It's been so long since the trip that I sorts forgot the sequence of events with the madness going on around my life.
I did remember it raining, coz I had to leave my Giordano sneakers in Yogya. Why does it always rain when I wear a particular pair of capri pants? It was raining on Day 2 of the Yogya trip and we were drenched completely! Oh well, must wear next time I want it to rain then!!
Spent the night tossing and turning; I guess the time difference and all kind of got my body clock a little messed up. Breakfast came complimentary and it was a scrumptious. A combination of Western, Chinese, Indonesian and even Japanese breakfast treats.Loaded up on the most important meal of the day, in case we didn't have time to eat. Apparently, I am somewhat 'psychic' coz we only managed to eat lunch at 4pm! What was interesting too was that 2 policemen walked in and were immediately ushered to a table and given complimentary breakfasts. These guys were escorts for an Indonesian minister or Yogya government official who had popped by the Hyatt for a press conference.
We took the free Hyatt shuttle to Jalan Malioboro, the heart of the shopping district. It was pretty interesting to see horse carriages and bechiak trishaws) parked alongside modern day cars. The trishaws are also the most convenient and economical way to get around the city. We walked down from the drop off point - the Malioboro Mall and made our way down towards the Kraton. Walking down the strip was an experience as we tried to vend off street vendors, touts and lil kids begging. After checking out prices for tours to Borobodur and Prambanan at the Hyatt Tour desks, I decided we'd be better off trying to find an agent at a local tour agency. Managed to get a decent deal at slightly more than half the price at the tourist information centre.
Feeling pleased that we did not get fleeced, we marched merrily down, until we were accosted by a young chap who proclaimed we had to go see this batik art exhibition put up by some artists. He said it was the last day. Apparently, it's a well-known ruse used by many of these batik galleries as we found out later.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
Salam Yogyakarta - Day 1, 16 Feb 2007
Finally have some time (well, actually still quite a bit of work from Term I of school that must be completed) to post about the Yogyakarta trip like I promised. I should get it down before I forget eh?
Though technically I wasn't celebrating the Lunar New Year this time around, I still did a little tidying up for good measure. After a frantic day of clearing, I got up at 5am and packed. Also made sure the furballs were cleaned up and fed. Took a cab to Changi AX and almost puked in the cab. For some strange reason, my tummy wasn't settling down very well. Perhaps the fact that I hadn't been on a plane for almost 5 years finally hit me. I confess, I don't like the feeling of the G-force from takes-offs and of course, turbulence and air pockets.
Hunted for a place within the departure gates for food - got tempted by GUCCI for awhile. Saw some funky stuff but got dragged away immediately. Ended up having Spinelli's. Garuda was going to feed us after all. Almost missed the flight as they did not make final calls for our flight to Jakarta. Luckily, we WEREN'T the last passengers on board. Pretty full flight as the Indonesian students were taking the chance to go back for IMLAC. (What they call the Lunar New Year there)
Flight was kinda smooth and the food wasn't too bad; beef rendang, lontong and tempe. Except I managed to drop some of the rempah on my OFF-WHITE tank camisole. Left a stain due to the tumeric in the rendang. Got to Sukarno-Hatta Airport, Jakarta in about an hour and a bit. That was when the long wait would begin.We arrived about 10:00am (Waktu Indonesia Barat WIB).It's like going back in time coz we left home at 10am! Had to clear all our luggage and walk out and re-check in at the domestic counter. Got our first 'encounter' when a Garuda rep comes up to help us and then asks for some 'tips'. Couldn't have been considered tips when he named a price.We had been warned and considering my family's roots, it was something we grew up with.
The long wait began but unlike Changi, not too many shops to browse in. A familiar scent wafted on by from the food court. ROTIBOY, now defunct in Singapore I believe, had reached Jakarta's shores. Except here, they bought them by the cartons. It was amazing to see the travellers carrying boxes of them onboard their domestic flights home. Had some beef pastry at a home grown 'Deli France' like chain; the Snapple caused more than my food.
The connecting flight to Yogya was at 2:40pm WIB. Believe me, it was a LONG wait. It was interesting, however, to observe the people going about their business. One thing I have to say; the rich in Indonesia are extremely rich. One youngish couple in the food court,were decked out in every major designer one could think of. The wife hardly looked like she had given birth to 2 kids and was dripping in diamonds.What's also noticeable is that the affluent also have at least 1 maid in tow wherever they go. Given the designer labels I saw, it was as if I were at some Parisian or Milanese runway show.Again I would like to reiterate, money doesn't necessarily buy style.
Finally got to the gate, only to be told that the flight would be delayed by half and hour or so, as the plane hadn't arrived. The takeoff was a little shaky but things soon settled when we got to cruising altitude. It was a relatively short flight - 50 minutes. Along the way, as I peered out from the window, I could the meandering rivers and the Central Javanese highlands. The landing was a little fast; the runway at Bandara Adi Sucipto was by far, the shortest runway I had ever encountered. It wasn't a shock that the accident on 7 March occurred. It was a relief to get off the plane and finally be able to settle down on terra firma.
The Hyatt limo came to get us; think it was a Toyota Kijang, the Indonesian made mini-MPV. We got a glimpse of rush-hour, Yogya style, which really wasn't too bad. Finally arrived at the Hyatt and what can I say, it was a real change from what I had seen of Java and Yogya so far. The website wasn't kidding about the landscape. Of course, they used ambient lighting for the picture I posted in an earlier blog. Here's my version:
The lobby was on level 2. It's not a big hotel the way that the Grand Hyatt Singapore or Hyatt Bali is. The Hyatt Yogya pretty grand in its own way but yet cozy enough for the casual traveler like me.The room was cozy and despite the hotel being almost a decade old, still had this 'new' feeling about it. It had a huge picture window which overlooked the golf course. I knew I was going to like this place!
Did some exploration before dinner; of course, this being Yogya, it is ineveitable that Borobodur is the main inspiration for the hotel's architecture.
We didn't want to venture out as it gets pretty dark quickly in Yogya so for dinner we ate at the hotel's main dinning hall. It was a pretty costly meal (though slightly cheaper than Singapore standards) but the seafood buffet was scrumptious! Of course, Hyatt hotels anywhere also have a fantastic array of desserts. We ate safe this trip, ie. at the Hotel, fast food chains but then again, this trip was meant to be a recce of Indonesia's cultural capital!
Though technically I wasn't celebrating the Lunar New Year this time around, I still did a little tidying up for good measure. After a frantic day of clearing, I got up at 5am and packed. Also made sure the furballs were cleaned up and fed. Took a cab to Changi AX and almost puked in the cab. For some strange reason, my tummy wasn't settling down very well. Perhaps the fact that I hadn't been on a plane for almost 5 years finally hit me. I confess, I don't like the feeling of the G-force from takes-offs and of course, turbulence and air pockets.
Hunted for a place within the departure gates for food - got tempted by GUCCI for awhile. Saw some funky stuff but got dragged away immediately. Ended up having Spinelli's. Garuda was going to feed us after all. Almost missed the flight as they did not make final calls for our flight to Jakarta. Luckily, we WEREN'T the last passengers on board. Pretty full flight as the Indonesian students were taking the chance to go back for IMLAC. (What they call the Lunar New Year there)
Flight was kinda smooth and the food wasn't too bad; beef rendang, lontong and tempe. Except I managed to drop some of the rempah on my OFF-WHITE tank camisole. Left a stain due to the tumeric in the rendang. Got to Sukarno-Hatta Airport, Jakarta in about an hour and a bit. That was when the long wait would begin.We arrived about 10:00am (Waktu Indonesia Barat WIB).It's like going back in time coz we left home at 10am! Had to clear all our luggage and walk out and re-check in at the domestic counter. Got our first 'encounter' when a Garuda rep comes up to help us and then asks for some 'tips'. Couldn't have been considered tips when he named a price.We had been warned and considering my family's roots, it was something we grew up with.
The long wait began but unlike Changi, not too many shops to browse in. A familiar scent wafted on by from the food court. ROTIBOY, now defunct in Singapore I believe, had reached Jakarta's shores. Except here, they bought them by the cartons. It was amazing to see the travellers carrying boxes of them onboard their domestic flights home. Had some beef pastry at a home grown 'Deli France' like chain; the Snapple caused more than my food.
The connecting flight to Yogya was at 2:40pm WIB. Believe me, it was a LONG wait. It was interesting, however, to observe the people going about their business. One thing I have to say; the rich in Indonesia are extremely rich. One youngish couple in the food court,were decked out in every major designer one could think of. The wife hardly looked like she had given birth to 2 kids and was dripping in diamonds.What's also noticeable is that the affluent also have at least 1 maid in tow wherever they go. Given the designer labels I saw, it was as if I were at some Parisian or Milanese runway show.Again I would like to reiterate, money doesn't necessarily buy style.
Finally got to the gate, only to be told that the flight would be delayed by half and hour or so, as the plane hadn't arrived. The takeoff was a little shaky but things soon settled when we got to cruising altitude. It was a relatively short flight - 50 minutes. Along the way, as I peered out from the window, I could the meandering rivers and the Central Javanese highlands. The landing was a little fast; the runway at Bandara Adi Sucipto was by far, the shortest runway I had ever encountered. It wasn't a shock that the accident on 7 March occurred. It was a relief to get off the plane and finally be able to settle down on terra firma.
The Hyatt limo came to get us; think it was a Toyota Kijang, the Indonesian made mini-MPV. We got a glimpse of rush-hour, Yogya style, which really wasn't too bad. Finally arrived at the Hyatt and what can I say, it was a real change from what I had seen of Java and Yogya so far. The website wasn't kidding about the landscape. Of course, they used ambient lighting for the picture I posted in an earlier blog. Here's my version:
The lobby was on level 2. It's not a big hotel the way that the Grand Hyatt Singapore or Hyatt Bali is. The Hyatt Yogya pretty grand in its own way but yet cozy enough for the casual traveler like me.The room was cozy and despite the hotel being almost a decade old, still had this 'new' feeling about it. It had a huge picture window which overlooked the golf course. I knew I was going to like this place!
Did some exploration before dinner; of course, this being Yogya, it is ineveitable that Borobodur is the main inspiration for the hotel's architecture.
We didn't want to venture out as it gets pretty dark quickly in Yogya so for dinner we ate at the hotel's main dinning hall. It was a pretty costly meal (though slightly cheaper than Singapore standards) but the seafood buffet was scrumptious! Of course, Hyatt hotels anywhere also have a fantastic array of desserts. We ate safe this trip, ie. at the Hotel, fast food chains but then again, this trip was meant to be a recce of Indonesia's cultural capital!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Cupcake Workshop at Shermay's Cooking School
I'll post the pix after we've 'processed' it. Had my first cooking class (not counting the days of secondary school Home Economics) at Shermay's Cooking School at Chip Bee Gardens. The workshop was conducted by Joycelyn Shu, the lady behind the KUIDAORE flog. This was one class which was sold out way before it started. There's a long waiting list for it.
The recipes were pretty easy and it was obvious much thought had gone into baking the selection. Not only were we treated to a free flow of iced tea by the Gryphon Tea Company but we got to take home a dozen cupcakes.As part of the hands-on portion of the class, we iced and decorated the cupcakes. The vanilla ones had been prepared by the school while we mixed the chocolate ones ourselves. I had heard about the class in early Jan and had gone to register pretty early. I am glad I did as the classes (even the Level II one) is full. Though additional classes were added for April and May, think it's at waiting list. Not surprise considering Joycelyn's desserts are too die for and that there is a cupcake craze in Singapore now.
I've also parted with about $140 to buy baking stuff like Varhlhona cocoa and good quality vanilla bean paste. SIGH! Now I gotta bake more to make it worth my while.
POSTSCRIPT 12 Mar - Here are some pix of my maiden attempt at cupcake icing. Rest on Flickr!
We've just shared one of the vanilla cupcakes. 7 to go...the math don't add up right? Whilst we were busy clearing up after dinner, sONIC figured out how to open the side of the cake box and stole a cupcake, licked the frosting off 2 of them. Had D not turned around, he could have finished the whole box. That Cocker Spaniel of mine really gets up to mischief at times.Though i WAS A LITTLE mad at him, you have to admit it was pretty smart of Sonic to get to the cupcakes the way he did. OH WELL!
The recipes were pretty easy and it was obvious much thought had gone into baking the selection. Not only were we treated to a free flow of iced tea by the Gryphon Tea Company but we got to take home a dozen cupcakes.As part of the hands-on portion of the class, we iced and decorated the cupcakes. The vanilla ones had been prepared by the school while we mixed the chocolate ones ourselves. I had heard about the class in early Jan and had gone to register pretty early. I am glad I did as the classes (even the Level II one) is full. Though additional classes were added for April and May, think it's at waiting list. Not surprise considering Joycelyn's desserts are too die for and that there is a cupcake craze in Singapore now.
I've also parted with about $140 to buy baking stuff like Varhlhona cocoa and good quality vanilla bean paste. SIGH! Now I gotta bake more to make it worth my while.
POSTSCRIPT 12 Mar - Here are some pix of my maiden attempt at cupcake icing. Rest on Flickr!
We've just shared one of the vanilla cupcakes. 7 to go...the math don't add up right? Whilst we were busy clearing up after dinner, sONIC figured out how to open the side of the cake box and stole a cupcake, licked the frosting off 2 of them. Had D not turned around, he could have finished the whole box. That Cocker Spaniel of mine really gets up to mischief at times.Though i WAS A LITTLE mad at him, you have to admit it was pretty smart of Sonic to get to the cupcakes the way he did. OH WELL!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Misunderstood
Don't you just wish sometimes that you could disappear forever into oblivion. It's one of those days for me. Rather, it's been a long drawn horror since Jan 2005 and just when I thought it had ended, it came back to haunt me.
It has also wrecked a friendship and when I find out who has been saying things behind my back or carrying on tales to this friend, I am so going to give it to them. What right have they got to do that? Another concerned ex-colleague made a frantic call to me to ask me to mend bridges and that my professional reputation has been spoilt. You know what, I just can't care anymore. I am tired, real spent and real tired.
It has also wrecked a friendship and when I find out who has been saying things behind my back or carrying on tales to this friend, I am so going to give it to them. What right have they got to do that? Another concerned ex-colleague made a frantic call to me to ask me to mend bridges and that my professional reputation has been spoilt. You know what, I just can't care anymore. I am tired, real spent and real tired.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Latest from Adi Sucipto Airport, Yogyakarta
Woke up feeling very bad today so I called in sick. Migraine and gastric been hitting me. Also not in the best of moods lately as some problems have cropped up. When will all these cease?
Since visiting Yogya, I have developed an affinity to the city. Not just to its history (which is natural for someone with a History degree!) but also to the way of life and its people. It was a real shock to see read over Yahoo news that a plane had crashed there.
Yahoo NEWS: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/070307/1/473yl.html
Even weirder as we were there less than a month ago. I shared in an earlier post that the turbulence from Yogyakarta to Jakarta freaked me out.According to The Jakarta Post, there was one casualty.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/latestnews1.asp
BUT from the Channel Newsasia website it says that only 76 out of 133 passengers survived. I guess the news will unfold.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/262476/1/.html
To this, Drakon had to say: I Have inherited my dad's uncanny 'mulut cabul' or as they say in Chinese, 'wu ya jui'. You see, we have had several discussions since the trip about the turbulence, Adi Sucipto airport and the recent air mishaps.The runaway at Adi Sucipto was rather short and I remember telling D as we flew in and out of it that I was way nervous about it. I am not that frequent a flyer but have been flying enough to have experienced a gamut of runways and aircraft. The 737 is NOT one of my favourites. Makes me wonder how I am ever going to visit Yogya again. May try thr Singapore to Solo and then drive 2hrs to Yogya option.And then this happens.Can't help but feel along with the passengers, crew and family members.My prayers go out to all.Of course, the feeling of I WAS THERE also strikes.
Stay tuned to the news for more information.
Since visiting Yogya, I have developed an affinity to the city. Not just to its history (which is natural for someone with a History degree!) but also to the way of life and its people. It was a real shock to see read over Yahoo news that a plane had crashed there.
Yahoo NEWS: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/070307/1/473yl.html
Even weirder as we were there less than a month ago. I shared in an earlier post that the turbulence from Yogyakarta to Jakarta freaked me out.According to The Jakarta Post, there was one casualty.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/latestnews1.asp
BUT from the Channel Newsasia website it says that only 76 out of 133 passengers survived. I guess the news will unfold.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/262476/1/.html
To this, Drakon had to say: I Have inherited my dad's uncanny 'mulut cabul' or as they say in Chinese, 'wu ya jui'. You see, we have had several discussions since the trip about the turbulence, Adi Sucipto airport and the recent air mishaps.The runaway at Adi Sucipto was rather short and I remember telling D as we flew in and out of it that I was way nervous about it. I am not that frequent a flyer but have been flying enough to have experienced a gamut of runways and aircraft. The 737 is NOT one of my favourites. Makes me wonder how I am ever going to visit Yogya again. May try thr Singapore to Solo and then drive 2hrs to Yogya option.And then this happens.Can't help but feel along with the passengers, crew and family members.My prayers go out to all.Of course, the feeling of I WAS THERE also strikes.
Stay tuned to the news for more information.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Yogyakarta Sojourn
It's been almost a fortnight since my trip to Yogyakarta and well, the photos are finally up. Not all coz we took some 400 or 500 shots on the 2 Olympus E-Systems we own between us. The shots on my Flikr album were shot on the E-1. It's my first time using this extensively. It's Olympus' pro system (ie. National Geographic photographers use it) so I was a little nervous about using it. I'm still quite new to the DSLR cameras and whatever photos I took on my dad's old Nikkormat or my F55, it was always instinct as dad never fully explained key concepts like aperture, shutter speed to me as a kid. Drako is trying but you guys who know me also know science bits bore me and don't quite register.
I am pretty happy with some of my shots. I think composition was more the issue to me.It's my artsy side emerging triumphant once again.Most folks would probably have better shots but well, I'm just starting out. Looking at the photos transport me back to the four days at Yogya. Think it's the beginning of my Yogya sojourns for sure! Especially since the Prambanan temple photos were terrible. It was a particularly hot afternoon so the sun was not helping. You will notice that I had more shots of Borobodur and even the HYatt than Prambanan. Lesson learnt - next trip; we got visit Prambanan in the morning.
Indonesia certainly has much to offer and it's a pity that many tourists miss the rest of it beyond Bali, Manado, Danau Toba or Jakarta. But then again, lesser tourists mean better pictures for me! Seriously, I'll never forget what dad said when I complained as a kid, about why we never travelled out of the region. He was right; there's so much of our own backyard to explore. Since coming back, I'm still trying to adjust a little to life back home. It was a short trip but it left an indelible impression on me. It was a sort of homecoming to my roots. Adopted or otherwise, I must not forget that my maternal grandmother was Indonesian so it will remain a part of my heritage.
This is my introduction, if you can call it that. Click on the Flikr link in the next column and you can see all the photos!
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