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I went to Jogja mid-April for a friend's wedding after four years. Vacation which felt more like a staycation. But I am happy. I spent my two days coffee-hopping and staying inside the inn because I am tired from accumulated months of working.

The inn I was stayed at, Woodpecker Pavilion, was quite far from downtown but it's near colleges thus made it the region of student's dorms. Also mean one thing: cheap food. I only managed to try Ayam Geprek Bu Rum nearby for lunch yet believe me I am still craving for it a month later. There's a coffee shop on the lower ground which I haven't managed to try. But I definitely will stay here again next time.


Aside from the wedding I only spent my two days coffee hopping. First was Couvee, newly opened coffee store in Seturan. The ambiance was so nice albeit chilly (I wear rather flowy tops too so it contributed, maybe). When we came it was packed with people spending the night or students finishing their assignment. I ordered Java which has quite a strong acidity level but not enough to keep me awake. I really like it. I will definitely come to the one in Jakarta soon.


The second one was Filosofi Kopi in Jogja. I went to the one in Jakarta just before I went to this one. While the Jakarta counterpart uses former building of a bespoke tailoring shop, its Jogja counterpart uses mini houses with one giant house in the center as brewing spot and cashier table. Makes it more homey and perfect to spend an hour or two (my friend said the night view is one to die for). The barista sold me on caramel latte but it was too sweet. Better stick with the usual latte then.

Too short? Yes. Well needed? Absolutely. Would do it again? Maybe, with better planning. I would like to try a week off.

Where have you gone lately?

Jogjakarta

7/07/2019


I went to Jogja mid-April for a friend's wedding after four years. Vacation which felt more like a staycation. But I am happy. I spent my two days coffee-hopping and staying inside the inn because I am tired from accumulated months of working.

The inn I was stayed at, Woodpecker Pavilion, was quite far from downtown but it's near colleges thus made it the region of student's dorms. Also mean one thing: cheap food. I only managed to try Ayam Geprek Bu Rum nearby for lunch yet believe me I am still craving for it a month later. There's a coffee shop on the lower ground which I haven't managed to try. But I definitely will stay here again next time.


Aside from the wedding I only spent my two days coffee hopping. First was Couvee, newly opened coffee store in Seturan. The ambiance was so nice albeit chilly (I wear rather flowy tops too so it contributed, maybe). When we came it was packed with people spending the night or students finishing their assignment. I ordered Java which has quite a strong acidity level but not enough to keep me awake. I really like it. I will definitely come to the one in Jakarta soon.


The second one was Filosofi Kopi in Jogja. I went to the one in Jakarta just before I went to this one. While the Jakarta counterpart uses former building of a bespoke tailoring shop, its Jogja counterpart uses mini houses with one giant house in the center as brewing spot and cashier table. Makes it more homey and perfect to spend an hour or two (my friend said the night view is one to die for). The barista sold me on caramel latte but it was too sweet. Better stick with the usual latte then.

Too short? Yes. Well needed? Absolutely. Would do it again? Maybe, with better planning. I would like to try a week off.

Where have you gone lately?

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A little after Eid Al-Fitr, I went to a mall just outskirt of the city. If you've been to Japan, then you must've heard AEON Mall. This one is their first branch in Jakarta and been open for around two years. The main attraction is definitely the food court filled with a variety of Japanese food in the ground floor. There's also ramen village on the top floor along with a handful of stalls opened here and there. Not to mention their main attraction: Sakura Park with illumination lights in the outdoor area.

More info: 





But actually, I came to this place to meet this wonderful lady 👩👈👩

Peni and I have been friends since LiveJournal days, back to more than ten years ago. I couldn't quite remember how we could get connected but we oftentimes talk through comments in respective blogs. We talked back and forth and suddenly it's years after our meeting and I realized we haven't met yet. So during the holiday we talked and finally we met.

Listening to her stories going here and there across the world is beyond marvelous. From streets of Paris to Machu Picchu and Japan (check out her travel instagram too!). We bonded along the way in her car, talking about practically everything as if we're never short on stories. Stuffing our tummy with the abundance of food and beverages here and there, going window shopping, a lot of conversation in between, it was nothing short of amazing. Honestly kicked myself, Why didn't I try to meet her sooner? But then again, maybe I would hear less of her traveling stories so it was a perfect time.

I met Peni years after our meeting in the internet and honestly, I can't wait to meet you guys too. Fingers crossed for that day in the future.

Trip to AEON Mall and Conversations in between

7/07/2017












A little after Eid Al-Fitr, I went to a mall just outskirt of the city. If you've been to Japan, then you must've heard AEON Mall. This one is their first branch in Jakarta and been open for around two years. The main attraction is definitely the food court filled with a variety of Japanese food in the ground floor. There's also ramen village on the top floor along with a handful of stalls opened here and there. Not to mention their main attraction: Sakura Park with illumination lights in the outdoor area.

More info: 





But actually, I came to this place to meet this wonderful lady 👩👈👩

Peni and I have been friends since LiveJournal days, back to more than ten years ago. I couldn't quite remember how we could get connected but we oftentimes talk through comments in respective blogs. We talked back and forth and suddenly it's years after our meeting and I realized we haven't met yet. So during the holiday we talked and finally we met.

Listening to her stories going here and there across the world is beyond marvelous. From streets of Paris to Machu Picchu and Japan (check out her travel instagram too!). We bonded along the way in her car, talking about practically everything as if we're never short on stories. Stuffing our tummy with the abundance of food and beverages here and there, going window shopping, a lot of conversation in between, it was nothing short of amazing. Honestly kicked myself, Why didn't I try to meet her sooner? But then again, maybe I would hear less of her traveling stories so it was a perfect time.

I met Peni years after our meeting in the internet and honestly, I can't wait to meet you guys too. Fingers crossed for that day in the future.
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May 13-13th, 2017. Ennichisai Little Tokyo in Blok M

Familiar places. Familiar faces. Familiar tenants. Familiar language. The always happy and enthusiastic crowd. The smell of takoyaki and okonomiyaki in the air. Shouts of "Come in!". Broken Indonesian language. Broken Japanese language. Endless laughs and cheers. Japanese people. Ojisan in haori. Colorful yukata. Ever so shiny omikoshi. Music. Loud music. Traditional music. Modern music. Cover songs. Cosplays. Family cosplay. Girls in pigtail and ponytail. Discounted goods. The smell of grilled squid/ikayaki. The first bite of ikayaki. Tenderness and juiciness of ikayaki. Rows and rows of merchandises. The tenants' mascots turned celebrities. The couple who asked me to take a photo of them together under the lantern in golden hour. The photo was lovely. Golden hour. Orange sky. Hesitation and confusion over dinner. Yummy and too filling karaage made by a very lovely aunt. Feeling so bloated and unable to move afterward. The night filled with neon lights. The endless wave of people. Familiar scene.

Also, discovering what is HDR for. Damn.

Ennichisai Little Tokyo 2017

6/09/2017







May 13-13th, 2017. Ennichisai Little Tokyo in Blok M

Familiar places. Familiar faces. Familiar tenants. Familiar language. The always happy and enthusiastic crowd. The smell of takoyaki and okonomiyaki in the air. Shouts of "Come in!". Broken Indonesian language. Broken Japanese language. Endless laughs and cheers. Japanese people. Ojisan in haori. Colorful yukata. Ever so shiny omikoshi. Music. Loud music. Traditional music. Modern music. Cover songs. Cosplays. Family cosplay. Girls in pigtail and ponytail. Discounted goods. The smell of grilled squid/ikayaki. The first bite of ikayaki. Tenderness and juiciness of ikayaki. Rows and rows of merchandises. The tenants' mascots turned celebrities. The couple who asked me to take a photo of them together under the lantern in golden hour. The photo was lovely. Golden hour. Orange sky. Hesitation and confusion over dinner. Yummy and too filling karaage made by a very lovely aunt. Feeling so bloated and unable to move afterward. The night filled with neon lights. The endless wave of people. Familiar scene.

Also, discovering what is HDR for. Damn.
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I went on A Walk to Understand on March 25th. A walking tour to places of worship of some religions in Pasar Baru area. In short: Indonesia acknowledged six religions: Islam, Christian, Catholic, Buddha, Hindu, and Confucianism. Despite so, place of worship of other religion is allowed to build if the community in its surrounding area approved the building.


A Walk to Understand

5/24/2017


I went on A Walk to Understand on March 25th. A walking tour to places of worship of some religions in Pasar Baru area. In short: Indonesia acknowledged six religions: Islam, Christian, Catholic, Buddha, Hindu, and Confucianism. Despite so, place of worship of other religion is allowed to build if the community in its surrounding area approved the building.


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My office would be moved to a new place sometime around April, to a place twice the distance from home. Pretty much in the center of Jakarta. Not to mention it's an actual working environment, unlike the current office that built near people's neighborhood and school. Last Saturday, I feel like wanting to see the new place plus trying a new mode of transportation to get there: train. I want to measure the distance and see which stops I should take to reach the office. So off I went.

What A Trainventure!

3/17/2017



My office would be moved to a new place sometime around April, to a place twice the distance from home. Pretty much in the center of Jakarta. Not to mention it's an actual working environment, unlike the current office that built near people's neighborhood and school. Last Saturday, I feel like wanting to see the new place plus trying a new mode of transportation to get there: train. I want to measure the distance and see which stops I should take to reach the office. So off I went.

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may 14-15th, ennichisai little tokyo 2016
my third time coming to this lovely event. despite the massive crowd and sudden drizzle on first day, everything was what matsuri should've been. a japanese-indonesian fusion festival at least. i came alone but meeting many people on the spot. it was fun, and the food is always great.

Ennichisai Little Tokyo 2016

5/17/2016

,
may 14-15th, ennichisai little tokyo 2016
my third time coming to this lovely event. despite the massive crowd and sudden drizzle on first day, everything was what matsuri should've been. a japanese-indonesian fusion festival at least. i came alone but meeting many people on the spot. it was fun, and the food is always great.

more

"confined by bonds; tied" definitely
the first time i went to jogjakarta (shortened to jogja) was on 2003 on junior high school farewell trip. all i remember was it was so vast and humble. not much of tall buildings. the most memorable one was riding horse carriage from alun-alun all the way to malioboro for shopping with friends. we also went to prambanan but overall everything is such a distant memory now.

fast forward to 2015. a coworker-slash-good friend of mine said she's going to hold a wedding after christmas in magelang (located at north of jogjakarta, where borobudur temple at). in a heartbeat i said i'm going to attend and asked for her help regarding my first trip out of town. few weeks later, i'm all set.

(p.s. imagine the length i'd go for a dear friend. good attitude can bring you places and opportunities, people. choose your dearest ones carefully.)

Jogjakarta Bound

2/02/2016


"confined by bonds; tied" definitely
the first time i went to jogjakarta (shortened to jogja) was on 2003 on junior high school farewell trip. all i remember was it was so vast and humble. not much of tall buildings. the most memorable one was riding horse carriage from alun-alun all the way to malioboro for shopping with friends. we also went to prambanan but overall everything is such a distant memory now.

fast forward to 2015. a coworker-slash-good friend of mine said she's going to hold a wedding after christmas in magelang (located at north of jogjakarta, where borobudur temple at). in a heartbeat i said i'm going to attend and asked for her help regarding my first trip out of town. few weeks later, i'm all set.

(p.s. imagine the length i'd go for a dear friend. good attitude can bring you places and opportunities, people. choose your dearest ones carefully.)

more
borobudur. revisited
i figured posting about borobudur first would make me feel less guilty about the delayed backpacking post. seriously, where the hell i've been? january passed almost too quickly.

about borobudur, i remember myself staring at the greenery from the very top of the temple, thinking, maybe the elders built borobudur for a place to gather together while looking and surrounded by everything beautiful. i wonder if the workers once stopped to soak in such overwhelmingly lovely scenery.

i'm kind of jealous now haha

we went there on sunday and it's as if tourists decided to flood this place. ugh, so much for long holidays. but most of them are okay. the queue is better now that everything is more technologically-operated. the surroundings are more preserved than when i went there on the '90s. also it's nice to see some boyscouts and girlscouts helping the tourists. all in all, it was really nice. except the super long long way to the exit. it was more tiring than the climb to the top.

Borobudur

1/21/2016

borobudur. revisited
i figured posting about borobudur first would make me feel less guilty about the delayed backpacking post. seriously, where the hell i've been? january passed almost too quickly.

about borobudur, i remember myself staring at the greenery from the very top of the temple, thinking, maybe the elders built borobudur for a place to gather together while looking and surrounded by everything beautiful. i wonder if the workers once stopped to soak in such overwhelmingly lovely scenery.

i'm kind of jealous now haha

we went there on sunday and it's as if tourists decided to flood this place. ugh, so much for long holidays. but most of them are okay. the queue is better now that everything is more technologically-operated. the surroundings are more preserved than when i went there on the '90s. also it's nice to see some boyscouts and girlscouts helping the tourists. all in all, it was really nice. except the super long long way to the exit. it was more tiring than the climb to the top.

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home. far away from home
i found this lovely guesthouse from airbnb while searching for a place to stay while in jogjakarta. rates have hiked up and everything was fully booked. but there're slot for the dates i want in this place, so i asked through whatsapp. after negotiating for a while, my book was placed.

(tip for locals, ask through whatsapp/call to get cheaper rates!)

the place is what homey all about. although it lies just five minutes from the bustling tourist spot malioboro, the place was quiet, homey, and clean. the alley where it's located might look shady, but once you reached the place, it was an absolute getaway. the room was small but managed to fit for 3 people with extra bed. they also provide free breakfast with limited selection of indonesian and western cuisine. they were excellent. i also sleep peacefully every night. also the design, the design!! everything is top notch in its simplicity. jogjakarta's own modesty.

i don't take many photos because we're practically going places on 2,5 days of our stay in jogjakarta. but the photos in airbnb and instagram can give you glimpse about the place.

funny story. when i checked-in on path app, a friend commented that this place was her aunt's and her cousin was the architect. funny how coincidences met.

more of jogjakarta and trip to borobudur on next installments of how i popped my backpacker cherry!

Pawon Cokelat
Sosrowijayan Wetan
Gg. 01 No.102
Malioboro – Yogyakarta

info@pawoncokelat.com // pawoncokelat.com // airbnb


Check This Out: Pawon Cokelat

1/12/2016

,
home. far away from home
i found this lovely guesthouse from airbnb while searching for a place to stay while in jogjakarta. rates have hiked up and everything was fully booked. but there're slot for the dates i want in this place, so i asked through whatsapp. after negotiating for a while, my book was placed.

(tip for locals, ask through whatsapp/call to get cheaper rates!)

the place is what homey all about. although it lies just five minutes from the bustling tourist spot malioboro, the place was quiet, homey, and clean. the alley where it's located might look shady, but once you reached the place, it was an absolute getaway. the room was small but managed to fit for 3 people with extra bed. they also provide free breakfast with limited selection of indonesian and western cuisine. they were excellent. i also sleep peacefully every night. also the design, the design!! everything is top notch in its simplicity. jogjakarta's own modesty.

i don't take many photos because we're practically going places on 2,5 days of our stay in jogjakarta. but the photos in airbnb and instagram can give you glimpse about the place.

funny story. when i checked-in on path app, a friend commented that this place was her aunt's and her cousin was the architect. funny how coincidences met.

more of jogjakarta and trip to borobudur on next installments of how i popped my backpacker cherry!

Pawon Cokelat
Sosrowijayan Wetan
Gg. 01 No.102
Malioboro – Yogyakarta

info@pawoncokelat.com // pawoncokelat.com // airbnb


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that late trip to ikea alam sutra 

being that lazybum-anti-mainstream-girl i am, i didn't jump on the bandwagon to do the great migration to ikea alam sutera when it opened late 2014. i will never understand how people always want to be the first to see opening of a venue/shop/outlet/whatever. it's so crowded i can't even breathe omg n o p e . and lbr, after few reviews saying that the lingonberry jam isn't available there, i was kinda disappointed. so yeah, the trip would have to wait.

so there i was, coming for the first time to the most raved housewares and furniture store all of my fave bloggers talked about. impressions? it was massive, yet so beautifully arranged. they made me want to sit on every couch available, touch all the sheets, basically they made me want to explore everything. and they made me want to buy everything. how come? it's as if they crafted each section in detail. left nothing abandoned. i feel like i've been transported to sweden all of a sudden.

in short, i was impressed.

probably the downside is that we have to queue for so long to get the infamous swedish meatballs (we gave up halfway) and how indonesians are too lazy to clean up after their mess (it's written in every table but everyone ignored it. no surprise). so we just headed downstairs for the ice cream instead. it's so yummy.

i ended up bought nothing but i made up a long list in my blue sheet. future things to buy. how's ikea in your country looks like? (please spoil me on the lingonberry jam. i'm so curious yeah)

{ gifted cardigan // uniqlo tank top and jeans // h&m bag }

An Afternoon At Ikea

5/29/2015






that late trip to ikea alam sutra 

being that lazybum-anti-mainstream-girl i am, i didn't jump on the bandwagon to do the great migration to ikea alam sutera when it opened late 2014. i will never understand how people always want to be the first to see opening of a venue/shop/outlet/whatever. it's so crowded i can't even breathe omg n o p e . and lbr, after few reviews saying that the lingonberry jam isn't available there, i was kinda disappointed. so yeah, the trip would have to wait.

so there i was, coming for the first time to the most raved housewares and furniture store all of my fave bloggers talked about. impressions? it was massive, yet so beautifully arranged. they made me want to sit on every couch available, touch all the sheets, basically they made me want to explore everything. and they made me want to buy everything. how come? it's as if they crafted each section in detail. left nothing abandoned. i feel like i've been transported to sweden all of a sudden.

in short, i was impressed.

probably the downside is that we have to queue for so long to get the infamous swedish meatballs (we gave up halfway) and how indonesians are too lazy to clean up after their mess (it's written in every table but everyone ignored it. no surprise). so we just headed downstairs for the ice cream instead. it's so yummy.

i ended up bought nothing but i made up a long list in my blue sheet. future things to buy. how's ikea in your country looks like? (please spoil me on the lingonberry jam. i'm so curious yeah)

{ gifted cardigan // uniqlo tank top and jeans // h&m bag }
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