Sydney: Opera House and Blue Mountains

 Ep.48 

“Brother and sister, together as friends, ready to face whatever life sends. Joy and laughter or tears and strife, holding hands tightly as we dance through life.” -  Suzie Huitt.

SYD – Sydney, Australia.

24^th-26^th May 2012.

view from three sisters

It’s finally came! Sydney on my roster. Time to visit some relatives and my only big brother, Andrew. When I saw that my first flight after my leave would be Sydney, I directly fold it into two, put it in my bag and reached for my Blackberry, announcing to the whole world that I would visit Sydney on 24^th-26^th of May so that all of my relatives in Sydney would prepare and spare some time with me. Long time no see, fam!

Thailand: Madame Tussaud and Grand Palace

Ep.47

“I would not exchange my leisure hours for all the wealth in the world” - Comte de Mirabeau.

BKK – Bangkok, Thailand.

7^th-11^th May 2012.

Me @ Grand Palace.

Day 3: We survived our to our third day of Bangkok exploration vacation. What do we have on the list for today? Even at the very beginning of the trip planning process, Ochie told me that she would love to go to Madame Tussaud Bangkok. I have been to the one in Hong Kong, but there were no harm to go to the one in Bangkok, the wax statue should be different somehow. What else? Another shopping time in downtown and night market again. That’s what we called: Girl’s itinerary.

Thailand: Kanchanaburi and Death Railway

Ep.46

“Vacation used to be a luxury, but in today's world it has become a necessity.” – Anonymous.

BKK – Bangkok, Thailand.

7^th-11^th May 2012.

Feed the Elephants

Day 2 : we started it by booking a tour from the hostel to Kanchannaburi, which is out of Bangkok already. The main idea was to ride an Elephant and by booking that tour, we also got to travel on the train through the death railway. The price for the tour itself was THB 1900 per person including pick up and lunch plus a tour guide. As it will be a one-day tour, we start early, at 7 am.

Thailand: Land of Thousand Smiles

Ep.45

“Traveling is the thing you buy that make you richer” – Me.

BKK – Bangkok, Thailand.

7^th-11^th May 2012.

Me and Buddha

After finishing the probationary period in this company, I got the full right to apply my leave. I got 28 days of leave, 7 days from last year carried forward and 21 of them for 2012. So I decided to split it into two leaves. First two weeks would be on May and another two would be on October. So for the first leave, I got planned my vacation with my university friend, D Class member, Rosiana, or called her Ochie and we decided to go on a vacation to Thailand, a land of thousands smiles.

Philadelphia + Pennsylvania : To Lancaster we go

Ep.44

“Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!” - Albert Einstein.

JFK – New York, United States of America.

26^th-29^th April 2012.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Little Jade’s time! Remember my little cousin Jade? She just turned 8 at the 7^th of April and Cici Ella is going to come and celebrate with her this time. As soon as I got my roster out, I messaged my Aunt to jot out my visit’s itinerary (as always). It’s good to have family somewhere else in this world, especially if you got this job. So, here I am, ready for my family time in JFK flight.

Seoul: Annyeonghaseyo!

Ep.43

“Mix a little foolishness with your prudence: it's good to be silly at the right moment.”­ – Horace.

Seoul, South Korea.

23^rd April 2012.

Me @ Gyeongbokgung

Annyeonghaseo! Say hello to Seoul. I used my three (repeat: three) full day offs to get this flight. Not that I love to work so much, which is true, but also as my tribute to one of the most adorable TV series countries in Asia, South Korea. Many cute actors, interesting language and of course, I got my high school friend here, Melinda, or I would rather call her Dalin.

Ocean Park: When I become a BIG Kid!

Ep.42

“We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.” - Hilaire Belloc.

Ocean Park, Hong Kong.

3^rd April 2012.

The train will take me!

It’s time for Big Kids to stroll the amusement park. If Indonesia got Dufan, than HongKong got Ocean Park. My friend (due to one and other things refuse to be exposed to public), and I decided to test or 20+ y/o adrenaline in this amusement park. It was not my first time to Ocean Park, in fact, I still got Ocean Park tee from long time ago. Let say it has been like 15+ years ago since my last visit there.

My Traveling Style

Ep. 41

“Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.”-  Benjamin Disraeli.

Destination Unknown?

 Time flies and it is now already up to ten month since I work for CX. Traveling is now a part of my daily activity, suitcases are my best friends, and packing and unpacking have become my routine. By now, I would proudly call myself a decent packer. Haha… Really! Here then I will share my packing style and who knows it would be a quite useful inspiration for anyone anywhere or anyhow.

There are few things that I always do no matter whether I’m traveling on duty or during my vacation. Certain items should be consider as standard loading of the suitcase, while other could be adjust just accordingly.

my traveling companion

1. Please make sure that you bring your own passport (not your family members’) along with the tickets and hotel reservation (if you have). And just in case, have a copy of your passport.
2. I don’t use those hard case suitcases that got cute and colorful picture such as Hello Kitty, Little Ms. and Mr. Men, or anything to be my check in baggage. Not because I don’t like those kind of things, but it would be a waste if the baggage handling treat it just as a plastic bags.
3. Always bring sufficient amount of underwear. They’re considered as standard loading.
4. Toiletries, esp. toothbrush and toothpaste, comb, make up, make up remover, perfume (travel size), and contact lenses plus spare eye glasses. Ah! a laundry bag or two (just in case the hotel don’t provide it). 
5. Just bring enough clothing. As for me, my standard loading would be: 1 coat, 1 cardigan, 1 training suit, 2 tops, 1 jeans, 2 camisoles, and 1 dress. Believe me, either on duty on trips, you’ll bought loads of clothes.
6. A pair of sandals, a pair of socks and a pair of flat shoes. Boots only for severe winter.
7. Only if I would go on a quite adventurous trip, I will also pack my backpack. Otherwise, a handbag would be okay.
8. If you cant fit in all of your belonging in the suitcases, rolled your clothes in order to squeeze them even more. Rolling works well with pants, skirts and sports shirts. Lay the item face down, fold back the sleeves and then roll from the bottom up. Unwrap all boxes and believe me it works like magic.
9. Even though you pack it so nicely, please ensure that 1 big suitcase do not exceed 32 kgs, coz some airlines do apply some restriction regarding one suitcases weight. (of you bring 40 kgs, instead of jammed it into 1 big suitcase, play safe by dividing them into two).
10. Make your own itinerary. I would be nice if you want to join a city tour, but I rather choose to travel by map and googled it beforehand.
11. Learn some local language. A very simple and easy one, such as “thank you”, “hello”, and “bye bye”.
12. Check the temperature and season of your destination, which will help you in doing no.5.
13. On the departure day, make sure that you wear your heaviest shoes, sweater, and jacket. That way, you don't have to pack them.
14. Make sure that you have calculate the reasonable amount of local currency that you might be need, and spare some USD or EUR (or other commonly used currency, just in case you need more cash).
15. Split up your bank cards, cash, travellers' cheques and credit cards as much as possible in different pockets, your bags and wallet when packing. In case you do get robbed, at least you won't be strapped for cash (unless you have all your bags AND your wallet stolen of course!).
16. Must thing to do other than sightseeing for me is culinary hunting. If you don't trust the food you encounter or if you are having a hard time choosing where to eat, go to where the locals are. The food is usually cheaper and if the locals eat there, you have a good chance the food is the best around.
17.  Moreover, if you are making day trips or exploring areas you don't know, always take water with you, especially if you are in countries where the tap water isn't drinkable! (I prefer milk though).
18. Search for a local market where you can also try the street hawkers food. That will most probably cheap!
19. Gain more experience by trying all available things in this world. Public transportation, adrenaline and adventurous activities, get lost and find new things. those are things that I called: priceless.

don't be afraid to experience more.

Well, those are things that I usually do before traveling. And if you got a chance, familiarize yourself with the airport procedures as well as some flying attitude (traveling on duty and as a passenger helps me to be pay more attention on this thing). Be a nice passenger and educated one.

Last but not least, Happy Traveling!

“Regardless how many times have you visited the same place, the experience would never be the same.” – Me.

Amsterdam: I AMsterdam

Ep.40

“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.” – Ruth Stout.

AMS – Amsterdam, Netherlands.

29^th March – 2^nd April 2012.

Me at Volendam

Amsterdam? For Spring? Are you kidding me!? Of course I would go to see those tulips! No matter what would happen! I excitedly packed all of my things and glad to know that on this flight I would fly with one of Indonesian senior crew as well. And this time, I contacted my old friend (a very old one), the twins, Kenny and Kevin. Why I called them “very old friend”? Coz we’re actually a primary school classmates, and considering that I transferred school on my middle school, then I haven’t met them for almost 10 years.

London: Land of Queens and Kings

Ep.39

"Make new friends but keep the old, some are silver and others are Gold" – Anonymous.

LHR – London, England.

17^th-20^th March 2012.

Me and Mr. Big Ben

Since the day I joined CX, all of my classmates got London flight for at least once or twice by March 2012. But I was a different case. This is my first London flight that I have been waited for so long. And in London, I got my list for sightseeing already without even searched the Google. Buckingham Palace, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Harrods, King’s Cross Station (due to the Harry Potter influence) and so on and so on. Do I get any friends in London? Well, yes! My old time pal from middle school, Fransiskus Felix.

Dubai: Splash of Aquaventure

Ep.38

“Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt and dance like no one is watching.” = Randall G Leighton.

DXB – Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

6^th-9^th March 2012.

Me at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai.

As I am an Indonesian crew, middle east flights would be rostered to me at least once in two months (happy!). Last time I got my sweety ass to Dubai, due to the overflowing excitement (first timer syndrome), I was totally forgot that I got few of my fellow University’s friends working at world-class hotel in Dubai. So this time, I would go and find them (it was not like I forget about them at all).

Nagoya: Tokugawa Regime's Heritage

Ep.37

“In youth we learn, in age we understand” – Marie Von-Ebner Eschenbach.

NGO – Nagoya, Japan.

26^th-27^th February 2012.

Me and the main castle.

Japan again! And this time is Nagoya. First thing popped in my head? Samurai X anime’s backdrop of Tokugawa regime (freaks!). I called my friend who lived in Nagoya to ask for direction, as I’d absolutely go to Nagoya Castle. Beyond expectation, he offered to tour me around, but in the end, due to one and other things, he ended up gave me all the clear direction to go to Nagoya Castle by myself. No problem!

Rome : Unexpectedly Lucky

Ep.36

“A good idea is about 10% and implementation and hard work, and luck is 90%.” - Guy Kawasaki.

FCO – Rome, Italy.

18^th-19^th February 2012.

Me @ Colosseum

Stand by block is the most hated time for being a cabin crew. It was like you will never know what will happen in the next minute. To be simply put, your life is in the thin line of the phone. I got a week stand by block in the middle of February. The first day, they (crew control, those responsible to make our schedule) called me to inform that I may finish my stand by time at 3 pm and resume my stand by at 2.30 am -12 pm. WHAT? Excuse me? I have to wake up all night long? Well, that’s ok, nothing much I can do. I took a bath before I slept at 8 pm and woke up at 2.30 am, made my bun, and then I slept again… The phone rang at 5 am sharp! Telling me that they got a duty for me to do CX 293 to ROME!! Lucky ME! I consider myself to be lucky all the time now. Rome, Italy, here Shella come to you.

Singapore : Trainee Valentine's Reunion

Ep.35

“A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same.” -Elbert Hubbard.

SIN – Singapore, Singapore.

14^th-15^th February 2012.

Me and Ciel

Since I failed to swap my 6 days off to Sydney, I managed to swap a Singapore long stay (even though it was still short, less than 24 hour stay) flight for 2 days off. Why would I do that? Why didn’t I just catch flight back to Jakarta to celebrate the St.Valentine’s day with my significant other? Well, there are certain things in our relationship that can’t be explained. Why Singapore? First, I would like to try this flight (which so called to be nightmare and tough) and second, I would love to visit another friend of mine in Singapore, Michele.

Melbourne : Incident and Miracle flight

Ep.34

“A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.” - Nelson Mandela.

MEL – Melbourne, Australia.

8^th- 9^th February 2012.

Me and Macaroon

For so long had I prayed for an Australian flight (coz Andrew’s there), and the first Australian flight that showed up on my schedule is Melbourne. Well, I want Sydney, but no one seemed to be eager enough to give it to me, even I offered my day off for a week. Sad. But, I will keep praying hard for my Sydney flight later. First thing first, here I come, Australia. This journey added another continent to my “visited place” list. 

Johannesburg : It's time for Afrika!

Ep.33

“Actually, in the wild, we'd be the only person that we wouldn't recognize, if you think about it.”- Diana Wynne Jones.

JNB – Johannesburg, South Afrika.

1^st-3^rd February 2012.

Introducing my new friend : Giffy!

It’s time for wildlife. After the torturous winter everywhere, it is the time for the sun and pack all the summer dresses (well, actually just some tanks and shorts) as I will go to Johannesburg, South Afrika! *singing the jingle for world cup 2010*. This time I will fly with another Indonesian crew from the other induction of the same batch, Irsa. And when I know that Emil would be arrived just a day after us, better! As soon as I knew it, I had a good feeling already regarding this flight.

Narita : Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple

Ep.32

“Be an explorer. World is filled with wonder and magical thing.” – Flavia.

NRT – Narita, Japan.

26^th-27^th January 2012.

Me at Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple.

It was still the coldest time in winter and I hate winter already. I used to adore all the winter fashion collection (it looks cool) and those layering. But to live in one place that have winter, I hate winter! I love summer (I’m a typical person that never satisfied). This time I got another Japan flight! Yeay! I knew it would be chill (read: freezing) by the time we arrived there.

Bali : Family Sweet Escape

Ep.31

“A vacation is like love - anticipated with pleasure, experienced with discomfort, and remembered with nostalgia.” - Author Unknown

DPS – Bali, Indonesia.

 4^th-6^th June 2010.

Mi Familia

It’s family vacation time! It was actually rather long ago. Back in 2010, an impulse decision of my Dad, made me awestricken by the fact that he want to go on a family vacation (something that I wouldn’t be expected from him at all). He called and asked whether if I am available or not (even if I didn’t, I’d make it available. It was such a rare opportunity). Last time we did a family vacation to Bali was like on 2004?? Can’t even remember.

Vancouver : Winter Wonderland

Ep.30

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” - Mae West.

YVR – Vancouver, Canada.

16^th-18^th January 2012.

Me @ treetops adventure

It’s the coldest time in the winter and I got a perfect flight for this time of the year, Vancouver, where winter Olympic takes place. The weather forecast said that it should be snowing already by the time I arrived. What again? Snow? Yes! I finally able to see other wonders of God’s creations, icicles and snowflakes. I was so happy, but also worry. Why? The winter memory of Frankfurt (0-4°C) made me worry on how would it be in Vancouver, which (the forecast says around -2°C to 0°C in the city and -18°C on the mountain. Well, worry wont get you anywhere. Let’s just be there first and think about it later.

Dubai : Desert Desire

Ep.29

“It's no wonder most religions are born in the desert, because when men lay beneath that boundless night sky and look up at the infinite expanse of creation they have an uncontrollable urge to put something in the way” -Terry Pratchett.

DXB – Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

5^th-8^th January 2012.

Me @ Burj Khalifa

My first flight in 2012, which was also my first flight to middle east, was Dubai. Adoring the exotic middle east culture, also dreaming to become one of their airlines’ crew, got rostered for this flight made me super excited. This flight got a shuttle flight to Bahrain in the middle of it, and that made this flight more exciting. If you asked me why I would like middle east so much, well, I can’t really explain. It was just a little part inside of me always attracted to that side of the world (so not well-explained). Anyway, this time I would not have any flying buddy, but I will surely find one or two.

Paris : We will always have Paris!

Ep.28

“A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life.” -Thomas Jefferson.

CDG – Paris, France.

29^th-31^st December 2011.

Me and Eiffel Tower

Sunny Paris

Ammo!

It was almost New Year. And where would I spend my last seconds of 2011, on my flight back from Paris, France. It would be my last flight in 2011 and yet I got a flying buddy again, this time is Jezzy from Induction 28/2011. Missing my boyfriend birthday (which is on 30^th December) was my biggest guilt of that time, but Paris is waiting to be explored. It was said that Paris is a golden flight, which will be only rostered like once in every 1 to 1.5 year. So definitely I was looking forward to do the flight to Paris, the city of love, romance, and finally (call me crazy) be in the town of the adorable Louie XIV.

Thousand Archipelago : D goes to Pramuka

Ep.27

“True friendship multiples the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like live on a desert island. To find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep one is a blessing.” – Baltasar Gracian.

Kepulauan Seribu, Indonesia.

18^th–20^th December 2010.

D Class by the boat @ Keramba Island

 By the time we knew that the following months would be our last semester in our campus life, not to mention about thinking those torturous month facing the final project), D class decided to go on a trip. Just 16 of us. No boyfriend, no girlfriend. Just 16 of us. This trip was called “D goes to Pramuka”. In my opinion, we have to refresh our mind before we face the most important phase in our study life and we also need a trip (just trying to find a reason or an alibi). We also called it a farewell trip before we separated to pursue our own life months after.

Piccolo Camino : Masterpiece of my mind..

Ep. 26

“All these things that enter your head are assignments. You write them up and then throw them out there and if someone wants to do it, your assignment is done.” - Martin Short.

PC Banner

Around this time last year, I was on a painful stress of finishing my final project. Let me tell you a little bit about the background. In order to be graduated from Hotel Management of Pelita Harapan School of Hospitality, you will have to defend your final project against 3 lecturers. The final project should be in a form of business plan, around hospitality industry, which will include all subjects that we had learned during the past four years. What kind of business would come into your mind? Regarding hospitality, service and profit?

Mumbai: Taste of India

Ep. 25

BOM – Mumbai, India.

13^th-15^th December 2011.

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” — Jawaharal Nehru.

Me and Mumbai Police barrier

Indian port has been scheduled for me in the middle of December. It was famous as the hardest and worst flight that no one can stand it. Nobody likes it. So I was playing inside my mind, wishing that it would be another story, hoping that would be a very special case flight, that the lucky factor in me could do something to make this flight better. Moreover, this was my last flight together with my flying buddy, Elvis (at least both of us will encounter the same flight experience). I dragged myself to the company to do this flight. I was once made India one of the top destinations that I would love to visit (thanks to Eat Pray Love movie), and seeing Taj Mahal is what I’m truly looking forward. But Bombay or Mumbai is far from Taj Mahal, so I’d be better plan another thing. The only thing that I was looking forward to is the warm weather in Bombay.

Frankfurt: My first winter..

Ep. 24

FRA – Frankfurt, Germany.

6^th-8^th December 2011.

“I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine.” - Caskie Stinnett.

Me at the cathedral

Christmas is coming right on the corner, which means it’s getting colder and colder here in HK. I was prepared to have another trip to, this time, Frankfurt, Germany. I have never been search out for Germany. All that I knew is about the Berlin wall. That’s it! This time, I will go on a trip with Elvis again, and additional pre-flight information is, Kay and Olivia will be arrived on our second day. Up to more more more trip buddies!

Suredjas' Visit

Ep.23

HKG – Hong Kong.

“It’s not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned; and not what we profess but what we practice that give us integrity.” – Francis Cacon, Sr. 

Hong Kong View

As it was titled, this post is the accumulation of all of the Suredjas’ visits to Hong Kong. Who are they? They’re my boyfriend family, who had been in a relationship with me around (let me count…), yes 4 years 5 months and 27 days. So this is just a small pieces of their visits that I’ll try to arrange nicely in one piece of story.

Graduation XX

 Ep. 22

Karawaci, Tangerang, Indonesia.
 3^rd December 2011.

“You are educated.  Your certification is in your degree.  You may think of it as the ticket to the good life.  Let me ask you to think of an alternative.  Think of it as your ticket to change the world.” - Tom Brokaw.

Me and parents

After 4 long years of mountainous assignments and exams, events, on-job training, and torturous final projects, I finally stand on the day I will be graduated as a Bachelor of Applied Science. As I have been mentioned before, I enrolled to Pelita Harapan School of Hospitality and Tourism in 2007 majoring in Hotel Management. Together with my 15 classmates, we’ve been through all of the events, engraved our memories in our heart altogether in 4 years.

Auckland: The City of Sail

Ep. 21

AKL – Auckland, New Zealand.

28-29^th November 2011.

“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”  - Kahlil Gibran.

Me on the top of Mt. Victoria

It was already winter in Hong Kong. Cold enough to made me wear my fury pajama and changed my blanket into the thermal one. As soon as I checked my roster, I was so excited when I know that on the next four of my flights, I got a flying buddy, Elvis from Induction 28/2011. 3 of them are long hauls (yippie!). I was really looking forward to it, coz I have never had a flying buddy (except Janny) for my Osaka trip. So here’s the first flight with Elvis: Auckland.

Green Canyon : Indonesia's Treasure.

Ep.20

Green Canyon, Pangandaran, Indonesia.

2-4^th June 2011

“Knowing others is intelligence, knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength, while mastering yourself is true power.” – Anonymous.

Me awed by nature

 A little flashback to where it was just days before I started my cabin crew life. When my final project was 99.9% done and my brother has confirmed his departure to pursue his career in Sydney, Australia. He texted me, asked me whether I’m interested to join for a little adventure trip to the Green Canyon, Pangandaran Beach, West Java, Indonesia. Guess what’s on my mind? I thought it is a good vacation trip just before we go separately to pursue our next phase of life (try to be a melancholic). So we agreed to go on a trip, which consist of my big brother, his girlfriend and me. And we will reach Green Canyon on a road trip. By car and a map in hand.

Narita : Tokyo Exploration.

Ep. 19

NRT - Narita, Japan.

“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints.” - Wilfred Peterson.

Me at Asakusa Temple

Half of my November was spent in the training school. Yes, it has been 3 months roster since we passed our Induction training. Induction 28/2011 once again reunited in a classroom to do the conversion training. We will be trained to operate the other fleets that CX had, which means another stressful weeks and tests. Coz we started by Boeing 777, now we’re about to study about Airbuses and Boeing 747 fleets. Excited? Well, it was more because later on we can operate all fleets, which means more destination for us, and reunited with the whole Induction 28/2011 is something I missed more. Some of us have been flying here and there and had no chance to see each other for such a long 3 months roster time. Long story short,

Macau : Travel to Portuguese Colonial Time

Ep. 18

MFM – Macau

“I enjoy my work. I enjoy every minute of my professional life.” – Jose Mourinho.

October 25^th, 2011

Me at the St. Paul Cathedral Ruins

This time I went out for a one day trip with Rara. The original plan was going to Shenzhen. Rara has a multi-tounge ability. She speaks like a professional Cantonese, fluent Mandarin, great English, but to be honest, medium Indonesian (peace, Ra!). Shenzhen plan was cancelled due to Rara exhaustion after her long haul flight, and as soon as she recovers, we made another plan, which is Macau day-trip.