Day Trip to Ancol Beach

Last Sunday we finally decided to go to the beach, Ancol Beach, to be precise. As it was a long weekend, and Ariq did not have school on the Monday.. so yes, we thought it would be a good time to go on a day trip.

At first we were planning on staying overnight at the hotel as we had a free voucher, but when we called to make a reservation, the hotel was already fully booked for the weekend. So, we stayed at my parents' house instead and planned to have a day trip on Sunday. The kids wanted to go to Fantasy World (Dunia Fantasi), with all the rides and everything.

So, on Sunday, the kids were already excited about going away for a day. It was no problem at all getting them to get up, have breakfast and have a shower. We left the house at around 9.15 a.m. The streets were still empty and we got to the beach in less than an hour! When we anticipated about 2 hours drive.

As it was still early, first we drove to the beach area where we could a traditional boat ride (without engine). The sea was still calm and the waves were low. We were basically making a big circle in the shallow water (not really shallow for my swimming expertise, though). We crossed the path of a jellyfish about the size of fist. The guide/owner of the boat, picked the jellyfish up with a small net and put it in a bucket filled with sea water. It was really a good idea to keep the children on the boat busy and calm during the ride.

The first thing I found out that day was that my 2.5 year-old son had much more confidence than his 6 year-old brother. He would just walk around the boat as if he was walking on a steady surface! I remember his brother when we first took him on a boat ride, he wasn't afraid to hop on the boat, but he would just sit still, not walking around.

After the boat ride, both boys saw the people playing on the beach. They wanted to play on the sand too and get wet in the waves, of course! Gladly, I had thought about the possibility, so I brought a bottle of antiseptic shampoo and body wash, some towels and a few sets of change of clothes for them.

As their dad played with them, I took pictures and videos (don't worry, I will put them up here). They were sooo happy that I was glad I was prepared for this, rather than telling them that they could not play on the beach.

After they were done, and showered, we were ready for lunch. The closest outlet was McDonalds, so, there we went. As we were walking away from the beach, people had just started coming and the place was getting really really crowded. Again, I was glad that we arrived early.

It was about 12.30 when we finished lunch and we were considering going home straight away. Ariq, my 6 year-old however, still wanted to go to the Fantasy Land. After considering for a while, we decided that we wouldn't know when we would be coming to the beach again, so, we thought that we might as well do what we wanted when we still had all day.

So, we went to Fantasy Land. Aza, my 2.5 year-old, had a little sleep in the car on the way from the beach to the Fantasy Land area, due to the traffic inside the beach recreation area. The beach was close to the entrance, while Fantasy Land was towards the exit.

When we finally reached Fantasy Land, Aza woke up. We sat him on his stroller, but once he felt refreshed he chose to walk. First, we went on the merry-go-round, then the giant wheel. After that, we went on the doll palace ride. The doll palace was little kids favourite place, it had dolls dressed in different outfits from cultures around the world and there were songs which the dolls move to. The decorations were colourful and some of them were glow in the dark materials.

After that, Ariq wanted to on Crazy Ball game. The two of us (Ariq and myself) were put inside a balloon that was inflated by air. Then, we were floating on a river for about 10-15 minutes. It would've been cool if the weather was not so hot!

From the Crazy Ball, we went on the mirror house and took pictures with some fixtures outside the mirror house (horse, carriage, etc.), then Ariq wanted to go on the bumper car ride. The one that he could go on was the kiddie one, so he was the only one who could go in there. He went on three times! (Gladly in Fantasy World the ticket was all-in, so we didn't pay for individual games anymore).

While I was waiting for Ariq outside the bumper car ride, Aza wanted to see the carnival. Every weekend the place has a carnival walking around the area. Aza enjoyed it very much.

When Ariq finally came out, it was 5.30 pm and we were ready for early dinner before we drive home. We were thinking about having dinner at the most famous seafood restaurant there, 'Bandar Jakarta', but when we got there, it was really really full!

Next to it was a new restaurant, a Thai restaurant with the steamboat menu. As the place was quite new, it wasn't as busy as the next door place. We decided to give it a try.. knowing our taste buds, hot clear soup wouldn't be a total disaster, even if it didn't taste so well..

We were glad that we chose the restaurant. The fact that it was steamboat, we pretty much did not have to wait for the food to be served. We also could choose a table with a pretty scenery, looking out to the beach. And the kids.. well.. prawn balls, squid balls, tofu, were familiar enough for them to quickly enjoy. Plus, we were tired and starving too. The restaurant, 'Seaside Suki' turned out to be a great choice! Their steamboat was delicious! We finished everything we ordered.

During dinner, my husband's bike riding friends arrived after riding for about 3 hours, from home (which is pretty much the neighbouring town from South Jakarta, while the beach was in North Jakarta). The kids wanted to play on the sand after dinner, so I thought we could give their dad a chance to catch up with his friends.

Once the kids had enough, we still had a set of change for each of them and the restaurant had an outside bathroom that was wide enough to give a child a shower. So, I gave the kids a shower (The kids' nanny came with us that day, and she was having fun while I could still catch a breath with her around). Once we're done, we finally got in the car and drove home.

Aza fell asleep right away, Ariq, however, was still up unti we got home and had all the pictures and videos copied on to the laptop.

What a nice day! I was really tired, but as the kids kept saying how happy they were that day, I really believed that it was worth it!

My Favourite Places..

The end of the year is coming up and I just added a new link list in this blog, which is 'My Favourite Places'.

This list consists of my favourite places in all the countries I have so far visited. Even though there are not many, and some places are still not listed (and I am still looking for the appropriate websites for this blog purpose), I hope you can find some use of the links.

Some of the links are in Indonesian because I cannot find any official website in English, but I will share with you my own experience and knowledge about the place as posts in this blog, so you don't have to worry about not being able to understand the content of the related websites.

Have a nice end-of-year holiday...

The Long-Awaited Trip to Borneo..

For years.. I have always wondering if I could step my feet on Borneo land and see the native people.. I finally had my chance when I least expect it!

Last May, Ahmad's brother was getting married to a girl from Sabah (Malaysian state in North Borneo). So, I caught up with Ahmad in KL (where he is working for the time being), and we flew together to Sandakan (a little town in Sabah, where the wedding ceremony and procession was going to take place).

Borneo (even after the big fire in late 90's) is still a very green island. The weather is humid but not as hot or polluted as big cities such as Jakarta.

The rivers were really wide that I first thought they were the ocean.. (silly me!)

Unfortunately, the tight schedule of the wedding procession did not allow us to do any leisure trip this time round, but I'd like to think of this as an 'excuse' to make a return trip one day in future to see the rain forest, orangutan reserve and crocodile farm.

I did see some native people during the wedding reception, however I did not really have a chance to actually meet or being introduced to them. I'd also like to think of this as another excuse to go back one day..

Anyway.. here are some photos from the trip.



Being Welcome by The Great Orangutan Statue


The Scenery Behind The Bride's Family House


The Happy Bride and Groom


Waiting for The Bride and Groom Getting Ready for The Reception

Just playing with the phone's camera

We were getting bored waiting for that 'Antique Car' ride.. So, we just started taking pictures with the phone's camera..

Everyone was staring at us, but who cares? We were just being silly and having fun!

The hanging bridge..

The hanging bridge.. It shakes as people are crossing on it..

Nice view..

Found a nice spot for taking picture.. In Genting Theme Park..

A Big Pile of Rock in Genting Theme Park

Sunday, 16 March 2008.. Dinosaur Park, Genting Highland Theme Park.

This pile of stones caught my eyes.. The fact it was shaped like a cave opening, with a tree on top of it amazed me.

The pile was located inside the Dinosaur Park. It was like a mini Jurassic Park, only all the dinosaurs were stones.. Not living ones like in the movies..

Somehow, the pile of stones reminded me of Hanging Rock in Victoria, Australia.. Hmm.. I might tell you the legend, when I can get my memory right :-)

White Tiger

The beatiful white tiger.. Really Beautiful..

It belong to 'Dreamz'.. The performance group performing nightly in the 'Pavilion', at Genting Indoor Theme Park..

Just another quiet day at home..

I was going to take Ariq out and about.. but, after the whole-day trip yesterday, he is now exhausted and feels like staying at home again.

I'm making stir fry broccoli tonight for Ariq.. I'm sure it will make him eat a big dinner!!

-Indri-

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Yesterday's Journal

Sat 3/15/2008 12:35 PM

Almost going back to high school science..

My 5-year-old son, Ariq was very excited yesterday about being in KL. We went out all day and he had a really good time.

When we took him to a toy store (as the last destination for the day), he chose a science lab set, which consisted of a microscope and a telescope, and little things that went with those, e.g. tubes, laminated animal fur, etc.

Today, originally we were planning on going to Genting Highland. It is a resort and recreational area, which is very famous in Malaysia. It has a very big theme park and a casino. The theme park also has a big water park.

We ended up cancelling the trip since Ariq woke up really late and he said that he felt like staying home today, and to go to the highland tomorrow instead. I was feeling a bit tired from the flight and the whole-day out and about yesterday too, so I could understand Ariq's reluctance to do a long trip. Therefore, we decided to stay at home.

While my husband was playing Warcraft, Ariq and I started to play with the lab set. First, we tried the microscope, and WOW! Even though it was just a play set, but it was close enough to real thing! I started showing him, how things looked bigger when seen through a microscope, and he loved it.

Later on, Ariq moved on to the telescope. He was really excited when he successfully aimed the scope to a faraway house and had a clear view.

I told him that the first time I used microscope was when I was in grade 7 or 8, and he couldn't believe it. He kept asking my husband about it, "Did mum first use this when she was in high school?" and my husband kept saying 'yes' to him. It was even more unbelievable to him when I told him that today was the first time I looked into a telescope!

We continued playing with the tools as Ariq kept asking me what the little things (tubes, petri bowl, scalpel, etc.) were for. As I was answering his questions and explaining things to him, I really felt like going back to high school science lab. Only this time, I'm the one being asked all the questions!

A nice day at home after all..

Two days ago..

Fri 3/14/2008 11:16 AM

Delicious Thai Steamboat in Kuala Lumpur..

If anyone of you like Thai Steamboat.. and if you are planning to visit Kuala Lumpur..

Johnny's.. in 1 Utama (read: one utama) Shopping Centre, has a really nice one.

That'll be my quick journal for the day. I'll point out tomorrow's interesting points when I can sit in front of the computer.

See you later!

A Full Day of Adventure

This morning, Ariq was ready for a big adventure. At 11.00, we were on our way to Genting Highland. Traffic was busy but not heavily packed, so, the journey didn't take longer than it should. We arrived around lunch time and we went to the food area as soon as we parked the car.

Nothing really special about the lunch. Fish and chips, fried chicken and rice (instead of fries.. a south-east asian way ), and pepsi. The only interesting part was, the chain was 'Marry Brown'.. its slogan was 'Something Different' .. and the food was a bit different. It had a local chilli sauce and side dishes. Something different..

After that, we went on rides.. Ariq's favourite (as always) was the kiddie coaster.. well, it wasn't really kiddie, as it went quite fast, far and high. It just didn't make people go upside down. The shape of the ride was a dragon. He went on it twice. The first time we went together, the three of us, and the second time it was only Ariq and me.

The Theme Park wasn't as big as Disneyland (not even as big as the Fantasy World in Jakarta), but, the rides were of the newer kinds. There was this 2-storey carrousel, where on the top storey, the rides were facing backwards (not sure of the intention) and a roller coaster ride with Spiderman theme, where people lie down on their tummies in a cage-like carts.. the movements, as can be imagined, are paragliding-like with an upside down turn every now and then!

Another interesting thing about this theme park, it had 2 areas, the outdoor and indoor ones. each one has rides, food stalls, performance centres (for illusions, music concerts, etc.) and other attractions (Ripley's gallery, Haunted House-at the moment is Van Helsing, etc.). The outdoor one used a daily ticket, while the indoor one used a per-ride ticket.

We decided to call it a day at 4.30. We went through the indoor theme park to go the car park.

On the way, we spotted the 'Van Helsing 3-D Live Experience' and Ariq insisted on going in. We asked the attendant, and he said the attraction was alright for him. So, we went in. Ariq was excited at first, with the elevator thing, where we were moving up while standing on steps.

He was still excited when he started seeing the glow in the dark objects in the main hallway using the 3-D glasses. Then, his fear took over!

As we walked down the dark alleys full with glow in the dark objects and surprising noises and 'dark creature' appearances, he finally was afraid. He stopped walking altogether until one of the attendants in Van Helsing coat showed up and gave him a 'go ahead'. ..

As we reached the main hallway of the 'haunted house' again, Ariq was already smiling and laughing again. He did like the glow in the dark objects, which I also thought were the best part of the attraction.

Ariq's mood was improved as he walked out of the toilet. The white-tiger for the night illusion performance had just arrived and parked right outside of the toilets. Many people were taking photographs, although 2 keepers kept reminding people to keep the proper distance from the tiger.

The tiger was beautiful.. and I'm really glad I managed to take 2 shots, although I'm sure, they were not perfect. I'll put the photos here, as soon as I have a chance to transfer it from my mobile phone. I also have other photos from the day, which I will post here.

Ariq fell asleep as soon as he got into the car. We drove back to the city, planning to have dinner before going home. My husband took us to IKEA, to have a look at housing furniture and equipment, and to try the Swedish food (IKEA is a Swedish company, I just found out ).

We mostly did window shopping and looking for ideas for our future home. We only bought a towel and a very cute golden retriever soft toy for my youngest son, Aza. Then we ordered our dinner. And I can make another suggestion for any of you who want to try food at IKEA stores, if they have the Poached Salmon with Chives Sauce (comes with steamed broccoli and baked potatoes) or Swedish Meatballs (comes with fries and cranberry sauce).. well, they are really nice!

Then we drove home. Not long after we arrived at home, Ariq continued his sleep. And now, I'm ready to continue mine also (I did have a snooze as soon as we arrived home, but woken up after sleeping for an hour or so).

Alright everyone.. I'll see you again soon..

I'm in KL again..

Hi Everyone..

How are you? After postponing the original flight booking, finally Ariq and I flew to Kuala Lumpur. We arrived at KLIA airport last night (Thursday, 13 March 2008) at 10 p.m.

So far it has been a nice holiday, and Ariq is having a great time. Tonight, we had dinner at Johnny's, a Thai steamboat restaurant. The place really had nice steamboat. It is located in 1Utama Shopping Centre.

Since we arrived, it looks like that Ariq caught the cough, which disturbs his sleeps. I'm hoping he gets better tomorrow and we can enjoy this holiday as we hoped to.

I'll update you again as often as I can.

See you later.

Rinjani

It was almost 3 years ago when I got sooo close to this beautiful mount and its amazing surrounding environment.. the only downside was that I was 5 months pregnant when I went on the trip..

However, I still would like to return to Lombok one day, and hopefully.. at that time, I can have enough time to, at least, stand on the 'base' of Mount Rinjani.. That is my dream.. :-)

You want to know what I want more (if I can dream a little bit more..) .. I hope Ariq is ready to come on the hike with me.. :-) That is an even better dream..












Rinjani from a distance
Lombok, December 2002

Old City, Sana'a, Yemen - Jun 05