Traveling Thirst or Wanderlust

source: 99traveltips.com

Have you ever have this urge? What is your life focus and aim? What is it that you want to do and what is it that you want from life?

Is it stable income, a nice properties, nice car, secure job, security, comfort zone? If that's what you want, traveling hobby might not be for you or even if it is, you have to have the time, big income to spend, secure job with flexible time and so on.

For some people or most people, those are not easy to have or get. 

source: Pinterest

Currently I am facing the same dilemma. I have a secure comfortable job with a good income (for Indonesian who lives in Jakarta), currently saving to move to US and get a house there. But somehow, I was unhappy. Despite the fact that I am working in possibly in one of the best company ever. There is that jittery feeling that keeps wanting to be recognized. It was Traveling Thirst or many people called it Wanderlust.

On the other side, I am in super comfort position right now. Job is fun, boss is great (also my friend), teammates are the best (they are my adorable sisters), salary is pretty good, office is great (free food and stuffs), I have friends over here, family too. But again, I want to experience more. I don't want to live in a cocoon. I wanna see more of the world.

What would I do if I quit the job?

source: Pinterest

I might learn or join a language course of the country that we will visit. Also I want to focus learning programming language as I want to shift my career from Linguist to Computational Linguist.

But, Where to go?

source: 99traveltips.com

I would love to travel around Europe. But budget wise, Asia is a better option for now. Since I will have to quit my job. Also, husband will need to be sure of the internet in places where we are going because he has to work remotely. This is one of the advantage of traveling with him because he can work while travel as long as we are sure the internet connection is good.

We have been back and forth on our decision to pick a place to stay or travel (if we are gonna do it). At first we were so firm on our decision to travel to Seoul, Korea. Since I know the language, i have some friends there, and we both love the foods. But these days, my decision has been shaken by the fact that I have been there 3 times already. I want to try to go to other places. I was thinking Europe before finding out the budget was sky rocket price. Recently today, I was thinking Australia or New Zealand, but then again stuck in budget. India? We were too scared to go there despite India has always been in my heart. Plus I heard internet is not great there and we kinda need fast internet for my husband's work.

Just today, I told my boss that I would quit working to travel. I gave the office one month notice starting from today. I haven't told my teammates nor my friends. They might find out if they read my blogpost soon.

Here is my Pinterest Tab on Travel related stuffs: Wanderlust

Up till now, I still haven't reach my decision on where to go. If you have any suggestion please leave a comment bellow. We are planning to rent a room or cheap studio apartment in places that we visit since we are planning to stay 2-3 months there. A place with good internet and great foods.

Korea: Tips for Transportation Around Seoul

Dearest friends,

Korea has become such a hype place for tourist destination nowadays. It attracts mostly girls, thanks to their infamous Myeongdong Cosmetic Heaven...lol

But it is such a shame if you guys are not interested in Korea. They have so many things to offer. One biggest reason to visit Korea is their rich culture and culinary. Seriously Korean food might be one of the best in the world. Korean has always been known as detail oriented community. You can see their precise detail on their culinary and architecture.

For a newcomer to Korea, especially Seoul. I would like to share our experience how to save money for transportation in Seoul based on what you guys need and how long you will be spending fun holiday in Seoul.

1. Seoul City Pass

 Can be used for Seoul City Tour Bus, Seoul Bus and Metro Subway.
Price:

Source: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=261307

2. T-Money

 This is my favorite one. Because it is flexible as to how many trips I want to go to and cheaper for my needs. I will explain more later on this page.

It can look different from this one. They sell different variation of T-Money. It could be card or key chain form. I love the key chain form. I could hang it on my phone.

No worries, you can just buy one of this and you don't have to put your information contact. It used to be like that. But nowadays, tourist can just used it once they bought it.

Recharge your T-Money here. Can be found on every subway stations.

3. Single Trip Subway Ticket

This is the most expensive one. Not only you have to pay for the deposit, but it is also a waste of time. You need to keep getting this ticket every time you want to use subway. So, my suggestion is to find nearest GS25 or 711 in airport and but T-Money or find tourist information and asked them where to get T-Money or Seoul City Pass in airport.

Comparison between Seoul City Pass and T-Money

According to our experience, it was cheaper using T-Money instead of Seoul City Pass. Since we stayed for a week and not using the Seoul City Tour Bus.

This is our itinerary;

The red blocked part was delayed caused by Japan Airlines. Sigh.
Assuming we did 8 trips a day by Subway (which we did almost every day and even more than 8 trips sometimes) including the long trip to airport, it only cost us 35.000 KRW with remaining 8.000 KRW left on my T-Money.
We did 8 trips a day because in the middle of the day we always go back to the apartment to nap. All the walking and sightseeing drained our energy...lol

We went there on summer. So 6pm were still bright and night started at 8pm. We usually stayed out till 11pm. Remember that subway stopped working from around 11pm. So, don't stay out too late.

I will post about subway information app that will be useful to use even when you don't have internet on the next post.

Have fun in Korea ^_^

Singapore: Short Getaway

Several weeks ago, me and husband decided to go to Singapore for a quick and short getaway. We spent 3 days 2 nights in Singapore. We chose to stay in One Farrer Park Hotel as it is close to Little India. Our plan on this trip was to do more culinary tour around Little India, Kampung Glam, Arab Street, and Bugis which are close (walking distance) from the hotel.

One Farrer Park Hotel and Hospital within the same building

Last time we used 3 days MRT card for tourist. But this time we didn't bother to buy it since it was all within a walking distance. 

First day, we came at night due to awesome massive delay of Lion Air. One Farrer Park Hotel was nice enough to upgrade 2 exhausted guest after such delay. It was instantly upgrade our experience for the better. 

Found a cute looking hotel on the way to Arab Street

2nd day, we decided to go to Arab street, Kampung Glam, and Bugis for some shopping and culinary tour. We walked around 30 minutes from hotel to Arab Street.

Bussaurah Street

Middle Eastern Restaurants filled the streets

This street took me to middle eastern. Everything on the street has middle eastern feeling. It was bright and sunny day too. So many restaurants and some gift shops there. We decided to pick a Yemen restaurant.

We ordered all combination of appetizers with Peeta bread. 

Left to right; hummus, falafel, fatoush salad, babaganoush and Peeta Bread on the bottom

This is how you are suppose to eat it, wrap it like sandwich and Yumm!!!

Lunch was supeeer yummy!!! I was not so sure about middle eastern food before. Husband (back then boyfriend) keep taking me to Middle Eastern restaurant but I was not always like it. Till I tried this one. Turned out it was soooo good. Apparently I hadn't eat a good proper and authentic one before.

With all the food on our belly, we went to Bugis Street for a quick shopping in Bugis Street Market. I was going to buy some dresses. Husband was not a big fan of crowded place. He was pouting all the time. So, we decided to go to Bugis Mall instead to get his favorite Chewy Junior. It was my turn to pout since I couldn't buy any new outfits in the market. :-(

Managed to buy this tho; Kaya Ball Durian Flavor

Aaah look how beautiful my Kaya Durian Ball

Last time I visited Singapore, I bought Egglet or Egg Waffle and I thought to myself that soon it is gonna be a new trend in Indonesia (Jakarta). Then not too long after that, it was indeed becoming a hawker trend in Jakarta. I have the same prediction for this Kaya Ball too. Let's wait and see.

Day 2
We were  too lazy to go out early. I was coughing all night long too. Seems like I caught a cold. We only went to Mustofa to buy Muruku snack (my most favorite snack), gifts, and some Indian spices. I am in the mood to cook a lot of Indian foods these days.

Ovomaltine was only Rp.80.000 in Mustofa Center

Food court in a Mall close by to our hotel 

cute decor

Bought this keychains for our apartment keys

Have you heard about Banana Apollo? It was very popular in Little India (Singapore) as one of the best Indian restaurant in town. We went there and they live up to our expectation. The food was served on banana leaf. Everything was super delicious. The restaurant was kind crowded. But we got a funny guy served us. We went back on the 3rd day before going back to the airport. I would definitely come back again the next time we visit Singapore. Seriously this place is a must visit for those who loves Indian foods.

Oooh I miss this foods again!!!

It was sort but enjoyable trip to Singapore. Would love to go there again someday soon.

First Trip to Korea (Part 1)

 I have never posted about my trip to Korea on my blog before. I decided to finally post it in here.
On January 2012, I got a job in Korean sort-of-NGO-like company. They said I have to get a training for new employee in Seoul, South Korea. Because the headquarter is located in Seoul. On early February finally I issued my first Passport in Kanim Jakarta Selatan.  I got my passport a week after applying it.

I thought applying for Korean Visa would be difficult. But apparently since I am working for Korean Government (by the time), it was actually easy. It only took less than 2 hours to get the Visa. I just have to go to the Embassy with my boss and talked to the Head of Consular or something. And I got the visa within the same day less than 2 hours. On my second Korean VISA, i got it after a day, but I didn't even have to go to the Embassy. Oooh goody! The benefit for working in my previous office.

I didn't go to Seoul by myself. I went there with another new girl from the office. The rest of the team was waiting for us there, including new employees from other countries like China and Vietnam.

Don't worry, I am not gonna bore you with the training detail. I am just gonna share you the story of my first visit to Korea, a country that I had been longing to go ever since I was in college. It was one of the reasons why I started to learn Korean from internet.

Waiting for the Korean Air in Soetta Airport

Just arrived in Incheon, Seoul 

Standing in front of our apartment. I lived in Vabien II, close by to Seoul Police Department's Central Office.

Learning how to use the T-Money that I got from my kind boss.

Part of the training is to contribute in local orphanage. I feel like I was in K-Drama, a Cinderella story ;-)

It was March but still really cold for me. It helps a lot to eat warm steamy odeng 'fishcake' on street food stall during our midnight shopping experience.

Most favorite dish during winter, I don't really know the name. But it was a combination of seafoods, vegetables, and ramyun boiled in a big pot on your table.

One of the cosmetic store in Dotta Mall near Cheon river stream

Futuristic Electronic Car in Museum of Technology

Shoes Repairmen has their own small cute box shop

I spent a week there mostly in the office. The only free time I have was at night. Either I would spent it gossiping with the new girls in their apartment (3 or 2 girls per 1 apartment) or we would do some midnight shopping, karaoke-ing with boss and senior co-workers, Watching Cooking Nanta show, or meeting with some of my friends from Korea or Indonesian who lives in Korea. I shared apartment with the 2 other new girls from Indonesia's office (one Indonesian, one Korean who lives in Indonesia).

I would share more about my trips on the second part of my post. Thank you for reading my post. 

PS: Continue to Part 2, Here.

Social Travel 101 with Peeta Planet

Hi guys,

I am glad to tell you that I was being invited by the coolest Social Travel show ever, Peeta Planet, to their small get together in Intercontinental Hotel Jakarta. They were visiting Jakarta for their finale for Season 2 of Peeta Planet trip. I guess saving the best for the last, huh? ;-p

Spoiler: Peyman visiting Coffeewar in Jakarta

I was surprised that they would invite me, because I rarely wrote my blog nor do I have a lot of followers on my social media. Turned out they also invited Jakarta cool people, I guess I was one of them then. (Shut up, let me have this moment!) Yes, I am a cool Jakartan.

Anyway, Mohammad and Peyman introducing us to a new cool way of traveling which is 'Social Travel' in the event. I have a lot of curiosity. I am not sure what 'Social Travel' means, not even sure it was a fun way to travel. But after a while, I learned that 'Social Travel' might be a best way to travel. I mean being a tourist is boring right? Following the group leader here and there, visiting same places with all other tourists and they were everywhere. You can't even enjoy the awesome place you want to visit because tourist were everywhere. So, why not try a new way of traveling. Don't be a tourist, Be a Social Traveler!

Oooops I haven't told you what 'Social Travel' is? Well, it is about time you should know. Social Travel (in my understanding) is a way to travel while connecting yourself to the locals. You will find place to stay, to visit, and what to do by asking locals recommendation. Why I think it is nice? Well, for a long time, traveling has become a way out of our regular boring life (boring job, boring school, or whatever it is that you want to get away from for a while) and a way to satisfy your curiosity of the outside world. But, would it more satisfying to travel through the eyes of the locals? They know the best place, they know the best food, they know the history, that's what makes it interesting. We get to connect with random people with various background. We open up to stranger and we might learn so much for them. That's just screaming 'Awesome' in my ear. I got to do this someday, very soon I hope.

Now that you know about Social Travel, did you know Peeta Planet? I am sure you did, but if you don't know them yet, you should totally check them out. They have a really cool Travel show on Dubai Television. Here is the link to their website and YouTube page; peetaplanet.com and YouTube Peeta Planet

I accidentally find out about them when I was looking for video about Seoul on YouTube. They were filming about Seoul through the locals eyes. I have been to Seoul before and I love it so much. I was so glad that they didn't just show us a tourist destination, they took it to the next level. They visited a startup small time company too. I was so immersed when they were doing fabric painting scene. The only time I saw that was on Arirang culture related show. To actually see it in travel show is something new for me. Refreshing, don't you think?

Are they boring? Definitely not boring at all. They have good sense of humor. Muhammad and Peyman are brothers, not just fraternity brothers. They will find a way to tease each other and they do it quite often. It was adorable. They are also the most down to earth person I have ever met. Always smiling, polite, and nice. Who would not like those combination? I also love their outfits. Somehow they manage to pull it out in a very manly way.

Sometimes, when you watch something on TV or YouTube, you feel disconnected with the MC. But Peeta Boys will not make you feel like that at all. They are super friendly, super warm to people, and pretty cheap in giving away smiles. All Peeta Planet crews were very friendly and down to earth personality. I adore them so much for this good quality traits. That's what makes them the best at social travel show, they know how to connect with people.

So guys, if you are not hooked yet by what I said about Social Travel. You should definitely check out their videos on their YouTube channel or their website. They will show you how fun it is to do Social Travel instead of being your regular tourist self.

I wish they would do an episode in India, or a lot of episodes, I won't mind. I wanna know how they will show India from their point of view. I am sure it will be great. It will be a great intro for me and a  way to encourage me to finally visit India, a place that I always feel longing to go (not just to meet Shahrukh Khan, I promise).

Enjoy your weekend, Happy People! Stay Safe, Stay Awesome!

Suci Park

PS; Picture of Tapas Collections from Intercontinental Jakarta who hosted the event. Drooling time...slluuuurp!