Indonesia - Prambanan

Again, I'm back after another hiatus which I hope will be the last one in near future. Now, I just want to finish the story about my Yogyakarta trip that happened 2 years back which I started writing about almost a year ago. Talk about procrastination.

Prambanan

So, after our Mount Merapi jeep adventure, we moved on to next attraction in Yogyakarta: Prambanan. Other than its gorgeous islands, Indonesia is also famous for its historic religious sites and Prambanan is one of the many.

About 30 minutes from city centre, this Hindu temple is the largest in the country and among the biggest in the region. Dedicated to the deities Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver) and Shiva (Destroyer), the complex was inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, together with Borobudur.

Upon entering the complex, you will notice that not all of the buildings are still structurally intact. A lot of the smaller candi on the outer ring are either damaged or in a rumbled state. In fact, the main temple, the worship site for Shiva, which is located at the centre of the compound, is still considered unstable and they only allowed 50 people to enter at one go.

Some of the damaged structures

Warning sign for Shiva temple

All these has nothing to do with poor management but rather the fury of Mother Nature. Recent earthquakes and volcano eruptions have caused major damages to the complex, some of which are simply irreparable.

You have to wear safety helmets before going to the temple

You should take your own time slowly exploring the complex and admiring the craftsmanship of the olden days. I think we spent about 2 hours, more or less, before our grumbling stomachs drew our attentions. Our driver, Saiful, took us to a nearby restaurant we had some simple and traditional Indonesian cuisines.

Such detailed craftsmanship 

Group shot

After our lunch, we were clueless as to where to go. We did stop by Ratu Bako, another cultural site but we decided not to enter. We went back to the city centre around 6 and did a quick walk before calling it a day since we have been out since 8 in the morning.

Fried chicken

Toufu

The following day was rather free and easy with nothing planned except for our flight home. After breakfast, we were all ready to be back home.

*THE END*

Indonesia - Borobudur, the Second Round

OK, back to recounting my Yogyakarta trip. Where did I stop last time? Oh, yea, we were still in Dieng Plateau, exploring Telaga Warna and Kawah Sikidang before rain cut short of our visit, forcing us to proceed to Magelang where we will be staying for the night.

It was another 4 hours of long drive from Dieng Plateau to Magelang and by the time we reached Manohara Hotel, we were practically spent. We had been travelling for close to 9 hours since arriving Semarang and in need of a good shower and dinner. 

It was the second time for me and my roommate, staying in Manohara Hotel. The reason why we chose back this spot was that it was really good and worth every penny. Plus, the close proximity to Borobudur doesn't hurt as well. However, the room we got this time around wasn't as spacious as the one last time. After dinner, we retreated back to our room and called it a night. It had been a long day, after all.

Love the serenity Manohara Hotel offers

The next day, we woke up early for Borobudur. Guests of Manohara Hotel can enter the UNESCO World Heritage Site for free as the entrance fee is already included in the accommodation. The day was rather misty, giving the temple a mystical appearance. 

Borobudur temple

Overview - Europe 2014

It was definitely my wildest dream of being able to visit Europe before I even hit 30 and the best part was that 80% of it was all expense paid. For those of you who didn't know, I landed a job as a junior credit specialist and I was sent to Warsaw, Poland, for an intensive 3 months training, with return air tickets to Warsaw and accommodation and transportation in the city all paid by the company. Not bad, right?

In that 3 months, besides exploring the city and the country itself, I managed to visit other European cities as well. Most of these trips were only weekend getaways and you rarely able to really see the place in such a short time. However, it served as an introductory course for me, to get me all excited with the prospect of coming back again and have another go with the continent itself.

Excluding all the Polish cities I've visited, I have been to Prague, Budapest, Paris, Brussels and Bruges. My favourite of them all has to be Prague. That city just wow-ed me, rendered me speechless, and the fact that I have 4 days to explore around made it much more memorable. Now that I'm already back in Malaysia, I really miss Europe and am much more determine to realize my second Europe adventure, schedule in 2 years time. Better start saving up money. 

I'll delve in more on where I've been to soon but in the meantime, enjoy these few photos of the three countries I've been to, excluding Czech Republic (click here to read about my take on Prague) and Poland. Poland deserves an entry on its on for overview.

Brussels and Bruges, Belgium

Bruges

This picturesque town is really popular with tourists. It was really crowded during our visit and the fact that it was summer didn't help much either. I was seriously turn off by the crowds but as the day went by and the people thinned out (Bruges is perfect for a day trip), I began to warm up with the town. I was especially smitten by the night views this charming town has to offer.

Brussels

Unfortunately for us, we didn't get to explore much of Brussels. This capital city served as a transit of sort to Bruges for us. However, even with the little things we got to see, I really loved it, especially the Grand Place. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is seriously amazing, a market square of its own level. I just want to spend my day drinking coffee and eating Belgian chocolate while admiring the beauty that is this market square. 

Budapest, Hungary

Majestic view of the city

Chain Bridge

Budapest was not in my list but since my colleagues were really showering the city with praises, I thought, why not join them along as well? That decision was the best I've made in that 3 months for Budapest is really beautiful and a delight. I readily admit that this city reminded me of Prague, what with the river and the many bridges. Yet, Budapest gave me a different feeling, a relaxed vibe, I would say. It is not hustling and bustling but more laidback, making us all want to come back again the next time but instead of just for a weekend, it will be a week long retreat. If you are looking for relaxation, Budapest is the answer.

Paris, France

Eiffel Tower

Notre Dame Cathedral

Another unexpected trip. I was not that keen on visiting Paris for I have this impression that the city is somewhat overrated. I came back from the trip both agreed and disagreed with that statement. That quick glimpse of the city reaffirmed that the best thing about the city is the Eiffel Tower. This majestic beauty towers over the city beautifully, giving it a signature touch to the city. Without the tower, I really don't know what is there to see. However, I strongly believe that 24 hours is not enough to really learn about the city and I am willing to go back and give another go for it to prove me wrong, that Paris has more to offer than just that landmark. Hopefully, my next visit will change my view.

TO BE CONTINUED

Visit Malaysia Year 2014 - Street Arts, George Town

To support Visit Malaysia Year 2014, I will be writing on various tourist attractions in the country. Let us work together to bring in tourists to our lovely Malaysia.

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Bring out the name Ernest Zacharevic and chances are everyone will be raving about his mural paintings that decorate the streets of Malaysia. While these days, his works can be seen across the country with Ipoh being the latest town painted by him, there is no doubt that George Town will always be linked to him or that the  “Little Children on a Bicycle” will be his most famous piece.

One of Ernest's work, "Boy on a Bike"

The beauty behind this piece of art is that it manages to capture the simplistic childhood moment and the thrill and excitement of riding a bicycle together with your siblings or friends. You will feel nostalgic when looking at the painting. Even though the mural has been there for more than a year, it remains to be among the most famous of them all in Penang, with tourists, both locals and foreigners, queueing up to take pictures with it.

Someone pasted Ernest's infamous work in Johor Bharu in one of the streets

George Town will never be the same again thanks to him. He definitely has left an indelible imprint in the art scene of Georgetown. Besides contributing to the city's art revival, his works also encourage other artists to do the same. 

Georgetown has become an unofficial patron city of street arts, with more and more new pieces popping out along these narrow streets. Most of these artworks, delicately painted by local artists, fuses with the vibe of the city. There are some that are more of an oddity. I mean, the popularity of minions has an expiry date.

Wonderful creation that showcases the cultural beauty of our country

Regardless whether you see them as work of arts or pure vandalism, there is no denying that thanks to these mural arts, George Town has become much more livelier and bursting with energy. Tourists would flock to the city in hunt for these hidden treasures, walking around the narrow streets of the historic city centre in search of them. 

Another gem by local artist, I think

However, if you are planning to see these mural arts for yourself, you better do it quick for some of them has faded beyond recognition. One of Ernest's creation, “This Old Man” mural along Armenian Street, has faded with nothing but the palest outline of a face can be seen while the “Children in a Boat” mural, another one of his works at Chew Jetty, is barely recognisable as the painting peeled off due to the brutal forces of Mother Nature.

Even these arts are not safe from passerbys. The aforementioned “Little Children on a Bicycle” mural endured few vandalism acts back in the early days. Luckily, the locals managed to save the painting and restored it back to its original self. Therefore, do visit the island quick if you are planning to do a mural hunting. It might no longer be there come the next day.

"Little Children on Bicycle"

 Info Box

Street arts along the narrow streets in the historic city centre of George Town. Most of the mural arts are clustered along Armenian Street and its surroundings. 

Czech Republic - Prague, Phenomenon Indeed

My first trip out of Poland was to Prague. It was a long weekend break in conjunction with a public holiday in the country and I decided to visit this capital city of Czech Republic. Prague is constantly voted as among the most beautiful cities in Europe and I can personally guarantee that those praises are indeed true.

I was mesmerized when I first stepped into the historic district of the city. It feels so magical exploring Prague, just absorbing all the sights and sounds. Getting lost in the city is definitely the best way to explore Prague for you get to stumble upon wonderful scenery. 

I have to say, Prague is, by far, the best city I ever been to in Europe and among my favourites. I will share more but in the mean times, enjoy some photos of the city.  

Dancing House, an architecture gem

The famous Charles Bridge

View from the bridge itself

Prague Castle at night

The Old Town

When in Prague, you have to go on one of its many towers for the aerial views

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Poland - Greetings from Warsaw!

Greetings from Warsaw! 

It had been a very inactive weeks for the blog and I have a good reason. I'm enjoying my time here in Warsaw, Poland. It has been more than 3 weeks here in the capital city and while I'm based here during weekdays, it is a different story for weekends. 

So far, my first weekend was in Warsaw, exploring the charming historic old town while the following week, we went to Poznan, a charming little university town about 3 hours and a half from Warsaw. Last weekend, we visited Gdansk, a beautiful port city that we all love to go again before the end of the training. 

And this coming weekend, I'll be going to Torun, a few hundreds kilometers away from Warsaw well known for its medieval architectures. Looking forwards to the coming weekend. There'll be more of Poland when I'm back home and here are 3 photos of every places I've been to so far as a teaser.

Warsaw

The atmospheric Old Town Market Square

Aerial shot of the Old Town

Nowe Swiat

Poznan

The beautiful basilica

Look at the colourful buildings in the Market Square

I am loving their parks - so beautiful

Gdansk

Gdansk truly comes alive at night

Waterfront

While Malbork Castle is not exactly in Gdansk, the close proximity allows us to drop by for a visit

I'll share more of my weekend trips at the end of the month. For photos of my Poland adventures, just follow my Instagram here.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Visit Malaysia Year 2014 - Mount Kinabalu, Sabah

To support Visit Malaysia Year 2014, I will be writing on various tourist attractions in the country. Let us work together to bring in tourists to our lovely Malaysia.

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My detailed journey up to Mount Kinabalu has been documented here in Virtual Malaysia. Do have a read at it.

You tend to be very proud of the works you did if you had poured in all your efforts and it came out exactly as you imagined it to be. Put in a bit of hardship and obstacles along the way and when you pulled through, there is a sense of pride in it. That is how I felt when I was at the top of Mount Kinabalu and this is why I can say quite certainly that this will be my greatest achievement for 2014 even though we're barely halfway past the year.

After all the hard works, you'll be rewarded with these awesome views

The breath-taking view from Mount Kinabalu

Me at the eighth kilometre

Once you reached to the peak, you sort of forget all the struggles you faced along the journey. Or perhaps, the views just somehow make the whole hike worthwhile. While you can't really stand at Low's Peak for long - there's a long queue of peoples waiting to have their photos taken with the sign - you can definitely enjoy the breath-taking views even after the eighth kilometre. 

The long line of peoples heading to Low's Peak

The last 200 metres or so

It really amazed me, looking at how pillows of clouds, with the sky in different layers of colours, served such an awe-inspiring background to the mountain. Words failed to describe the beauty. Only when witnessed with your own eyes you can truly appreciate the wonders of Mother Nature. 

At the highest park of the mountain

Climbing Mount Kinabalu seems like a daunting task upon hearing its mighty name but it is definitely doable. Hard, but doable. In fact, Mount Kinabalu is the most accessible mountain in the world and the fact that it is right in our own backyard means we have to take the opportunity to climb it at least once in your lifetime. I already did mine. What are you waiting for?

Mount Kinabalu from afar

The many shots from Mount Kinabalu

Info Box

Kinabalu National Park,
Sabah, Malaysia.
The easiest way of climbing Mount Kinabalu is through tour agency. Travel agencies will help arrange everything from hiking permits to accommodations at Laban Rata. Prices depend on which agencies you consult with.

As Mount Kinabalu is a popular destination and there are limited rooms available up at Laban Rata, it is best to book in advance to avoid disappointment. It is advisable to book at least 6 months in advance.

Visit Malaysia Year 2014 - Made In Penang Interactive Museum, Penang

To support Visit Malaysia Year 2014, I will be writing on various tourist attractions in the country. Let us work together to bring in tourists to our lovely Malaysia.

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A version of the article first appeared in Virtual Malaysia. Click here to read it there.

Made In Penang Interactive Museum

The peoples of Penang are proud of their heritages as evidently seen when you are in Made In Penang Interactive Museum. This homegrown three-dimensional art museum, housed in the historical monument of Behn Meyer building in Weld Quay, is the latest attraction that showcases the rich histories of this Island of the Orient Pearl. However, there is more to this museum than just a trick arts exhibition.

The Great Wall of Penang

Indian coolies

You will be greeted with a realistic protrayal of Weld Quay of the olden days at the entrance of the building. Known as the Great Wall of Penang, the whole stretch of wall was used to depict the liveliness of the port 120 years ago, with Indian coolies carrying sacks while Chinese trishaw riders waiting for customers nearby. Old Chinese shop houses were painted beautifully on the opposite wall. What a welcome to the museum.

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