Back to the Land of "Smiles"

Last Wednesday Alo and I took a half day off work and set off for our second trip to Thailand. This trip we decided to try out the southern islands on the west coast of Thailand. We visited Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and James Bond island and surrounding areas.  Phuket is Thailand's largest island (approximately the size of Singapore) so needless to say we didn't manage to see it all - but tried our best of course!

Air Asia has direct flights from Jakarta to Phuket so it's a quick 2.5-3 hour flight and you are there! We arrived, checked in at our hotel, and headed to Patong since we were feeling a little adventurous.  Patong lived up to everything I've heard about it - and other than just going to see it - I'd probably steer clear of that area unless you are in the market for some pretty Ladyboys and Ping pong shows. It's intensely crowded and full of foreigners - but certainly a sight to see.

You see all kinds of flashy things on the main streets of Patong

They said this little one is a baby monkey. He had on a little outfit but you can't see it. He was so cute!

Well hello there!

Tough guy!

I was so scared he would bite my lips!

My parents definitely need to put this game at their river place! We lost every time!

Alo and I spent one day on the trip just venturing around the northern part of the island on the scooter. Can never get away from at least one day on that scooter! ha.  We started from the Kamala beach area and went North to the less crowded areas of the island. The beach below was our favorite so we took a couple hours of the day to just relax on the beach and eat some yummy Thai food.

Would recommend this beach if you stay near Kamala. But be ready to hike down very steep stairs - and about 150 of them!

Laem Sing beach

Laem Sing again..

Just hanging out at the gas station. In case you are confused the gas is behind me in the glass bottles. And of course notice our sweet "hog" as Alo likes to call it.

These forests were just gorgeous. Unlike anything I've ever seen.  All the trees were planted perfectly in rows from no matter what angle you were looking at them (kinda hard to explain but really neat).

Loved our hotel - Cape Sienna - this was the rooftop bar before sunset.

More of the hotel at sunset...

Ate here our last night and LOVED it. Best Thai food from the whole trip - it's located at Kamala beach.

We had to do another Thai lantern on the beach  :) 

Phuket was great but my favorite was the Koh Phi Phi islands.  I would certainly recommend the trip though because there is a lot to see and tons of hotel/villa choices for very cheap prices! Trying to already convince Alo to let me plan our next trip to the Northern part of Thailand - Chang Mai! So many places to see and so far I loved all of them! Next posts - Koh Phi Phi and James Bond island!

My first "real" waterfall

I sent my oldest brother, John, a photo of the waterfall we visited in Lombok this past weekend and told him I've never seen one before and he asked me if I've been living under a rock! Alo also made fun of me but he swears I've seen one before. The closest ones I can think of are Great Falls near DC and the place in my hometown near Eagle Rock and neither of those compared to this so I'm going to stick with this as being my first "real" visit to a waterfall.

Alo and I went to the island of Lombok for the weekend which is about a 2 hr flight from Jakarta.  We'd been to Gili Trawangan back in February of last year which is a small island off of Lombok but we never stayed or explored around Lombok so we had to check it out.

Alo did a great job finding an amazing place for us to stay and at a pretty good deal. A couple ran the hotel and were so great - we just loved them. Also, the place only had 5 rooms so it was tiny. It was way up on a hill called Puncak and the view was gorgeous. I would definitely recommend this place - it's called The Puncak.

It did rain a TON, and by a ton I mean everyday almost all day. But regardless we still had a great weekend and it certainly didn't stop Alo from renting a scooter for two days for us to ride around the island on - can you tell it's not exactly my idea of fun in the rain? :)

We visited another island off Lombok this time called Gili Air. It's the smallest one of all three (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air). We rented a wooden longboat and headed over to the island. We stopped right off the beach and jumped out to snorkel.  I just love the Gili's because you don't even need to get on a boat - you can always just snorkel right off the beach and there are so many beautiful fish. Not a ton of large ones but so many different little fish.  At one point I was snorkeling around and the fish were literally all in my face and I couldn't figure out why?? Soon enough I realized I was close to another boat and the guys on it were throwing pieces of bread around me. Grand idea and I plan on always bringing bread with me from here on out. It's just such an amazing feeling to have a hundred or more beautiful vibrant colored fish swarming you and knowing they don't bite :) or hoping they don't! ha.  Our camera died right after we started snorkeling but here are a couple I snapped right before...

The beaches are beautiful and clear but it's hard to tell with no sun!

If you click on this picture to make it larger you can see all the fish coming straight for me!

This fish says - "pucker up!"

Soon after we started snorkeling around it started pouring so we went to a small restaurant on the beach for lunch and to wait out the rain.  It was called Scallywags and is a great place to just "chill".  The rain never stopped so eventually we just made a break for it and headed back to Lombok. The distance isn't far - I think it took like 15 or 20 minutes on the way over because the boat doesn't go too fast.  Well on the way back it went very slow - because our engine wouldn't start! Typical day in Indonesia - nothing ever goes as planned :) Luckily as we were floating out in the ocean yet still close to Gili Air, another larger boat with about 15 locals standing up heading to Lombok tied our rope onto their boat and off we went. That's one thing I do love about Indonesians - people are always willing to lend a hand here and help each other out and it's so common. We made it back and of course then had another hour or more scooter ride back to our hotel in the pouring rain. I don't own a rain jacket (i've finally convinced Alo i really do need one now!) and so I suited up with a semi-wet towel on my back as Alo had a nice warm jacket.  Alo got us back safe and sound and we even made it home for the sunset as the rained stopped!

Back to the beginning of this post and the true highlight of Lombok for me - the Benang Kelambu Waterfall in Central Lombok.  Note to self - don't wear flip flops on these types of adventures - still need to purchase those outdoor shoes along with that raincoat! Anywho - we paid for a local guide to take us through the trek and it's certainly a good idea. There were all kinds of trails so we wouldn't have known where to go alone nor would it have been half as fun.  We reached the first waterfall pretty quickly and it was beautiful and there were only about 5 other people there with us.  There are two other very famous waterfalls in Lombok however this one is the least publicized so mainly only locals know about it (thanks for our driver who told us!)  Alo and our guide both swam but unfortunately I didn't wear my bathing suit so I sat this one out. Quite a bummer though because they say swimming in the waterfall makes you a year younger! ha.  Alo said it was freezing!

Brrrrr!

We started the hike to the next one which took some time and was much more of a raw trail in my opinion, meaning no steps just mainly mud since it's rained so much.  The next one was my favorite. Just absolutely beautiful.  And we were the only people around.  I just loved the entire experience.  I could have just sat there all day on a rock - it had such a pure and relaxing feel to it.  It did rain on us almost the whole treck through the jungle but was still just as great as it could have been.  Certainly recommend visiting these if you have a chance. Oh and be ready for the intense bumpy car ride to get there :)

Our guide gave us banana leaves to use as umbrellas - Genius!...we did however still get soaked :)

Overall I really enjoyed Lombok.  It is significantly less developed than Bali and has a much more calm and quiet feel to it in my opinion. The "touristy" areas of Lombok weren't crowded at all and there just aren't nearly as many options or posh places like Bali.  I also love the Gili's and think their beaches are the nicest out of Lombok or Bali (unless you are a surfer of course).  Either way - it's win-win wherever you go!

<3

On a side note - don't eat a Warung Bule in Kuta-Lombok unless you want to be terribly ill for days! Speaking from experience here...

Fasionista

This week Alo and I were invited to attend Indonesia Fashion Week 2012.  We only went to the closing runway show on the last night but there are many events that last all week long.  There are also two other fashion weeks that I think are bigger than this one - Jakarta Fashion Week and Bali Fashion Week. Doesn't make alot of since to me that they have 3 but regardless I was super excited to be able to attend one.  My friend in Jakarta owns a business that sells bathing suit and undergarmet and has shops in both Jakarta and about 10 in Bali.  He knows many of the designers in Jakarta so we tagged along with him.  This is nowhere near the calibar that NY Fashion week is I'm SURE, however it was very interesting to see nonetheless!  And the fashions were certainly different from American or European shows.  The show included top singers in Jakarta as well as important socialities from Indonesia.  There were singers dancing and singing down the runway at the same time the models were - like I said - quite different! ha.  The most surprising was seeing a pregnant girl on the runway! Of course I know nothing about fashion shows and models but thought it was rare to feature this until my friend informed me that she was a socialite therefore that is why she was in the show.  She looked great and was all belly!(envy these girls - one can be hopeful!)

Here are some photos below from the show. All were taken on my cell phone because of course we forgot the camera :)

I think i'll stick to my bargain shopping style :)

Creambaths - Aaaamazing!

When I first moved here back in June all of my co-workers kept telling me I had to get a "Creambath". Well initially you probably are thinking something where you bathe in a bathtub. No. It's strictyly just for your hair, however it also involves a massage that is to die for!  I finally tried one a month or two ago and it was so amazing I debated asking the little guy who did it to marry me :) It cost about $13 dollars at the salon I went to in the mall(this didn't include the cost for a blow dry so that is an additional $8). Some are cheaper and some are more expensive. It all depends on what type of product they are using and the salon. 

Hair is first washed then towel-dried in preparation for the cream application.  The cream is applied over your entire hair and scalp with a gentle head massage. This is followed by either wrapping your head with a warm towel or placing the top of your head in a steamer for 15-minutes, all to encourage blood circulation while opening hair roots to absorb the wonderful properties of the applied cream. During this time, your neck, shoulders and upper arms are treated to a tension releasing and stress reducing massage (the BEST one i've got yet!).

Finally, the cream is removed from your hair with a shampoo and rinse.  When they wash your hair it's so different from in the states. I feel like it takes them double the time because they are so particular and concentrate on it being the perfect wash.  The entire treatment leaves you with lustrous hair (ok truth be told I wouldn't go this far but read it online!) and when done on a regular basis, helps soften hair. Many local males even swear by hair cream baths as a method for preventing hair loss (maybe I need to bring it to America since men seem to have that problem alot! ha). 

One of the many low cost pampering methods in Indonesia! Alo's choice of relaxing is reflexology - and now has got me addicted! I found a favorite place across from my office that costs approx $11 for one hour...including a neck/shoulder massage as well. When I have no lunch plans and work isn't too crazy -  relexology it is! :)

Jockeys and Ojeks

No i'm not referring to jockeys in horse races - Jockeys are men, women or children who stand on the side of the road waiting to be picked up by drivers so that they can drive on certain main roads in Jakarta during peak hours.  There has to be at least 3 people in the car therefore most people pick up a Jockey on their way into work.  At first I thought - how dangerous?? Riding around with strangers in our car. Well it's just normal here.  The Jockey's rarely talk, they just hop in and ride along until they are told to hop out. They are usually paid about 15,000 rupiah (Less than $2).  They get in the car having no clue where the driver is heading or how long they will need them.  The craziest part of all is how young children are on the side of the road as Jockeys.  One day our Jockey was 10 years old and lived about 5 hours away from Jakarta.  He catches the train every morning alone and heads to Jakarta to be a Jockey for the day and make money for the family and goes back home on the train every night alone. It's really unimaginable.  And makes you think how incredibly blessed you are.  Mothers with the tiny babies in their fabric sling or young children by their side are also very common.

So if you don't have time to pick up a Jockey and sit in the intense traffic of Jakarta, your next option is to take an Ojek.  Ojeks are simply motorbikes and their owners that are parked on small side streets waiting for someone to hop on the back.  The driver hands you a sweaty/smelly helmet and off you both go.  The advantage is how quickly you can get from one place to the next.  Motorbikes can drive in between traffic and along the side of the cars making much faster time than any vehicle on the road.  The cost can vary - especially if you are an expat (someone from another country), and of course depends how far you are going.  Alo and many of my friends have taken Ojeks, but I have yet to work up the courage to take one.  Traffic in Jakarta is so incredibly bad and they have no rules so it's certainly not the safest mode of transportation :). Plust the sweaty helmet thing just makes me cringe!

Alo taking photos while on the back of the Ojek!

I took this last photo from the internet but it basically sums up what the traffic looks like on a daily basis. And you thought the DC area traffic was bad! 

I'll be home for Christmas...

So if you know me well...you know I LOVE Christmas. I clearly probably got that from my Mom and her love for Christmas and decorating!! I've been listening to Christmas music at home a little but not nearly as much as normal at work (Julia and Lauren and I would blast Christmas in our cubes in DC - ohh the good ol' days!).  But when I hear the song "I'll be home for Christmas"...it has a different meaning to me now and gets me thinking. It was never a question as if I'd be home for Christmas before. Even the year I had to work the day after and wake up at 3am to drive back to DC it still wasn't a question. I always made it home for Christmas of course. But this year was a little questionable back in June when I left for Indonesia. Would my work let me off?? If not is it worth traveling so far for a short time? Will the plane tickets be too expensive? Will I decide to stay in Asia and travel?

Now it's Dec 6th and it's only 9 days away until I leave to go home for Christmas!! I feel so blessed that I will be able to go home and spend time with my family and friends. I couldn't be happier.  I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful family whom I can't wait to see! I feel so thankful for all our traditions at the holidays and so thankful for where I'm from.  Being so far away has made me realize how much I love my hometown and how amazing it is.  And more importantly the people who live in it.  All my immediate family lives in Botetourt/Roanoke except me which makes it even harder to be so far away. But luckily my Mom and Aunt are very tech savvy and keep me updated on ALL of them daily through BBM, email, Facebook and Skype :)

So I plan on continuing to play my new Michael Buble Christmas album on repeat (thanks Aloysuis!) and enjoying my tropical Christmas until next Friday when my flight leaves! Can't wait to see everyone!!

Second stop in Thailand - Koh Samui & Koh Tao!

After Bangkok we flew on the cutest little plane (painted with fish just like the sea) to Koh Samui, one of the many islands in Thailand.  Koh Samui is located in the gulf so not near the famous Koh Phi Phi everyone may have heard of (in the movie the beach).  It's only about an hour or less flight from Bangkok.  

For the first part of our trip we stayed in Bo Phut right beside Fisherman's Village. It was such a cute area on the island I would certainly recommend it! Fisherman's Village is a tiny street lined with restaurants right on the beach and tons of shops and street vendors. Oh and of course I can't forget the amazing banana pancakes they made on the street in the push carts. Yummmm! 

Our first hotel on the islands - so pretty at night!

Notice something in the background?! hehe


 Bugs for dessert anyone?! yuckyy!

One of the first days, we each rented our own scooters (yes I've graduated and decided to drive my own ...hint - it's WAY better!) I did good but certainly still feel major anxiety come on when there are huge trucks or traffic around me! We drove around as much as the island as possible in one day and got to see many different beaches and stopped along the way to sight see.

Notice the gas station on my right side! 

Big Buddha on Koh Samui

We got to make a wish before sending the lantern away on the beach :)

On the way to Koh Tao! He's pretty handsome :)

After staying on the island a couple days we took the boat to Koh Tao which is about 2 hours away from Koh Samui.  First the boat stops in Koh Phangan which is where they hold the famous "Full Moon Party" but sadly there wasn't a full moon during our stay so we decided to skip the island and go on to Koh Tao.  This island was much smaller than Koh Samui and wasn't nearly as developed. The beaches were also nicer. Loved our little hut on the beach :)

The beach in front of our place

If only this was my daily view from my room in Jakarta!

Our first night out on Koh Tao we went to some bars on the beach and these 3 guys were our entertainment with their fire! It was so crazy. Here he is twirling the fire and a guy is letting him light his cigarette! No thank you! 

Koh Nang Yuan was an island directly beside Koh Tao that I LOVED! It was gorgeous. We rented a boat and a little man to drive us around the island for snorkling and a trip to Koh Nang Yuan for the day. Probably cost 40 bucks total - so worth it! And I just love the little wooden long tail boats!

Never have seen these before! You get close and they close up - the tiny blue ones are closed.

Getting back on the boat!

We left Koh Tao and went back to Koh Samui before leaving the islands and heading back home. We decided to stay in a different area called Chaweng this time. It's pretty much "party central" on the island.  Everything you can imagine on one long street. Ladyboy shows, restuarants, shops, and Thai massage places that stay open until like 1am! Yes we got a massage that late one night - why not?! :)

This was our last hotel called the Library in Chaweng. It had a red pool - kinda different than the typical blue ones!

So that was our Thailand island experience and we loved every minute of it! 

<3 Thailand