Korea Trip II.

Day 3 (Gyeongbukgung Palace - Gwanghamun Square - Cheongyecheon Stream - Itaewon - Namsan Tower)

We had a pack schedule for our third day in Seoul, and this is my favourite day.

We went to Gyeongbukgung Palace in the morning. We arrived just in time to witness the guard changing ceremony. The ceremony took about 10 minutes, before we were allowed to wander around the palace to take pictures. I made a video during the ceremony but I think it is too lengthy to put it here.

Anyway, since I'm a sucker for any historical and cultural attraction, I had fun exploring this palace. We spent about one hour and a half there. Perhaps it's not the best attraction for most people, but I am in love with the environment, the scenery, the ancient design, how the structure is built, the history behind it, everything. I can imagine the lives there in ancient times (thanks to a drama I watched about Joseon Dynasty). I am definitely an old soul. Lol.

One of the palace's gates. I thought it's weird that there's an ancient palace among the modern buildings. But then I remembered of our Istana Negara.

Guard Changing Ceremony.

Columns inside the palace. I thought the design is interesting.

The Gyeongbukgung Palace.

Spotted a cute princess in front of the palace. Lol.

Our next destination is Gwanghamun Square, located right next to Gyeongbokgung Palace, where we were split into two groups. There is a bundle market for those who wanted to go shopping and an art gallery underground for those who wish to learn about the greatest king (they claimed so) in Joseon Dynasty -- King Sejong & also the history of Hangul (Korean letters). So guess which one did I chose? Hahaha. The Art Gallery, of course.

We learn a bit about the history of Hangul, and then there's a whole gallery dedicated to King Sejong. We then walked further and found this one section in the gallery in which we can write our names in Hangul. Excited iolls.

Suraya <3

I'm not sure if I wrote it right. I think it meant Suriya instead. Lol. Fun fact -- as I finished writing my name, a passer-by Korean stopped at our table and pointed at my handwriting and said, "very nice!" (Of course I have to brag about this hehehe). 

So we spent time in the art gallery till afternoon (omg I have a feeling this is going to be a long post too since we're only halfway there), and then we had our lunch at Cheongyecheon Stream. The stream itself has an interesting story behind it but um, explaining it will take some time haha. So yeah, the stream is very beautiful, with clear running water, unlike streams in Malaysia. Unfortunately I did not take any picture of it because by this time the temperature got way cooler (approx. 4 degree celcius) and I was too busy hiding my hands in the pocket. Hahaha. Additional fact -- hot coffee smelled and tasted wayyyy nicer during this cold temperature. I started to appreciate the existence of coffee in this world more during this time (not exaggerating though).

After lunch, we went to Itaewon to see the biggest mosque in Korea (Itaewon is a district with the majority of Muslims in Korea) to perform our prayers. Itaewon is a hilly place, and the mosque itself has a very steep entrance. 

Itaewon Mosque.

You can find most Arabs in Korea live in this area. Most of people I met in this mosque are Arabs, except this one handsome Korean that walked in when I walked out of this mosque (hai jodoh tak kesampaian, lol). So after we performed our prayers, we decided to find a place to eat, because this is the only place that you can find Halal foods all around you. Tempat lain telan ayaq lioq ja mampu yuolls. We went to a halal korean restaurant, and had Bulgogi (Korean beef) set; that comes with kimchi and sambal ikan bilis (Malay fusion much). 

Weolls tukar jadi takeaway sebab takut kena tinggal bas, last-last melangut tunggu bas sambil makanan bertukar sejuk -__-

Then, we headed to our last destination for the day -- Namsan Tower. At first I was like "ala boringnya pi tower2 ni, kat KL pun ada KL Tower what's so special" but I am really glad I was wrong. When we arrived, it was during sunset (Namsan Tower is also located at a hilly place) and - I don't know if I can describe it accurately - got to see one of the most significant view of Seoul. I got to see the whole city, with sunset as its background. It was so mesmerizing. I tried to take a picture of the view, but I thought that the picture couldn't compare to what I saw with my eyes.

We spent some time there taking pictures, and then my mother and I found a perfect place to enjoy the view. There is a large glass wall facing the city of Seoul, and the chairs were empty. So we both sit there, and enjoy the night view silently. We didn't say a word, but I know we both can feel the serenity of the moment. Until - it got too cold. Hahaha. 

Day 4 (Namdaemun Market - Everland)

Fourth day -- in the morning we were brought to Namdaemun Market to shop for souvenirs. According to our tour guide, this is one of the most famous place to shop for souvenirs because the price is low compared to anywhere else. And the merchants are familiar with Malaysian tourists, some can even speak Malay. Phrases like "murah murah" and numbers in Malay can be heard anywhere hahaha.

After we finished bargaining things (and finished our money too), we went to Everland, one of the theme parks in Seoul. It is quite far from the city, it took us about one hour and a half (the normal journey will take two hours, according to the bus driver). 

So we entered the theme park, and in my personal opinion, it's a family-friendly theme park since most of the attractions are for kids. But some of the rides were too extreme, Mak didn't dare to ride it, considering her health condition (actually, me also so penakut meh, need to have someone brave with me). By the way, some of the rides are also closed for maintenance that day, so it was quite dissapointing. So we just rode the cable car, watched some street performance, rode the train, and the roller coaster meant for kids. Tapi menjerit bagai nak rak jugak, air liur almost meleleh. Hahahahahah adoi. 

On the way cycling to oppa's house.

The queen and princess. Probably the only picture of both of us together in this blog :P

Everland in autumn.

Everland in autumn 2.0

Oh, the highlight of the day is we entered a 4D ghost house. I'd say that is the best attraction there for me. Takut jugakla experience tu. Nasib baikla hantu-hantu tu cakap Korea, makanya tak faham. Kurangla takut tu. Kakakakaka.

After that Mak got tired, so we went back to our meeting point and waited for the bus to arrive. And that was how we ended our day. 

Day 5 (Incheon - KUL)

This was our last day in Korea, and we woke up at 3.00 a.m since our flight is at 8.00 a.m. The temperature got cooler, I checked my phone and it was 0 degree celcius. No it's not a typo, it's really zero. But dear god, now I miss the cold weather. We got into our flight, and tadaa, the end of our trip.

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I won't share my expenses like I always do whenever I go travel, because this is a guided trip. Instead, I'll share what are my thoughts on this journey.

Korea trip is an emotional trip for me, because I was having a rough moment (it had been going for months) at my workplace. So it was a nice escapism from all the troubles I had back in Malaysia. I can say that this vacation is THE dream. Although we followed a guided trip with more than 40 people, my mother and I really had our fun together. We really didn't mind other people (literally, jalan menonong berdua tak hirau orang lain). It was our first trip together, just the two of us. And I couldn't be more happy to have my mother by my side to share these precious moments with me. I want the moment to freeze. I want to be with her forever. It was so sad that the journey has to end and I need to face the reality. But thinking back, what I have now, the good or the bad, is MY world. I could run, but I couldn't just run forever. It is a part of my life.

Anyway, this trip will ever be a special trip because of the moments I spent with my mother. And, this trip made me realize that all things must end. Good things, bad things, it will end eventually. I (again, not exaggerating) really miss the weather there. And I know this is quite childish, but I now have one more reason to strive hard to enter paradise -- so that I could reminisce and have that feeling I had in Korea, forever.

Korea -- what I feel there -- reminds me of heaven. I know it sounds stupid because, of course, heaven will be way better & incomparable to life on earth, but, I don't know, I feel that this is a glimpse of it. What I had in Korea is not perfect, of course. There are flaws here and there, but I feel enough.

And the feeling of ENOUGH -- is what I was looking for the whole time in this life :)

Korea Trip I.

I know I should've write about this trip a month ago; when every memory is still fresh. But well, I am a good procrastinator I shall say, until I found the right mood.

I won't be writing in detail though, because for this trip, I didn't plan the itinerary myself. In fact, I didn't plan anything at all -__-"


Day 1 (KUL - Incheon Airport - Myeongdong Market)

On our first day, we arrived at Incheon Airport quite late, around 5.00pm (note that the day is shorter during autumn season) so it's almost dawn. We were greeted by our tour guide (Malaysian) and accompanied by two Malaysian students as her assistant.

My first picture of  the Incheon Airport.

As soon as I got out from the airport, a chilling breeze welcomed me. My first thought of Korea -- "Ya Tuhan seronoknya kalau cuaca macam ni kat Malaysia". Kahkah. It's true, though. The first thing I thought about is the weather.

So we went to our hostel to check in, have an early dinner and then we headed straight to Myeongdong Street Market. As soon as we arrived there, we got the news that one of our tour guide's husband died that evening. So she went back to the airport immediately. Innalillahi wainna ilaihi raji'un.

Okay moving on, Myeongdong shopping street is of course, famous for shopping - especially for cosmetics & fashion accesories. But well, us being food lovers, we are more excited to try the street foods. The fruits sold are fresh and sweet. The fish cake and takoyaki is so sedappp <3

Myeongdong Street (deret kedai kosmetik & fashion -mehh)

Fish cakes <3

Omo takoyaki sotong besar omo!

Day 2 (Nami Island - Dongdaemun Design Plaza)

On our second day, we didn't have much activity in our itinerary as we spend almost one day in Nami Island. This is the perfect place to experience autumn season at its best, especially if this is your first autumn experience. I fell in love with this place as soon as I get here. 

The place is quite far from our hostel; almost 2 hours of journey (including the traffic jam) so we arrived there in the afternoon. Nami Island itself is an interesting place with interesting history, but I guess explaining history in a blog is not a good idea. I got very curious about this island that I googled to find out hahaha. Semangat.

I'd just stop here and leave you guys with some pictures of Nami Island (although the place is actually very pleasing to the eyes and the pictures can't do enough justice).

Alright, so after we had our time in Nami, we were brought to Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Architecture enthuasist would love this place. The design of the building is very complex yet very stunning. And you can also find thousands of LED roses here. We didn't do anything in this place, we just took some pictures because Mak is already tired and can't walk much.

Bonus picture: Sunset by Han River

Dongdaemun Design Plaza.

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I plan to make just one post for this trip but I'm already sleepy, help :')

So, I'll continue this post next time! (God knows when, hopefully soon). I'm sorry if this post is already boring. I'm not sure if I gotten worse in writing after months of hiatus. Lol. Please bear with me, it'll get better. I'll try okay :')

Permanent Words.

"Betapa gampang perkara yang bernama cinta dan bahagia untuk menjadi suatu mitos dan lagenda. Rupanya kita semua cuma watak dalam buku yang berjudul Hidup Sebentar, awak. Rupanya kekecewaan dan tragedi kita adalah plot dan konflik semata."

- Wani Ardy

The most foolish act a writer could do when she is in love, is to write everything about it.

Every piece of her feeling. Every word that comes out from the person she loves. Every single thought that she thinks. Even when the love is not there anymore, her memory of loving the person remains.

And so she is forever haunted by her words.

Or if she is lucky enough, she gets to be with her love forever. Or she gets to create new memories with a new person. New writings. New feelings.

If she is lucky enough.

Moderate.

I am like this, because I don't know how to feel moderately.

Sometimes I see the sky and the next thing I know there are tears in my eyes.

Sometimes I feel the water running through my fingers and I am occupied of its movement.

Sometimes I read some random words and I fall in love with the writer.

Sometimes I look at old buildings and wonder who used to be here and what were they doing.

Sometimes I look at your picture and wonder why is there a sad smile.

Sometimes I see your eyes and wonder how do you feel deep inside.


So tell me, how to feel moderately, so that I don't think too much?

Random Book Rant.

1. Sometimes she picks up a book just to make herself feel less lonely.
2. Everytime she reads, she is being the most honest with herself.
3. When she reads, he let herself feels all the emotions she suppresses in her real life. 
4. She understands people better through her reading.
5. Reading can sometimes give her the strength she never thought she needed.
6. She really falls in love with words easily.

Of Being True & Being You.

"And to write what we feel sometimes it feels like revealing our true self kan. And then kita fikir, what if orang kata kita lemah. We write about how fragile we are."

"I wish we could care less about what people think and be more true to ourselves."

"I think we should train ourselves. Menulis dengan jujur."

"If the right person baca, they will find beauty in your writing. What comes from the heart goes to the heart."


---

Sometimes you forget how badly you miss the person, until you talked to each other.

Sometimes you forget that all this while you lose yourself to the world, and it takes someone else to find you back.

I pray that we all somehow get to find ourselves, and embrace ourselves for who we are. Each and every layer that makes us, us.

What Have You Turned Into?

I.

She smiles at everyone, but it is merely a polite smile.
She listens to other people's stories, because she doesn't even have an interesting story to be told.
She forgot how to love.
She cringes at romantic scenes in a drama because she knows none of them will ever happen to her.
She keeps all her feelings hidden because she wants to be under control.


II.

She easily laugh at people's jokes.
She tell her stories when asked and people are shocked to hear such things happened to her.
She loved deeply. Too deeply.
She loves seeing her parents spending time together and joking around with each other.
She weeps discreetly when she reads broken poems and sad novels and inspiring stories.


III.
She is you.
You are her.

12th December.

Assalamualaikum.

I know I haven't write for a while and this post is going to be tunggang-langgang but I feel the need of writing this just because today is a piece of memory I want to keep :)

I.

Today our whole family (except my eldest brother) went to rumah sewa Mak in Kajang to help her repaint the house, since the previous owner moved out recently and she wanted to make sure the house is in nice condition before she let the house to another tenant. It has been a long time since our whole family gathered together to do this kind of activity. I don't know it would be so fuuuun (but then, I basically like any activity that involves painting hehehe) and being able to do it together is *love*. 

Gambar rumah + ayah yang dikelilingi nur.

Then it was already late afternoon, and we still haven't had our lunch, but I remembered that my brother bought roti telur for us in the morning and we decided to share it together. Here comes my favourite part. The house is still empty and there's no furniture, so we decided to use a huge tong cat (sengaja tulis tong cat instead of paint can because it sounds more dramatic) as the table and we sit on the floor surrounding the tong cat and eat like there's no tomorrow (ok ni hiperbola sikit). But the feeling is so nice makan ramai-ramai bersila mengelilingi tong cat :') I know it may sound improper to some but the nikmat of eating together in such condition is something I would like to remember hence the post. Ok hahaha entah apa-apa kan aku ni, sentimental lebih -__-

II.

I received a call in the afternoon, and he said he was from Poslaju. I was surprised because I don't recall ordering anything online lately. But still, I told him that I was not home. I asked him to just leave the goods at the yard.

I got back home late afternoon and saw the goods lying at the car porch. Kesian. So I picked it up anddd turned out it was a surprise gift from my best friend! Terharu level 999999 :') She said she wanted to give me a gift for my graduation last October (yalah takdak post pasal Graduation pun, will put it later insyaAllah). Hadiah apa? Rahciew. Yang penting insyaAllah akan dimanfaatkan.

I should really thank Him for letting me meet such kind of friend in my life :)

III.

I felt guilty because initially we planned to exchange gifts for our graduation. But to be honest I didn't buy anything for her yet :'( So I remembered that I lend her my Pelukis Jalanan book a few months ago because I love the story, and of course I would recommend people to read it too (Maaf, dah jadi habit excited suruh orang baca buku yang kita suka kakaka). She told me a few weeks ago she loves the book too. So I texted her, and told her that while I find her a proper gift, please accept the book as my gift to her (yep, pleaded guilty for not being sweet enough).

In the evening, mak asked me to accompany her to pasar malam. So I told mak if we can drop by to any nearest bookstore to buy some books. The main reason is because I saw a book I wanted a few days ago at Popular but at that time I have no cash and we were rushing to go home, pasaipa entah tak ingat. 

I went to MPH Bangi Gateway and bought the book (Nicola Yoon - The Sun Is Also A Star). Was attracted to the book because of the cover. Hahaha. Okay, then I came across Pelukis Jalanan book. So I grabbed one considering I want to keep the book for my own collection and for my brother to read because I told him once about this book.

Tadaa! Hasil tangkapan.

Just now when I wanted to put these books on the shelf, I found something inside Pelukis Jalanan. Ok sat nak tunjuk.

Original sticky note from the writer.

No kidding. Original notes, with original signature, from the real writer. Kahkahkah. Faham tak terharu macam mana sekarang ni? Rasa terharu sebab kita bagi hadiah kat orang, kita dapat 'hadiah' tak disangka balik from the writer :')

FYI, I know about the writer making a surprise or something but I don't pay much attention to it because considering my luck with everything, well, hmm. Plus, beli buku ni MPH Bangi yang kecik tu kot, mana nak pi tau writer tu mai dekat Bangi jugak kahkahkah. I thought  someone as famous as he is will only go to KL to make surprises. Hmm rasa macam nak gelak pun ada jugak ni.

Anyway, thank you Teme Abdullah (if he ever read this lah). This small coincidence means a lot to me. Ada makna tersendiri. Sebab dapat 'hadiah' atas pemberian hadiah. Alhamdulillah for today :)

Okbye esok kerja. Back to hectic life.

Sedikit Jawapan.

1. I don't want to disappoint you by cancelling our date, but I ended up making you more disappointed.
2. I am a mess lately and I can't hide my feelings.
3. Sorry that I triggered your bad mood.
4. I am sorry that we meet in such a messy situation.
5. In the end, we were both just two people with our own mess that came across and intersect each other that day.
6. I hope life gets better soon. I believe there is something good coming, insyaAllah.
7. Today is a start for more better days to come <3
8. Don't test my patience.
9. I am beyond thankful for my family.
10. I miss writing so much I can't explain how happy I am to write all these words right here :)

Lombok Trip: Part III.

Sambungan daripada Lombok Trip: Part II.

Day 3 (Lombok)

Hari ketiga ni kitorang check out daripada Gili Klapa Hostel dan menuju ke jeti Teluk Nare semula. Pagi tu, Rudy yang jemput kitorang dekat Gili T dalam pukul 9.30 pagi. Sampai di Teluk Nare, kitorang lepak tepi pantai tunggu Rudy pick up satu lagi group di Gili T (group Malaysia yang join kitorang snorkeling semalam) sambil makan breakfast ditemani Mas Taufiq, founder pakej Explore Lombok yang kitorang ambil ni.  Bila diorang sampai jea, kami dua group bergerak ke Desa Senaru untuk tengok Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep Waterfall. Demi Allah, cantik sangat waterfall ni :') Dekat Tiu Kelep boleh mandi, so sesiapa yang bercadang nak mandi eloklah pakai baju mandi siap-siap untuk memudahkan korang.

Perjalanan ke Desa Senaru ambil masa agak lama dari Teluk Nare, tapi lupa nak tengok jam berapa lama. Rasanya ada dalam sejam lebih juga. Di kawasan ni banyak homestay untuk pelancong yang berniat nak mendaki Gunung Rinjani, sebab Desa Senaru ni kira macam kawasan kaki gunungnya lah. Untuk masuk ke kawasan air terjun tu, kitorang ditemani oleh local guide bernama Agus. Rasanya memang penduduk kampung situ ramai yang mengambil upah menjadi local guide untuk bawa pelancong sebab perjalanan ke air terjun tu memang masuk ke dalam hutan dan kena trekking sikit. Perjalanan ke Sendang Gile ambil masa 20 minit berjalan kaki, dan dari Sendang Gile ke Tiu Kelep dalam 10 minit berjalan kaki. Pancit jugalah sebab lama tak exercise kan, tambah gayat pula sebab ada kena lalu tepi gaung :') Tapi segala perasaan penat hilang bila tengok air terjun yang subhanallah cantik sangat tu. Serius itu satu perasaan dan pengalaman yang takkan aku lupa. Tak tahu nak describe macam mana. Aku kalau boleh nak suruh semua pergi tengok sendiri, leuls.

Sendang Gile waterfall.

Tiu Kelep waterfall.

Lepas kitorang mandi punya lama sampai menggigil-gigil satu badan (air dia sejuk gilaaaa, jangan kata aku tak warning),  kitorang pun berjalan balik ke tempat asal Rudy dan Taufiq drop kitorang tadi. Otw balik boleh pulak ada satu laluan longkang ni yang kita boleh main water slide. Mula-mula seram gila Agus suruh masuk bawah longkang tu. Ingatkan dia bergurau. Dalam hati dah macam, "Agus ni biar betul?!" Last-last dia yang tunjuk demo dulu. Fana & Wani pun ikut. Aku teringin, tapi tak ikut. Itulah satu benda aku rasa ralat. Nantilah kalau repeat ke sana aku try main. Haha. Kemudian kitorang menyusuri terowong laluan air gunung tu dalam perjalanan balik. Part ni seronok gila, rasa macam main dekat water park tapi freeee and well, air gunung kot :D Perjalanan balik tak rasa penat langsung sebab hati bahagia sangat hahaha.

Balik tu kitorang tukar baju kering dan makan tengahari dekat situ, dengan pemandangan bukit-bukau dan perkampungan yang cantik macam selalu kita tengok dalam lukisan tu. Sebab dah agak lewat, lepas makan terus kitorang bergerak ke Vila Hantu sebab nak kejar sunset. Sebelum tu, Rudy sempat bawak kitorang singgah beli satay ikan kejap. Sedap gila! Rugi tak beli banyak-banyak. Kemudian Rudy sambung memecut (dia bawak kereta laju okay, beza gila dengan hari last bila Taufiq yang bawak -__-) ke Vila Hantu. Tempat ni memang menjadi tumpuan untuk tengok sunset, dan kitorang paling lama stay situ. Haritu matahari terlindung sikit dek awan, tapi pemandangannya still cantik. Masing-masing tangkap gambar dan layan perasaan sampai matahari terbenam.

Pemandangan dari Vila Hantu.

Belanja sikit gambar aku, sunset dan bulan di Vila Hantu.

Malamnya tu Rudy bawa pergi makan jagung bakar dan minum-minum (minuman halal ok) tepi pantai. Baliknya tu Rudy offer nak bawa pergi dinner tapi masing-masing macam dah kenyang so terus check-in hotel dekat Senggigi. Hotel kat Lombok memang lagi murah dan kualiti lagi elok, mungkin sebab kosnya pun lagi rendah. Kitorang tidur di Hotel Puri Senggigi. Overall best tapi wifi ciput. Btw ini hari last kitorang jumpa Rudy, sebab esoknya dia bawa group lain pergi snorkeling. So sebelum check-in tu kitorang bergambar dengan Rudy dulu. Seriously Rudy baik orangnya :)

Day 4 (Lombok)

Hari terakhir di Lombok. Sedih jugalah. Harini kitorang diberitahu oleh Rudy, Mas Taufiq yang akan bawa jalan-jalan. Sekali dalam kereta nampak ada orang di sebelah. Rupanya Mas Safwan muncul kembali untuk menemani kitorang kakaka. Nampak je kelibat dia terus kitorang tergelak sebab teringat #ohyakakak (again, private joke).

Mula-mula sekali, kitorang dibawa ke Desa Tenun Suku Sasak untuk tengok proses tenunan kain. Lombok memang terkenal dengan kain tenunan, dan semua perempuan di kampung tu wajib belajar menenun, kalau tak, kira tak pass nak kahwin.  Spend time kat sini tak lama sebab yelah, duit tak banyak kan. Harga kain-kain tu kan mahal sebab eksklusif kot. Lepastu, kitorang dibawa ke kedai souvenir untuk beli ole-ole sebelum balik.  Kat sini lah kitorang menghabiskan duit lebihan.

Makcik sedang menenun. Power makcik ni.

Antara hasil tenunan yang dihasilkan

Then, kitorang dibawa ke Pantai Selong Belanak. Pantai ni cantik, tapi masa kitorang datang tu crowded dengan foreigner yang berjemur dan surfing dekat situ (dekat sini memang spot surfing). So kitorang ambil-ambil gambar je. Seterusnya kitorang dibawa ke Pantai Mawun. Pantai ni pun ramai orang juga, tapi tak seramai Selong Belanak kot. Dekat sini pun kitorang singgah ambil gambar je.

Lupa ni kat Pantai Mawun or Pantai Selong Belanak. Yang pasti cantiklah.

Destinasi terakhir dan dikira highlight of the day bagi aku ialah kitorang dibawa ke Bukit Merese. Kena panjat bukit sikit dalam 5 minit untuk tengok pemandangan yang subhanallah cantik sangat sangat sangat. Sayangnya musim panas so bukit tu warna kekuningan. Safwan cakap kalau bukit tu kehijauan pemandangan lagi cantik. Waktu tu pun rasa dah cantik gila, tak tahulah kalau waktu rumput hijau cantik dia macam mana. Kitorang lepak dan ambil gambar banyak-banyak kat situ. Taufiq pun dah siap bawa dslr dia so memang keren lah hewhew. Cantik ok, tak tipu. Serius cantik. Rasa macam nak layan perasaan kat situ lama-lama dan taknak balik hadapi realiti yang tak seindah pemandangan di Bukit Merese itu :'(

Sesi layan perasaan.

Faham tak cantik dia macam mana?!

Disebabkan kitorang tak makan tengahari lagi dan dah mula rasa lapar, kitorang tak jadi singgah Pantai Kuta dan terus menuju ke kedai makan berhadapan airport. Kat situ Taufiq bawa makan Nasi Balap Puyung. Aku tanya Safwan, Balap Puyung tu apa? Katanya, balap tu lari, so siapa yang makan nasi tu kena makan sambil berlari -__-" Boleh bayangkan tak berapa hari spend time dengan diorang, dia punya gila tu macam mana?

Nasi balap puyung. Jangan lupa lari sambil makan :D

Btw sedap okay nasi balap puyung ni, tapi sambal dia pedas gila. Pedas yang sedaplah. Nasib baik Taufiq warning awal-awal kepedasan tu. Fana makan sampai berpeluh-peluh, menangis dan eyeliner comot sampai nampak macam budak emo :') Lepas makan Taufiq hantar ke airport terus. Sedih kot masa ni. Rasa taknak balikkk. Kitorang minta maaf dan ucap terima kasih semua, lepastu diorang pun balik. Sadissss.

Okay dah habis cerita. Overall, memang Lombok best. Best gila. Sampai tak kisah kalau repeat sebab Taufiq pun cakap banyak lagi tempat kitorang tak sempat explore. InsyaAllah ada rezeki memang nak repeat lah :) Lepastu, ini first time aku berjalan ambil tour guide package. Before ni aku kalau travel ke mana-mana memang semua susun sendiri. Tapi berbaloi gila sebab harga murah dan service terbaik. Memang boleh relax macam mem besar kalau berjalan dengan diorang ni. Especially kita ni memang on tight budget tapi nak berjimba juga. Kalau nak contact pergi usha instagram @explorelombokisland. Boleh kata almost semua benda dia cover kecuali makan. Aku ambil package ni tanpa hotel so lagi murah sikit lah. Kalau rajin, survey lah sendiri hotel murah-murah. Kalau malas ambil je package dengan hotel, tapi tak pasti harga mahal ke tidak.

Okay ni catatan bajet aku sepanjang perjalanan:

Tour guide : rp 975.000 (approx. RM300)

Flight ticket (return) : RM302

Hotel in Gili T (2 nights) : rp 430.000/person (approx. RM 130)

Hotel in Senggigi (1 night) : rp 137.500/person (approx. RM 42)

Day 1

ERL Putrajaya - KLIA2 : RM 9.40

Lunch ayam taliwang + teh ais : rp 71.000

Cidomo: rp. 37.500/person

Dinner: rp 23.000

Day 2

Lunch nasi goreng: rp 35.000

Air mineral + syampu: rp 30.000
Basikal: rp 50.000

Dinner: 70.000

Day 3

Lunch nasi goreng + teh ais: rp 45.000

Satay ikan: rp 8.000

Jagung bakar: rp 10.000

Day 4

Aiskrim: rp 10.000

Souvenir: rp 335.000

Lunch nasi balap puyung: rp 16.000

Souvenir lagi: rp 120.000

ERL KLIA2 - Putrajaya: RM 9.40

Total expenses: approx. RM 1055

Kesimpulannya, kalau nak lagi jimat janganlah tiru aksi aku beli souvenir sampai almost RM 150. Sebab aku nak habiskan duit dan malas nak tukar duit, maka aku belanja teruk hari terakhir di Lombok. Heh. Okay sekian saja catatan ke Lombok kali ini :)

Lombok Trip: Part II.

Sambungan daripada Lombok Trip: Part I.

Day 2 (Gili Trawangan)

Hari kedua adalah hari snorkeling semata-mata. Bangun pukul 5.30 pagi untuk solat Subuh. Kemudian cadangnya nak tengok sunrise di tepi pantai, tapi disebabkan sunrise awal sangat dan lepastu malas nak berjalan balik ke hostel (kan jaraknya jauh), so niat tengok sunrise tu terbatallah. 

Sebenarnya sepanjang tepi pantai tu banyak je tawaran pakej untuk snorkeling tiga Gili tu. Kalau nak, boleh survey je harga terbaik untuk snorkeling sepanjang jalan tu. Memang selalunya snorkeling mula pukul 10.30 pagi. So kalau booking pakej better sehari sebelum atau sebelum 10.30 pagi lah. Tapi sebab kitorang punya pakej dah termasuk snorkeling, kitorang rileks je tak survey harga pun. Rasa macam orang kaya pulak. Kakaka. Berlagak. Btw, pukul 9.30 pagi baru kitorang berkumpul di depan Sama-Sama Bar untuk naik public boat untuk snorkeling. Kebetulan ada satu group lagi dari Malaysia yang join snorkeling juga (diorang pun ambil pakej yang sama dengan kitorang). Tengah tunggu boat tu lah tiba-tiba terjumpa Tasha, ex-dormmate aku dan Kak Asma :D Happy gila jumpa kawan sendiri kat negara orang. Masa tu Tasha dengan Gen. Si Gen ni pun dah bertahun tak jumpa, last jumpa masa kenduri beliau tak silap. Boleh pulak berjumpa di Lombok. Happy betul :D

Okay kitorang mulakan snorkeling di Coral Point di sekitar Gili Trawangan juga. Adalah cuak sikit sebab dah lama tak snorkeling. Bila dah masuk air, lupa dah semua cuak tu. Dapatlah tengok coral warna-warni. Cantik juga. Tapi sebab aku pernah tengok coral lagi cantik, so taklah excited teruk. Masa ni mula-mula tengok-tengok juga Kak Asma sebab dia takut sikit nak turun. Bila dah tengok dia dijaga elok oleh Safwan (hehehe), aku pun bawalah diri snorkeling dan join Fana & Wani bergambar dalam air.

Gambar dalam air yang comel. Hiks.

Second point pergi snorkeling di Turtle Point. Dekat sini airnya lagi dalam dan arusnya lagi kuat. Lepastu nak kena berenang laju sebab nak kejar penyu. Masa tu rasa penat nak kejar sebab yang lain berenang laju, akhirnya aku pilih untuk naik atas bot. Untuk point kedua ni, boleh tahan ramai juga yang tak turun, mungkin sebab orang yang bawa kitorang tu dah pesan awal-awal air dalam, dan kalau penat jangan turun. Kak Asma memang dari awal tak turun. Wani pun give up juga dan akhirnya tinggal Fana je yang masih gigih kejar penyu. Tabah betul Fana ni. Aku pula tak adalah rasa terkilan sangat sebab snorkeling dulu dah pernah tengok penyu. 

Kemudian kitorang berhenti makan di Gili Air. Restorannya ada satu je so semua yang turun dari bot order makanan serentak, memang agak kelam kabut lah. Boleh pula makanan tak sampai meja kitorang. Daripada order satu pinggan, bila order balik, order dua pinggan terus. Kitorang yang paling lambat naik bot sebab makan lambat. Segan beb -__-

Lepas makan baru bersemangat balik nak snorkeling di point terakhir. Aku tak ingat apa nama tempat ni, tapi di Gili Air juga. Dekat sini banyak ikan dan kita boleh bagi ikan-ikan tu makan. Mujur Safwan bawa roti, so kebas roti Safwan jelah untuk bagi ikan tu makan kakaka. Personally aku rasa point ni paling best, sebab excited tengok ikan-ikan friendly and tak takut nak dekat dengan manusia :D

Okay, kitorang selesai snorkeling dan pulang ke Gili T lebih kurang pukul 3.30 ke 4.00 petang macam tu. Kemudian terus sewa basikal untuk balik ke hostel. Kos untuk sewa basikal rp50.000 sehari, so okaylah harganya memandangkan hostel kitorang tengah pulau dan memang perlu naik basikal ke mana-mana. Balik dorm, solat dan terus berbasikal ke sunset point. Hari kedua ni pergi awal sikit sebab taknak ketinggalan tengok sunset yang cantik dan bergambar dekat buaian yang famous tu. 

Berfoya-foya dan ambil gambar sebelum balik hostel.

Sunset dan buaian yang cantik

Selesai tengok sunset, kitorang decide untuk berbasikal ke seberang kanan pulau pulak untuk pergi pasar malam sebelum jalan kampung tu jadi gelap gelita (tak ada lampu jalan). Kayuh punya kayuh ke bahagian bawah pulau, jumpalah pasar malam. Di pasar malam ni, diorang banyak jual seafood dan makanan skewers style. Harganya boleh tahan lah, standard di Malaysia juga. Aku dan Fana makan nasi dengan lauk sotong goreng tepung & ikan bakar sambal, untuk rp60.000 seorang. Not bad lah harga kan. Kak Asma dan Wani makan skewers jea, Skewer tu satu cucuk rp20.000 ke rp25.000 entah den tak ingat. Dan terjumpa Tasha & Gen sekali tengah makan malam juga.

Gerai di pasar malam. Boleh pilih pelbagai jenis makanan.

Gerai seafood, boleh request nak masakan apa.

Lepas makan, sambung berbasikal ambil angin pantai. Tenang sangat rasa angin pantai, tapi sebab terlalu ramai yang lalu-lalang so perjalanan jadi tersekat-sekat sikit haha. Oh yea, kat pulau ni memang orang jalan kaki, naik basikal atau cidomo jea. Tak ada langsung kenderaan bermotor. Basikal pun bersepah-sepah diparkir di tepi jalan, insyaAllah selamat jea tak ada siapa nak curi. Lepas bersiar-siar, kitorang decide untuk balik dorm jea sebab penat dan memang semua kecundang awal pun malam tu. Aku jadi saksi sebab aku paling lambat tidur -__-

Okay bersambung untuk hari ketiga dan terakhir serta recap Lombok di part ketiga dan terakhir.

Lombok Trip: Part I.

Hai assalamualaikum.

Walaupun blog ni sebenarnya dah lama terkubur, rasa ralat pula kalau tak share pasal trip Lombok ni sebab memang secara personalnya salah satu trip yang paling best pernah pergi. So yeah kongsi untuk bacaan sendiri di waktu akan datang pun boleh :D

Pada mulanya trip ini adalah trip bertiga. Sayangnya salah seorang terpaksa tarik diri atas urusan kerja dan peribadi. Tiket pun dah dibeli lebih kurang setahun sebelumnya. Masa tu dapatlah harga RM300+ return untuk seorang. Kalau nasib lagi baik, mungkin boleh dapat lagi murah. Tapi kalau dapat sekitar RM300 ni pun sebenarnya dah orait dah. 

Lebih kurang sebulan sebelum pergi, Ayu bagitahu tak dapat nak ikut. Fana pula cakap nak join trip kitorang sebab adiknya tak dapat ikut ke Lombok sebab tak dan beli tiket. Masa tu ingatkan Fana keseorangan, rupanya ada kawan sekolahnya ikut, Wani namanya. So pada akhirnya berempatlah kami liburan ke Lombok. Btw semua planning itinerary, accomodation, etc. dibuat dalam sebulan sebelum ke Lombok sebab nak buat awal-awal semua orang busy pula. So di satu malam yang indah, aku dan Fana pun janji nak makan malam sama-sama sambil bincang pasal trip ni. Percaya tak, semua urusan nak book hotel dan survey tour guide dibuat pada satu malam jea :')

Okay habislah sudah mukadimah. Kita pergi ke catatan mengikut hari pula.

Day 1 (KUL-Gili Trawangan)

Aku dan Kak Asma bertolak dari Serdang menuju ke Putrajaya Sentral sekitar 5.40 pagi. Sampai di sana terus beli tiket tren, dan ada lebihan masa sebelum tren sampai, jadi kami solat Subuh di Putrajaya. Tren sampai tepat 6.22 pagi mengikut jadual. Dalam pukul 6.45 pagi sampai di KLIA2, terus ke kaunter untuk cek dokumen, jumpa dengan Fana dan Wani, dan terus masuk gate sama-sama. Flight berlepas dalam pukul 9 pagi, lewat sedikit daripada jadual.

Sampai di Bandara (airport) Lombok, kami dijemput oleh Mas Rudy dan Mas Safwan. Mula-mula rasa awkward dan segan sikitlah, nasib baik awal-awal dah rasa diorang kelakar (ohyakakak - ini private joke :D). Bagus jugalah ada tour guide ni sebab sepanjang jalan diorang banyak bercerita tentang sejarah Lombok dan penduduknya. Kami dibawa makan tengahari di Mataram (dianggap pekan besar di Lombok) sebab masa sampai tu dah pukul 12 tengahari. Dapatlah rasa Nasi Ayam Taliwang yang memang jadi signature Lombok. Memang patutlah jadi signature sebab sedap :D

Nasi Ayam Taliwang

Selepas makan tengahari, kami dibawa ke jeti di Teluk Nare untuk naik private boat ke Gili Trawangan. Agak mahal berbanding dengan public boat, tapi tak sempat survey harga pun, sebab memang dah termasuk dalam pakej yang kami ambil. Kalau nak naik public boat yang lebih murah harganya, jetinya di Bangsal. Perjalanan ke Gili Trawangan (lepasni aku tulis Gili T jea, malas taip) mengambil masa sekitar 15 minit. Dekat jea jarak Lombok dengan Gili T, walaupun Gili T adalah yang paling hujung antara ketiga-tiga Gili (Gili Air, Gili Meno, Gili T).

Gili Trawangan; disambut oleh langit biru dan air laut kehijauan :D

Sampai di jeti Gili T, kami dapatkan sebuah cidomo (kereta kuda a.k.a Lombok Ferrari) untuk ke hostel memandangkan kami menyewa hotel yang agak jauh jaraknya dari jeti. Naik cidomo untuk ke hostel cajnya mahal nokharom iaitu 150.000rp untuk 4 orang (sekitar RM40). Kalau mampu berjalan ke hotel, dinasihatkan supaya jalan jelah okay. Anggap jelah itu pengalaman seumur hidup try naik cidomo.

Inilah rupa cidomo.

Kami sampai di Gili Klapa Hostel dan menuju ke dorm untuk letak barang dan tunaikan solat. Lepas siap berkemas, masing-masing tidur sekejap sebab agak letih. Dalam pukul 5.30 petang baru semua bersiap-siap jalan kaki ke pantai nak tengok sunset. Dalam 15 minit juga berjalan sebelum sampai ke pantai. Oh, sunset di sana awal, sebab dalam pukul 6 lebih dah masuk waktu Maghrib.

Saki baki sunset sebab terlambat.

Berangan mode

Bila malam pun dah menjelma dan kami pun dah lapar, pergilah jalan tepi-tepi pantai dengan niat nak cari kedai makan. Tapi tepi-tepi tu penuh dengan bar dan high class restaurant je. Dah nama pun cheapskate semuanya, maka plannya beli maggi cup dan makan dalam bilik jea hahaha. Masa perjalanan balik ke hostel, betul-betul sampai simpang depan hostel, baru perasan ada kedai makan yang murah :') Gili Frame tak silap namanya, dan ownernya orang Malaysia. Maka perutku pun happy :D Bila balik hostel dan survey di blog-blog lain, baru tahu kedai makan yang murah-murah memang ada tapi di kawasan tengah pulau/kawasan kampung, bukan di tepi pantai. Ada hikmah juga hostel kami duduk tu di tengah-tengah pulau nun.

Jalan kampung menuju ke hostel. Malam-malam gelap noks.

Okay setakat ni untuk hari pertama. InsyaAllah hari kedua akan diceritakan dalam part seterusnya.

Knowledge Sharing.

Tadi saya ada terbaca tentang luahan seseorang yang menyesal kongsi nota dia dengan kawan-kawan sebab dia rasa kawan-kawan tak ada effort nak belajar. So rasa macam nak menjawab luahan seseorang tu. Sorry lah kalau saya macam termasuk mode membebel gaya kakak-kakak sikit *taknak mengaku makcik*.

Bagi saya, tak ada salahnya pun berkongsi ilmu, awak. Kita jangan bercerita tentang usaha orang lain. Sama ada dia nak study menggunakan nota awak, nak 'hafal' nota awak, nak jadikan nota awak sebagai tambahan, nak buat bahan air rebusan dan minum sebelum exam, itu urusan dia dan tuhan. Kita jangan pertikai dan nilai usaha orang, yang mungkin kita tak nampak sepenuhnya pun.

Kita fikir situasi macam ni. Kita pergi kelas, kita belajar. Kita dapat ilmu. Kemudian ilmu tu kita pegang seorang. Kita bawa dia masuk ke dewan exam, kita curahkan apa yang kita ada atas kertas exam. Kemudian kita dapat markah.  Kalau markah tu baik, baiklah manfaatnya ke atas kita seorang. Kita dianggap orang yang pandai. Kita pun seronok. Dan cerita ini tamat setakat itu.

Cuba bayangkan situasi ini pulak. Kita pergi kelas, kita belajar. Kita dapat ilmu. Kemudian ilmu tu kita kongsi dengan orang. Kalau kawan tanya, kita explain satu-satu sampai dia faham. Kalau ada ilmu lain yang kita tertinggal yang kawan dapat tangkap masa kelas, dia tambah pula penerangan untuk kita. Kita dapat ilmu baru. Kalau dua-dua tak tahu, kita cakap dengan kawan, nanti kita try cari jawapan. So tanggungjawab mencari jawapan tu dikongsi bersama. Dua-dua cuba cari, dua-dua dapat ilmu baru. Kita dan kawan-kawan kita, masing-masing topup ilmu. Bila masuk ke dewan exam dan curahkan apa yang kita dah belajar, bila kita dapat markah, dan markah kita baik, manfaatnya adalah pada kita dan mereka yang belajar bersama. Kalau kawan-kawan kita dapat markah yang baik disebabkan ilmu yang kita kongsi, manfaatnya adalah pada mereka dan juga kita. Dan selagi mana ilmu tu digunakan, manfaatnya sampai dekat kita setiap masa.

---

Jujur, saya tak pandai menjawab dalam exam. Saya tak pandai tulis laju-laju. Saya adalah sejenis yang perlu susun ayat sebelum menulis. I am a thinker, therefore I take time to think before I write. Saya tak pandai muntahkan segala ilmu dalam masa yang singkat. Time has always been my barrier in examination. Saya tak kata saya pandai. Saya tak rasa pun saya pandai. Cuma saya suka ke kelas dan tulis nota. Saya manusia biasa. Kadang-kadang saya mengantuk, kadang-kadang saya penat, letih, kadang-kadang saya mengelamun. Tapi bila saya tersedar, saya pujuk diri saya, "Ni ilmu Allah ni, Suraya. Dengar elok-elok." So saya sambung tulis nota dan ambil perhatian.  Dan nota-nota yang saya salin tu, sentiasa memanfaatkan saya waktu ulangkaji. Sebab saya ni pelupa macam mak nenek. So bila baca balik nota, selalu bermonolog dalaman, "eh, lecturer pernah bagitahu ke benda ni? Nasib baik salin haritu."

Bila ulangkaji, saya bercerita dengan kawan-kawan, apa yang saya tulis, apa yang saya faham. Dan kawan-kawan pun sama kongsi apa yang mereka tahu. Bila kawan-kawan cakap mereka faham bila saya explain, saya happy. Bila kawan-kawan cakap mereka boleh jawab sesetengah soalan sebab penerangan saya (walaupun saya sendiri mungkin tak dapat jawab dengan baik), saya happy. Saya tak kisah pun, bila result kawan-kawan yang saya ajar lagi tinggi daripada saya (selalu berlaku juga sebenarnya hahaha) sebab saya tahu ilmu itu dimanfaatkan. Saya lega. Hadza min fadhli rabbi, kan. Kadang-kadang saya tengah penat, ada orang cari saya, tanya itu ini.  Masa tu terasa keikhlasan diuji. Rasa macam nak luahkan dekat orang supaya tunggu kejap, sebab saya penat, tapi tak terluah sebab saya rasa it's a selfish act. So saya cuba terangkan apa yang boleh. Dan kepenatan saya terubat, bila orang tersebut cakap dia faham, ataupun sekadar 'ooooo' yang panjang. hahaha. Dan yang penting, secara tak formalnya, ramai orang yang akan selesa dengan saya. So dari situlah saya buat ramai kawan.  

---

Jangan salah faham, awak. Bukan niat saya nak bercerita tentang apa yang saya buat pada orang. Bukan nak berbangga. Saya malu sebenarnya, walaupun ketika saya sedang menulis ini. Pengalaman ni cuma nak dikongsi sebab nak sampaikan yang perkongsian ilmu tu tak pernah merugikan. Hidup ni umpama pelaburan, awak. What we give, we get back in return. Kalau bukan insan tersebut yang membalas, percayalah Allah akan membalas dengan memberi kebaikan-kebaikan lain dalam hidup kita ni. So, asalkan benda yang kita kongsi adalah benda yang baik, dan kita tahu ilmu tu digunakan oleh orang lain untuk tujuan yang baik, kita jangan risau bukan-bukan. Berjaya seorang tu seronok. Tapi seronok dan terasa manis lagi kalau berjaya sama-sama kan? The road to success is not always lonely ;) 

Lepas.

Bilamana kita membuka dan membiarkan hati untuk merasa sekecil-kecil perasaan, 'ruang' dalam hati kita akan jadi lebih luas terhampar, dasarnya lebih jauh ke dalam, dan puncaknya lebih menggunung tinggi. Terkadang kelebihan 'ruang' ini dianggap segelintir orang sebagai beban, kerana bersama-sama kebahagiaan, segala perasaan yang kita tak mahu ada juga diserap masuk ke dalam ruang itu tanpa mampu kita kawal. Seringkali perasaan 'hitam' ini lebih menghantui hari-hari kita, lalu ada orang yang membuat keputusan untuk dikebaskan hatinya, biar kejung tak rasa apa-apa.

Silapnya, keterbukaan dan ruang itu sendiri adalah satu anugerah. Anugerah untuk kita lebih berupaya melihat kebaikan-kebaikan kecil yang berlaku dalam hidup seharian yang dipandang enteng manusia lain. Melihat peluang-peluang kecil yang dibiarkan tak berusik oleh manusia lain. Peluang-peluang kecil itu, bukankah pemberian tuhan juga?



Jom, belajar melepaskan :)

Average.

"Just be the person you’ve been waiting for. Live your life as if you are the love of it. Because that’s the only thing you know for sure – that through every triumph, every failure, every fear and every gain that you will ever experience until the day you die, you are going to be present. You are going to be the person who shows up to accept your rewards. You are going to be the person who holds your own hand when you’re broken. You are going to be the person who gets yourself up off the floor every time you get knocked down and if those things are not love-of-your-life qualities, I don’t know what are."

There are times that I worry that I am never good enough for everyone. I try to be as much as I can be, but I can't help but think that I am never enough. I am not kind enough, I am not beautiful enough, I am not generous enough, I am not religious enough, I am not meaningful enough. I am a passerby in others' lives. I am the sidekick of every story. The average person who does everything accordingly, but never enough to make people remember her forever. That kind of thought. Sometimes I even worry that people are never going to notice me. That I will not end up settling down with a significant other and have family like normal people do, because I am an average, unnoticeable person who comes and goes in everyone's life. Nothing extraordinary. 

 

When the thoughts hit me, I pretend to be the most complete person. I pretend to be the happiest, calmest, ain't-nothing-gonna-stop-me kind of person when deep down I am scared and messed up.  I continue being the average person who'd help and keep things checked so that people can continue to live life and meet other people who are just more amazing and more complete and more lovable. That's how I handle things. By pretending that everything is okay and keep going.

After sometime, I noticed that that's who I am. That's what I do. I am okay with being that way. It's not wrong to be average. I can be the average person to everyone else and move on and do things I love for myself. I am enough to my family, and to my closest friends. It's enough. It's enough to feel complete by being surrounded with things I have, and love. I don't need to be enough for everyone. I just have to live life at my own pace.

I am that usual blueish sky you see everyday when you commute to work, or continue living your daily errand. I am that usual starry night sky that you may or may not notice on your way home. I am that bunga tepi jalan that you may or may not notice during your walk to class. I am that tree that you sit under to seek for shelter when it's raining, and continue to move on when the rain stops. I am that one book in between all of the thousands books in the library, for you to use when needed. I am all the things you see everyday, and I may or may not mean anything to you, but one thing for sure, I have my own purpose. And The One up there knows what my purpose is, and what am I doing everyday to serve my purpose. That's enough :)