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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” 😉

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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

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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 Kaiya now! #yipiii

Fly me to the moon… no! Canberra!

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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 😀

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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.

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Vitamin C – Part 3

Third itinerary is chill day 🙂 we’ve got two goods day with amazing weather, third day is the day where something goes a bit south, however it’s no biggie #chill ma

We did the Skyrail Rainforest and Kuranda Village, the weather was a bit rainy when we started, got better during the day, back to rain again when we were on the way back to Cairns.

There were two stops before reaching Kuranda Village: Rainforest and Barron Waterfall. Mode of transportation we took was the Skyrail.

It was too foggy to see something so I rate this Rainforest was just OK. The path were really good though, I was walking with flip flop without feeling slippery #good job

Next is the Kuranda Village, this is when it has stopped raining. For me it is more interesting as there are some markets where we can eat, shop or see some animals with separate admission ticket (AUD 20).

According to me, the main highlight from this tour was on the way back, where we took ancient train to Cairns. It’s kind of Sri Lanka train vibes thingy.

They’ve made stop in Barron Waterfalls for 10 minutes with the purpose to enjoy the view….. unfortunately I can’t see it again due to it’s raining and foggy. It took us about one and half hour to reach Cairns Railway Station, as we approach our destination, the weather got bearable.

I think it’s just OK, another options to do in Cairns is going to their beaches which to me is not very appealing as Indonesia also have beautiful beaches that’s why I opted for the Kuranda, besides it’s raining anywhere anyway 😉

Off from Vitamin Cairns, hop to another Vitamin 😀

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Vitamin C – Part 2

Second day itinerary is the main reason we all visit Cairns, it is The Great Barrier Reef‘s day!

I booked the day tour from “Get Your Guide” app, the boat / team name was Diversden, really recommended, it’s an 8 hour one day trip, gathered up at Finger B 8 AM sharp!

When we were inside the boat, one of the guide named Biscuits asked if I want to dive there, didn’t plan for it, I only knew that if I did dive, I cannot get in to a plane within 24 hours or sth like that. In my case it wouldn’t be a problem because our next flight will be the day after tomorrow. I was already thinking of it until!!! I overheard the other girls told him they will do Skyrail the next day whereas Biscuit said then diving is not an option since from a low point to a high point within 18 hours is something that can caused fatal aka death. Thanks God I overhead it! You spare me my life.

Stay with the original plan, snorkeling it is 🙂 we went 2 times, each time was at least one an a half hour to max 2 hours. I was so proud that my mom also did it completely. I’m already afraid she will just stay on the boat, if so then both of us won’t enjoy it. She’s a bit groggy at first however our guide Jannine from New York (sorry if I spell your name wrong) was literally the best! She didn’t leave my mom’s side not even for one second, Jannine told her to hold on to an orange life boat thingy at all times and she will pull her. She’s done that for the whole 2 hours! Damn, what a dedication! I stayed with them too but I didn’t hold on to the orange thingy.

The corals were everywhere, I saw Nemo, Dori, pile of fishes crossing the “road”, jellyfish ewwwwww swam over it, any kind of fish I have never known my whole life and so on and so forth. First snorkeling we did exactly until the time is up, I mean, we kind of have one of the guide from the boat, neither they can miss us nor we can delay them.

We didn’t give up until we find Carlos #next Pixar movie, Finding Carlos, he is the photographer for the diving group. I said to Jannine, this is the proud moments for my mom, we need to have a picture for it, yes people we three looked for Carlos. Once our photo was taken we went back to the boat to have lunch #mission accomplished 🙂

About 2 hours later we arrived at the second snorkeling / diving place. Jannine was busy with other customers oh noooo 🙁 we got Sarah, she is also nice. Mother was already more confident than before so she didn’t hold on to the orange thingy as strong as when she was with Jannine. She only did maybe 30-45 minutes for second round while I did one and half hour. I also met Jannine when we’re almost done, she took me again under her wings 🙂 I saw a starfish this time but no more Carlos, therefore no photo 🙂 but basically it’s the same.

Both me and Mom are very very satisfied! Thank you Jannine you’re our Marine Angel! If you didn’t go to work that day, our trip will definitely be sucks!

Back to the ground, we were happily exhausted 🙂 only walked around lagoon area, night market then hotel.

#oh happy day!

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Vitamin C

It took 7 hours fly! FLY, FLYYYY from Canberra to Cairns, with stop in Melbourne but still…. it’s a long flight for a domestic destination….

Arrived at the airport, I don’t think there is a public transportation so we took a taxi to our hotel, lucky for my Mother the receptionist were Indonesian #sudden bond! Since it was a bit late we decided to had first dinner in the hotel’s restaurant, it’s a buffet with no much left pfffff are we that late or the management want to cut cost #devil’s laugh

However, the Australian waitress was so nice, she put some of the food into several plastics for me. Wait, let me correct my sentence, “some” food meaning a lot of freaking food! in the end we gave most of it to our new bestie aka receptionists alas Agnes and Sunny. I feel bad I didn’t catch the name of the Australian waitress #really sorry 🙁

First itinerary is going on a Hot-Air-Balloon trip 🙂

I am very looking forward for it! I have never been on a balloon before. My first question when I saw the advertisement was will it be like in Cappadocia where there are many balloons all flying together? Even if it’s not, still want to try it. The email mentioned the whole tour will takes about 5 hours plus we will be standing at all time. I will be picked up at 4 AM hmmm 4 AM + 5 hours = 9 AM meaning we will be watching sunrise on a balloon, not bad hey!

My sister said “you need to wake up, you’ll be pick up at 4 AM, it’s the most expensive activity in your whole trip that cost 900 AUD” Me, still on jetlag thought maybe it’s better to just not sleep? #Im thinking….how about no…

Mother and I woke up at around 3:30 ish, slightly delay in picking us up which made me panic, I mean 900 AUD is a big money hey…. eventually a small shuttle bus with “Hot Air Balloon” written on it comes to the hotel. It’s not that hard to recognize because at 4AM who else will comes other than a drunk guy haha. We drove 1 hour 10 minutes away from the center to the flying location, it was still dark. Then the tour guide arrange our standing place.

Wait no more, off we fly! The “pilot” turn on the gas from time to time. Although I heard it quiet some times already, it never fails to shocked me, how loud the sound was. We flew quiet high with a nice surprise that not so windy up there #not complaining. Catch the sunrise then back again to the ground.

Here is a bit of video I took when the gas is off and on, the sounds is loud hey 🙂

How do we land? the basket doesn’t have a wheel ehhh. First and foremost we have to embrace in our landing position. I saw our balloon going lower and lower approaching some green wide area as our landing spot. The way the balloon / basket lands back is so funny, we bumped two to three times until it really stops, the “pilot” said could be that the basket turn upside down, it tilted quiet high though 🙂 we (read: he) made it!

Then we helped them tidy up the 500 kg weight of balloon, fold it, walk on it with your whole body like you catch a crocodile then do a snake circle to put it inside a big tarpaulin thingy. I can assure you I really did try to help and hold it as if I’m holding for my dear life but that $h!7 just freaking heavy!

Woagh! we got rewarded by either champage, mimosa or orange juice, after all of the hard works we deserved it hey. Not to mention that we got a “certificate” hahaha for whatever reason it is #wink wink

We finished everything, were back at the hotel at 9AM, never had I ever feel so sleepy, didn’t even had breakfast, snooze off directly.

Woke up again for the second times in a day, went to the Promenade 🙂 had a seafood on the boat restaurant. Indonesian seafood is still the best haha but yes since I’m in Cairns, need to try theirs #not impressed. Just an honest opinions though #wink

Weighing the plus and minus, it’s a good day for us still! 🙂

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Mañana Mañana

Why are we speaking Spanish here????? because its Irina’s mother tongue 😉 yes biatch! I went to Amsterdam for a week to visit her, on top of that, celebrate New Years Eve together woop woop! #Happy

Arrived on 27th December, directly headed to Irina’s cozy apartment, greeted by her two Kater to whom I surprised since one is very skinny and one is the other opposite, no wonder Irina called him “Fatty” so beleidigung ehhhh haha at first I thought Fatty is not overweight, he’s just fat but still within the range of good fat, nope nope nope he’s obviously overweight, even the Vet had difficulties to find his organs haha Fatty you are so adorable!

Amsterdam is really cool taking into account how many Indonesian restaurants are there! Heimweh Heimweh! Excuse my French but Dutch food are fucking horrible! what the hell was that?!?! bread? dip? fried? Indonesian food to the rescue!

First dinner, Indonesian Imbiss, Warung Barokah. We texted Tereza if she interested to join. Aaaaa panic attack, I want to eat this, that aaaaa in the end I had “Nasi Campur”. During dinner, I had a revelation. From that day on, I’ll be having “Table for One” every time I visit Indonesian restaurant hahaha Irina couldn’t handle the spiciness 😀 Next, we opt for Western Desert at Neni Netherlands.

It’s my holiday I have no timetable whatsoever, I sleep in while Irina WFH. However, her ears so get used to hear even the smallest movement was happening, due to she always stopped Fatty to eat Salem’s food. Therefore while I was moving my body from left to right, Irina said “Ah Marlyn is turning around, finally she’s waking up” haha stop commenting, I’m on holiday!

It was raining, what a surprise, perfect day to visit Museum. Irina recommended the Resistance Museum. Boy oh boy, such a good one, very interactive, I can’t believe myself I easily spent 3 hours there! in short, I agree with her, really recommended this Museum.

Next morning, we went to Irina’s cat sitting job then city center to have a sugar bomb drink haha it’s full of sweet! visited a very typical Amsterdam shop 😉 In the evening, I joined the dark side walking tour. When the tour finished, it was around the same time Irina finished her shopping. We texted where will we eat, yet decided to go apart. I went to the “Indonesian / Suriname’s” restaurant while she had Thais. I wanted to have “Soto Ayam” in a place where Sekar recommended, although Irina told me this restaurant is not Indonesian moreover, had a bad rating. I went there anyway, once I stepped in, I realized it was a mistake. Why you’d ask? I was served by a white waiter, yep this place is not authentic at all. Lesson learned!

Failed to get a ticket to Anna Frank Museum, well what to do?….. I joined Walking Tour of the Jewish Quarter, WW2 and Anna Frank Story. Apropos Leute, suddenly just remembered something, for every walking tour you got to pay “Entertainment Tax” it is not expensive like 1,50 Euro per person aber trotzdem! the hell was that?!?! I thought Germany is already bad enough with all being taxed.

Okay back to topic, after the tour I decided to go to another Indonesian Imbiss mwahaha called Warung Made, ha! from the name I knew the owner must be a Balinese plus it must be 100% authentic, yes I was right! This place is wonderful! soooo good! The owner…. Made luckily was there he also ate at the same time so I got few pieces of Rendang and Kerupuk hihihi I even took “Empek Empek” to eat at home the next day aka tomorrow aka mañana 😉

Hmmm… I need to have some Dutch food ehhh, I opt for Stroopwaffle! yais this one is impossible to make it wrong!

Once Irina heard that I am dying to have a Pisco Sour, she promised to take me to a Peruvian Restaurant. Oh Pisco Sour, my favourite alcohol drink in the whole world! I am soooo content I can drink it again. The last time was when Brendan’s birthday in one of the bar / club in Shanghai that is not even exist anymore haha in fact I already forget what the place called, somewhere in The Bund #not helping either.

I was still full after Warung Made so we took half of the food home. During dinner we discussed about what will we do tomorrow, we could go shopping in the morning for our Raclette NYE, go to cat sitting, we still have time we could take train to another city called Leon and go back home. I told her I have the Empek Empek to fried at her place. When are you gonna eat that? ask her. “Tomorrow” “When? before or between after Leon before Raclette?” “Well, if tomorrow doesn’t work then the next day haha keep postponing it to another tomorrow” hahaha just like the Spanish, relax we do it mañana if not then mañana mañana 😀

I was having a doubt what will we do next, it was still 18:30 but as usual raining, cold, windy as well as already dark. Anyhow, I wanted to go to the Red Light District. Irina warned me that it wasn’t open yet, I insist I want to see the XXX workers. She said the tariff was 50 Euro for 15 minutes whaaaatttttttt?!?!? should I consider to change my job? hahaha well, she said “Marlyn, there wont be always a hot guy” okay okay, Im keeping my job 😉 We saw some…only to my opinion they weren’t cute, we…well I need to find the cute one. Irina said “I don’t know Marlyn, I am not working here, I don’t know where the cute one” we find her eventually therefore we can move on…. to the next activity! haha

We visited Peep Show, Im so “proud” of myself, this is the thing, I have a goal, need to achieve it, although I have no coins because…… I gave it to the walking tour for Entertainment Tax. For a Peep Show we need to gave coins, I aint have cash neither does she… okay, lets ask people for 2 Euro hahaha. Hello, excuse me, do you have coins? I asked a couple on the outside of one of the Peep Show, I can give you per PayPal, the lady said “dont worry, here is for you, enjoy” haha Irina might be ashamed right there and then but heyyyy, think of the bright side we got to see it…for freeee 😉 No fotos on that area as you cant do it, privacy yo!

On the last day of year 2022, Zeus made us cancelled the plan to Leon due to disruptive wind along with many train not operates like normal, being stuck in another city on NYE is not an option at all, besides I still slept in haha by the time I officially wake up, rise and shine and ready, it was too late to go to another city so we just chill at home while Irina prepare the food. How about me? what did I do?… avoiding Fatty to step on my thigh again hihi

Rene arrived first, he brought board games. We played Pandemic while waiting for Barbara. She brought Hogwarts Pajamas, me and Irina were the “Party Animals” yes with quote while all people are getting sexy in NYE, this is our sexy! Bunny and Cats! Btw all these times the Dutch already light up fireworks, it was every damn where every damn time, even when it was still like 4 hours before midnight. Salem was scared because of it, he had so hide under the blanket, poor cat! We started our Raclette, watch TV for official countdown, watching NYE fireworks from window, forgot to eat grapes while doing countdown. Irina said “fuck!!! the grapesss!!! we need to eat 12 of it”

At around 2 AM we decided to play the wrong game at the wrong time. Rene tried to explained it and lured us into “its not that hard” yes it wasn’t a hard game but considering the time, it was! although in reality you only need to do a slight thinking yet my brain refused to work at that hour. At the end of the game probably only Barbara and Rene who played it haha I am for sure already out, Irina was half out. We called it a quit after that, Adios Muchachos!!!!

Before I headed back to Amsterdam Central bound to Dortmund, we walked around Irina’s place to see some “farm” with sheep, goat and playground. We went to Supermarket on Sunday, amen! being an adult, you realized, it’s always the little things that makes a difference like Supermarket open on Sunday! heaven! We had Sushi at home and….. Adios Amiga!

Irina said besides my sleep-in, I am a really good guest and I welcomed at her place any time. Damn yeah I’m gonna come again 🙂

Happy 2023 folks, may we achieve what we want, if not, move your ass to work it out 😀 such a motivational word to welcome the new year haha

Bring it on year 2023!

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Calling

We reach the bottom of the story! The root of why I went to Brussels is caused by a simple question from Louise triggers another question to Anu triggers another question to Irina then to Helene, it’s a domino’s effect. “Do you want to go to Harry Potter things?”

The hell I want it, my inner child is calling, so does Irinas. Great! who’s living in Brussels? maybe Helene and Alex wants to join too. Helene said yes, Alex said no as she’s not a hardcore fans. No worries! we three will make it.

Damn right we did! Irina came just for the day, I met her after I finished with Gent. We went first while Helene join after she finish working. We took the non direct bus which means, 20 minutes walk to the forest is needed. We felt like we were in Hagrid’s home 🙂 outside of Hogwarts. By the time we were about 300m from the forest we could hear some music. Run! we don’t want to be late! Professor Mcgonagall is gonna kill us!

We only arrived no more than 15 minutes before Helene, safe to say we all made it on time.

About the same time when we were there, there was a mother and her son who were so nice, she kept helping us taking our pictures. Apropos, we helped her too, just in case someone questioning our behavior 😉

Harry Potter snacks welcomed us, not for free though 😉 Without a doubt, their price were ridiculous, take an example when you’re a child you’re ripping off your parents for asking them to buy you stuff, now the circle is closing, only you rip off yourself. It is all connected #confession, I binge watch Manifest lately. Just like in the series, you had to follow the Calling, you’re inner child is having the joy of their life now 🙂 Quote from Irina “take my money!” That bitch wasn’t even a Harry Potter fans she binge watched the whole movies before going to the forest.

Here comes the introduction of the forest that I have not the slightest understanding whatsoever because it was in French…. thought they will repeat it in English, hell no they didn’t! #meh -_-

Irina wanted to borrow someone’s wand for a picture, she asked a couple “where did you get the wand” from all languages that we speak (be in mind Indonesian, Mandarin, German, English, Spanish, French, Dutch), we need to ask a Russian couple hahaha suddenly we remember the mother’s kid has a wand with him! Find them!

We were so happy when we found a Butterbeer stand! This is on our agenda, we need to drink it! They both are amateur cannot get the moustache thingy pffff

On that Butterbeer stand we made our DIY wand, actually we didn’t do nothing apart from asking “can we get this straw?” the guy on the opposite side was “yes, you can have it more too” “no we need to save sea turtles, we will take turns on our Expecto Patronum spell”. Thanks God we don’t need to use it, they provided the wand for us.

Continue walking through the forest, we met Centaur, Niffler, Buckbeak. Another interactive session that I have no clue about. Hagrid’s half brother Grawp, Aragog..Hagrid, is that you? We heard the music of Durmstrang when Viktor Krum entering The Great Hall #ugh! 很 man! I remembered I went crazy about this specific scene.

Still walking until there was a battle light between Harry and “you know who” and that bitch Irina Avada Kedavra-ing me while I’m not even ready! I shouted shut up bitch shut up bitch, she ain’t give a damn! Avada Kedavra, Avada Kedavra, dieeeee! The final scene in Harry Potter is the final scene in the forest experience. Our Harry Potter experience has comes to an end 🙁

Here is a clip videos that I can make from all videos that Irina and I took. Of course it didn’t do the justice of the whole experience in the forest but it has our memories 🙂

Because we just experienced Harry Potter, we need to Manifest it to our names….. what could be our names in Harry Potter? hmmmmm… HA! found it!

Good bye for now from: Heleres Umbridge, Draco Marfoy and Rinald Weasley 😉

#Portus