Indian Visa

Good news if you need to travel to India. Just recently they launched e-visa. Check this web https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

Unfortunately, when I went there, there was no e-visa. I had to make sure that Kochi International Airport would issue Visa on Arrival. My experience with VOA was far from pleasant. I spent 3.5 hours to get out from the airport, while my friend and her family were waiting outside, almost midnight, no seat and raining. 

Visa fee was pretty expensive, $60/person. I prepared the documents needed for VOA like passport and photo. I had to queue for a long time just to find out that I was in the wrong line. I was sent here and there. I needed to fill a form with so many details. Everything was manually done. Not computerized at all. If I had had dollars with me, it will be much easier to pay. I didn't have dollar or rupee, I had brought Indonesian Rupiahs with me. I tried to change the money, they didn't want rupiah. I went up and down, escorted by airport staff. Faris was tired and hungry. Finally they allowed me to go out to the ATM and I cashed out some rupees, with high rate+fee. Usual rate was IDR 191, but I changed with IDR 198 and $2  of fee (I took money 5 times). 

Travel to India?

For Indonesian, we all want to go to Europe and USA. India is not in our bucket list. To our knowledge, India is dirty and a slum area, supported by Slumdog Millionaire movie. We love India for Bollywood. Little do we know that India has so much to offer. They have beautiful beaches, mountain, desert, and even snow. Try to visit India.You will enjoy it there, not to mention the great food, yummy.. :) 

I will visit India again, to see more. I just visited Kochi, Kerala. Would love to visit Agra, Delhi, Kashmir, Mumbai and other places.

KOCHI, INDIA

I had return tickets from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia for Faris and I. I got a good offer and couldn't wait for the school's new year calendar. When the new calendar came out, I realized my return ticket was after the first day of school. I needed to buy another ticket from KL-Saudi. I won't be able to change the date of my return flight because it was economy tickets. So, I bought cheap Airasia ticket to Kochi. It was too much headache and flights, but at least I got to see a new place. We were planning to go to Kashmir, I bought the tickets, but then asked for refund and just stayed in Kochi. I paid about 5000 sar for tickets and tour arrangement. It was very nice to have a tour agency took care of us. India was cheaper and not very easy in transportation, so it was easier for us just to pay for the tour. They provided us with a big car, an experienced driver, and full itinerary. 

Day 1  KOCHI 

I arrived at 11pm in Kochi Airport. They almost did not allowed us to board the plane because they were ignorance. They thought Indonesian couldn't obtain VOA in Kochi. Well, actually I could, but it took 3.5 hours!! Read it here, about Indian Visa.

Priya, my friend, with her Sister Sarah and Uncle had waited for me outside the airport. It was rainy. We stayed at hotel Air View. Very close to the airport, but very basic one, just 800 rupees or about SR50. Priya and I, and Faris too, went down to eat and drink coffee. Next morning, at 10 after breakfast we traveled to Kochi city. We visited Fort Kochi, Saree Exhibition, Mahatma Ghandi Beach, Princess street, Chinese net, and around Fort Kochi. Many churches there, as majority of the people were Christian, that's new information for me. We called the taxi driver Chetta, which means older brother. It took sometime to reach Kochi, and the surrounding exactly like Indonesia, bumpy and full with hole, motorbikes everywhere, messy and all. We checked in at Aiswarya Hotel. At night we went to dinner and bought an Indian clothes, don’t know which model. 

    

Day 2  MUNNAR

Travel time to Munnar was about 4 hours. Through mountain zig zag road, looked like in Bengkulu, but Munnar is so beautiful. The waterfall is by the street, no need to do trekking. Monkeys, and cold weather, memorable scenery. I prayed in a beautiful mosque, difficult to find. We had an elephant ride, and took picture in a viewpoint, where we can have a cup of hot masala tea, and enjoyed the beautiful highland. We had dinner in the nearby restaurant. I enjoyed Indian cuisines. We stayed in Bellmount hotel for 2 nights. The hotels that the tour arranged are quite old and rather expensive.  

Day 3 MUNNAR

We continue our journey to Botanical Garden, on the way there, we stopped at a beautiful lust green tea plantation. We then went to a very beautiful lake Madupetty Dam. Faris and I rode a white horse. Faris' umbrella flew away and float on the water, however Priya succeed to pick it up. After that we went to Echo Point, where we can shout and it will echo. So green and unbelievably beautiful scenery.  We continue the to Eravanikulam National Park. Before we went up with the bus, we had lunch in the nearby cafeteria. We hopped on a big bus, it was raining cats and dogs, narrow and wet road to the mountain, so scary and cold. I just waited at the peak near the waterfall with Faris and Priya's mom, while they climbed up to the peak. Then we watch a dance show, I didn't really enjoy it, I love Indian dance but this one is different.

Day 4 THEKADDY, PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK.

 We spent 2 days in the peak of Munnar, and would go back to the city. But we still have half of the day to enjoy the lust green of Munnar. The whole way was pleasure to my eyes.  We reached the peak, and slowly got down the mountain. On the way down, we stopped at a Herbal Garden, where we can buy Kerala specialized nature medication. We met an Egyptian family. I didn't really enjoy looking at plantation. I bought a bottle hair oil. for hairfall. In Thekaddy, there were naughty monkeys. We eat lunch in a cage, monkeys were ready to attack. I was bringing food for Faris and they were attacking me, and Priya too. This lake was unique, there were tree trunks in the middle of the lake, creating the mysterious ambient. We rode the big boat, very noise one. We had to wear that ugly safety vest, and not allowed to leave the seat or standing up. I did it anyway.
After Thekaddy, we went to the hotel, I forgot the name. After sunset, Priya's mom and I went to the Ayurverda massage and Faris, Priya, Sarah and their uncle went to dancing fountain show.

Day 6 HOUSEBOAT, ALLEPPEY
This was a very nice experience. Our hotel was on the boat! All the boat was for ourselves. I bought crab for dinner. All inclusive, dinner, lunch and breakfast, but I add crab for our dinner. We strolled along the backwater. Rain made it so romantic. Best part when we had lunch, the food was amazing, supported by the great background, and nice breeze, made you hungry. We docked by the rice field. I cooked the crab in the boat kitchen.  

Day 7 BACKWATER RESORT

This  is our last day in Kochi. I didn't really know what Backwater means, when I realize, oh I hate Backwater, I prefer beach. Our so called resort was far away from anything. Backwater means stagnant water means mosquitos. We can't go anywhere, the boating program was closed because there was a construction going on.  No proper WIFI, only in the front desk. To get to front desk, we need to ride a raft and need to wait for somebody to steer it. We just tried on our Indian Saree and dresses, taking pictures. At night, Priya and I spent the time in front desk to have WIFI, and had to go back to hotel lodge in the middle of the room. Oh, the surrounding was pretty scary, dark, and surrounded by water, and jungle.

Day 8  MUMBAI 

I needed to fly back to Mumbai. They dropped Faris and I at the airport. We parted there, Priya and family will ride the train to go back to Chennai. We were there quite early. After checked in and Faris eat donut, we flew to Mumbai. I arrived approximately at 8 or 9 pm. On the plane, I sat with a  guy from Maldives. I usually didn't make conversation, but I was glad I did. He went to Mumbai to attend the release of Shah Rukh Khan's movie "Happy New Year" Yes, he would be seeing SRK. The movie release will take part in the Hotel in front of the airport. Ms. Said picked me up, because the hotel was late. We got lost for sometime. Finally, we found the hotel. The hotel was very modern, also expensive, but I chose safety first. Afraid to stay in hostel in India. Unfortunately, we would just stayed in this good hotel for few hours, because early in the morning we need to go to airport to fly to Jeddah and another leg to Yanbu.

Turkey Visa

I've traveled to Turkey 3 times. Banyak yang berubah dari tahun 2011 ke 2015.

Tahun 2011. 
Visa untuk Indonesian dan Egyptian tidak bisa Visa On Arrival, harus apply di Embassy/Consulate terdekat. Jadi kami harus ke Jeddah (3 jam perjalanan). Kasihan suami pergi sendirian 2-3 kali ke Jeddah. Biaya 25$/person.
Saya tidak ingat lagi persyaratannya, tapi tidak susah, seperti passport dan foto.

Tahun 2013.
Saya pergi sendirian ke Istanbul dan Ankara. Alhamdulillah, sudah bisa VOA untuk Indonesian. Jadi saya hanya membawa foto, passport dan exit-entry visa Saudi, dan juga itinerary, dan hotel booking, just in case. Tapi saya tidak bawa dollar atau euro, jadi harus keliling mencari money changer. Dapat Visa, ready to go.

Tahun 2015.
Dengan menggunakan e-visa, saya apply online,dengan 3 langkah mudah, dan membayar 25$, print and ready to go. Check https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
Untuk Egyptian, ternyata hanya yang dibawah umur 21 dan diatas 45 yang boleh apply. Selain itu harus apply dari embassy. Mereka menyusahkan orang Mesir kesana. Umur 21, belum punya uang, umur 45, udah tua, jadi sedikit kemungkinan yang datang. Ya, kan?

Jadi, selama 3 kali ke Turkey, saya pakai 3 cara yang berbeda.

Kalau kalian mau ke Turkey dari Indonesia, gampang sekali caranya, tidak usah ke Embassy lagi ya. 

USA Trip (part 1)

NEW YORK

America, how in the world does this so called the Greatest Nation not in my bucket list? Because I was thinking that it is so out of reach, and also I am not very optimistic I would be able to go there. But, being out of my bucket list doesn’t make this country impossible for me. And by working with an American school, will help me with the visa application.

04 October, 2014

The time is come. I need to go. I call taxi and pay 100 SR (38 $) to the airport. Get there early and wait in the mosque while using internet for 2 hours. I fly to Abu Dhabi for 2.5 hours, transit for 5 hours. Fly to NY for 14 hours. The food and movies are amazing. Overall flight, I watch many movies, here are the titles I remembered, "The Other Woman", my left over "Spiderman" from the last flight, sitcom "2 Broke Girls", "Mom", and that Australian doctor i forgot the title, "Chef", "Blended", "the Lunch Box", "Captain America" (but fell asleep), the Fault is in Our Stars,  and more movies I couldn't really remember now. 

05 October, 2014

From Abu Dhabi, we take off around 02.30 AM, pretty much a red eye flight, I doze off as soon as I sit on my seat, but not for long, I wake up to a delicious pre-ordered seafood meal. Etihad's food is always great, like shrimp salad, fish biryani, white sauce fish pasta, smoked salmon sandwich are entertaining my taste bud. Strange, I I feel like go back in time, we leave when it is dark, then sunrise, and I pray my subuh (morning) prayer, but then it becomes dark again! Few minutes before landing, I can see NEW YORK!!! I saw Coney Island, beautiful American houses with green lawn, the bridge, still can not believe I will be arriving in NY. Looking back to my VISA process that is approved only 2 days before my flight, and I have to buy all the tickets in the same day. It is not a trip I plan for a long time, still feel like a dream until now. 

JFK airport - pass the custom and border protection- got my entry stamp, then wait for the checked luggage. Well, Wi-FI is good and I update my status on Facebook, "hello New York!"

Got the purple luggage I borrow from my friend, walk outside, and followed the sign for AirTrain. Saw 1 train is waiting, I run but not so sure that the train will go to the stop which will continue to Queens. I  have to ask somebody. Yup, that is the one, but the door closed in front of my eyes. The next one is coming in 20 minutes. Great, first missing train.

It is around noon when I reach the hotel. I spend 3 hours just to reach the hotel, I am just being careful, and afraid to get lost. My hotel is Q4 in Queens Plaza North, a night for 45$, female dormitory with 4 beds and en-suited bathroom, great new hotel.

I check in but I can not go to my room yet.  I leave my luggages, but still have to carry my backpack and camera bag with me. For sure I am so tired and longing to lay down in a bed, but check in only at 4pm. I have 4 hours to explore. it forces me to step to the station and head to Manhattan. I purchased metro card for 7 days pass for 31$. 

Grand Central is only 4 stops away from Queensboro Plaza Station. I am not going to the main building, just go out from the nearest exit, and buy falafel sandwich from halal food truck. I am shaking from hunger. I do not know where to go, my map is my guide. I do not manage to buy local SIM. I see Grand Central Station from outside,so huge and beautiful. Few blocks from there, I see Chrysler building. I walk toward National Library, there is a Polish Parade, road blockage, and have to walk around to reach Bryant Park. I sit down on the park's seat, while having a salty pretzel for 3$ I think. I stop for a while, enjoying the view of people reading books, pigeon chasing after my scattered pretzel. I keep on repeating myself "I am in New York, I am in New York... !" I wish I can stay longer and read some book, or explore the interior of National Library. I am a librarian, and I do not even step my foot inside a great library like National Library in New York, what kind of Librarian am I? In my defense, I have limited time to explore NY in 4 days, I can't really spend long time in one place.

I walk toward Times Square, and still think wether to buy a hop on hop off bus ticket - my original plan was to buy 2 days pass- but turn down by a negative review, or only use subway.

All this time watching American movies, I do not really care about the setting that take place in NY, I never interested to visit NY, until I do some research few days before traveling.

My feet are killing me, I go to Sketchers shoes store, no offers. I have to hold on. Walking around Times Square is magical. I want to walk straight to Central Park, but I have to find a mosque to pray. There is one in Lexington 45th st. Not bad, saw many beautiful places on the way there, like Rockefeller Center, branded stores, what not.

Finally!! after walking for about 2 hours! The parade again made me do the maneuver just to cross the street. I miss the masjid, because it is just a part of a building with small sign like other stores. I go up to 3rd floor, but Have to go back to the basement for the wudhu, ouch. It is half an hour before magrib prayer, Alhamdulillah I can catch the 2 prayers. I go down to find refreshment, I buy tea and spicy sambousa, yum! Halal, man!

Maghrib time but I decide to pray in the hotel room, I don't want to wait and go up 3rd floor anymore. But I really should just pray. Well, I headed to find the tramway to Roosevelt Island. But I find Bloomingdale on my way - big discount- but too tired to shop. Few blocks away, I found the tramway, I use my metro card and up we go to the Roosevelt Island. I regret I do not go in the day time, I can explore this beautiful Island. I go straight to the subway station and take F line, going to 21st Queens Bridge. Oh no, I have to walk around 8 blocks, in the dark, nobody is there. I arrive at the hotel at 10 pm. This time is real check in. I go to the common kitchen to make dinner (indomie noodle!) upload some pictures, and sleeeeeep. 7 hours of walking and sightseeing, I see many places. 

06 October, 2014

I wake up at 8 am. Very late! I prepare and plan for the day, and finally go outside at 12 noon, so very late!

to be continued....

Long vacation, nowhere to go, collecting my travel stories

I have been working and traveling the whole 5 year. Now I have 2 months vacation, so bored at home. So, this is my time to edit pictures and videos and write my traveling journeys. I hope I still remember them all. Hmm.. I wish I could go somewhere, or to my parents' house, but I need to save up for my master degree.