Surabaya trippin'

Surabaya, Indonesia
22nd-26th April 2015

Day one:

Touched down at Juanda Internatiol Airport at about 9am? Ate at ariport (Bad idea - expensive & disappointing). Took the public bus at the airport that brings us to the bus terminal for Probolinggo (20,00RP).

When reached, we had to find our way til we see this bus terminal. Took the one going towards Probolinggo (60,00RP). Enjoyed our 6 hours bus ride (Don't worry about food or drink, there will be locals coming in and out the bus to sell them! Same goes to baskers).

 

When reached Probollingo, we missed our bus towards Bondowoso (somewhere near Ijen Crater) so had to find a stay nearby stay just for our sleep (50,000RP, what do you expect?).


Day two:
Woke up at 12am & make our way to Ijen Crater (Journey roughly took 2 hours from our stay). Reached and got ourselves a guide to bring us up (30,00RP) (they no longer allow tourist to self-climb due to too many incidents occurred in the past).

Started climbing at about 3:30am after we had our hot tea (didn't expect the weather to be very cold as compared to Singapore, say maybe about 15 degree?). Not even halfway up the thingy, I'm already cursing and swearing at the steep slopes (in other words, please be physically fit for this climb and also, it's a must to wear hiking shoes for Ijen Crater). Stopped for quite a lot of times to get my breathing in control and can't help but to look up at every stop cause of the beautiful sky with so many stars (lucky thing I have my brother with me to accompany me on every stop). Not only us were climbing, there were many other tourist climbed together but with different tour guide. So halfway through, our guide pass us a gas mask each and told us the sulphur smell is gonna be quite bad and making hard to breathe, so we had to use the mask (trust me, even with the gas mask on you still can smell the sulphur tryna' suffocate you).

So upon reaching the Crater, I knew it was too late for me to catch the blue flames cause the sun is up. & then again, the gas mask helped us alot especially when we were nearing the Crater (but I still remember how much it hurts when the sulphur when into our eyes).

But who needs blue flames when you can see so many other beautiful things happening! Look how pretty the water is. So after pictures and pictures (my camera died when I reached this beauty spot), we decide to head back.

 

So along the way back to our start point, we get to see how beautiful the scenery actually was when were climbing in the dark towards Ijen Crater. We also stumbled upon a few workers. Can you imagine them, climbing up and down Ijen Crater just to get the sulphur & to get their work done? Some wore just slippers and normal tee when we had to wear hiking shoes and jacket. I solute them though!

So when we've reached the point where we started, I did a time check and I was so shocked to see that it was 10am. We took almost 7 hours just to climb Ijen Crater, chill, pictures and went back down (knowing the our guide actually told us it will only take 3 hours most if we are physically fit). When back to our stay had our "brunch" somewhere nearby and then make our way to Mount Bromo.

So we make our way to Mount Bromo to get a stay. Reached, spoke to locals and paid 500,000RP for a villa at the peak and paid 450,000RP fora guide and a jeep to bring us to Mount Bromo & Mount Penanjakan. So we didn't get to do anything much as the journey to Mount Bromo stay took us almost 6 hours from Probolinggo.

So we had lunch, dinner at this nenek shop nearby our stay and we got our sleep til 4am the next morning (can't deny how nice her cooking was and the best part is, one bowl cost 20,000RP at most). & not forgetting that area of Mount Bromo is so much colder than Ijen Crater.


Day three:
So at 4am sharp, our guide came knocking our villa door to wake us up. Woke up having to feel numb on all my fingers and toes as it was super duper cold! Wore long sleeve, jacket, bennie, long socks and gloves to keep myself warm (but it's still super duper cold). So got up the jeep and our guide brought us up to the area where they catch the sunrise of Mount Bromo.

When we've reached, it was super cold that we had to stop by a shop and get ourselves some hot tea and cup noodles (10 degree Celsius it was, we can see smoke coming out of our mouth while we breathe). Sat til about 4:30am and went of to the peak to catch the sunrise.

 

 

 Gotten a sweet spot on top and stood there to watch the sunrise. Quite a lot of people were there too. Then as usual, pictures after pictures. So we walked back down to find our guide, along the way there was stalls selling food, souvenirs, t-shirts and all other things. Stopped by a few shops and gotten myself a ironed-on. So when found our guide, he then brought us to Mount Penanjakan.

So took our jeep down to Mount Penanjakan. Upon reaching, we had 3 choices to choose. Whether to go by foot, by horse or by jeep.

Then obvoiusly we go by horse. Paid 150,000RP and the horse bring us to Mount Penanjakan climbing point.

So climbed up the 100 over steps stairs and see another Crater of Mount Penanjakan. Took pictures, sit and enjoyed the scenery. Then again, the sulphur smell wasn't that pleasant so we went down. Went back to our villa to get our bags packed and went off to Surabaya town.

Reached our stay at Novotel, Surabaya Town and it felt like heaven! With the air-con, comfy bed, comfy mattress and clean flooring (after 3 days of cheap and hell day). Put our bags, have a great shower and then we flag a cab and went to some random shopping mall nearby to buy some drinks and do a lil shopping and also get the adapter to charge our phone (we didn't have the correct charging port to charge our phone). Went back home and have our beauty sleep then.

Day four:

Woke up feeling fresh as hell, we head off to Taman Safari. Wanted to flag a cab instead but the security at the car point told us that he has got a friend who can bring us out for 2 days just for 500,000RP I THINK? (I swear I can't remember how much it was correctly). So we agreed and we took his driver instead to bring us. Head of to Malang for the Taman Safari (2 hours journey i guess?). So when we reached the entrance of the zoo, our driver actually helped us on the entrance fee. SO instead of paying tourist price, we paid about 20,000RP each for the entrance fee (which is actually the local price). So we went in with the car and journey begins there...

 

 

We bought carrots so we get to feed those animals. I was quite surprised how the zoo was actually on a mountain. The fact that we were actually inside our own vehicle and we get to feed them like that, it's just awesome (there were a lot more animals but we were to engrossed that no pictures were taken). So the journey was about an hour drive to see all the animals. Then we come to a point where we can pit stop and walk to see the souvenirs.

 

Paid 10,000RP to take pictures with animals.

 

As you can see the smile on our faces when we bought those head gears. & also get to take pictures with the tigers. I think we're cool like that.

Nothing much to see or do after walking, we had our lunch at one of their booth and then head back to hotel. After resting, we went to do some shopping again at the nearby shopping mall from Novotel.

Day five:

Woke up, check out and head back to Juanda International Aiport, bought Burger King breakfast and to catch our flight back home. Reality.

To me, even though it was kind of a rushing trip... (cause most of the time we were rushing to not be later. More like catching time & due to that, we didn't have enough sleep) we pretty much enjoyed everything. From the volcano, to the mountains, to the $5 homestay, to the luxury hotel and the wild life zoo, it is all worth the sweat.

You're more than welcome to see my videos on Instagram. #whenfaanaatravels

Shrooms' for Bali

Bali, Indonesia
9th-12th Sep 2014


I've always hated travelling with luggage. So if you are the type that do, then my stories are not for you.

Day one:
Took AirAsia flight at 9:20am and I must say, AirAsia's timing delay sucks but the food on flight is deliciouso. So touched down at Airport, searched for our driver and head straight to our stay at 'ibis Styles Bali Kuta Circle' (which cost like 50SGD per person?). Along the way, we asked if there are any factory outlet. So we stopped by at Billabong's factory outlet to get our gears for beach. Shopped for awhile and head off. Didn't bought anything cause at that point of time, I thought that the price compared to SGD is the same. (As per normal, always regretting after walking away). So reached hotel, checked-in and dump our bags in the room and head of to Hypermart to shop for groceries. I've always love shopping at their Hypermart. After getting stuffs we need, we head down to Uluwatu. Can't remember properly but there will be entrance fee. B-E-A-UTIFUL scenery. Till today, I still remember how the waves sounded making us feel so calm and how the wind blows. So along the way, we head to watch 'Kecak Dance'. Cool performance I must say but it doesn't capture my fullest attention. Went off for dinner at some Nasi Padang place and head back to hotel. Not forgetting, our hotel is a loft.

Day two:

Woke up feeling as fresh and head off to somewhere in Ubud for water rafting. Once in a lifetime greatest experience & it's cheap! If I'm not mistaken it only cost about 40SGD per person. I still remember the journey down towards the starting point of the rafting. My legs went all jelly when going down! I love the fact that we paid 40SGD and we get to experience water rafting, mini cliff diving and free lunch. Such a good deal. So not forgetting to mention, the instructors are all very friendly. So after we raft and eat lunch, we wanted to go for an Elephant ride. Upon reaching the destination, we went to the booth to purchase the tickets. Having said that, we didn't expect the price of it to be very expensive. Mind me I can't remember clearly how much it was but we cancelled and head of to Ubud Market instead. Then again, we made the right choice. Not only 10 shops, not only 20 shops but more than that. Selling almost every souvenirs you can think of such as bags, shirts, beach pants, tank top, slippers, guitar and etc... I must say, I'm not a shopping type of person but I do get quite some things over at Ubud Market. 

(Tips: Bargains & bargains, never ever forget to bargain the price till the lowest you can think off. & if they don't want to let it go at your price? Just walk away cause there are many shops selling the same thing at much more cheaper prices.)

So after all the damage done at Ubud Market, we head back to hotel, put our things and have dinner over at Kuta Square. & obviously, which human being won't walk along the party areas of Kuta Square? We head there after dinner to feel the vibes and I must say, it's definitely different from how Singapore is. So much more happening there. Clubs, Pubs and Live Band here and there. Drug dealers along the streets followed by cute angmohs on the bike and also not forgetting drag queens by the streets too (quite scary though). I love how the environment at Kuta Square is, very lively. After experiencing the vibes, we walked over to Kuta Beach to sit and hear the waves. As usual, beautiful. 

Day three:

Luwak! Yeap, the animal on my head is a Luwak. Shagged as hell, we got up and head to Luwak Coffee house and get ourself some fresh poop. So once arrive at the destination, there will be this "tour guide" to bring us along the pathways telling us how Luwak Coffee was made. Quite interesting, I like the part where we get to taste all types of coffee. As what I remember clearly, Luwak coffee taste is so strong. (which I don't like at all) So after tasting coffee and buying then home, we head off to Tanah Lot to catch the beautiful scenery. To my surprise, I honestly think that the scenery from Tanah Lot is breathtaking. So beautiful, so calm and relax. Watching the waves hitting hard on the shore, I just can't! Not wasting too much time, we took pictures and head of to get something to eat. We stop by a shop along the way and got ourselves "Goreng Pisang Keju Strawberry". So nice, the moment I put it in my mouth, IT MAKES ME CRY (it's so delicious I can still remember the taste!). After that wonderful lunch, we head of to Dreamland Beach to get ourselves whipped by the waves. After seeing pictures of Dreamland beach, we wanted to see how Dreamland beach was like. So when we reached, there will be this shutter bus taking us in to the Dreamland beach. So our driver had to wait for us at the pick-up point of the shutter bus. When we've reach (ride only take like 5 minutes to reach), we have to walk in further till we reach the beach. I must say, Dreamland beach is such a disappointment compared to what we saw in the picture. It was small, dirty and crowded at that point of time. Comparing it with Kuta Beach, it is nowhere near. So after beach bath, we head back to get some A&W into our tummy and head back to hotel to sleep.

Day four:

& of course, after every wonderful holiday there will always be an ending to it. Woke up with one cranky bitch wanting to eat hotel's breakfast. Packed and got ourselves breakfast. Afterwards, head of to shopping at I-don't-know-where-but-all-I-can-remember-is-it's-not-as-good-as-Ubud-Market. So yeah, did nothing much there though. Bought nothing much too. Went to some salon to get our hair braids. Got myself a b-ball Bulls jersey. Ate A&W again for lunch. Then we head to the airport to face the reality again.

I must say, my first trip without any boundaries was awesome. If I'm not mistaken, I spent roughly 400SGD for the whole trip including flight and stay for 4 days 3 nights. It is possible though. You just have to plan your trip wisely. Bali is a nice place to go. A must.