekonomi, kita tidak akan menemukan kehausan, karena penjaja minuman kemasan begantian, begitu juga penjaja kopi, tak mau kalah, seorang pekerja PT. KAI pun ikut menawarkan daganannya mondar-mandir silih berganti. Di dalam kereta jenis ini pula, kita tidak akan menemukan wc yang higienis, malah jauh dari ala kadarnya. hanya berupa pispot tergelar, tanpa air, dan jika Anda beruntung, maka Anda akan berdiri dalam pispot besar beralaskan lantai (licin booo)

Tapi sungguh merakyat kereta ini, kita tidak pernah berkenalan, tetapi satu sama lain saling bercerita, sangat mengisi waktu. pengen ngerasain tidur di rumah ? Beli saja koran seribu gelar di karpet jalan kabin, tidur tenang dan akan sangat tidak tenang ketika ada yang menginjak kaki atau kepala Anda.

Ironis, negeri kita sudah 64 tahun merdeka, tetapi masih seperti ini moda transportasinya. Tapi kereta ini akan membawa kita, dan akan berlama-lama menikmati keindahan Nusantara. Karena kereta ini dapat berhenti di selama lebih 1 jam. Lumayanlah bisa ngambil nafas seger.. hehe

Yuk berkereta Api, jangan takut, berikut tipsnya :

1. kalo mau masuk surga, siapin receh yang banyak coz banyak banget yang mnta-minta

2. kalo mau aman, tas yang berat-berat aja ditaro di atas, tas berisi perhiasan, dompet, hp, jadikan satu dalam genggaman

3. siapin air sendiri untuk keperluan beser dan semacamnya

4. jangan terlihat mencolok sebagai orang berduit, selain nantinya sebagai sunggingan tetangga di kabin kereta, atau dijadikan target operasi copet-copet liar

5. Kalo mau pilih tempat duduk, pilih deket ibu-ibu atau bapak-bapak, kalo rame-rame pasti aman

6. Siapin segala cerita, sewaktu-waktu lo bisa kasi tau cerita ke tetangga lo

7. Dinyamanin ajah, konsekuensi jadi orang ekonomis

from december 3

Crashing happens sporadically. And never with enough warning. The way my grandparents used to come over on the weekends. Semiregularly, enough that I should have expected them on alternate Sunday mornings but never did. Even when my parents forgot to remind me that they were coming I would wonder why I could hear a sound like their station wagon parking nearby. And then they would be making their way up our driveway and I would run into my room and pretend I hadn’t seen them so I could look at myself in the mirror and then run out and be surprised. You’re here! They would be in our house, smoking and watching the baseball game and updating us on susan’s bad hip like they had never left. Until they left.

You feel okay. I feel okay. Mostly good, most of the time, you joke in your letters. Sometimes you feel wonderful. The landscape! The hills roll in a very very nice way, a way they never rolled at home, even the adirondacks, which are gentle and lovely and look especially nice in the fall. You almost don’t mind the the nausea that comes from driving in and out and through these hills, sticking your head out the window along Highway 2 to avoid vomiting in Mike’s car. You’ve been living with Mike and his wife for two weeks now. This is not enough history to pad vomiting in his car.

The way the topography rises and falls and repositions itself in endless recombinations of grass and bush and sheep and old fencing is almost exhausting to watch, makes you manic, makes you jealous of everyone who gets to grow up watching the ground around them unfold and refold like this, according to the light of the day. In canterbury, just after sunset, Mauketere looks like a piece of birthday cake, a big tuft of buttercream, the kind with raspberry jam inside at a six year old girl’s birthday party. You could like this kind of land off your fingers.

And you are doing so many things! You catch your voice like you’ve spit a frog onto the sidewalk the first time you tell someone you’ve been here for six weeks. You’ve been here for so long and you just left, you have no idea what six weeks means but it probably means a lot. Make a list of letters and postcards sent and realize you have send two dozen of them, you have made cheese, disembowled pigs, fed baby lambs and milked their mothers, clipped hooves, learned to scythe hay! Walked three coastlines, stuck feet in two, explored three cities, slept in at least eleven different beds. Days full of farming, traveling, eating, breathing. You are tirelessly present sometimes.

But still it shows up. Even on days with perfect mornings. Especially on days with perfect mornings. You enjoy a good breakfast, drive to picton with a boy– you met a boy!– an english boy with a car to give you a lift from your hostel in kaikoura, a boy to talk with about other hostels, adventure, travel, going home. John, the programmer, who stopped to let you pee at mc donalds and did not even drive away. In picton by lunchtime, you eat a swedish pastry together in the rain, say goodbye, write two witty letters to your family, check your emails, book a bed at your favorite backpackers lodge.

And somewhere along the four block walk from the video store with the internet to the hostel, somewhere probably over the bridge by the creek by the train tracks before the park, it plumes and releases like a watercolor paintbrush falling and mucking up a jar of water. You walk past the giant mural and then you are fuddling with your jacket and wondering when it got so cold and why are you trying not to cry. Shit.

What are you doing here? You’re eating too many pastries and you’re not working, which are actually the least of your problems. You spend too much time on the internet. You spent another $2 to wait for a possible reply from anyone you’ve written to. What are you doing here?

The sleep is not very good. You worry a lot less most of the time, but now you live with permanently gritting jowls. You grit your teeth when you’re smiling. Is this why your teeth fall out when you’re old? Sometimes you have to wrench your teeth apart when you wake up. You are tired. You are done with backpackers, hostels, packaged boat tours, adventure tourism, paying to swim with dolphins, bare feet, americans who swear too much and germans who speak three languages and still won’t talk to you. You are tired of wwoofing, of pretending to be nice to people’s dogs, eating what they eat for breakfast, grubbing weeds, groveling for a new place to stay every few weeks, the constant struggle to remain useful and worthy of a place to stay yet not be taken advantage of.

The travel guidebook refers to this stage as burnout. Mauketere starts to look like your eighth grade math teacher’s underarm wattles. New people are annoying. John from England talked too much. 6pm is too early to go to bed. You miss your kitchen. Why are you here?

If you were in Seattle, you would wander into your housemates’ bedrooms, clutch your belly while you talk about something else until you forgot why you came downstairs. Sit on their beds and talk about their boys and your girls and whose job is the stupidest and where are we going to go bike riding tomorrow and have we been on all the ferries yet and tell me i look good in this new skirt i bought.

Everyone in the hostel lounge has a laptop, a tiny netbook, the kind your dad really thought you had room for in your backpack. No one wants to talk to anyone else. Everyone sits in the lounge and looks at their individual screens and types. Someone sneezes.

No one says anything. The dinner hour approaches and people eat instant soup from cups and microwave pizzas and you can hear bits of youtube videos out of their gigantic expensive headphones and no one says anything and you fiddle with a book you’ve already finished that you didn’t like anyway and you pee because you’re bored and you try to write but you don’t have anything to write because you’re a brain dead traveling zombie and all of the things you can think of to write are reasons why you should stop wasting money in this empty country and go do something else with your life. What the fuck are you doing here?

So you hang your head and give in. This is why you bought phone cards. You dial the thirty number sequence it takes to put a call through to Seattle and by the grace of bob, one by one, your housemates pick up.

One by one you make them guess who is calling, and they laugh as if god or oprah was on the other end of the line, excited and disbelieving and yelping “its marne! marne! how are you calling me?! how are you!?”, and you lose your aches in what becomes the odd favor of having given them a call. you spend four minutes of phone card time on laughter. fuck the tiny computers and the german girls who don’t think you’re funny. Look how funny you are now.

At 8pm the manager of the hostel comes out with free chocolate cake, warm from the oven, and ice cream for everyone. A self saucing cake, too salty, but the manager looks like your mother and she wants to know if you’re feeling any better because she could tell you looked bad before because she’s a mom, you know. The housemates promised to write emails and you sit down with your pudding and your ice cream and your spoon and your pen and your notebook so you can write about this odd town and those ferries and that random boy you went running through The Warehouse with to see if you could still find an advent calendar after December began. Your grandparents always needed to get home in time for Murder, She Wrote or the Islander game. They left after your bath, driving off in their buick before anyone remembered to pencil in their next visit.

Before I book my trip I always have the hardest time in finding what airline is best, cheapest, and flexible. I usually book last minute and when I am in the country I am backpacking I sometime just book a flight that day. Ya, I do everything last minute! It can be scary but really it is just because I’m not sure what airline to pick!

Qantas Airlines

All Australia’s know how to travel when using their leading airline. Quatas is a budget, low – cost airline that has many benefits. If you want to travel to a few countries and make it over to Australia, there is a very good chance you will get a free stop over somewhere. Yes, I said it FREE stop over! This is one reason why I love this airline, and not to mention it is safe!! You won’t feel like are going on a 6 pillar, 2 seater aircraft.

Cathay Pacific

I hear from friends how strict the Cathay Pacific airline crew is, but also how efficient they perform. Hong Kong world known, most prestigious airline is a five star rating. But, since we are backpackers this airline can be a little expensive, however if you are taking a long journey over to Asia I say take this airline!

Singapore Airlines

Booking last minute and looking for something cheap, this is one to pick. It also has the best quality, food, and friendly attendants. Yup, I said food. You maybe surprised but it’s true Singapore airlines has amazing food!!!! I am not one for plane food, well like most people but I like this plane food.

British Airlines

I have always loved the classy feeling of leather seats. It sounds funny, but really I feel more high class. So the reason why I picked this airline is because every year they try to reach their reputation to the top five, no matter how many crazy marketing ideas they try. It is funny, but it’s true. However, this airline is safe, comfortable, friendly , so really I would choose this airline to reach your destination in Europe.

I only picked four, but really what other better airlines are out there. These airlines can be a little picky in regards to the price, but they are safe and before we backpack we do need to reach our destination!!

By Anita Donnelly

A recent study by the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (STCRC) surveyed holidaying backpackers in eight popular Australian backpacker destinations.

It identified that for more than 40% of international backpackers, the working holiday was principal to their Australian visit.

In 2007-08, visitors using Working Holiday Maker Visas were estimated to be worth $1.8 billion to the national economy. The researchers have proposed changes to the conditions of the existing Visa which is secured by a significant proportion of international backpackers. The suggested changes include the ability to extend the visas and a reduction in required working hours.

One suggestion to come out of the report was to introduce a new short-term working holiday visa for international students on completion of their studies. This market could surpass the more than half a million backpackers who presently visit Australia each year. Another was to develop technology centres for ‘techpackers’ – backpackers seeking technology-enabling travel experiences, new high-energy adrenalin experiences and expansion of healthy lifestyle opportunities in regional centres.

A dominant trend coming out of the study was travelling to experience intense physical adrenalin experiences such as skydiving, bungee jumping, skiing, rafting, diving, surfing and trekking. The top five destinations listed as delivering such experiences were New Zealand (42%), Australia (36%), Africa (4%), Canada (3%) and South America (2%).

How do you think we can we bump off New Zealand to become the number one destination?

We have an opportunity to further build Australia’s competitiveness in the international backpacker tourism market.  While Australia’s market has enjoyed a period of growth over the past 10 years we must continue to grow our share.

What do you think we could do to achieve this?

Whether you are new to backpacking or not, there are some fundamental rules to follow. Yes, I know what you are thinking RULES?… for backpackers!! But yup, trust me there are a few you will want to follow!

Don’t annoy the people sleeping in your dorm

Sleeping in hostels means sharing your room with other backpackers. This can range anywhere between 4 to 12 people per room, on average. So if you want to go out partying late, that’s fine… but don’t puke, yell, fart, snore and bump into everything when entering the room if your fellow backpacker friends are already sound asleep! One really important rule, never turn a bright light on when it’s the middle of the night!! As a backpacker I would try hard to keep quite because when it comes to you sleeping and others making a rack it, its very annoying.

Don’t Use All the Space in the Hostel’s Kitchen

Most hostels allow backpackers to cook in a common kitchen. This being said, that means you’ll be sharing counter space as well as the stove and fridge with fellow backpackers so don’t use up all the space. DO share! Oh… and please don’t cook something that will smell up the entire room! Also when it comes to shopping and putting food in the fridge;don’t take  all the space. Oh and I almost forgot to mention, make sure you know how to cook and not burn!!! Trust me people don’t like the smelly burnt smoke air.

Don’t try to pick up a local if you haven’t showered

Showering is an option when you are a backpacker traveling in remote places. However, if you plan on picking up some good-looking local at a bar, do make sure shower. I’m sure no local will appreciate talking to a stinky backpacker.. you’ll miss out! Greasy hair and shoes with holes in them is not attractive, plus we all know this. Cause when it comes to reality no one picks up looking like a dirty rag.

Don’t Trust too Easily

Backpacking is synonymous to adventure, partying, chilling, exploring and fun! This being said, you’ll be meeting lots of people- either local or tourists. So be smart. Don’t disclose pesonal information to random people. Don’t trust people too easily. Do use your judgement! If you have a bad feeling about something or someone, go with your gut feeling because you are most probably right.

Don’t Overpack

Backpacking means traveling light. There is not need to have 10 tops, 10 bottoms, 5 pairs of shoes, enough toothpaste for 6 months, etc…. pack only a few items of each, wash your clothes and refill your products regularly. As you travel, you will most probably buy local items so you want to make sure to have some space in your backpack. You can find whatever you run out of when you get back to a city. You’ll have to carry all the weight, so why not spare the back aches?

So these are only a few important things you shouldn’t do as a backpacker, but trust me once you start getting the hang of things, there are much more RULES!! It’s all about experiences and dealing with them at the moment.

There are some really, really nice people around, and some ugly ones too. I’m not referring to their visual appearance here, but more-so their demeanour. Tonight I met a Switzerland backpacker; he was accompanied by a German girl who was talking to a Canadian. Then the cricketers from Pakistan dropped in and a Tasmanian.

It’s not often I remark on the attractiveness of people, but the German lady grabbed my attention. Actually, I think the entire male population had focused on her. Aside from natural looks, she speaks five languages fluently and is studying medicine.

All was rosy until the Tasmanian lady lost the plot and was refused service. One bouncer attempted to remove this average build, mid 20’s lady and was thrown against the wall. I seized her right arm and was subsequently thrown too. Fortunately for us, we had the local Police in attendance for a general check; four in fact. So it took four Police officers, two male, two female, and us two bouncers to remove this woman from the premises.

Unforgetable Jogja

Baiklah, langsung ke inti pembicaraan. Tujuan yang menjadi tempat mengawali karir sebagai backpacker adalah Jogjakarta. Lebih akrab dikenal sebagai kota keraton atau kota gudeg bagi para pecinta kuliner.

Perjalanan dimulai berangkat ke Stasiun Cimahi jam 5 sore. Kami sengaja mengejar tempat ini karena jika memilih kereta Ekonomi alangkah lebih baik jika dimulai dari stasiun Cimahi karena belum melewati banyak stasiun. Jadi masih bisa dapat kursi!

Perjalanan pun dimulai

Waktu yang dihabiskan selama di dalam kereta kurang lebih selama 9 jam. Ada banyak kota, kabupaten dan mungkin kelurahan yang kami lewati. Kira-kira pukul 6 pagi kami sampai di Jogja. Setibanya di sana, toilet menjadi tempat yang paling dicari-cari oleh semua orang termasuk kami *hahahaha*. Setelah itu sarapan pagi mengisi bahan bakar karena perjalanan ini akan sangat melelahkan. Langsung nyobain gudeg.

breakfast with sister

Kenyang dan bertenaga. Siap beraksi! tempat pertama yang kami kunjungi adalah Verdeburg. Bekas benteng pada zaman Belanda merupakan sebuah peninggalan sejarah. Di dalam benteng ini juga ada beberapa barang-barang dan bukti para pelaku sejarah khususnya pahlawan kita. *Bukan patung Obama!*. Cukup dengan Rp 1000 saja kita sudah bisa masuk ke dalam benteng Vredeburg.

Verdeburg

Team MPK

Halaman di kawasan Verdeburg

Setelah itu kami menuju Istana Presiden tepat di seberang Verdeburg. Namun sayang kami tidak diperbolehkan masuk. Karena ada latihan Paskibra.

Istana Presiden

Kami lanjutkan perjalanan kami menuju Keraton Jogja. Dalam perjalanan kami melewati segerombolan para komunitas fotografer yang sedang mengikuti lomba foto. Dan inilah objek yang mereka jepret.

Bank Indonesia

Tibalah di Keraton Jogja.

Keraton

Foto bersama penjaga Keraton

Puas?! masih belum. Kami lanjut ke tempat yang bernama Taman Sari. Ini juga peninggalan sejarah, tapi lupa sejarah apa yang ditinggalkan. hehehe. Uniknya tempat-tempat bersejarah ini berada di tengah-tengah lingkungan penduduk. Mereka masih bersentuhan dengan peninggalan-peninggalan sejarah ini. Sebuah tindakan bijaksana dengan tinggal dan merawat apa yang menjadi sejarah budaya bangsa. Tiket masuk Rp. 2500.

Oke! Sudah puas dengan tempat wisata, kami bergerak menuju kampus UGM. Selain luas suasana kampusnya tenang, bersih dan nyaman. Cocok sebagai tempat perkuliahan.

UGM

Tibalah kita di pelabuhan terakhir kami. Inilah puncak perjalanan kami. Candi Prambanan.Menggunakan Andong sebagai alat transportasi dari Halte Trans Jogja menuju Candi Prambanan. Dengan membeli tiket seharga Rp. 12500 sudah bisa masuk ke dalam kawasan Candi Prambanan ini.

Goes to Prambanan

Sedikit aksi

Inilah muka penuh debu, minyak, kucel dan lengket

Si Bule mau ikutan foto

Candi Prambanan

Benar-benar sudah terhibur dan terpuaskan. Dalam waktu 1 hari kami bisa menikmati keindahan dan keramah-tamahan Jogjakarta. Hari sudah gelap saatnya untuk kembali ke stasiun. Sambil menunggu keberangkatan pulang ke Bandung. Kami menyempatkan untuk berjalan-jalan di sekitar stasiun Tugu dan Malioboro.

Tugu

Jogja, I’ll be back!

Unforgetable Jogja

This is a bit out of chronological order, but whilst in Northen Pakistan, I dragged myself away from Gilgit long enough to visit Karimabad in the Hunza Valley.
I cant be arsed right now rambling on about how amazing and scenic Northen Pakistan is and especially Karimabad, but it just is.
In Summer, Autumn or Spring, it would be the perfect place to while a couple of weeks away. Relaxing, hiking, reading, eating, whatever.
But when I visited, on the brink of Winter it was just plain freezing.
No electricity (thus no hot water), no gas heaters, shops shutting up for the season, no other tourist to talk shit with, in bed at 8.30pm wishing the night would end already so I could get up and sit in the sunshine to eat breakfast.
2 nights was more than enough.
I do look forward to going back though on a warmer occasion.

View from bedroom

Other than its scenic ambiance and hiking, Karimabad is famous for one thing, Hunza Water.
Locally produced wine, nicknamed “Hunza Water”, is something of a mythical product. Everyone knows about it, but few ever see or taste it.
I still don’t really know how I pulled this off (and at the time I wasn’t even trying) but a friend-of-a-friend later and I’m standing out the front of THE Mr. Hunza Water’s Place.

Mr. Hunza Water

Zero English, and my 10 words of Urdu all used up, communication was in body language but he was stoked to have a visitor.
As I’m given the tour of the 3×5 meter room, the first thing beside the smell of fermentation I notice was the ‘wine’ set up.
Hunza Water is not Wine, its a spirit, the whole set-up is for distillation haha.

Devoted Assistants

The first batch of the morning is ready (brewed from mulberries), Mr. Hunza Water sticks is thumb in, then gets a lighter and lights it. The whole thing happened before I could take a photo, but I’m sitting there watching his thumb alight, while he’s smiling because it means the batch is strong.

I’m poured a take-home bottle, but not before taste tests are carried out (something I can see the assistants are eagerly awaiting).
Half a mug gets put in front of me. Keep in mind its about 10.30am.
There’s no declining hospitality in Pakistan and thus I understand I’m not leaving until that mug is finished.
Not wanting to mill over it, I top-to-bottom the whole thing and Mr. Hunza Water seems impressed, I nod with approval while my digestive tract is on fire.

5 hour bus ride back home (Madina Guest House, Gilgit), squashed like a sardine and nursing that bottle upright the whole way, everyone was siiked when I pulled it out at the dinner table.

Mr. Hunza Water, it was a good batch.

In 2004/05 I backpacked Europe for an entire year. While I was backpacking there were many things I would do and no one would know about. What I mean is, when you are a backpacker you want to save as much money in every possible way. So you work around things that you know you can get away with. A few things every backpacker does, but just doesn’t brag about it.

Taking food from hostels to save it for lunch or dinner

While I backpacked, I didn’t want to spend that much money on food, since I rather put my money towards more important things. Therefore I would take the breakfast food from the hostels. Some hostels offered free breakfast and as a result I would snatch extra food to save it for lunch. I remember a moment in Luzerne, Switzerland where food is rather not on the cheap side, hence that is why  I took a few sandwiches from the hostel. As I was about to leave the hostel a lady with a very strong accent yelled at me complaining that I was stealing food. Consequently I got caught, but hey that was the only time out my backpacking year, not bad eh. So if a hostel offered bread for breakfast, I would scramble and take loads of it for my lunch and dinner. It was a very unhealthy diet, but it did the trick.

Taking toilet paper

In Europe washrooms don’t carry toilet paper and that’s in all washrooms.  Everywhere, you would have to make sure there was a roll of toilet paper in your bag. I would sometimes take a few rolls of toilet paper from the hostels to keep me going for a while because you don’t want to purchase a whole bag of toilet paper rolls and carry them around.

Taking towels

While I was in Europe, at times I would spend lots of occasions on the beach, bathing, relaxing, and swimming. I always had a towel on my journeys, but it was used for the shower, not a beach towel. Plus I didn’t want to carry around two towels it just made my backpack heavier. As a result I would take a beach towel from where ever.  For example when I was backpacking Morocco there was always time to hit up the beach. So I  always needed an extra towel. In Morocco I stayed in hotels, since it was fairly cheap and from each of the hotels, lets just say I would take a towel or so.

Lie about your age

Age is everything while you are traveling, well when it comes to getting in free to museums, activities, and major sites. If you are under the age of 19, most of the time you can acquire free entry into a lot of things. Most of time I would tell people that I am an international student and my age is 18, therefore free entry was always on my list.

Not taking a shower that often, when on the go

So yes, this must sound very unpleasant to you, but it is true. When you are a backpacker and jumping from one city to another, sleeping on trains or in train stations, and trying to see as much as possible well as a result there is very little occasions to take a shower. There were moments that I wouldn’t have time to shower in four-five days. This one rule you just don’t want to brag about. Smelly socks, dirty jackets, and rough hair often happened to me while I was backpacking. Once you got to your hostel, that was the very first thing to do, jump in the shower!!

Cleaning clothes in the shower or sink

Where else is the cheapest route to clean your clothes, then in the shower?! Yup, did it all the time. Well it was my only way to clean my clothes and have not to pay. I use to have a routine in cleaning my clothes. It sounds funny, but it’s true. I would clean my clothes at every other hostel and make sure I would have enough time to have them all dried before I was off to the next hostel.  I would scrub away with a bar of soap and rinse them while taking a shower to not waste time or money. Yup, you can say I was cheap, but guess what it did the trick!!!.. clean clothes I had. Yet, I did have this routine, but there were times when I didn’t have time to clean my clothes. For about a week in half I remember once, I was wearing dirty clothes over and over again. But don’t worry I did clean them eventually.

There are many things backpackers don’t talk about while traveling, but when money is tight and you are press for time, well you just gotta do what you have to do!!! Theses are my little do nots… what are yours?

On Monday I bid farewell to Singapore and my pampered existence and crossed into Malaysia.  When I say it was hard to leave, I mean it was HARD TO LEAVE.  Wow.  No matter how you mentally prepare yourself, coming down from a posh lifestyle to that of backpacker squalor is unpleasant.  And then some.  I spent Monday as a sweaty, cranky mess.

Apparently Malacca’s highlights lie in its Chinatown, where there are lots of little shops and night markets to wander.  The catch is that Chinatown only comes alive on the weekends; during the week it doesn’t offer much.  Literally moments after arriving in Malacca my guesthouse owner is asking how long I’d like to stay and I tell him two or three nights, he looks at me like I’m crazy and informs me of the above.  Huh?  This place revolves around Chinatown?  And that’s only good on the weekends?  And it’s Monday?  What am I doing here??  And the little dude is sagely looking at me like “si hombre, now you see my point.”  So he booked me for one night.  And here I thought guesthouse owners (i.e. small business owners) would try to keep their guests as long as possible so they could make a buck.  Silly me.  Maybe I need to re-take Econ 101.

I spent the afternoon walking around the old colonial area of Malacca, which has a Saint Paul’s of its own, one with more impressive ruins (and a better view) than the one in Macau.  From Saint Paul’s I passed the town square and a giant boat that sits right in the middle of things, like that’s normal.  Apparently you can go up and tour it, but I was too busy being cranky to be bothered.

Oh wait, I haven’t painted the proper picture for you yet.  Malaysia is hot.  BALLS HOT.  Sweat through everything you own hot.  In the afternoon it poured, which I thought was a good thing, because hopefully it’d cool things off.   Yeah right.  Instead it just made my hair look like Monica’s on Friends when they go to Hawaii and all it does is rain for a week straight, and somehow made the hot even hotter, and unbearably muggy.  My guesthouse lent me a tiny little umbrella made for children, so while my head and shoulders remained relatively dry, the bottom 75% of me was soaked through.  This is how I puttered around looking at ruins and random old boats and dodging unruly traffic zooming entirely too fast for people who don’t adhere to street signs and lane assignments and other assorted traffic laws.

The highlight of the day was finding a (covered!) hawker stand, with about a dozen different vendors to choose from.  I did a quick look-see and let me tell you, the options for vegetarians in Malaysia are slim to none.  Have I mentioned Malaysia is like China’s half-sister?  We’ll get to that later.  Point is: they like their meat.  And they can’t begin to fathom how you possibly couldn’t.  The happy ending is that I did find a stand that offered one non-meat dish, and I jumped on it.  It was bizarre: assorted fruits (pineapple and the southeast Asian fruit that they call “guava” but really is the furthest thing from a guava I’ve ever seen, hard and crunchy and green-skinned and not especially sweet, along with cucumber) tossed in a spicy-sweet chili sauce, the small pickled beans I associate with China, and seaweed, all with crushed peanuts on top.  Didn’t sound appetizing to me either.  If there had been other options, I would have opted for those.  But I have to say, it was pretty good.  You didn’t taste the pickled beans, aside from adding a layer of flavor to the sauce (a bit too sweet, but otherwise tasty), and the seaweed was undetectable as well.  It essentially tasted like eating cold crunchy fruit in a spicy-sweet sauce with some crunchy peanuts on top.  Not bad.  I washed everything down with some lime juice, which is essentially sugar water with two lime wedges squeezed into it.  Next time I’m opting for a more traditional fruit juice.  (Watermelon, anyone?)  All in all though, pretty yummy.  And always fun to try something new.

And really, how crushed do you think I was missing yet another Chinatown?  And with a legitimate excuse to boot.  Thank you, but no thank you.  I’m Chinesed out.

A typical day in backpacka-stan.

Dorm Bed – 195 PKR – p/night

BREAKFAST
Porridge – 66 PKR (enough for 3 days)

The closest thing to coffee – 15 PKR (2 p/day)

Bananas – 40 PKR (enough for 3 days)

LUNCH
Dahl, Rice, Salad, Lentil Patties – 70 PKR

DINNER
Chicken Shwarma – 80 PKR

Mixed Salad – 80 PKR (better than it looks)

Dessert
the BEST Ice-Cream – 25 PKR

OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Rickshaw ride to other side of town, 60-150 PKR one way

1.5 Litre Bottle of Water – 30 PKR (Tap water is typically fine)

Beer – 150 PKR (bought on the black market)

Summary
195 – Dorm Bed
66 – Porridge
40 – Bananas
30 – Coffee
70 – Lunch
80 – Chicken Shwarma
80 – Mixed Salad
25 – Ice Cream
586 PKR – TOTAL, therefore, $7.67 Australian p/day..

Travel Insurance

by Roc Selly (hosted by Travel & Cruise with Bruce  http://CruiseWithBruce.com )

Travel insurance is a product designed to cover you when things go wrong and problems arise while you’re on your travels. Travel insurance is cover that is intended to look after any medical expenses, monetary losses (such as money invested in non-refundable pre-payments), and other things lost or stolen while travelling, either within your own country, or in other countries. Travel insurance is a way of offering you and your familiy peace of mind and also minimising the considerable financial risks of going away. Travel insurance costs a percentage of trip costs, that is typically between 4 and 8%. Travel insurance is an integral part of any holiday, not just a luxury.

Travel insurance for couples is cheaper than for two single adults and family cover is usually not much more than cover for a couple. Your insurance provider will adjust your travel insurance cover in accordance with your needs and potential risks you might face during your time away. Insurance brokers have contacts with a wide range of travel insurance companies and might be able to assist you in finding the travel insurance that best suits your situation. Insurance policies and their provisions usually become valid as of the moment of payment which means that you can buy your policy online at the last minute, for instance, while you’re boarding your airplane at the airport.

Bearing in mind that most sections of your policy have limits on the amount the insurer will pay under that section, don’t forget that travel insurance is your ultimate tool if you’re wanting to prepare for unforeseen events on your travels.

An insurance air travel policy will cover you whilst you’re on your plane if you’re in an accident, no matter what the financial state of the airline is. There are regular insurance providers who will cover travellers for adrenaline sports such as bungee jumping or skiing and not at high prices. These are just a couple of things you may not have known about travel insurance.

Travel insurance is less of an optional extra and far more of an integral part of any break. There’s no legal requirement for anyone to have insurance when they travel abroad but if you find yourself in a scenario that was unforeseen and detrimental to your travels, you’ll bless the day you took a policy out because travelling with no insurance puts you at very real risk. What’s good news is that travel insurance is getting cheaper. Perhaps now more people will agree that travel insurance is indeed a wise decision. Travel Insurance is just as essential on your holiday as your sunglasses, toiletries and camera when you’re heading off on holiday.

About the Author:

Before you purchase your cheap travel insurance on the internet, have a look at our great value and reliable travel insurance packages.

Obyek wisata di Madura dimulai dari yang paling bagus menurut saya:
1. Pantai Lombang (kabupaten sumenep)
2. Pantai Slopeng (sumenep)
3. Keraton Sumenep
4. Komplek makam Asta Tinggi (sumenep) – makamnya keluarga&raja sumenep
5. Pantai Camplong (sampang)
6. Api Tak Kunjung Padam (Pamekasan) – tempat menyalakan obor PON 2000 Jatim

Untuk kulinernya banyak sekali yang enak-enak (sluuuurp….), ada rujak madura, apen, kopyor dekat pantai lombang dll tapi menurut saya yang paling utama itu “sate lalat”, adanya cuma malam hari di kota Pamekasan, jangan ketipu dgn namanya, sebenarnya itu sate ayam tapi potongannya kecil2 makanya dinamain sate lalat.

Coba bantu itenerary tanpa kuliner:
05.00-07.00 Surabaya – Sampang
07.00-07.30 pantai camplong
07.30-08.00 camplong – api tak kunjung padam
08.00.08.30 api tak kunjung padam
08.30-10.00 Pamekasan – Sumenep
10.00-10.30 Kraton
10.30-11.00 Asta Tinggi
setelah dari itu semua bisa ke pantai Lombang & Slopeng. Di dua tempat itu untuk obyek foto bisa terpuaskan

Hahaha, gak kerasa yah udah tiga ratus enam puluh lima hari kita bekerja, beraktifitas, dan bercengkrama satu sama lain. Suka duka terjadi, tangis tawa yang sudah menjadi sarapan kehidupan. Ya kok jadi bertele-tele gini sih,hehehe.
Tahun baru kali ini 2009, kita berempat adit, sulton, rio, dan wisnu memutuskan untuk melakukan touring ke puncak. Hal itu diutarakan oleh sulton dirumah rio. Hmmm, gak da yang menduga pada jam 15.00 ternyata destination pun berubah yaitu ke gn. Halimun, dengan alasan saya belum pernah kesana. Sedikit informasi, bahwa rute menuju gn. Halimun dari Ciawi sangat jauuuuuh, kita harus berkelak kelok di parungkuda, lalu 60 menit kemudian akan tercapai kelapa nunggal. Awas hati-hati di parungkuda selain jalan akan terasa berat ketika melewati setasiun parungkuda, kita pun tidak akan menemukan plang bertuliskan parungkuda di jalan raya. Agar tidak tersesat seperti kami, Dari Ciawi lurus terus menuju arah Sukabumi. Sesuai dengan plang penunjuk jalan yang bertuliskan Parakan Salak belok kanan yang akhirnya menemukan parungkuda. Di jalanan parungkuda-kelapanunggal kita masih dapat menaiki angkot, lumayanlah angkotnya tidak sempit banget. Waktu menunjukkan pukul 20.00, kami baru saja sampai kalapanunggal. Suasana pun menjadi berubah karena setiap kali kita bertanya dan bertanya menuju halimun, semua orang menjadi bertanya-tanya, dan mengucapkan “ masih jauh dek” hufh, katanya sih masih ada 50 km lagi alias 5 jam lagi. Hatipun surut untuk kesana. Menurut tukang ojek yang ada di kelapanunggal, angkutan umum hanya beroperasi hingga kabandungan. Entah menuju ke TNGH (Taman Nasional gunung Halimun) harus dengan menaiki apa, menurut pak ojek itupun sayang jika kita menggunakan motor kesana karena medan yang dihadapi adalah medan offroad mobil-mobil besar. Aduuuuuuuhh,,
20.30 pun kita makan di kelapanunggal, ya lumayanlah mengganjal perut karena belum makan malam, hehehe. Pikiran pun berubah setelah makan, dengan tawaran yang diberikan oleh pak ojek agar ke pelabuhan ratu saja daripada ke gn. Halimun, akhirnya teman-teman pun bersepakat. Karena memang rutinitas yang tidak disengaja selalu menjadi bagian penting dalam cerita kami kali ini.
Motor dipanaskan dan kita berangkat menuju Pelabuhan Ratu via Cikidang. Sedapat informasi yang saya dengar, trek Jakarta-Pelabuhan Ratu juga dapat dicapai melalui leuwi liang-kelapanunggal-cikidang-pelabuhan ratu. Hal itu diutarakan oleh bapak ojek tersebut. Haa kalo tau dari awal sih gak papa,,hehehe…
Pada pertigaan kelapa nunnggal dan cikidang kami sempat bertanya untuk meyakinkan apakah benar jalan itu yang merupakan rute ke pelabuhan ratu. Dan bapak-bapak itu meniyakan. Perlu sedikit informasi, Jangan pernah lewat malam, karena tidak ada lampu penerangan dan tidak ada rumah penduduk dalam radius yang berdekatan. Daerah tersebut merupakan daerah PTPN penghasil minyak sawit. HAL INI JUGA BERLAKU UNTUK TREK PARUNGKUDA.
Pada pertigaan cikidang dan cibadak kita diberhentikan oleh petugas dari pariwisata dan menarik retribusi sebesar Rp2500/orang, sehingga kita tidak ditarik uang lagi ketika di pelabuhan ratu nantinya. Bagi teman-teman yang belum berpengalaman naik motorhujan-hujan dan tidak sanggup melawan licinnya aspal saya sarankan agar tidak melalui cikidang karena jalannya mantabssgi pengendara mobil pun sebaiknya tidak dikarenakan trek sempit dan sangat berkelak-kelok. Pada temrinal sub cikidang kita ditagih pungli euy ma dishub. 1000 per motor, bayangkan berapa yang diraup oleh dishub tersebut pada malam tahun baru??naik haji kali ya!!hehe,,lanjut??
Lanjut… Sekitar 2 jam kita sudah sampai pelabuhan ratu yang merupakan pantai yang aneh bagi saya karena harus melewati gunung dahulu baru kita dapat melihat pantainya. Di sana kita tidak dapat bergerak dengan bebas karena Malam Tahun Baru Cuy,,apa boleh buat kita menginap di ikan bakar mitoha, dengan memesan makanan. Maklum harga tahun baru semuanya serba mahal. Banyak orang melakukan cara seperti kami bahkan ada yang sempat membawa selimut.
Jam 24.00 pun bersambut berbagai macam kembang apai pun diluncurkan, berbagai motor menekan gasnya dalam-dalam. Ombak pun menghantam bumi dengan kerasnya. Datanglah 1 Januari 2009.
Paginya kita menyelesaikan keinginan menginjakkan kaki di air laut, dan berfoto bersama di pelabuhan nelayan pelabuhan ratu.
Begitulah cerita dari kami, semoga dapat membantu merefernsikan segala sesuatu keinginan Anda. Bahasa yang kami pakai semata-mata agar lebih mendekatkan antara pembaca dengan penulis terima kasih..

NB: Bensin habis 40 ribu
Perkiraan pamulang-Pelabuhan Ratu 125 km
Kecepatan jangan melebihi 80 km/jam (banyak yang kecelakaan coy)
Siapkan alat turing kalian jalan terlalu gelap jika sudah malam

Tak ada yang bisa disebutkan kecuali kata indah jika kita menuju pulau dewata, pulau yang eksotis, pulau yang romantis, dan pulau yang menawan.Andre hehanusa pun pernah bernyanyi untuk sebuah pulau cantik ini, ya salah satu yang ditawarkan pulau ini adalah pantainya yang indah, dari ujung barat hingga ujung timur.

Pasir putih yang menawan dan meratap matahari yang tenggelam merupakan sebuah intuisi asli seorang manusia menuju sebuah kenangan indah, “ya” apalagi jika itu dilakukan bersama teman, sahabat, ataupun keluarga.

Hari Pertama 7/02/2009

Perjalanan ini merupakan sebuah perjalanan yang diidam-idamkan selama 6 bulan, berhubung belum pernah kesana lagi selepas sd, hahai.
Bersama seorang sahabat yaitu Lingga, pada tanggal 7, pukul 03.00 kami berdua melakukan perjalanan panjang sekitar 300 km menuju Banyuwangi, tempat ibu saya berasal. SeBelum ke Banyuwangi kami harus menuju ke stasiun Jogjakarta Lempuyangan untuk menaiki kereta Sri Tanjung jurusan Jogjakarta-Banyuwangi dengan harga tiket Rp 35.000, o iya sebelum semua itu, perjalanan kami ini adalah perjalanan irit maklum mahasiswa yang dapet duit dari beasiswa aja dan bantuan orang tua sih,,hehehe.:D
Perjalanan dari Jogjakarta yang dimulai pukul 08.00 akhirnya berakhir jua pada pukul 22.22, hufh, badan gerah, panas, enek, mual, tapi tak pakalah, toh didepan mata saya saat ini sedang memandang sebuah pulau eksotis itu, hari pertama usai dengan sebuah perjalanan kereta api yang sangat menyenangkan, banyak mengenal orang, dan banyak menguras keringat.

hari kedua 7/02/2009
Setelah makan nasi+sate ayam dan sprite pastinya kita melangkah menuju Pelbuhan Ketapang, niat awal mencari bus jurusan Jember-Denpasar agar tidak membayar lagi kapal nantinya, tapi tak apalah, akhirnya kita melangkah menuju pelabuhan gilimanuk dan dikenai tiket seharga Rp 6.000, kita melangkah kearah kapal dan segera masuk kedalam anjungan kapal. Disana kita menobrol dengan banyak penumpang lainnya, dan hup, ada sebuah tawaran menarik dari sesorang penumpang, mereka menawarkan untuk mengantar kami ke kuta, tempat homestay kami nantinya. Gemerlap lampu nan eksotis Pulau itu masih membuat satu masalah bagi kami sebetulnya, Berbagai no telepon dari berbagai homestay di daerah poppies lane I dan poppies lane II yang kami dapatkan dari blog lainnya penuh. BAGAIMANA INI?Bapak yang menawarkan itu pun datang lagi dan menawarkan untuk sekaligus mengantarkan kami ke hotel kenalanannya? Ya setuju, bayangkan kami mendapatkan hotel seharga Rp 30.000/malam, olalala senangnya, ada juga hotel super murah disana, bandingkan saja dengan daerah wisata lain seperti jogja, puncak, atau lain tempat. Kami pun sangat setuju dengan tawaran yang ada. Pukul 01.30 Kapal pun mendarat di pelabuhan Gilimanuk, ada satu penumpang lainnya yang akan ditawarkan Bapak itu kedaerah Denpasar juga tentunya. Sebelum keluar dari pelabuhan ada pemeriksaan kendaraan dan KTP, buat kalian yang mau ke Bali jangan lupa ya sama yang namanya KTP, ok selesai! mobil menuju Denpasar dan Kute tepatnya hotel, kami pun terlarut dalam kantuk yang sangat!!!o iya jangan lupa menset jam kita satu jam lebih maju karena kita berada di wilayah Waktu Indonesia TengAh(WITA), zzzzzzzzzz.. 05.00 kami sampai di sebuah hotel didaerah legian JL. Sriwijaya dan langsung mencek kamar, not bad, and not good too, itu udah murah banget maaaaan!!!
Wake UP Pukul 10.00 kami jalan ke arah legian dan kute untuk mencari rental motor, yap kami mendapatkannya sebuah motor mio dengan harga sewa Rp 40.000 per hari, kami pun tak menyianyiakan waktu, jalan ke GWK (Foto-foto, nonton kecak(free) HTM GWK Rp 20.000/per person), Monumen Ground zero, Kute lagi ), untuk pantai kute kita tidak dikenai tarif masuk hanya parkir saja, nongkrong malam di pinggir pantai(widiw dinginnya), itu dulu masih capek sih.

Hari Ketiga 8/02/2009

Cek shuttle apakah ada penyebrangan ke lombok karena memang mimi saya pengennya ke lombok, sambil makan di pecel bu tinuk ada berita yang ngomong penyeberangan padang bai-lembar ditutup, shit, mimpi pudar, berarti harus habisin Bali, gak ada waktu lagi kita jalan-jalan lagi (emang enaknya kayak gini jalan-jalan di Bali karena gak hanya Kute aja yang keren tapi semuanya keren), gak pake lama kita menuju Ubud-Tegallalang-Pasar Sukowati-Sanur-Sunsetan lagi di Kute.

Hari Keempat 9/02/2009

Pengharapan ke Lombok datang lagi, seorang sahabat di Purwokerto sms mengatakan penyeberangan bali-lombok sudah dibuka, sempat berpikir ulang dan berulang-ulang terus, estimasi uang masih terbuka untuk hidup di sana, tapi apa mau dikata daripada dipaksakan kita habiskan saja Bali kali ini, mungkin Senggigi dan Gili Trawangan next time aje deh..huhu,,Masa Rental Motor sudah abis, kita hendak memperanjang ternyata sudah ada yang membooking untuk satu bulan kedepan, o iya orang indonesia sangat dipersulit untuk peminjaman motor dikarenakan adanya ketidakpercayaan karena banyak motor yang hilang, yowis tak apa kita mencari terus hingga seluk beluk poppies I dan II, kita bertemu dengan bli ketut yang menawarkan mobilnya untuk dipakai muter-muter, berhubung last day in Bali, kita menggunakan jasanya untuk mengantarkan kami ke tanjung benoa-uluwatu-dreamland-sunsetan di tanah lot,,di Tanjung benoa kita bermain parasailing, hati-hati harga yang ditawarkan pertama sangat tidak sesuai dengan kantong lokal, dengan panduan blog yang pernah saya buka kami mendapatkan dengan harga Rp 80.000/orang, tak apalah Lombok tak Jadi saya harus bawa kenangan, dari atas kita dapat melihat garis pantai selatan Bali, di uluwatu kita dikenakan tarif Rp 3.000/orang lalu kita dikenakan kain tambahan khusus untuk yang bercelana pendek, hati=hati dengan monyet liar yang ada yang dapat mengambil segala benda yang Anda pegang khususnya kacamata, ikat rambut, dll, disini adalah tempat terluaaar biasa bagi saya beautiful moment, lanjut ke dreamland pantai yang dikelilingi bukit, katanya sih punya mas Tommy Soeharto, Kita dikenai parkir sebesar Rp 15.000(harga bule banget hehe), lanjut ke Tanah lot untuk wisata sunset terakhir, (htm Rp 7.500/orang, mobil Rp 5.000) sayang awan mendung, tapi tak apa air surut sehingga kita dapat berfoto-foto di deket pura tanah lot, ajib man. Bli ketut pun lalu mengantarkan kami ke hotel karena telah disepakati dari awal, seorang yang ramah dalam memandu kami, terima kasih bli, di hotel pun kami berkemas, mempacking berbagai keperluan yang didapatkan di pasar sukowati, dan mempacking jiwa yang telah dicas kembali. hehe maksa banget dah.

Hari kelima 10-02-2009

Penutupan menuju kepulangan kita makan dulu di selera nusantara(agak mahal nieh) lalu berbelanja lagi di Joger(harus lo kesini klo kata orang mah), lalu kita ke ubung dengan memborong taksi Rp 25.000, di Ubung kita melanjutkan bus Denpasar-Jember dengan harga tiket Rp 55.000, kami pun berpisah di bis, saya turun di Banyuwangi untuk ke rumah mbah saya dan si Lingga turun di Jember untuk langsung pulang Ke Purwokerto naik Logawa(Rp 40.500). tidurrrrrr,,capek
Hari Keenam 11-02-2009
Sms bergetar si lingga sudah di kereta dan saya pun masih diliputi kantung yang sangat, nenek yang sudah sepuh pun kembali semangat melihat cucunya yang sudah besar. hahaha, pukul 22.22 saya pulang ke Surabaya (Kereta Mutiara Timur Rp 60.000)untuk transit mengejar kereta yang ke Purwokerto, Saya naik Pasundan (Rp 29.000) lalu turun di Gombong dan melanjutkan bis ke Purwokerto (Rp 12.000). Selesai

thx for blog backpacker indonesia, Jalan-Jalan Hemat, Jalan-Jalan, Bli KEtut, Bli Afik(Backpacker Banyuwangi), Mozza (Perantau), Joger, PT.KAI yang telah menyediakan jasa angkutan murah tapi sesak, Ibu-ibu Penjual oleh-oleh di pasar sukowati yang mau ditawar sampe murah banget, Warga Pulau Dewata yang ramah, sopan, dan santun sekali, kami akan kesana kembali.

Rincian anggaran Akomodasi+transportasi

kereta ekonomi bengawan Purwokerto-Lempuyangan 26.000
kereta ekonomi Sri Tanjung Lempuyangan-Banyuwangi 35.000
Penyeberangan Ketapang-Gilimanuk Rp 6.000
Gilimanuk-Kute Rp 30.000
Hotel Arjuna @ 30.000/malam
Rental motor mio 40.000/hari
Rental mobil 200.000 (tergantung destinasi)
Ubung-banyuwangi by AkasAsri Rp 55.000
kereta bisnis mutiara timur Banyuwangi-Surabaya Rp 60.000
kereta ekonomi pasundan Surabaya-Gombong Rp 29.000
bis Gombong-Purwokerto Rp 12.000