Autumn Traveller Goes to Hongkong

This year. This autumn, I visited Hongkong. It was my second time. I was still in primary school when my mother took me here for school break. Yeah, it's been so long. Before coming to Hongkong, I've been picturing myself enjoying the local foods. Roasted pork, chicken, duck, porridge and DIM SUM.

Talking about the roasted pork, chicken, and duck. I was traumatized with the amount of meats that we ordered that night. Since that night, every time I passed a food stall that selling these foods, I wanna puke out. This is the most memorable moments when I was in Hongkong.

Oh yeah, almost forgotten. I also got myself into a shameful scene. That night, me n mom were tired of walking. So making our way back to hotel, we stopover a noodle stall for take-out. As I've been expecting. All the menus were written in Chinese letter (I couldn't read). I tried to speak in broken Canton with the owner at first "Ta-pao mien (with a little help of hand gesture to tell him the amount that I wanted to buy - one)". He asked me (in Canton. I still could understand a little but couldn't speak) what kind of noodles that I want with an unpleasant voice. Like didn't bother to serve me. Then I let my mom to read the Chinese letter menu which were hung on the wall and she picked one.

Now, at this point, we've made clear about our choice but the owner kept saying the other menu and raised his voice. I couldn't hold back my anger any longer then I scolded him with Mandarin. I scolded him back for being impolite. Then he shut his mouth as preparing our order.

The weather in October was just fine. Not too hot and too cold. I would like to go back to Hongkong when it's in winter.

Save The Date

We picked our wedding date (will let you guys know soon). I wasn't surprised because he had proposed me when we were only dating for 3 months. No flowers, no music, no kneeling down, no rings at all or anything that could bring out the mood. And nervously he asked me, "How long do you plan to date with me? I wanna grow old with you". I was dumbfounded. Not sure of his words meant, I kept silent. Then he made his words more clear "hey, why don't you answer me? I am proposing you."

I must be really stupid to have said "yes" when there was no ring offered to me. Hahaha. But I am really happy when he proposed. He's such a sweet.

Bangi Kopitiam

Meeting up with Merry and William. It's been a while since the last time we gathered. Everyone is busy with their lives these days. Especially for those who had married and bearing a child. All of their time are taken away.

Willie orderes pretty much food for himself because he hadn't had his lunch yet. And it was already 4pm. I couldn't understand his way of thinking. Always meeting with his clients and friends and abandoned his meals.  As for the foods in Bangi Kopitiam - they weren't superb but safe and they were quite expensive.

Merry & William's Sweetheart - Natalie. She's too young to get to taste our foods. She kept munching her fingers and eating with her rounded big eyes at our foods. Poor girl.

Eve Chocolaterie

Been searching this shop for weeks and finally found it. A new chocolaterie shop open at CBD Polonia. On our first try, we fail and Willie assumed that the shop might be at the food court area (swimming pool area) but it wasn't there as well.

It is located at the corner and it is no wonder, we've failed in our searching. The shop only opens till 8 pm. We were so excited when we saw the shop and it ended pretty quickly. There was no visitors. Perhaps it's still new. Perhaps not much people know about the place. Perhaps the shop hasn't officially open. okay too much 'perhaps'. Let's leave it to the owner to handle it. The place is a nice place to chill. Please give it a shot.

Aphrodite - Vanilla lemon and brownies I guess -  Sweet and tangy. It was nice. Is it coincidence or the staff intentionally handed us #2 because there were only two people? The staff are friendly and know well of the products. Without their assist, we would find ourselves confused in choosing the cakes.

The lonely Early Grey Ganache at the back. Next time, we'll make sure to find you a mate(s) because you've been treating us nicely.

How to get there
Komplek CBD Polonia No.D 100-101
Phone 061-80506089

Coffee Box

Rainy season has come to town. It's been raining these days. We weren't planning to have dinner in Coffee box but it's raining. there's noway we could dine-in in an open air.

When coming into this cafe, I only have one dish that I like so much - Lontong Pecal. I like the sauce that in Sun Plaza. It has richer peanuts flavor but It is very impossible to enter Sun Plaza in weekends or when it's rainy too. Too crowded. We also ordered one portion of prawn chips to dip in the peanut sauce.

Another peanut sauce dish - Fried bakwan. Hahahaha we are nuts to eat nuts that much.

Golden Yen

Early morning, I was awaken by the neighbor whom had his bike shop grand-opening. He put on a loud house music and the roaster lost its routine to call everyone wake up. A little upset with it.

So I brought my mom for breakfast. We haven't been in golden yen for years. I stop coming because of some issue (don't want to describe further).

Had glass noodles beef soup. Its glass noodles was over cook; turned out too soft. And there was a black cat wandering around my seat. I dislike animal to appear around me when having meals. It gives me a thought about the hygiene.

How to get there
Golden Yen
Kompleks CBD S.Parman
Jl. S. Parman

One Year Later and Still Counting

It is a special date for two of us. August 25th was the day we first met each other. We didn't celebrate anything special but spend more hours together. It was past the lunch hour but he hadn't had his lunch yet. He had a light bite at his client's celebration at Diski there. I followed and waited for him in the car instead. Surprisingly he smuggled two hot coffee for ourselves. 

He put on the tee which he had worn on the day we first met. I didn't but wore the same necklace on that day. Fair enough right?

We almost suspend our last task because it was pretty late already though I am not a Cinderella who had a night curfew. Oh...I do have a night curfew but I am a breaker. We were introduced by friends when I had my first tryout dinner at Warkop Elisabeth on this date last year.

Car Accident on Lebaran Day

I've been with this car since I was granted a degree from university. It is a precious reward from my father. It's not like I never had a car crashed before (had minor scratches) but this time, is the most destructive.

Right on the first day of Lebaran; the roads were so empty and how I wish Medan would be like that everyday. Medan is extremely congested these days.

I had an appointment with friends to have breakfast before heading for work. Yeah sad enough that I need to be idle in office during Lebaran whilst everyone enjoyed their long holiday - sleeping, chilling with friends or traveling. 

It was even more sad to have my car was hit by reckless driver when I parked by the roadside. He might be in real drunk. Now my car looks like some soccer board plan.

Singapore 2012

These photos stored in my computer almost for a year. I always giggling whenever see my niece in these photos. She is no doubt very active, smart and always has an unexpected way to reply you. She is incredible and adorkable. Miss her so much.

Had some ramen - Aoba (at vivo city) for lunch with my sister because she sick of Chinese food which she always had in her family. As usual of my niece, she acted like a little monkey. Hop here and there. Insisted to drink my hot matcha. Whenever her mom forced her to eat some noodles, she would making herself cough in fake and said "but I'm coughing le (in mandarin)"

I wasn't in a good condition during that time. I had a pretty bad cough and lost my voice but they didn't stop me for food hunt. Perhaps too tired. Last year, I had too much wedding invitations from his friends and mine. We were dropped dead and sick of eating the same menu.

While waiting the rain to stop, we were having Ireland's Potato which located near Bugis. There were many sauce selections. Tried one after another, we chose honey lemon. Or you can go for ketchup. Fries would never go wrong with ketchup.

I got to taste kki cake for the first time by Jenny who had walked and bought several cakes to celebrate my 27th birthday. Then this time, I had a chance to dine-in in kki cake. Tiny space with few tables for dine in. It sells some stationary as well. The atmosphere is calm and nice for chilling in humid weather.

Fried pizza which is just across from Bossini store (People's park). As I was waiting for my friends who were doing their last minute shopping. I was tempted to this pizza. Once I saw the amount of oil that were being used, I didn't want to have those oil filled in my body. But it looks good right?

These food that I would like to eat but couldn't. Blame to the cough!!! Nice to see yet couldn't taste.

A little treat despite of my worsen cough - Monster Curry. hahahaha… It was rich flavor and has various spicy selection. We chose an edible spicy. Afraid of upset stomach later. Sure will come back again in future visit. Ok time to say goodbye to Singapore.

Martabak Mini 88

Many Instagramers uploaded this cute martabak. Once I spotted its overflowing chocolate were spread over its martabak, I couldn't wait another second again. The green color stall is located at Asia Mega Mas (across from supermarket).

Lucky that I needn't to queue for long. But the owner seriously needs a helper. he is the baker ; he is the decorative ; he is the cashier and he is also the marketer. *applause to the owner*. 

I had a chance to see how the owner made the dough. Simply hatched 3 medium size eggs and whisked them until foaming. He didn't fold in the sugar as well. So the taste for its martabak is bland and not buttery rich either.

Bahrain

What did you do during the long flight? watch in-flight entertainment, doodling, or sleep for the whole trip? I usually write journal, watch movies and take picture. I was fortunate to sit by the window though I ever read some article that sitting by window (flight) isn't the best place. But it helps me to killing time.

Disappointing Experience of KNIA

I had a 3D2N vacation to Kuala Lumpur with my sister.  It was our first experience to be in Medan train station. It wasn't that poor except for its outdated train which the government bought from Japan. I couldn't say much because Indonesian couldn't manufactured their own train. We are left behind far away from other countries.

We've made our reservation on the day before and got a  cheap ticket promotion (1-way IDR 60K). 37 minutes later, we've reached the very new airport in Indonesia - Kuala Namu International Airport. It's not a great building. There are too much lack about the building and how the society doesn't take the responsibility to maintain the building as well.

Flooring

It isn't a granite and doesn't look like one, it would be even better if they use a plain ceramic instead. The floor doesn't bring out the grand and looks cheap.

Restroom

There are many restrooms in clog status. New airport yet doesn't function like one.

Smoking free

There should have a strict rules and punishment to those who smoking inside the building. foremost, in an air-con building. Nowadays many countries had ban smoking in a public area. Why couldn't it be adopted by Indonesia as well? Don't get offended if you're a smoker. It's the fact that smoking isn't good for health. It's even more unfair to us whom didn't smoke; to become your victim. 

Highways
We've seen and heard much from nearby countries on how they plan and build their roads. But we never take the lesson of it. A DIRECT highways either from City to Airport or vice verse; should be built soon to decrease traffic in suburbs. Suburbs which has been known for its congested traffic even before the new airport been launch; why we were escorted to take the route again?

Is Indonesia developing forward or reverse? =____=

Chocolate Pudding

I am in a pudding freak these days. Been reading lots of recipes and delicate to follow one. My first chocolate pudding (did not get to photo) was in very goey pudding. It has a very rich chocolate. I and bro enjoyed every bites. But my mom prefer a chocolate pudding with jelly. 

And the outcome did not meet my expectation. Forgot to whisk continuously and fold in sugar.

The Land of Churros

I couldn't believe that I visited Spain but didn't get a chance to eat churros. Shame on me. It was real easy to travel from Morocco to Spain. We took a 45 minute ferry but I never be a fan of the sea. I had seasick. Though our tour guide told us we might have a chance to see the changes color of the sea as we were approaching Spain. I didn't bother to move around. 

The only churros I ate during my stay at Seville. It would be perfect they had a richer and thickest chocolate to dip in. On the other hand, the chocolate tart is superb.

Believe me. This salad is so fresh and sweet even without any dressing. For 10 days, I didn't workout and I gained zero weight because mostly I was fed with these salads and meat. 

I didn't like their beef though. It didn't taste like one. Prefer my home country beef.

Besides churros; tortilla also put its name on the list must eat.

It was winter but it didn't stop me to have this ice cream. LOL. I still remember the tallest ice cream I successfully made my friends to eat when it was the most windy and cold in Seoul. We were freezing cold and forced to finish the ice cream because couldn't find a trash bin and we weren't allow to get some heat in store with foods on our hands.

Morroco

This is an overdue post. I had a business trip to Morocco and Spain last March. I should be blessed to get a chance for the trip. As a matter of fact, I did not have much fun. I prefer an independent trip rather than wasting too much time sleeping in a bus. Other reasons; perhaps I don't have families or friends to go with me. A two weeks trip, felt like a month.

So from Jakarta straight to Casablanca. I can tell you, it was a tiring flight. My body was worn out. A sprinkle of water on my face was a treasure. Morocco is part of  Africa. Yay~ I've been in Africa continents too. Surprisingly Indonesia passport holders doesn't need to apply for visa. I just knew it. I always find it tiring to apply visa from my home country. There are so many terms and condition to visit one country. 

I visited a few city in Morocco - Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakesh. The first night in Morocco, I took a saddle from Kenzi Menara Hotel to local restaurant. It was windy and freezing that night. I hate when the horse jog too fast. I only put on a thin windbreaker and successfully froze me well. The ride took approximately 20 minutes and it was fun except for the smelly horse's dunk.

I didn't find much difficulty with the food. I could eat most of its local food though it can't make it to my one of my favorites. Most of their foods has this distinctive spices.

The food was set in buffet and all of them were served cold. Since I'm starving, I just ate everything to fill my tummy. Didn't care much about the taste. Glad that it was just a salad.

Here comes the main course - kebab. I would say my last day in Morocco have been completed by having this kebab. It is the best kebab I had. It was so flavor and tender.

There weren't much activity in Morocco. Most of my time wasted slept in the bus. And when I reached their tourist sites, there were closed due to our late arrival.

Doodle

I was an art student but my skills in drawing is a fail. Let me tell a little of my history. I was intending to major in photography (again I am not skillful); never have I crossed my mind to have take the drawing class when I was in sophomore. It was like living in hell. Every week, the lecturer threw us a homework - a hundred sketches. 

Never I appreciated my own drawing. Always telling myself and other that I'm really bad in drawing and never ever draw again. But only one people would praised my artwork. She is my lil dino - niece. She is 4 1/2 year old and so adorable, talkative, indeed very active lil girl.

Not only talkative but she could talk back at you with unexpected response and created a storm of laughter. She could speak mandarin but not hokkien. A little Bahasa and fluent in English. One night, she proudly (sok) showing off her brand new watch to us. Then her mother told us how sok-sok she was. Quickly she corrected her mother "Ey~ wei se mok ni suo wo sok-sok? - Hey why do you say me magniloquent?". We thought that she wouldn't know what sok-sok meant since she knows a little Bahasa.

Followed her jiu-jiu's sleeping attitude.