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!

Read More

And the Grammy goes to...

It's only prediction of the 5 biggest nods of the biggest moment in the music industry.

1. Brave by Sara Bareilles for Best Pop Solo Performance.

I'm pretty sure she will grab the trophy. There is Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry and Lorde. 

What makes it interesting is that Katy's Roar is just so similar as Sara's Brave. I'm not sure about Katy as the track record shows she's been nominated for many many times and it seems like it's enough to her. About the rest? Well, Lorde is exceptional. her album is overall critically positive so it is likely to her to win in this category.

2. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis for Best New Artist.

They are one of the biggest artist of 2013, just right after Miley Cyrus (but in a different sense, of course). "Same Love" is huge! The other nominees? Well, only one person I have no idea: Kendrick Lamar. All I know about Lamar is the one hooking up with the Kardashians. LOL.

3. Locked Out Of Heaven for Song of The Year. 

This is the most exciting category of all! Locked Out Of Heaven is another best song by Bruno Mars since Grenade in 2010. What a long time to wait! Royals, Roar, and Pink's Just Give Me A Reason is a bunch of great songs. But, I'm not really sure, AGAIN, about Katy Perry's Roar. Same Love is powerful hit and I will not be surprised if it takes the Grammy.

4. The Heist for Album of The Year

 Personally, I prefer Daft Punk's Random Access Memories. I mean, those crazy helmet aliens spread the new viral funkiness. Their music's just sick! Swift's Red? Mmm....maybe but I think Swift's music are up and down. I mean, sometimes it sounds so intense and mature but most time sounds more teenager and more teenager. Okay, T-swifts, just give the other people a shot for Grammy. No monopoly. What about Kendrick Lamar? Again, I have NO idea. Kim, could you give us any clue? (He's not a baller, please!!! LOL)

5. Locked Out Of Heaven for Record of The Year. 

This is the ultimate category anybody won't miss. Blurred Lines reigned the summer charts. Get Lucky is aired everyday until now. Radioactive led the band to the fame! What a breakthrough! And Royals, may the Lorde be with you, Grammy (She's highly likely to win this category!!!)

 

Read More

Little Things To Know: Batam

For those not knowing yet about Batam, here are the things that uniquely to know:

Massive Deforestation
As any other developing countries do, they make living from cutting trees. Take a look at this picture.

It was taken three months ago when I happened to go around and found this newly deforested area. Now the tree (the last one remaining) is gone as it's became ashes already and there will be clusters for settlement and industries. And it's not the only one, trust me (see other pics). We all see that Batam

is center of industry. Many factories have been built and more others to come.  Deforestation is striking every inch of land in this island.

Dusty Cars

Believe it or not, MOST of cars in Batam are dusty regardless it is the tacky or the classy one. It's fulled of dust. And it's thick! 

The picture above shows the someone wrote "DASAR JOROK!" (GROSS!) on the windshield's glass in the backside of a car. What a joke! I mean, they shouldn't have made it if the dusty is not at least 5mm thick.


Free Area

As it is only 12 miles away from Singapore, we can find many things (imported products) which are cheap and better easily. Seriously. You can get Chivas here way cheaper than any other places in Indonesia. Carlsberg, Bailey, wine, snacks, many things.

Read More