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Crazy (Rich) Asians

I thought we would be visiting Hitman: Agent 47 movie set when we first talked about Singapore… in reality…. we actually ended up more on exploring the Crazy Rich Asians filming locations 😀 #How could I forget this movie!

We both took 18 working days off ~ by far our longest holiday yet.

Suitcase were filled to the absolut max, limit to 25 kg ~ mine was 24,9 kg and Dom was almost 24 kg.

We flew with Singapore Airlines, planned a 3 days layover in Singapore to meet my parents #Crazy Asians. What did we do and more importantly did my boyfriend pass the test? haha

Arrival Day 1

Landed around 16:30 ish, my Boyfriend has been completely obsessed with Wombat ever since he knew we would fly to Australia. He always aims for Wilderness everytime he sees greens, there where he felt home 😉 including right before immigration hall in Changi Airport. After I reminded him that we were in a city and he needed to behave, he agreed to hop on a bus to Yotel Orchard Singapore. #Good job, Wombat!

If you find yourself on Orchard Road, ION Orchard Mall is by far the best mall ~ eventhough we have to go through a very complicated underpass to reach it. After spending some time at Uniqlo, we headed down to their basement for dinner. This “Yamien” is the best! Loved it!

Went straight back to Yotel where we planned our next day activity, hmmm… Since I had a dermatologist appointment at 11:00, we ambitiously decided to wake up at 7:00 AM to visit Fort Canning Park. We were so confident we’d make it…

24 Hours later….

What time did we wake up? 10:10 AM! haha Forget it, I rushed to get myself ready for my appointment while Dom enjoyed his alone time. My parents scheduled to be arriving around 13:30 ish. Before I could fetch them, we met up with my Church Friend Irving and his wife Grace. I literally asked him for his dermatologist & hair salons recommendations then followed his advice blindly.

Thank you Irving for your treat at TCC, sorry for hin und her discussion where to meet 😉

Irving met my parents just for few seconds as he needs to head back to work. From that exact moment on, Dom’s ultimate test officially began 😉

While we were on the bus to Bugis Junction, my mom immediately asked me if we were serious and planning to get married. OMG—it’s like she has nothing else on her mind except sending me off to the altar! As if she wasn’t satisfied with our initial answers, she pressed again with, “When?” #Crazy Asians.

When we finally arrived at Bugis Junction, it started pouring rain, so we were stuck inside. Eventually, we made our way back to ION Orchard because I had reserved a dinner spot at Jumbo Seafood. Afterward, we checked out the Observation Deck.

We wrapped up the evening with watching the Garden Rhapsody light show at Gardens by the Bay and Spectra at Marina Bay Sands. It was so cool! Before reaching Spectra, we walked right through the MBS Mall—wow, talk about fancy!

Day 3

I had a hair appointment to finally chop off my long hair at a salon in the Takashimaya Mall. The place was amazing—so luxurious compared to the salons back home in Dortmund! haha. We had lunch at Beauty in the Pot with my cousins Ko Adhi and my other church friend from Bandung Melissa!

Chilled out a bit before we tried to visit Hitman: Agent 47 movie scene at Singapore Botanic Gardens. However, we came unprepared aka without booking, the line was crazy. Let’s do it some other time ~ don’t want to miss our dinner rsvp at CÉ LA VI, do we? Hello 57th floor! We were literally on top of MBS! Amazing view + weather for my parents 37th Wedding Anniversary 🙂

Day 4

We crammed in a lot in our last day: Chinatown, Maxwell Food Center, Merlion, Takashimaya to eat the famous Ice Cream Bread form Uncle Chieng. Final stop: Jewel Changi Airport to see the waterfall from varieties of floor hihihi

Unfortunately Changi Airport doesn’t have a free shower cabin! Aaaaghhh…. #Frustrated. We had to go to some massage parlor, pay to use their shower for 10 Minutes. Later we knew there was a Lounge which allowed us for 30 Minutes shower with the same fee 🙁

First leg of our trip is done, the “Crazy Asian parents” formality is over. My mom kept the classic #Crazy Asians energy going—Dom told me further down into the trip that she asked him about marriage 3 to 5 times a day. I am so proud of how well he handled it, if it were me, I definitely would have lost my patience! seems I really did one thing right <3

Up next -> turn for relaxing trip, isn’t it ?

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Gaming With The Gamers

About one week later after our Schwarzwald short trip, Stephan visited us 🙂 #Well, not really haha he bought a concert ticket in Köln to which Dom also followed him. What should we do with a gamers? Let’s visit Minecraft Experience in Oberhausen hey. They played it, I didn’t. I only knew about Minecraft computer game, also I had an ice cream 😉

It was an interactive playground where you each got cube as our tools to cut trees, open boxes, kill spiders etc, the ground also plays a role, we can step on fruits, or any other items to collect it as medicines or whatnot.

Selbstverständlich we managed to save the villagers 🙂

However, we still need to save a villager from starting a war = hungry Marlyn! Because this Minecraft is in the middle of der Pampa, we still need to drive to Oberhausen City, search for park place, go to the mall, search for the restaurants. I had my eye fixed on Spare Ribs! Three Sixty! it was delicious! Pass auf if they asked you for sauce, it’s not for free!

This village also saved 🙂

Happy Marlyn, Happy Life!

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Zonk Twist

We had a few days in South of Germany aka Schwarzwald ~ to which I was very excited to visit the famous Titisee. What I can remember is when I was still in Bandung around 15 years ago, my friend Merissa went there. Thought “Wow, if only someday I can go there too”. First try was in 2018 when I visited Benjamin & Beatrice at Reutlingen, however they said Schwarzwald is a bit far, they couldn’t combine it with Hohenzollern Castle in one day. Dankeschoen March

Next try was in 2024, I am very vividly sure about being in Schwarzwald with Tour Group from Indonesia, they brought us SOLELY to Kuckucksuhr Store then ate Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. Sadly, any association with Titisee were zero because we only spent time in that store.

Until we arrived, I started seeing some similarities, picked up my memories here and there… still have a doubt, to me… every European places have some resemblances. We managed to get the last 30 Minutes boat tour. Walked on the shore, took picture of some area where next to it written Biergarten, the store… a sudden DejaVu hits me… wait a minute? … Since it was already off from office hour, it was closed. I asked Stephan if Schwarzwald only for Titisee? if there is only one place to buy Kuckucksuhr? He said no, it’s just a region in Germany where the Black Forrest are. Ah well, maybe I went to other part of Schwarzwald.

Next region of Schwarzwald is Freiburg, asked Weilando if he had ever been there. He recommended many things yet only two things strikes me: Schauinsland Bahn + Martinstor. How do I know specifically this Tor? Clue: it has McDonald’s.

First things first, Schauinsland. Aimed to have cable car only for us, unfortunately the luck wasn’t in our hand. The capacity of the cable car is 7, we were 3 then received unwanted additional 4 people, pfff! It took perhaps 10 Minutes, arrive on the top, went to their look out, their Bergwerk Museum, went back down. Will the luck on our side? Still no! the guy instructed them to come in to our cable car. Then we were 5 people pffffff

We can’t skip Weilandos Tor, me for the photo + Dom for his summer drink collection from McDonald’s 🙂 Last stop at Münsterplatz then off dinner at Offenburg.

Still can’t let go of my thoughts, looked at my WA with Mom to see old documents, well hell damn yes we were in Titisee!!! AAAArrgghhh, had I knew it maybe we would opt somewhere else #Zonk. Still glad we managed to go to Freiburg + Offenburg though, in the end I kind of get my Zonk twisted 😉

First Titisee Experience: Not the New Kid on the Block

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Double-double – Part 5

Dom had a list on what he will do during this hot summer, taking in all Wochenende. On a spontan Sonntag, both of us haven’t done keramas #Greasy, I know, we know 😉 hmm what to do? he said let’s go to Plettenberg there is Aqua Magis. Aha! Let’s use their water! the whole activity was inspired by my old Apartment’s experience where I haven’t got hot water for around two weeks resulted I went to Schwimmbad everytime I want to wash my hair.

There was a 4 hours ticket to which cost 2€ cheaper than day ticket, we liked Therme Erding so much therefore we decided to buy entrance for whole day. Not all Wasserrutschen were on Betrieb, however I don’t think that’s an issue at all. Learning from Therme Erding, I don’t want to go to the one that has a deep dive, don’t want to bang my head against it. What could be a potential of killer joy, let’s do it the last 🙂 #Doms Strategie.

As a warm up, we tried the newest version of Wasserrutschen ever, Surfer Bahn which means we have to stand up. I saw how other people done it including kids! they could really go fast as if they were surfing. When I tried it the first time, I couldn’t bring myself to rutsch, therefore walked the whole Bahn! My second was on the outdoor Surfer Bahn it didn’t make any difference, tried my third: nothing changed, still couldn’t managed to nail it! Dom didn’t even try for his third time.

Then we went on the “normal” Wasserrutschen until the last one! we sat while carrying a backpack haha no I’m not Dora the Explorer. It’s a big round Platte as your Rucksack because the water pressure will push you, on the curve I hit my head then back flipped! It took some of my energy to get me into the correct position again. Kind of lost balance afterwards, killer joy done! Spent my time on Sauna or swimming pool.

I was ready to go but it was only 3,5 hours. Hmm.. felt our money hasn’t reach break even let’s stay a bit longer 😉 Reach our 4 hours quota, yeay! wir haben + gemacht haha. Now we can leave the premise, off to mandi!

Overall, I believe 4 hours here is definitely enough. It’s not a bad, it’s just smaller than Therme Erding. On the way back home though it’s bad, there are many Bauarbeiten meaning road blocks, you have to drive around Lüdenscheid. The journey took us 1 hour there and 2 hours return.

I think it’s safe to say Dom remove all Sauerland Activities from his list 😉

There Erding snaps: When Life Gives You Lemon – Part 2

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Wurst Hunter

Last leg of our trip ~ Hauptstadt Berlin!

Both of us has been here twice previously therefore we won’t do touristic Check Point Charlie, visiting Museum, doing walking tour etc. Yet, some thing cannot bored us and that is being at Brandenburger Tor!

Day & Night 🙂 it’s very magnificent!

We just walked straight until we see Berliner Dom, had Marshmallow at Ampelmann Shop ~ also belongs to second thing cannot bored us 😉 then met Maria at Dapoer ~ Indonesian Restaurant recommended by QQ. We catched up about living & job situation, she said it took her at least a year to find a new job she’s happy with, well congratulations!! It’s very not easy to be on the job market these days hey.

We had an Agenda for something we haven’t done before, which is watching a show at Friedrichstadts-Palast. Freundin and Julius are a big fans of it, they even see what shows will be play then go to Berlin. We bought Kategorie 4 cost at 69,90€ per ticket, if I will go again, I’d bought the cheapest ticket at Kategorie 5, you can see the show from wherever you sit.

It will be for 2,5 hours show including 25 Minutes Pause, in order not to get hangry we had lunch with Sunny before 🙂 She is a very hardworking… well she’s Korean, all Asians are the same except one haha but that’s another trauma. I believe she will finish her project wayyy before April.

Another new activity is visiting Potsdam, we didn’t know anything other than Sans Cousi Palace. They have Brandenburger Tor in Potsdam wassss??? ök ök. Then there is a stairs called “Angel Stairs” with many gold cupids. I got angeblich waaaayyy to close to one of them, a sound from a giant microphone screamed: You are tresspassing, we have camera! No I’m not, horrible surveillance! Mind you, I didn’t touch anything nor the angel nor the gate. Went few meters away then all good 🙂

Circle back to our main goal: Sans Cousi Palace ~ of course it’s closed on Monday haha! All the stairs we’ve been taken… Nope we weren’t the only one, many people around to do what they know best: spazieren gehen 😀

Headed back to Berlin, spending both time + money at Uniqlo before we had dinner with Viki at Nusantara ~ another QQ’s recommendation, yes sir! it’s Indonesian 🙂 Pricing in Berlin is wayyy more affordable in comparison to Munich’s.

Sooo soooo proud of Viki! We talked about jobs and she said “I can’t find a job so I’ll be my own boss” since she’s a very passionate dog’s person, she opened her self-service dog shower. Thank you for the Stofftasche, I’ll wear it proudly. Wish IG: wash_booboo a success!!

Readers from Berlin, bring your dogs to Wash BooBoo.

Located: Berlin Mitte (Rosenthaler Platz)

During our time in Berlin, I noticed something about my partner… Dom has eaten 4 curry wurst in day one, in total of 6 within 3 days. He has eaten more than he’s ever been in Dortmund or NRW or what Julius called home of Wurst. What worse is, he needs to go to Berlin to become a Wurst Hunter.

Will he continue his Wurst Hunter back home? hmmm… let’s have him under beobachten 😉

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Overrated

From the whole trip, I was very much looking forward to Neuschwanstein a.k.a the Disney castle in Füssen ~ two hours by car from München. While we were still on the way, we could see it located on top + surrounded by the mountains, it was magical, making you can’t wait to be there. Parked, slowly walking up, we still have one mission: sell my parents ticket. Anja told I can try sell it on the ticket office, for sure there will be line, ha! didn’t think of it before, good idea.

Once we reached I found a three South Asian, they said my time is too late ~ 1,5 hours later, they want to go now. Well… don’t you do your research? It was recommended to arrive two hours before the ticket time as you still need to walk up there. Good Luck, didn’t see them on my time or anywhere close to the castle. Understand they want to buy three together instead of one from the counter and two from me but there is no need to hush me out as if I’m a disgusted person. Then we saw another 3 people, the guy looks like a German ~ Dom’s turn, only two of them will go to the castle, passt! my tickets were sold! We went up to the hill, took us about 35-40 minutes.

Arrived on the Foto Platform ~ the must have photo of Neuschwanstein! There was a line obviously yet it’s still manageable.

Satisfied, we countinued our way up. We need to be at the gate 15 minutes before the time at our ticket, were allowed to walk on the Hof, taking pictures with mountain background.

The clock strike at 12:55, we got inside, take audio tour. Photos are not allowed, such a dissappointment because you can’t be there as long as you want. The lady guide you “please continue” or “please listen” etc. On top of it, it was only 30 Minutes Audio Tour! Ok there was the bedroom, Arbeitszimmer, Hall, kitchen something or just waiting room another hall then the audio said “this is the final section” I mouthed WTF? 23,50€ entrance for only 30 minutes. Boah! so angry! Before exiting, there was a “movie area” explaining Neuschwanstein’s construction ~ about 15 Minutes. Right next to it we can go out see the view from balcony. That was it people! felt robbed!

QQ was there too, he said many people including him came to do Picknick as the area is huge, peaceful, good view etc. We could also took photo from Marienbrücke to get a view of Neuschwanstein side’s ~ hätte hätte Fahradkette, it’s closed! Perhaps only opened for summer. If we will go there again just for photo? I don’t think so.

The castle is really just more beautiful from outside.

There are many other castles in Germany which has better interior als Neuschwanstein.

Cherry on top, parking for 6 hours cost 12 Euro; one more Euro for each our until max 16 Euro, I do not want to pay any €. Let’s head to Austria, Axel recommended me a place called Highline179 it’s a Brücke too. What I didn’t realize is, he went on summer while we are now still in Winter. The sun goes down at 18:30, when we just arrived it was starting to get darker but still OK until when we reached the bridge, I can’t see nothing!

All of the sudden, my legs went weak!! On one hand I held Dom’s, on the other I’m holding that piece of metal with my whole life. Dom wanted to walk far away, I was the opposite, I’m quiet happy where I was. In the end we made few steps more from the middle. He wanted me to take picture of him with mountain background while my whole body as stiff as a board, couldn’t make any movement, he need to literally turn my body. The whole time we were walking I chanted “Axel du stirbst”

Boah! I’m so relief the moment we reach down to the parking lot, mind you there is no fence, no other people, nothing! if you fall down… auf niewiedersehen 🙁

What a day hey, let’s go home. We need to drive for another 2 hours and some minutes to Parking Station to return back our car. Thank you to the facility guy who reminded us no matter what our car dealer said, we must return the key to the safe box ~ not leave it inside the car. Thank you also to our AirBnB landlord Martin to not only pick us up at Hbf ~ there was Strike but also to let us buy food at McD.

All in all, Neuschwanstein is totally Overrated! Highline179 I think it’s a cool place, please just arrive during daylight 🙂

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When Life Gives You Lemon – Part 2

Although the solely purpose of this trip is to introduce Dom to my parents, we gotta keep going with the secondary purpose: us squeeze it into lemonade 😉

Itinerary changed, see you next time Königsee, we are heading to Therme Erding ~ reason: it’s still cold in March we were gonna dropped dead if we are going to an open nature area, warmer place we chose. Arrived, put our stuff in the locker, before we entered to the Thermal, we have to walked passed shower area. Dom said we need to take a quick duschi duschi first ~ I remembered that was the procedure in Iceland. So I did, went to the outside hall, didn’t see him. Walked back to the locker area, no clue of where’s he’s about. Mind you, I didn’t have my towel, was already shaking. Re-showered just to get some splash of hot water, re-visit the outside hall, nope. I screamed his name at least 8 times until we finally met. I said “we need to go directly inside the water because I’m freaking shivering right now” Once we dip ourselves, boah! Heaven!

The Thermal has some pressure bubble things to which it reminded me of my Thalasso Experience with my sister in Rimba Bali. However, this one isn’t traumatizing, very relaxing type, not the one that made you feel you just got beaten from 10 security guards.

After we felt warm enough, we went to Wasserrutschen area only to be back again where we came from as it’s only opens on 13:00. So we swam in Wellenbad with noodles until lunch time 🙂 It was still not 13:00 yet, luckily we found one “Coconut” thingy which doesn’t have a “Reserve” card. Yes! Jackpot!

Off to go for Galaxy Rutschenwelt! it was fun carrying the sliding tyre, we slided on VR, magic eye, black mamba, speed racer. I enjoyed everything until one slide called High Fly: do not, I repeat DO NOT slide on it! The instructions confused us “do not move your head” , “put your head forward” anyway it went super quick as the ride itself short yet steep, my head hit the slides, felt like I almost fainted or had a slight concussion. Our fun stopped immediately right there and then. I said to Dom it’s enough for me, I just want to lie down tried to sleep because I can’t continue doing anything, wanted to throw up. Luckily our Coconut is still free!

At 20:00 they provided a trial of a mask, we’ve done that too. I took two handfull of salt where the guy said “go to Sauna wait until you sweat then scrub your body with it, 10 minutes is enough”. Well… I didn’t sweat, don’t know how long should I wait. Scrubbed myself nevertheless then went out catching Dom ate his second Oreo Muffins. AHA, gimme one bite. We swam one more time inside, had dinner, real duschi duschi, finally call it the night.

We deserved some relaxing strolling in Munich city center especially after that wild slide in Therme Erding. Who did I call? the one and only QQ Dite! He introduced us to 80 Cents too big Gurke at Virtualienmarkt. On the way there, Dom found his Sipmate: The Alley! QQ showed us the menu from his Ramen’s restaurant, I directly comment “Yo, 25€ a portion? you gotta give us something, it’s very damn expensive, here I want Takoyaki” He replied “Safe” Got his confirmation, booked a table for two. Am I the worse customer? ehemmmm….

I said to Dom he need to have a picture at the Eisbach #Tourist, his happiness level vs to when he was at the Naruto Cafe QQ had recommended 😀

Thanks QQ for the recommendation, I believe Indonesian knows places the best! Including for Berlin, trust me, we know stuff #We are everywhere!

When Life Gives You Lemon

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1/365 – 2026

How do I start year 2026?

Together <3

Thank you Claudia for inviting us, thank you Alina for snapping our very first picture in year 2026 ~ it was at midnight, the clock just strike 00:00 and for your unwithering jährliche Glück Pflanze. Wishing you all: Domi, Guido, Alina, Claudia & Julius from the bottom of my heart, the very best 🙂

2026, we are ready!

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It’s Not in Vain

Relax wasn’t at my card that evening, saw Stadt Dortmund has another campaign to write a sentence: DO, wo…. Given myself some thought of what Dortmund meant for me then I followed the instructions. Few seconds later, my IG was suspended. What?! Was I scammed? Immediately asked Dominik if he could see my page ~ he couldn’t. Damn! shit shit shit, what did and shall I do now?

I was 100% sure it was because I send the confirmation stating I participate on Dortmund Motto to my IG that somehow considered as “collecting sensible information”. Regardless, I don’t need to know the “Why” all I want to know was the “How” to unblock it. Read the instructions, need to submit Selfie with white background etc I had to search for my old photos then only the agony left… waiting…

Within one day I got it back, yes! What a relief, had I not… I’m gonna do Instagramfree life. One week later, I got another Email informing my sentence was one of the first 30 chosen! Whoaaaa, at least all the shocked are not in vain 😀

Since it’s still a running campaign, mine would only be projected for three days, next batch are coming. Unfortunately I couldn’t witness it because I wasn’t in Dortmund but at least one of my reason could 🙂

#Proud Dortmunderin!

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The 8 “Working” Hours – Part 5

I’m just a kid and life is a movie park! Sunday morning 02.11 wake up at 8AM getting ourselves ready for a ride to Bottrop, last day to see Halloween theme.

Arrived half hour after their opening time, started with simple one for kids where you just lay down, very comfortable, then next to it who looks very easy yet caused schmerz on my side as we thrown to the left & right. Studio C was good especially with unexpected rückwarts O.O

Let’s have a snack, shall we? In this kind of place, what else could you get other than currywurst + pommes? Best staple food, don’t forget we need some sugarrrr which we got from Churros. While waiting for our Verdauung system, we took Riesenrad. Sind verdaut, ready for action by taking the Holz Achterbahn; followed by the one Dom called “Industrial” where your feet are hanging. Then went to take Starfleet roller coaster, in my opinion that was the best!

Had to admit I took off my glasses on each attraction because Faktor U. I got scaredddd, habe Angst! closed my eyes many times. Puhhh Aging effect is real hey! Is it the end of my brave Era? #Thinking #Leaning to yes. By the way, never trust the German weather, it said cloudy, it wasn’t, the sun existed for about 8 hours. While people screamed AAAAA, to me it’s more like AAAAAAging!!!!

We walked passed a stage where DJ Max Bering from Acid Rain played his music, it was fine but then it started to drizzle so we opted for some dinner. On what supposed to be Parade they have many Halloween characters coming out, walking on the boulevard, scaring us. I’d say they’re pretty awesome, the clothing + make up, for sure each took 3 hours to the least.

Before moving on to our next Agenda, curiosity got the best of us, we KNEW exactly those kind of games were designed to failed. Given some thought… just one game, OK? If we won then we have our decoration for next year ready as I was aiming on the Spider. Obviously, I didn’t get it, nope… we’re far from done, Dom wanted to try other game too, of course we’ve known the result.

We bought additional ticket for the show, called Unhallowed 2 ~ didn’t know there was the 1, costed 3 Euro each. I was very happy it wasn’t about Ghost, instead a combination of fire, pole dance, betrayal! Lasted for 30 minutes, very money’s worth. No photo allowed.

We still got time to Riesenrad ~ yeayyy we had day & evening view, plus last chance at Van Helsing Roller Coaster. I didn’t get the hype of why people are queuing for 80 Minutes, the ride was done inside & in dark (like space mountain). Yeah the moment I wear my glasses, I didn’t see nothing. My comment: was just alright.

In the end, rain poured down again, this time it didn’t stop, let’s clock off this 8 hours working shift 🙂 #We made overtime. If only real job was this fun #Mironic ~ Marlyn Ironic.

Good evening and Good bye 😉