Posted on

Vitamin D – Part 2

I need to start with the fact that I’m not really a Museum type of girl. I only go there when the weather is bad, however exceptions applies #wink there are 2 famous Museums in Stuttgart. Are they a Castle Museum thingy? No! Instead…. Porsche and Mercedes Benz Museum! AAAAA

Let’s gooooo!

Took the SBahn to the Porsche Museum. On the intersection before entering the Museum, I saw one car that was so geheim, it was all covered, could be a brand new car from Porsche! Yo! I “witness” something!

The lady on the ticket counter asked if I’m a student, thank you Lady! Unfortunately no, then she asked if I come with DE Ticket, yes! so I got a Rabatt, who doesn’t like discounts?!?! 5 Euro entrance fee it was 🙂 She gave me an audio guide, let’s explore the world of Porsche!

They started directly by putting a racing cars, yes you can see some tractor style or just an expensive cars on the side but mainly its all about racing. It is really cool to see all of type of cars laying there to please your eyes 🙂 Funny things is I took a picture of a Porsche car who doesn’t have a door handle from the outside, find it?

They also have the let’s call it “ancient” car of Porsche, I have to admit, it has some style!

On the center floor, we could have a bit of Porsche Experience. They put a playing car like you have in Game Master Daytona, I played it for 3 laps to confirm what I already knew, I need to re-learn my driving ability. They displayed 3 Porsche cars, you can sit inside it. In my view, they are quiet low… followed by throwing a complaint to a car that I would never afford to have in this life haha Girl you got a discounted entrance ticket!

Oh what’s that?!?! One Disney Car caught my attention, from all the sports car available, I’m sold to a Disney Car! I thought it was the Susi-Car, a cartoon movie back then when me and my sister still small, we cried watching it. A story about broken car named Susi who looks exactly like this blue Porsche car. Susi was a Taxi Car yet no one wants to be on it as many of her parts were broken, therefore she needs a reparation. In the end, Susi had no other option other than go to the Werkstatt. But once she’s out, she’s new again! me and my sister were happy!

Getting closer to the plate, oh, it wasn’t a Susi-Car, it’s Sally Carrera from the movie Cars pfffff to be honest, I only remembered the color was blue haha!

I spend a good 3 hours inside the Museum.

Moving on to number 1 list to do when visiting Stuttgart, it’s the Mercedes Benz Museum. Oh! I read on the back of my Porsche Ticket that if I show it they will give me a Rabatt to enter Mercedes Benz, yuhuuu!! Money Wins! 9 Euro entrance ticket after the discount.

This is huge! like huge huge huge! the elevator took you to the 7th floor then you just go down in a loop like number 8. Amazing! My colleague, PV told me there are only 3 Mercedes car ever produced and one of them is in the Museum. This was my target, need to find it!

Back to the 7th floor, they showed us the history from only “the grandfather clock” machine

As I said each floor of Mercedes Benz Museum was design like a number 8, main car show in the middle, then pictures about what’s happening in the whole world on the one side of loop number 8, then “exhibitions” of some cars on the other side. This “exhibitions” could be a car for fire fighter, bus, football team, Pope. Ich bin echt überfordert!

I am already tired before I found the expensive car! I expect if one car is really only 3 exist in this world, it should be glass doored or at least with a security. I’m very surprise that wasn’t the case! Ladies and Gentleman, here is the most expensive car, the car that only sick people could afford. The 135 Million Euros’ car!

Imo, this car is geiler! Doesn’t mean it cost less money, nevertheless see the interior, color and design! TOP!

I felt satisfied to find the 135 Millions Euro car but not my stomach, I was hungry! Need to fast forward my walking speed! until I stumbled into….. okay I went there on the King Charles Coronation day. What did I see? a Mercedes that Princess Diana was once on it! ironic ehhh..

Reach 1st floor about the innovation of today with electric car and so on. For some reason it wasn’t so interessting, bring back the race car!

yes they did! Racing history 🙂

I spend a good 4,5 hours there, had I’ve been allowed to have some snacks while walking around inside the museum for sure I could reach 6 hours easily. At some point I was just tired and hungry, need to go out to eat or else I could faint!

Although I’m not a car-junkie I really think both are worth visiting for, only a recommendation, for Mercedes I really do think better go there after enjoying a big meal 😉

Posted on

Vitamin D

May in Deutschland, what can you offer? hmmm…

There are indeed more public holiday in May compare to other months, let me take you to a city called Stuttgart 🙂 For this trip I took 2 days off + weekend + 2 days mobile work + 1 national holiday = perfekt!

Texted Binbin’s, he welcomed me to stay at their apartment, very well received! Yes I’ll stay in your big place again! Happy to be back!

I am still traumatized with my first experience taking ICE from Dortmund to Stuttgart due to more than 2 hours delay and the end result was the train not stopping at Stuttgart Hbf. Opt to take a Flixbus, it took me 7,5 hours including 3x stops at the gas station, not so bad I’d say.

Arrived their apartments on 1st of May, Binbin was still in Amsterdam only Andreas was at home. No special things planned as it was already evening. Day number 2, I do home office while Andreas went to the real office. Binbin will be back late in the evening. I had a dinner plan with Beaaaaa! Last time I saw her was in year 2017, first time I met her was in Shanghai back in year 2013 whoaaaaa so excited to meet her again!

First dinner in Stuttgart with Beatrice!

We met in front of the Stiftskirche, since I was there earlier, I took myself to visit Markethalle. Although there are many interesting food there, I didn’t buy anything as we plan to eat Korean food! my oh my, how I miss Asian food!

We doubted between two Korean places, Soban or Mandu. We both visited the places yet decided to go to Soban as it has broader variety of menu. At first we felt like we couldn’t finish it but after sitting for more than 2 hours plus kept talking, you could guess right? yep! it’s all gone! we finished it! We or let’s say correctly, our intestines just need some times to digest the food before we deliver a new one.

There is always funny story you entdeckt when you meet your friends. One example is Bea wasn’t exactly sure how to pronounce my name! ha! caught her! I said some Germans are not pronouncing my R in Marlyn, to that she commented “no, its not that they are not pronouncing the R, they are swallowing the R” hmmm… okay? using this chance, I asked her “What’s my name Bea?” she’s like “eeehhh I’m not so sure” haha!

After all of those foods and laugh, we were strolling around the city. She used to work in Stuttgart so she more or less knows the place.

Then she drove me to Binbin’s apartment, thank you lovely Bea for the evening! Good food, good conversation, what else can I ask more? Blessing to have a friend like you.

Who else lives in this city? Nora!

My food nerds friend! Told her I want to have a Chinese food, later she suggested to have a Hotpot, yaissss! it has been sooooo long since I have a Hotpot! Basically because it’s always contain lots of dishes, for me, I’m living alone so eating all at once would be impossible, doesn’t matter how long you spend the time sitting on the chair eating.

We were 3 people, meaning without at doubt we could handle it! While Nora was preparing she asked me if I know one of the dishes, I said “potato noodles” she was totally begeistert I knew it 😉 Okay Nora, it’s a revelation time, Binbin made Potato Noodles at home for lunch, that’s the only reason why I knew it haha, not so begeistert now… right?

They live in a very cozy apartment, I hope someday I can buy an apartment too, for sure it will be smaller than theirs, on top of that, I need their luck to get the one that already has floor, kitchen, bathroom and lamps! Perhaps many more apartments so I could qualified to be a 包租婆 haha if Nora can’t realize her dreams, who knows? maybe I can 🙂 Thank you Jacob and Nora the 王木木! 😀

My brother Thorben! What a pleasant surprise to know you were in Stuttgart while I was there!

How can I miss not to see you? No way in hell! Binbin, let’s gooooo! Since Thorben only have a limited amount of time, we met in the Stadtmitte SBahn to have a drink in the Cafe nearby (P.S: it didn’t make us less happy!)

Then we went to Lululemon where Thorben always says “you don’t need to wait for me, I feel bad” Oh brother, don’t worry, we do have time, this is what happen when you really have no agenda haha

Afterwards, we separated in the SBahn, Binbin got an appointment, Thorben went to the hospital and I went to Porsche Museum #Tourist!

Last day already! #schoked! I do have more time on this visit but still not enough!

After I visited Mercedes Benz Museum, I go pick up Binbin while he was walking Emil. Then he went to Edeka and I’m waiting outside with Emil. Andreas was busy with Billy.

On the evening, let’s have Paella! Me and Andreas already calculated when should we change clothes, when should we leave the apartment so we can catch the bus on time to be there at 19:30 as our RSVP.

Seconds before we left the elevator, last check, Andreas asked Binbin “do you have the DE Ticket?” dadammm! Binbin forgot where is his ticket and he said “there’s no one will check” being a German, Andreas insist him to look for it, if he is Asian for sure we will just schwarzgefahren! hihi #adrenaline high!

We three almost starve to death while waiting for our Paella, yes we knew it will takes around 45 minutes but it was more than that! The waiter, he gave us some more bread, good enough to wait until our main food arrived. At the end, we couldn’t finish it so I took it home for my lunch on the train #no food waste!

Oh Shanghai, what an amazing people you kept introduced me, thank you for all the time guys! I think I will see you soon….as Andreas said I should come more often to put some rational thinking to Binbin, exhibit a. not buying 45 kg of stone from China haha 😉

Posted on

Verbal Illusion

  • She’s On The Money book for Irina – checked and checked 1000 times or else she would reject my arrival! #I have no doubt #It’s foreseeable
  • Food during my at least 4,5 hours DB Journey to Amsterdam – checked. Why at least? Because DB Bahn ist genau bekannt für die Pünktlichkeit.

Was my train delayed? certainly! there was some Chemical thingy happening in Venlo (btw Venlo is already Amsterdam) while I had to take another train from Venlo to Amsterdam. A glimpse of hope appears when ICE train on the next platform also stopped there. That ICE bound for Amsterdam from Frankfurt, perfekt! Hop on to that train thinking they could have taken another track, hoping I could have arrived earlier #innocence

That exact ICE has no clue when it will continue the journey, had to wait inside for about 1,5 hours before everyone started to panic. The guy sitting next to me called a Taxi from Amsterdam asked if they will be able to pick him up in the train station. There was a couple, she is a German while he….somewhere from EU, Spain or Italy or so, she was very active in searching a way out. She thought to take Uber to Roermond as it’s a bigger station then took any train to Amsterdam. I, on the other hand, stand by…. well, honestly not really stand by, I was more eavesdropping 😉 30 minutes later, the girl said according to Twitter, the firefighter already cleaned Venlo’s track hence all trains are able to departs again. Yeay!! Without further due, the machinist only blew the whistle once dann los geht’s! #no warning #no waiting time

I was so hungry when I finally reached Amsterdam Central. Irina was still working anyway, I got to eat yo! Indonesian food it is! What else other than Warung Made 🙂 back to Sarah!

I really felt like home in this Warung, chilled for a long while until the rain is somewhat bearable to continue my journey. Truth: it’s never bearable, welcome to Amsterdam 🙂

She got cat sitting job right after her normal job therefore I had to be at home alone, decided to take shower, put all my equipment at her bathroom. I brought my own shampoo, conditioner, face wash, basically everything except soap. I saw her soap was put upside down, lift it, felt empty…hmmm… doesn’t matter, shampoo works perfectly fine as a soap too.

Finished, made myself comfy at her armchair with Fatty, wrote her via WA “btw you soap is dead” she asked if I finished it up. No, it’s already dead that’s why I had to use my shampoo.

Long story short, it was only an illusion, there was still some left had I tried open it. Not forget to mentioned, Irina is the type who always have a back up after another back up, there is still a hidden soap behind the closed cabinet. I took shower with a soap for the rest of me staying at her place 😉 #just so everyone conscious.

Perhaps Salem had to do revenge during my soap drama, he throwed up while I was sleeping, not literally on me, rather on the blanket. It was around 3AM, for some reason I felt Salem on my thigh (100% it was him, if it was Fatty I would got up as he is very very heavy) then I heard some choking noise. I’m not a light sleeper, I was only half aware by the time I knew some food already out of his mouth. “Irina, Irina” she woke up immediately and told me, you take the other side of the bed, I directly went asleep again zzzzz

On the weekend, we were fully book with brunch! Saturday we met with her friend, Diana at brunch Cocotei. Our agenda is to go to Amsterdam Dungeon even though I’m not a fan of horror. I went to the one in London when I was 16 or 17 yo boy oh boy! it was amazing! I still remember it so well, that scared the shit out of me, except now I’m older I wanted to see if that shit still scares me or not, thus I agreed on it.

We arrived earlier than our admission ticket, we were waiting in the supposedly creepy room. The waiting is the one that kills Diana and I. Long story short, we went in with 20 other people, it wasn’t so scary, the act were more screaming in a way that supposedly shocked us, sometimes they succeed, most of the time they weren’t. Hate to say, it wasn’t really successful #imo I think the one in London was much better, less communication.

Diana need to go but our next bitch come, Terezaaaa! with her, what did we do? cake-ing! #sweet tooth gang! Live from Amsterdam.

I bought 2 cakes to go, guys, I have no idea what went wrong in the whole conversation:

  • “I want to have 2 cupcakes please, 1 red velvet, 1 carrot cake”
  • somehow she took out a big box with 4 holes on it, she put 2 red velvet in the hole…..
  • caught her in that action, I said “No, I meant 1 and 1”
  • Her action after it was even weirder, she took 1 box for 1 cupcake so it will be 2 boxes.
  • before it went too far, I need to say another “No, No”
  • out of the blue, she put 2 red velvet in one box and 1 carrot cake in one box to me.
  • I clearly have no idea where her logic coming from, what kind of illusion it is. I…. had to say…. again….”I meant, 1 red velvet and 1 carrot cake in one box”
  • she changed the box unhappily.

Girl…seriously… you coming from another planet? Tereza and Irina waited in H&M next door. I told them the story, they said “don’t worry Marlyn, it’s a Dutch service”

Although we were not too hungry, we went to Warung Made again hahaha! I want to introduce them the new Indonesian restaurant I discovered 😉 I know Sara would be there however when I get in there was a white blonde lady….oh! Where is Sara? haha very polite ehhh!

Irina went for cat sitting right after dinner while I went to her place to feed Salem and Fatty, they must be sooooo hungry! They lead me to the kitchen as I opened the door. Yes Salem I know! We’re sorry, Fatty you’re always hungry anyway 😉

On an Easter Sunday we decided to go to Utrecht. In my opinion it’s a mini Amsterdam. Sadly it wasn’t so alive due to it was on an Easter Sunday. We still can see something, it was enough for the grasp that Utrecht is beautiful.

Our destination is to reach the famous Gelato ice cream, did we take a straight way? No way in hell #got distracted. One of them is by getting in to Kelly Expat Store #We are an expat yo! It sounds fancy but basically it’s a shop selling American food brands hahaha. What other shops that opened on the holiday? Souvenirs shop! Magnet for mother – checked.

Reached the famous Gelato Roberto, I had a Broodjes with 2 scoop of Ice Cream. The place is small, there isn’t a proper place to sit outside of this shop, there was only a “bank” (auf Deutsch) attached to the wall so we sat there having a view of other people waiting in line to get the ice cream. Fuck no I ain’t leaving the bank, my ass need some rest haha

Utrecht is the origin of Miffy, there are many of this statue around city center. In one specific red lights they have Miffy as their icon. Just like Ampelmann in Berlin, here is Miffy in Utrecht.

On the way back the train didn’t stop at Tereza’s station so she need to get out from another station. Yeay! more time with you!

On my last day, we finished Jeffrey Epstein Series. There were still some time before my train, clueless what to do? While I tried to re-heat the bagel, Irina screamed with joy “Marlyn, Netflix understand us! there is a movie about Ghislaine Maxwell ! let’s watch it!”

Wait, back to the bagel story. I was informed there is a bagel in the kitchen, I can cut it half, put on the air fryer facing up then spread the Frischkase. I’m so lost in life, I spread the Frischkase first so I can’t put it again into the air fryer otherwise I’ll messed it up more than I already am….pfffff what can I do without her.

Once the movie ended, my gut told me to go to the train station. It was too early, more than 2 hours from my real ticket. When I just arrived the Dam, I got notification that my middle train, the one that is from Venlo to Germany got cancelled hahaha! Am I surprise? honestly no however it didn’t meant that I’m calm. I’m still panic #not at the disco. Since I was there earlier I just took whatever train available, most important it will take me to Dortmund. I reached home one hour later than I suppose to be, bottom line, made it!

Although it’s not a Lake Como holiday like our bitches Anu and Louise, I still had my fun! Looking forward pho next time bitcheeessss!

Posted on

It Was All Yellow

I have more or less one year Covid’s anniversary which reminds me of my failed trip to Keukenhof in 2022 with my GGI bitchessss 🙁 Fast forward one year later, Miley Cyrus appears with her iconic “I can buy myself flower” inspired me to go this time, alone!

Call my bitch Irina, “bitch I’m coming over Easter”, it was a bit unplanned as there was always DB Streik once a week, I waited until I knew there won’t be a Streik during Easter, only then I contacted her confirming my arrival. Thanks God the flower ticket are still available as they do sold out heyyyy!

I had to stand on the bus from Europaplein to Keukenhof, why? a. it was full and b. I don’t want to wait on the station while rain pour down. When I arrived the destination, Zeus’ still operating, after a while, he put Zephyrus in control 🙂 Because of him, all pictures aren’t so bright, no worries, it still didn’t change the fact that the flowers are very beautiful.

There are many people, like manyyyy! Sarah from Warung Made Indonesian Restaurant already mentioned about humongous Chinese and Indian tourist, bulls eyes!

I visited the important places #completed successfully. I can (not) proudly say as I do thought everyone who went there would have the same opinion haha. In my view, the most beautiful is the Mill! Save it for later 🙂

Allright, back to the beginning!

As you entered the garden, you can get your map from the basket that just lay there. Additionally there is a beautiful lady in the middle of the garden, wearing a fashion which I believe was the Era back in the day, who welcomed you and having a knowledge about the garden itself #you’ll know what I meant by it later on. My first impression was “whoaaa this is so big how can I go see all?” Relax, it’s walkable, besides… at some point you will feel its enough haha 😀

Then there is a bunch of tulip arrangement with word Keukenhof on it which I had to took a Panoramic picture otherwise you can’t catch the full words.

Oranje Nassau is the first flower shows I visited, there is a flower mosaic, decoration’s idea for garden, everything there smell so fresh 🙂 me like it!

Afterwards I walked to Juliana / Tulpomania, passing through a very interesting music from Irene fountain. In the Juliana there is a myth about a black tulip. Ooooooo I also did a photo where I “christened” my first tulip, it happened to be Thorben’s birthday so I got to make one for him 🙂 Thanks for the knowledge Juliana, next!

I thought Wilhelmina would be some special flower too however it’s only a shop. Nevertheless, in front of Wilhemina is good view 🙂 Bottom line, still can’t skip it!

Beatrix is good since they displayed the flower decoration as an idea for you which for sure it’ll never come to my mind #me not creative

And you’re the place my life begins,
And you’ll be where it ends
I’m flying without wings

Cherry on top, the Mill! oh Mill! Had I knew it earlier I will stayed in this area longer before Zeus re-appears…

The Mill is a big area, you can either took the stairs to get to the observation deck from the windmill or stay on the ground as they have the so called picnic area or there is a cafe close by. What did I chose? Obviously all of them!

During Zeus’ show time, I chose to get inside to the Willem-Alexander. Here, you found OMG countless of tulip flowers, among all there is Uliana! haha I also had a very long lunch there as my feet cannot take it any longer. What I can take in during my sitting time was, tulips is so underrated, they have more than my brain could contain, the color, the way it blossoms, the sizes, WOW! unbelievable! I am beyond amazed!

I read the map again making sure I checked all the list until I stumbled into “Historical Garden” hmmmm where is it? Went to the shop to ask the lady who works there just in case if she knew, she didn’t. While I’m asking her, there is an Italian or Spanish family asked her questions too about “black tulip” the real one, someone said it’s in the Willem-Alexander, she didn’t know it either. I, on the other hand, don’t want to miss it, for sure will ask about it too!

Yes ofc the open area along the way is beautiful too, the way the flower arranged is really mind-blowing.

I have no idea why the flowers outside are mostly yellow, it matched with my jacket haha everywhere I see, most of it, it was all yellow, maybe the one who plant those are fans of Coldplay hihihi #clever balls

There is also one more Mill view, if you managed to get through the Maze to reach a cottage by the end of it 😉 did I manage? ja klar! The previous Mills area was better in my opinion consider the view from this one is quiet far.

Back to find the vintage dress lady at the entrance, asked about the Historical garden and black tulip, she said there is no black tulip, it’s just a myth, in reality is a very dark purple, see! she’s very smart! no need to wonder anymore #You’re welcome.

I left Keukenhof with satisfaction knowing I didn’t miss anything haha oh not forget to mentioned, got coronated, earlier than King Charles 😉

FYI if you want to know the bus ticket + entrance’s cost, its Euro 36,00. I was there from 11 – 14:00, give or take. The opening time was on 23 March – 14 May. I went there on 7th April, there are not all blossoms, yet I already satisfied, will I go there again next time? Maybe only under one condition, if it’s in the beginning of May as I perceived it shall have be blossoms more than in April. I’m so already eingedeutscht eh, need to complain about anything. Okay back to Indonesian, I’m satisfied with my own experience 🙂

Did I buy flower in the end? Nope, but I do know “I can buy myself flower and it was called Yellow” 😉

Posted on

Not April Fool’s Day

What a day to get married hey?!

I can imagine this situation somewhere down the road:

  • Question: Oh you are a married couple, congratulations. When is your wedding date?
  • Answer: First of April.
  • Question: hmm….are you fooling me?
  • Answer: No, it was a real wedding.
  • Question: …..right, in Las Vegas?

Haha Mikha messaged me via IG obviously it was an automatic forward message #very not personal, at least my name was on it 😉 It’s about his wedding information for anyone who want to see via YouTube live streaming. It will be at 14:00 in Bandung meaning 9 AM in Germany. Yes, I for sure will wake up to watch his wedding!

I know Mikha since I was 12 years old from SD Yahya Bandung, Class 6C. To say he was my classmates is underrated as I remember I was sitting next to him. I’m not sure how primary school in Germany like but in Indonesia you always sit with someone. One table two chairs, the teacher rotates our seats from time to time either every 2 weeks or 2 months however she wants. I don’t know if it was randomly or it’s because his name is Mikha and my name (well hope you do know my name) is Marlyn. I was a new kid in Bandung in that class with no friends or ability to speak Sundanese. Mikha was my good sit-mates, no bullying although at that time bullying wasn’t a real word, I meant no make fun of me to the point where I almost cry, over joking etc. He was a calm and kind kid 🙂

We also studied in the same Junior High School also at Yahya Bandung, I think I was at the same class with him again on my 2nd year. How do I know that? Well, once he saw my picture with Aldrich and Alvin, he sent my picture from our yearly book when I was on the 1st and 3rd year of Junior High, he lost the 2nd year book somewhere, therefore there was no proof whether I’m on the same class with him, I do think so…. Mikhaaaa, find it please! haha We went to separate senior high school so we kind of lost contact, anyway there was one time a Reunion and there he was!

IG connected us again, talked to him long time ago while he was still in Manila, I was in Shanghai, we never met again ever since that Reunion. Thanks to social media I can still see what my friends up to, including him. That’s why when I received the message that he’s getting married, I need to goddamn watch the streaming!

He looks sharp on his wedding day 🙂

Excuse me, Mr Priest haha why you have to asked him in the middle of your sermon?!?! can’t you see that he was blanked? like he ain’t even ready to talk let alone answer your question! I was giggling as you can really see that he didn’t expect it. He handled it quiet well though 😉

Let me documented the most important part of the wedding.

First and foremost is the wedding vow. I was surprised he didn’t even need a paper to say that many sentences. Everyone can see how he took a deep breath, talk to Michelle or to himself to calm down. It is a big promise hey, you got to remember it for the rest of your life. Followed by the wedding ring, they measured it really well no struggle whatsoever to their sweet-finger 🙂 right after is opening bride’s veil plus wedding kiss, blessing from Mr Priest, signing the marriage certificate. Viola! they are legally married 🙂

Once they are legally married, they went to visit their parents. I really like the way Indonesian Photographer, saw a very touching moment where all of them cried, instead of giving time to absorb the moment, they just rushed in to take the pictures haha #such a solidarity #just doing my job

Right after the supposedly touching moments both of them are happy again #kids ckckck 😉

Basically the wedding is already finished only left for photo session from each family and friends. Congratulations for both family.

I really heard the MC said “please hold your selfie as our time is limited and we’d better proceed with the salaman” yeah Indonesian Netizen doesn’t even care #but first, let me take a selfie selfie selfie selfie

For all who watched online, Indonesian Netizen really have done their job, including me haha I’m afraid this streaming won’t work because I have seen the slideshows many times so I asked when will it start. However, I like the comment saying that the organizer need to find a better angle to shoot the event 😀 #top that!

Happy Wedding and Congratulations to you Mikha, I am proud to see you on your wedding day, to see what you’ve become. Have a blessed family ahead. God bless!

Posted on

Free At Last

Flash back to a time where I thought I lost my glasses? http://marlynpraseli.com/2022/10/16/marlyns-spectacles/

It is now for REAL! I lost it! somewhere in Sydney…. there are three places of possiblities. First when I had brunch with Alvin and Aldrich in PCP, second when I had lunch with Mom in Spice I am, third when I was on the way from Spice I am to Paddys Market (that’s all on the same day). I only wear my glasses in the morning, afterwards I was wearing my sunglasses, supposedly my glasses was always in my bag or in the hotel (although it’s less likely….)

Continued… picked my Mom up from Central Station, took a Taxi to Ibis, proceed to Spice I Am Thai’s resto, walked to Paddys Market then meeting with Betsy. When Betsy and I were inside, I wanted to see the Menu that was on the wall, this is the moment where I want to change from sunglasses to real glasses…. hmmmm where is it? it’s not on my bag, didn’t pay attention if my bag’s zipper closed completely or not. Anyway didn’t think much of it, thought it could be on my room somewhere.

Back to Ibis, glasses is nowhere to find, ok it’s missing, I’m positive about it, went back to PCP asked if someone see that or if it’s in the toilet, 0 squared. Reported it to my friends, not sure if they are happy that this time it’s gone for real as they were the one who actively sought my glasses last time hihi

I was quite dysfunctional on my last two days in Sydney, relying only with sunglasses, need to go back before dark, I’m not Alicia Sierra who wore sunglasses in the evening #fanatic fans of La Casa de Papel

Good bye my Marc by Marc Jacob’s glasses, wait! it’s not mine from the first place, it was Aggy’s haha she gave it to me back then couldn’t remember when, I guess in year 2018 or 2019. Aggy worked previously in a glasses shop, sorry Aggy I lost it. But I did have a good adventure of 4+ years with your glasses from Shanghai to Dortmund also any places in between 🙂

It’s time for me to move on to a German Brand, Mister Spex! Chose a 4 modes to test it at home:

Do the eye test, waited for one week delivery #believe me for German standard it’s already fast.

From 30.03.2023 on, me and my Lisa-Marie Schiffner will have a new adventure!

I wanted to have a Rosa Farbe for some reason plus pair it with Gold is not bad hey 😉 I realized it’s the same color as my Moti’s tumbler, we both wear cardigan too #matchingggg

Missing my niece, at this moment she’s currently sick, get well soon baby K #hugs and love from Germany XX

*Koala icon from Flaticon Australia icons created by Freepik – Flaticon

Posted on

Vitamin A

Australia, second home to so many Indonesian 🙂

How many? let’s see how many I can meet during my short stay in Sydney:

(P.S. one of them is not an Indonesian, you’ll know who #wink)

Betsy

First time I met her was really back then, on my 2nd year of primary school in Bandar Lampung, SD Xaverius Pahoman. Never will I ever miss that bloody school! So so so strict! Can’t remember how many hats I have because every Monday we had a ceremony where we must wear hat and I forget it from time to time so I need to buy it every damn time or else I’d go to detention.

Enough with that school, back to Betsy, she was my classmates, I remember she was the smart one 🙂 Last time I saw her was in year 2016, she was a newlywed. Now I met her again, she’s already have mini Betsy + mini Andy = Bethany!!!

Bethany wasn’t even chill, she can already run, thus she ran all the time. We, the grown up ones were the one who worried if she will hit something. While we had our Lemonade drink, when she’s not running, she’s eating her grape raisins and chocolate, she does have a job to keep us busy 😀

She was fast yet easily get distracted. Betsy said “this is what happened when you walk around with toddler, never really know when will you reach your destination”.

Let’s see what could Bethany do next time we meet again…. perhaps fly…. to Germany? haha you have one aunt here Bethany! Someday it’ll be your time to visit me 😉

Leyfa

Mamacita! Thank you for seeing my post on IG otherwise I wouldn’t know you’re in Sydney too! Brendan say nothing about your whereabout when I told him I’m going to Australia.

Archery has brought us together, I still keep all the clothes you gave me, both the <3 Leyfa Por Favor is Coming and Mamacita needs a Margaritha. I’ll keep wearing it, the only way I see I’m not wearing it, is if I frame it.

Her place is in Dee Why, this is the moment where I realized Sydney is big! Because Dee Why is one hour and ten minutes away from City Center and the whole time I’m in the bus, I kept asking myself, where the hell am I?? Say no more, it’s worth a travel to see you!

I’m so proud of what you’ve endured, achieved, became and will become. Wishing you and Charly a great life in Australia, you are welcome anytime in Dortmund. I know, tragic ehhh from Shanghai to Sydney then to Dortmund hahaha

Queen

My brain and beautiful influencer, Q! This girl is so damn busy you can’t really catch her, her schedule is like a jetsetter! I already texted her a long time ago that I will be from X date to Y date in AU, got not a reply from her until I’m already in Brisbane. AAAAAA need to meet her before she spread her wings elsewhere!

I thought I’ll meet her for lunch before I come to see Leyfa for dinner but I lost my glasses so I switch the plan. I met Leyfa on lunch time then her for dinner or else I can’t see the way for me to be back to City Center in the dark time without my glasses hahaha

I always a bit insecure with her because she’s so pretty, I told her to just be chill and don’t wash her hair hahaha #I know very important, anyway she violated my request. She’s appears gorgeous as always 🙂

We reserve a table, what I mean is we came and say to the waitress “a table for 3 please” so we didn’t even reserve nothing haha while waiting for her +1 to come, we went to Darling Harbour #Sydney mandatory place.

+1 came, it’s eating time at Bar Totti’s #nom nom

From all the places in the world, Shanghai’s Church Courtyard is the place that connected us. It is so weird to type it in one sentence, a church courtyard in Shanghai #yeap, still weird.

You have brain and beauty, you studied medical, you are officially a doctor for f#$k sake! entrepreneur too, what’s next? have some projects in Europe please!

Mario

My highschool friend Yoyo! Sophie need to thanks him, without him I wouldn’t find the Southern Wild Co. Candle she asked me about 😉

He showed me the highlight of Sydney other than Darling Harbour (as I went there with Q already) met in Town Hall, ate the famous cake, went to The Rock. Said to him “Yo, took pic of me that looks like I’m abroad” he understood the assignment very well.

Then went to Ibis to take my luggage thank you for carrying all my $h!t, took shower at his place, airport #tough schedule.

SMA Saint Aloysius Bandung met us up, Parahyangan Catholic University met us up again although he was in a different Fach than me, honestly even from high school we were already different, he chose science while I chose social. He and his wife are the smart couple, they met on a accounting competition, the hell was that?!?!

He visited me when I still in Shanghai I guess it was year 2017 then now I visited him, next…. you and your wife need to come to Germany!

Thank youuuu friends for all the time you spare with me, do remember to contact me if you ever go anywhere in Europe. It doesn’t have to be Germany or Dortmund precisely, I know there are much better options hahaha I can promise you that I will try my best to catch you up in any part in Europe.

Love you all and really wish you the best in each step of your life!

#Peace out

Until next time 🙂

*Btw I don’t like to show pictures of an underage children. Thanks to Flaticon, I got it covered. Grape raisins icon from Raisins icons created by Freepik – Flaticon

Posted on

Vitamin B – Part 3

Chill day is it? not!

Why you’d asked?

Because my mom suddenly saw Dreamworld + Movie World advertisement somewhere where I didn’t even see. She thought “oh today we don’t really have an agenda, let’s go there” I doubt it as I didn’t plan for any theme park before, moreover we’ve been to Movie World back then. If Dreamworld is as good as Movie World for sure right there and then we already went there too. Anyway, long story short, we put our asses on the train headed to Goldcoast.

One hour later…

Such a disappointment, not sure how can someone dream of that kind of world. I wonder the reason why my feeling towards Dreamworld is so negative…. is it because I’m already 31 years old so all of it looks uninteresting or I’ve been to Movie World that is much better or the fact that the Theme Park is so desperately empty or the design is just not good or simply no maintenance from their side or all the attractions are obsolete. #No idea

Wait, I have to be fair, one attraction Sky Voyager is really good but only the one that has a screentime after 2PM, it shows Australia’s landscape. Other than that, back to last paragraph…#disappointment…

Should’ve done the Brisbane City Walking Tour instead #mother oh mother #pfff -_-

The day passed, our last day is somewhat chill as we only have half day before going to Airport bound to Canberra, visited Museum of Brisbane, went up to the Clock Tower Tour.

The security in the City Hall (where MOB located in the third floor) is very friendly. He saw I somehow confused, approached me saying “do you need some sort of direction?” Yes Sir indeed I am. Once he knew I come from Indonesia he said there is a carving made out of wood in front of the meeting room, protected with glass as the wood is very delicate. Oh show me please! He lead the way, it was a story of Ramayana and Shinta in a wood carving. He said “imagine what it would’ve cost? all the time you invest for this art?”

After seeing it, we went to the third floor to the MOB. Before we separate he told me he was a war veteran, thank you for your service Sir!

The MOB itself is more like an art show, just like what the security already mentioned before. The Clock Tower is more interesting. You can see Brisbane’s view from above and Gingerbread Church 😉 ofc it didn’t called Gingerbread Church but it does looks like a Gingerbeard.

Finish absorbing the Vitamin in B City 🙂

Bound back to happy Baby Moti now! #yipiii

Fly me to the moon… no! Canberra!

Posted on

Vitamin B – Part 2

So much things to do in the B City #someone is excited!

I am a big fans of a market hence when I still looking for attraction in Brisbane, there is one market that only open on Wednesday and Friday, it’s called Eumundi Market. I adjusted all my itinerary to be sure I’ll visit this market on Wednesday 🙂

We had a few stops before reaching Eumundi Market, such as visiting Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. What funny about this stop is I can hear different frogs sounds haha not a live frog, it’s the “gong” kind of frog, afterwards a tiny bit of a rainforest.

Move in to a small town called Montville, not quiet sure what can we do here -_- supposedly you can have breakfast with their green view. Nevertheless, we had our own breakfast #not there 😉

This is it! Eumundi Market 🙂 Germans never failed to mesmerized me, there are German Sausage stall haha a good long way fellas! #feel you #25+hours flight.

Some people in this day tour is more interested with Noosa Beach, one went swim there while me, I only put my feet on the sand #enough. We ended the tour with Ginger Ice Cream 🙂

On Thursday we didn’t do quiet much other than laundring our clothes as we are running out of clean clothes hihi our itinerary is happening in the evening time where we climbed (read: walked) Brisbane’s Story Bridge. My aunt and uncle did it in Sydney’s Harbour Bridge which is a higher bridge than us. No doubt, we should be able to tackle this!

Mother was a bit groggy again before the climbing, she almost backed out, but she gain her confidence back once she started the walk, she never look down. I did, it’s not so scary btw only like 50 meters or I didn’t see much since it’s already dark haha #there’s always two sides of the story.

We are very safe as we attached our body to the bridge all the time, we can’t get out of the rail. No phones are allowed so all the pictures we have because we bought it from them. It wasn’t as expensive as when I bought the Great Barrier Reef (AUD 79) this was only AUD 25.

Mom liked the uniform so much so we took picture again wearing it 🙂

My main purpose of travelling in B City checked, next days will be rather chill 😀

Posted on

Vitamin B

Landed Brisbane! the air felt different from Cairns, more crowdy but not in the annoying way, city vibes definitely tune in. Took a taxi to our Manor Apartment located in City Center of Brisbane, this! people! I got a feeling particularly I’m really abroad haha #feelings that Cairns can’t offer 😉

Haven’t finish talking about my accommodation, Manor Apartment Hotel, 289 Queen Street, really recommended! Bellissima!

How do we explore our Vitamin B?

By visiting Crikey! Australia Zoo in Beerwah.

Ever since I stumbled into a YouTube Video of Robert Irwin, Kevin Hart and Jimmy Fallon… man, I gotta know where is this Australia Zoo, now I know where is it, next step is I have to go there someday and that someday is now 🙂

The pick up arrangement was in Mariott Hotel, it was a 10 mins walk from Manor Apartment Hotel, one day prior we received an Email with the information that pick up could have some delay between 15-30 minutes due to construction area in Brisbane. It wasn’t, it was delayed for one hour! #oh my God

Finally the bus pick us up, it doesn’t even have Australia Zoo sticker and what not, it’s the bus from our tour provider, luckily one girl who also waited in Mariott with us realized the name of the tour. When I get into the bus, it’s still somehow free, perhaps 10 people were inside oh poor people, they really stuck in traffic hey. The bus went to 2 more pick up locations, yet it wasn’t on a hotel rather on an intersection or bus stop, another pack of poor people! at least I waited in a comfy Mariott haha

Innerhalb 1.5 hours we reached Australia Zoo!

Grab the map, exploreeee (read: walking) starts! I was hoping to meet Terri, Bindi, Robert or even Chandler Powell haha unfortunately I didn’t 🙁

First stop, reptiles #my oh my #why oh why

They have Koalas everywhere, hiding on top of the tree or only on the tree so you can pat it. Passed through bird sanctuary. Another national animal of Australia: Kangaroo just sitting around with their crowd.

Saw the gallery of Steve together with Terri or Bindi, Robert has his own photo gallery, animals walks freely. Steve must be very proud of his family who choose to continue his dream.

Clock hits 13:00, this is the moment I’ve been waiting for, the Crocoseum! I watched Terri, Bindi, Robert and Chandler doing the crocodile show, I was hoping (again) this show will be hold by them, it wasn’t 🙁 Nevertheless, the AU Zoo crews are amazing!

Despite of how smart the birds are, I am waiting for the famous one and only Blueeeeyyyyy! The old Crocodile from Steve Irwin’s time.

After seeing the main attraction we just strolling around, visiting Koala Island, Dingo, Wombat, the second famous animals after Bluey a.k.a the very very old, without a doubt aged more than 150 years tortoise #WOW! I met two actress in the animal worlds 😀

it’s a home of Crocodile Hunter ofc there are crocodiles! (other than Bluey I meant)

Do I recommend to visit AU Zoo? absolutely! apart from the admission ticket is expensive, I can really see they put it into a good cause. On the contrary to their enormous size, there wasn’t many animals. I think it’s good as they make sure the “cage” for each animals are big enough so they don’t feel like trapped in a cage.

Tips: bring bottle of water, wear hat, if you ever had a slight thinking the vending machine will give you a cold drink you are absolutely wrong, go to visit the gift shop #lesson learned. A cold drink like Fanta, Coke etc cost 5 AUD.

Before I went back, there are also some Koala show who actually no show because it’s their sleeping time haha so it’s rather a Koala information 🙂 #still satisfied. Here all in the video.

Thank you Irwin’s family for dedicating your life to save wildlife.