Cheap Trip: Phuket part 2

Well,

After a very long time, so, here we are. Chapter 2.

Okay, so your packs are ready, you're fit to travel. Let's get it started from...

Nongsa Pura Ferry Terminal to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal

This terminal is located in Nongsa, a resort's area in Batam. From this terminal to Tanah Merah in Singapore can be reached in 30 minutes by ferry. It's only S$29.00 (US$21.00) two ways all in. It's very fast and it's the nearest access to connect the two countries as it's only less than 15 miles separated by strait. Things to notice when arrive in Singapore:

- For those for the first time coming to this city state, be ready for the inspection and some questions from immigration officials especially when it comes to Arabic names, one-word-name (some Indonesian only have one name, such as Andy, instead of Andy Wijaya. I mean, Andy Wijaya consists of first name and last name.You know what I mean, right?).

- Do not bring cigars. Maximum 1 pack of cigars under condition that it's opened, the seal's broken already.

Many other regulations applied as this is a fine city. What you need to do is just like in "21" the movie say: Think casual. Act casual. Be casual.

Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal - Woodlands Checkpoint - Malaysia's Johor Bahru's Checkpoint

It all takes around 2-3 hours. So, we took a bus from Tanah Merah and dropped in MTR station. MRT is Singapore's subway that's very affordable and FAST. We used EZ link card or bought 2 dollar-card for one trip. The route is as on the map on the right. From Tanah Merah we took bus to Bedok. We took MRT and change the train in Paya Lebar, then change the train in Bishan, again in Yio Chu Kang, then stopped in Woodlands (the black circle on the map indicates the interchange MRT).

This' the last point and we took bus to Woodlands check point to cross to Malaysia's Johor Bahru. After immigration clearance, we got back to the bus for immigration check in Malaysia side. It's less strict the immigration in Malaysia compared to its Singapore counterpart. Then we took the bus to Larkin bus station where the real journey all began.

Larkin Station - Hatyai in Thailand

Located in Johor Bahru, it's the starting point for bus trip to Thailand's Hatyai. Larkin is just like other bus stations in Indonesia. Seriously. You can take a rest here for a while, feed, and things before go to Hatyai. We took the 6pm bus (if not 7pm as it's a bit confusing due to different timezone even though just 1 hour. Damn it!!!) We bought the ticket in the counter in the terminal (many counters offered tickets). It's only MYR80.00 (US$22.50) from Johor Bahru - Hatyai. And it took around 12 hours.

Along the way to Hatyai, do not worry as there are rest areas the bus stopped on. Just prepare coins as it's paid to use public rest rooms. One more thing, please wear your jacket and socks as the bus was just damn cold (what degree did the driver set the aircon, anyway? Omigod!)

Hatyai - Phuket

We woke up on the next day and we found ourselves here in Hatyai. It's a border city in Thailand. We found some for getting used to, such as the Thai alphabet (................seriously I have nno idea about it............................), same timezone with Indonesia (hurray!!!), and you have to put your poker face on all the time as it's very ridiculous listening to Thai people talking (they seem like using nasal voice all the time), but 1 minute later you have to get used to it. But, as it's mostly Malays, so people could spoke Malay and it made us easier to communicate. And there're many temples like one in every 100 meters.

What made us surprised was that Thai immigration was .... easy. No luggage checking as the machine was not working (Omigod!!!).

Okay, it seemed all's running smoothly. Then we took a bus to Phuket.

The bus costs around US$20.00 and it took like roughly 6-7 hours (but bl**** hell, we got stuck by demonstration so it took way more times like hell!). The bus is just like non-aircon bus in Indonesia: inconvenient! However, we could see beautiful scenery especially when we're in Krabi area.

We arrived in Phuket in midnight as we there was demonstration and all the tourists were just like "Omigod. My first night in Puket and I have to deal with this damn-onstration even we don't reach our hotel yet! Jesus!!!". Seriously. I mean, demonstration is at least the routine--if not a hobby--for Thai people. Not surprisingly Thai people get used to it.

Lodge

There're many hotels and guest houses we could stay in Phuket. We took Coconut Moon Guest House near Nanai Road in Phuket (previously we would like to take Cheap Charlie guest house). The lodge was very affordable. We booked Deluxe for three and we paid THB500.00 (USD15.00) each person for th whole 3 nights!!!!! What we got: double bed, cable TV, FAST-cinating WiFi, bathroomwith bath-tub, mini fridge, airconditioned room of course.

Our lodge was 15 minutes away from Patong beach but it's okay. It's Phuket anyway :)

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Grammy 2015: Winners Prediction

During this year's Awards Season it seems like we almost every week read and listen to the news talking about the Grand Budapest Hotel, Michael Keaton, Benedict I-don't-know-his-last-name-but-I-watched-him-in-Star Trek, and many more. But, this time let's skip them all for a while as we're about to see the annual Grammy Awards, aaaaaand...it's not like in the previous Grammy as this year there are new comers on the nods. So, let's see who's going home with Grammy in hand? Check this one out! Here'a my prediction!

Best New Artist
Winner prediction: Sam Smith

 

British guys are sexy. What a sh*t! The hits such as Stay With Me is intense, and Sam Smith is having a blue & dark soul when he's delivering the melody, and it's ....delivered. Last year, there was Ed Sheeran in this category, unfortunately he didn't make it. And it's pretty convincing this guy can make it for this year.

Song Of The Year

Winnerr prediction: Chandelier by Sia & Jesse Shatkin

The other four just makes this category difficult to predict. There is T-Swift's Shake It Off (I don't know but it keeps telling me she wins this category. Omigod), Sam Smith's Stay With Me, the "Bass" one by Megan Trainor, and Hozier's Take Me to Church. Why my prediction fall on this song is because Sia successfully invade our subconscious and this song is....hypnotizing. How this track dominates the mid-year's chart and everybody sings it without making it tacky or even...trash (like when it happened to Katy Perry's Roar. Forget about it).

Album Of The Year
Winner Prediction: X by Ed Sheeran

The pink-face-that-looks-like-a-Hobbit-sometimes musician's album is eclectic.  This album offers a dynamic story of Sheeran, from nuance, lyrics, his vocals, the beat, it all takes us to the varied moments in the past to remember. And, if I'm not mistaken he got also one nomination for his I See Fire. I bet he wins this nod as well.

Record Of The Year
Winner Prediction: 
It's very difficult but my prediction and expectation goes to Sia's Chandelier. That's all.



---Additional--- Best Pop Vocal Album

Why I put this one also? Just take a look. There is (okay lah) Coldplay's Ghost Stories, In The Lonely Hour, X. But hey, there is Bangerz (WOOW), and Prism, and Ariana Grande's latest album. If Bangerz wins it proves the twerking is not dead yet, and the tongue is not hygiene yet. If Prism wins, it will be a very very moment for Katy Perry. I mean, after dozens of nominations and she slipped it all away every year. "What a d*ck!" I'm sure she shouted the words every year after the Grammy. Lol.

It's only prediction, anyway. So, let's see who win on February 8 next week.

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Cheap Trip: Phuket part 1

Liburan emang asik banget. . Tapiiii, kalo budget lagi mepet, gimana? Well, I have something to share regarding the cheap trip. To Thailand. To Phuket to be exact. For four nights (empat malam) at least.

We're going to Thailand from Indonesia's island of Batam, across the Strait to Singapore then pass through Malaysia. 

Price are based on the period of April 2014. It can be higher or lower.

What to prepare?

Money-->Of course laah. But what kinds of money we should have in pocket? Here's the deets:

1. Thailand's Bath: actually you do not have to bring huge amount of Bath as we can exchange it in Hatyai or Phuket (the rate in Hatyai is waaaaay cheaper than in Phuket though). Moreover, if we are having CIMB card we can withdraw in any ATM in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand with no charge applied and with the current rate. Damn!

2. Coins: these ones are very helpful. Malaysian Ringgit and Bath coins are what we must have. We will use it for the rest room on the long way to Phuket.

3. EZlink: this card is used in Singapore if we take MRT. It's SGD15.00 with 10 dollars amount in it.

4. Other currency: Thailand accepts many currencies including Indonesia Rupiah (50,000 and 100,000 only). So, if you bring Rupiah there, no worry. You can change there.

Here's the breakdown of the amount of each currencies:

Bath: 8000 (or IDR3,080,000.-)

Ringgit: 150 (or IDR525,000.-)

Sing Dollars: 50 (or IDR450,000.-)

Total: IDR4,000,000.- ALL IN (transportation, accommodation-bed and meals for 4 nights stay, shopping)

Document: passport.

Stuffs: clothes and toiletries. But it won't be necessary to bring lots of stuffs. And it's better to wear and bring clothes with thin and light fabric as it will be hot all the time. One jacket is okay to wear in the bus.

CAMERA: for the best moments we can take :)

So, ready to go? Let's go!

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