[JejakkakiKu]

Damn period!

That's the first reaction when I finally said yes to the invitation to one-day getaway. Because having the first day or two was the most uncomfortable one. Let alone need to travel. Anyway, I never actually traveling in such a rush. But this time I really need the quick trip away from this crazy town. I've been wanting to go to Jogja for a while. Can't seem to find the perfect time or just the money to go. When the time is right, the money not cooperating. When there's money, the timing was never right. That's why since this trip being paid for - I just said YES to the last minute.

I miss being in Jogja and hanging out with my dear friends who live there. Since the time constraint, I'm happy yet a bit sad won't be able to meet them. I went during weekdays they're all working. I have to accept the facts.

Anyway, I went with four gentlemen. They're celebrating their work progress by going on a one-day trip. I was just the last-minute invitee.

I'm just happy to be able to take some of their pictures. Pretending to become a so-called-photographer, the least I can do to actually paid my free trip was with taking them nice pics.

These pictures of them were at the Taman Sari - a place for the mistresses of Sultan and the children, back in those days. This place open from morning until 5PM in the afternoon. My suggestion go there when the lights still up, so you will be able to take some good shoot. Still, if it's too bright there will be a chance for you to get lots of backlight too. That's happened when I was there. It was just too hot for a day in Jogja.

The least to say other than the hot weather, the ticket for the domestic is quite cheap, less than USD 1. I'm sorry didn't get a chance to ask and realize asking for the foreigner price.

PUTHUK SETUMBU

We woke up really early for the sunrise and the hike to this place. It's a bit far from Jogja about 2 hours drive alone. Depends on your driver though. The place still in ongoing construction from the road to the homestays.

There was also a ticket price to go in. Just prepare some cash when you're planning to come to this place.

A small hill for 15 minutes hikes just to see the sunrise on Borobudur Temple from the other side.

First Light at Puthuk Sethumbu

Maybe it's only a one-day trip but to be able to have additional new friends and come back to Jogja after all these years just one hell of a nice trip for me. Finished the roll in my camera too and reload a new film of black and white. I cannot wait for the result.

Morning Coffee

Gorgeous Lights

Floating Leaves

Hopefully, your week also as great as mine!

"Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words". - Plautus

Today is Melly's Garden birthday! Let me first wishing the place a success and keep rocking!

As promised, I will let you know how this place turned out. From the previous entry, you must be curious how great the new location now!

Be surprised, please!

So, what do you think about this new place? Just like its name it has a nice garden and open air place. Just hoping when you're actually hanging out on Friday not to come when it's about to rain, you will get wet sitting on the bench outside the area.

And this is the look inside of the coffee house.

"Karma is experience and experience creates a memory and memory creates imagination and desire and desire creates karma again. If I buy a cup of coffee, that's karma. I now have that memory that might give me the potential desire for having a cappuccino, and I walk into Starbucks, and there's karma all over again". - Deepak Chopra -

ALL THE DROOLING FOODS

Gosh! Writing this making me want to eat them right now. This oxtail menu also something you must try if you happen to be in the place. The texture of the meat is so tender, as if like you don't need to process it inside your mouth. All the ingredients inside the soup, the pickles, and the chili paste will make your culinary experience going up to the next level!

I am serious!

THIS IS A COCKTAIL

This place open start from 6 AM every day. If you think you want to have breakfast early before a meeting or even take your meeting to an open air place. You come to the right place. With the various menu of foods, snacks, drinks and coffees, your tongue will be spoiled!

AN MUST-TRY MENU!

These are some of my favorites that I will recommend for you.

AN MUST-TRY DRINK

If you're not really into coffee but you want to just a little bit taste of it and still can drink it moderately. This is one of my best recommendation. It has vanilla ice cream in it and also a cappuccino flavor, and yet it's just so good!

DARE YOU BITE THE HOT GREEN CHILI

So, what are you waiting for? Come and be here. Bring along friends, colleagues, parents even your dates. At night, they will have some live band to sing your request song. Every night there will be a different group performance, though. Follow their Instagram for daily promotion @mellysgarden

As for Friday evening, don't come around 9-10 PM without booking the place. Why? Because the place usually will have a long waiting list.

Worry about how much you're gonna pay for all these delicious meal and drinks? Don't worry, everything various from IDR 30-40K for drinks and IDR 50-75K for the meal. Not bad right? Will be less than USD 10 for the drinks and meal!

Now, if you're happened to be there, go ask for me. Who knows we actually at the same place together. All you have to do just ask and say hi!

More info on the place:

Melly's Garden Bar & Coffe

Jl. Kebon Sirih Timur Dalam No.37-39

Menteng - Jakarta Pusat

Tel: (+6221) 3192.5138

Cell: 0813.1604.4666

Hope to see you around, cheers!

For the past few weeks, I've been going back and forth to this place, more often. Until people and friends start asking if I just open a new business site or I work here. The answer to both of the questions I'll just drink to your wishes! #cheers

"Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious." - Ruth Reichl

Let me tell you a story about this place. For me, this was not just a hangout place. But it's more like a 'second home' for a long while. A place where you can meet strangers and become someone important. A place where you can just sit and laughed and cry with someone you just meet. Also, a place where you can bring along long lost friends even dates to have a great time.

The place was small yet has a very rustic and old look, yet very warm and homey.

THE BAR

Nineteen years ago, Om Ivan (the retired bartender) had a plan with his bartender friends, to open a hangout place for themselves. From nine persons until only three left, holding the court at the old place in Jalan Jaksa by the name of BFC (Bartender Fans Club). When I was still in College, friends happened to bring me along here. Then, a few years later the three musketeers have another plan, which is going separated way.

MY FAVE CORNER - LOVE IT

MELLY'S GARDEN

Some said the place change name and move to another one. But, nobody seems to know where. Until I finally get introduce to Melly's Garden at Jalan Wahid Hasyim Raya. Speaking of which, they're one of the three musketeers that change course to another and use Bunbun Melly's name as the signature place. Sometimes people have mistaken the owner's name with one of the Indonesia famous singer band. You know who, don't you? *big grin*

THE OTHER CORNER

These pictures bring back all the memories, don't you think? I asked specifically for these photos to be posted in here. Because seeing these really take me back to that 'love corner.' The corner that has so many games and books if you're actually waiting for your friends to come. If you're too late, the all the games has been taken by others.

After five years, in this IBEC building, they were told to moved. Because the land actually being bought by some developer. I was afraid if they are going to get a new faraway place. Not that I won't go, I will; but won't be as often as I wanted to.

Don't you miss hanging out again to Melly's? Have you been to the new place? You'll be glad and surprise how the area is changed since last you were there.

The new location is at Jalan Kebon Sirih Timur Dalam No. 37-39 nearby the MNC Tower or just click the link I just gave you for the exact location. Do not hesitate to go into the parking lot, when you start to wonder where I guess you're in the right place already.

All pictures from the old place are courtesy of Melly's Garden Facebook Page

WELCOME TO MELLY'S

So, this is actually the front entrance for the new location. If you're going inside the door there, you can find the coffee shop. Yeap, a coffee shop. They open a new range of Indonesian coffee now and start from early morning.

Want to know more about the coffee place? Stay tuned here!

Stay awesome, darlings!

It's all started because of my friend Rani who just got back from traveling around the world opening an open trip to travel with her. The first time she posted it on her Facebook. I can't let go of my excitement to go. Then it grew stronger when finally she asked me for real to join the trip.

So, I did.

Everyone can dream about anything. I'm sure you have one in mind too when you read my first sentence there. I fulfilled some but this one just recently added to the crossed bucket lists.

Playing in the snow for the first time!

Started this year with a dream trip. After more than 10 years haven't been outside this country, suddenly I dare myself again to go.

So, here we go. I feel so excited yet afraid of things that will surprise me along the way. Because this is not only one step away to a dream but also a plan for something else. Future.

Incheon International Aiport

SOKCHO - to reach this place you still have 4 hours drive by public bus from Seoul Bus Station.

First time opening my eyes in the bus and this!

A must pose

hello, snow!

I'm sure you have lots of information on the web on how to do the visa, itinerary etc in this blog you're not going to find that detail information. Sorry! I'm just going to tell you how to have a great trip with some people and have a great time.

One thing for sure it's your traveling group or buddy can cooperate and easy to work with. Especially if you do a backpacking. you definitely can't go with those spoiled brats you whine all the way no matter what the situation. This a big NO! Because you will be stressed along the trip and it's not gonna be fun and excited anymore.

It's better before you travel with some group or few friends, you let them know the condition or the trip. Like they will have to stay in the shared room because it's going to be cheaper. Tell them the reason too. We will be going on the public bus or train, because it's easier, closer to the places you want to visit or even just to let them experience with the local. Let them know every detail about being on the trip with you. If they think all the reasoning make sense, I'm sure there won't be any complaint during the trip. You can always hope for the best, right?

NAMI ISLAND - another 4 hours going to this area with train, bus or taxi from the train station.

very empty station - waiting to for the one to go to Nami Island

Gapyeong Station this is it!

From here, you still need to take a bus or even quicker by taxi it's only KRW 5,000,- just divided within the groups. The rides will take you around 20mins by taxi.

View from the ferry

There will be ferry rides going to the island. It's only 15mins rides.

very slippery snow!

Winter Sonata

To me, this experienced will last. You can't ever forget your first of everything. Korea will be my first country which I will remember fondly.

PETITE FRANCE - not far from the Nami Island ferry gate, there will be a bus stop to go to this place only 30mins rides.

These are my funky groups

I guess those are some highlights about going out of Seoul. Will tell you another story when we are in town and what we see along the way. Still have some palace, place to shop, Namsan Tower and some more things.

Keep on dreaming!

"Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words". - Plautus

For the past few weeks, I've been going back and forth to this place, more often. Until people and friends start asking if I just open a new business site or I work here. The answer to both of the questions I'll just drink to your wishes! #cheers

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