The Worst Macao’s Hostel I Ever Been

Finding a place to stay in Macao is never an easy task especially if you are going in a very tight budget. Yes there are loath of fancy hostel with all their amenities and remarkable facilities. Name it the Venetian, Hard rock, Grand lisboa, and the list goes on. But in my case, spending a night there is a living cost for a whole week trip.

Only a few hostels have a website and published rate, so there it is the last resort of hope in making an arrangement towards my current Macao trip. Macao hostel is considerably expensive since what I got is not equal with what I spent…

*****

hostel entrance

Arrive in our ‘creepy’ hostel…LOL…it is located in the third floor of particular old building. No elevator and the stairway is dark and somewhat familiar in Chinese vampire movie scene…..to make long story short, this is the worst hostel I ever been..

Even though the location is very prime, the folks over there are as creepy as their hostel. No, it’s nothing about physical appearance but their attitude is not really welcoming. They warned us to only turn on the AC at bed time or else they will charge us..they taught us on how to turn on the AC and how to set the tempt at 26 degree…Errr…do they even know if I set the tempt on 18 degrees? Or do they think that we are plain stupid enough to believe that the AC only working at 26 degrees? LOL..Only god knows.

They told us strictly that they will charged us if we use the internet more than 10 minutes, and they did a second warn that we won’t be capable of cheating since they will notice as if their life is starring at persons using computer in their small lobby. …in the end I don’t even touch their computer…

The bath room is horrible..It’s a very very very TINY shared bathroom with a paper THIN wall that hollow under and above.. Everyone will feel insecure unless they are exhibitionist. The time when I had a me-time in the closet, the phillipinos woman hotel staff was knocking the door religiously and I was shouted “there’s someone over here!” GOD. . .it is sooo annoying…

I will never spend more than a day in this hostel! NEVER

Lucky, we met other fellow Indonesian here. She is a freelance reporter making stories about Linkin Park and Lady Gaga concert held in the following day.  We were chatting-cursing-laughing over the hostel right in front of the owner’s nose. We chat with Indonesian language instead of English and we are laughing so hard with no hostel staff even understand what we are laughing at.

God it must be my highlight of that day…

Surabaya Take Off

Some might surprised that a little change could forward the city faces into the next level of development. The ideas that I purpose is simple, feasible to be implemented and I believe it will resulted a great impact towards Surabaya in terms of Pollution, Economic, Socio-Culture and wellbeing living. Through one single topic improvement: Public Transportation System.

Public Transportation System: If I become the authority of Surabaya, the first thing I will do is fixing the public transportation system. Of course I am not talking about monorail or subway here. But I will put nice buses similar to busway in Surabaya major roads complete with it’s air con and cleaning maintenance. No food or drink allowed inside the buses. No smoking of course.

There should be no specific track for the bus; the main idea is the bus should be having specific bus stop. Only hop in and hop off the passenger in the specific points. And in every hop in-hop off point (halte bus) there should be clear information about the bus route. What bus goes to where, the fares, what bus is halting in that specific point and putting information what is the landmark of that specific destination point (by picture). The information is physically formed in as simple as informative board.

The establishment of this bus should not sacrifice the existence of AngKot (Angkutan Kota, a modified van used as public transportation system). The AngKot will still operating in most part of the city, reaching the smaller roads and maintaining the ‘identity of surabaya’ which can be sold as tourism entity. But still, the AngKot should also be having specific AngKot stop (halte angkot). With clear information board as in the halte bus previously discussed. The AngKot should also be rejuvenated and maintained. Control the cleanliness, change the cushion and etc.

More idea is also come up with the ownership share between the governments, private institution, together with previously AngKot entrepreneur. The involvement of this AngKot entrepreneur is to minimize the social impact / resistance from AngKot entrepreneur or driver towards the new transportation system policy. It will make sure that their revenue will not diminish through this kind of joint-ownership.

This relatively small change of Public Transportation System will create a positive multiple effects:

Impact; with the more convenience public transportation it will encourage more people to choose public transportation system. 70% of air pollution is come up from vehicle on the road. In 2006, the total number of vehicle in Surabaya is noted 1.000.000 vehicle. With 7% vehicle growth per year, it is forecasted the total number of vehicle in 2009 is no less than 1.200.000 vehicle.

If the existence of better public transportation system could encourage 1% of civilian to switch their transportation preferences from private vehicle into public transportation, it means 1% reduce in total vehicle, which is 12.000 vehicle.

How big 12.000 vehicles is? Ahmad Yani, one of the busiest street tracks in Surabaya is occupying 11.370 vehicles a day on average. The reduce of 12000 vehicles means dismissing all of the vehicles in Ahmad Yani from the dawn until the next dawn in the following day. Yes, it is huge, indeed. . .

For a more elaborate impact towards public transportation system establishment in broader sector, you might check out http://www.publictransportation.com/reports/index_economic.asp

Just my 100 rupiahs,

AIP

On Indonesia VS Malaysia

I believe that when it comes to dignity-something, both parties would easily be sensitive among each other. Malaysian is using Pendet dance in their tourism ads while Indonesian consider that kind of action is so un-ethical especially they did it without permission.

Well to be honestly speaking, I think in this case Malaysian cannot be stamped dirty guilty straight in their face.

Okey, lets fantasize a little bit. Consider me as a real estate tycoon; my project is making an amusement park. The theme is Romantic Paris. I build an identical Eiffel tower in the center of the park. Not to forget I also built identical Champ Elysess and The Louvre. I will skip the Hermes and Goyard store as I know most Indonesians cannot afford it. I also put several locals in blond wigs to dance Parisian local dance, whatever it is. . . .And then I make a HUGE advertisement promoting my amusement park. Put my 3 minutes duration campaign in Discovery Channel, flashy ads in international lifestyle magazine and not to forget pay Anggun C. Sasmi as my ambassador. Saying like “Come to Indonesia. . .Truly French”

Now the question is, does the international world would consider French culture as originally belong to Indonesian? I strongly believe it won’t be happening. Cut my arms and legs if it will happen for real.

Okey ladies and gents, Malaysia has been using Indonesian culture many times for their own prosperity and image purposes. Either they end up with a letter of forgive to Indonesian or just keep in silence as if it is nothing happened. And then Indonesians is already so sick of it, saturated in being treated that way resulted with the hatred feeling-talks-action in the society.

It is now the duty of Indonesian and it’s government to preserve, maintain and Promote their own valuable heritage. PROMOTION is one of the key, as we are now living in a ‘Branding-Image’ era. It can be done through international campaign, serious media coverage management and other PR activity. I am sure if Indonesian having a strong acknowledgment and ‘attached branding’ towards their own culture then it won’t be matters of what Malaysian done.

Just like the case of my amusement park, Monalisa belongs to Parisian and Pendet dance belongs to Indonesian, and it will stay that way for ever. Or at least until 2012 if the doomsday really happened.

As for Malaysia, I believe they are just another Amusement park with their quote of “Truly Asia”.

Just my 100 rupiahs

On Formula 1 Hotel Cikini

So, ladies and gents, currently I am so alive and well. Few days ago I just came back from Jakarta due to job interview. It is just an overnight trip that I planned to take the very last flight from Surabaya, stay a night in Soekarno Hatta terminal bench and then go to the job interview venue early in the morning.  Quick and considerably efficient.

That’s the plan, but due to several occasions eventually I stay at Cikini. Formula 1 hotel (accor group) to be exact.

I hereby write a review due to there is so little if it is none existed review of this hotel over the net. . . .

This hotel is so unique, the concept is almost like Airasia’s budget tune hotel in Kuala Lumpur but it is waaaay better. The façade is almost like a high end garage or some kind of automotive flavors with bright yellow color and stuff. Downstairs we can found Oh la la café that provide 24 hours of reasonable priced delicacies, Es Teler 77 of Indonesian-chinese food and a very large (Olympic size I assume) swimming pool. Also, what I really like is the existence of ‘giant’ minimarket chain that provides daily necessities at the price you found on the street.

No over decorated lobby whatsoever, the reception is really efficient and the security is above average of common 3 starred hotels. Each guest is given a single card that functioned as a room key and lifts access. So there, no hustler guest can go surprisingly in front of your room. The aisle from the lift to my room is almost similar from it is in the inul vista or other karaoke booth, lighted up with colorful neon of red, yellow, blue and green. Nice!

Inside my room, I got a queen size bed with an hotelier standard sheet and pillows. The interior is also very efficient, very suitable for business trip or spoilt overnight stay based on my standards (make that my standard is very low). The 19inch LCD TV is placed on the wall, airing a satellite channel, the parquet floor gives a warm feeling at night and a cool ambience at day. The air-condition is set personally, just like any other common AC you found on your house. You can almost see a wash tub from your bed as it is placed outside the bath room. As the bath room itself only equipped with shower and a closet.

No toiletries provided but towel is available free of charge.

Over all, recommended lodging for relatively cheap price within good location in the capital city.

******

Price range within $30-$40 per night and additional $5 for breakfast.

 

 

 

Surprise Trip

Finally I am landing my feet on the land of goddess, well let me say the land of pleasure (because it gives me pleasure more than the god-stuff).

Previously, I was in a huge doubt going here, since I should finish my final project revision, making a journal, doing this doing that regarding my graduation preparation. To make long story short, I manage to do this ‘surprise-unplanned’ trip to Bali. The most beautiful place on earth-yet I have visited. I bring my laptop with me (which is a rare occasion), and I did bring my spoilt wheeled bag (a very super ultimate rare occasion). I am over with wheeled bags from a year ago.

Anyway, the flight yesterday was going moderately awful. It s delayed and I arrive in Ngurah Rai airport almost midnight. I was so tired and sleepy.

***

Hop into the un-official taxi which agreed to take us (me&mom) to our hotel with 30.000 rupiahs. Its midnight and I don’t have a clear brain that time. We arrive to the kuta area-hotel, the doorman greet us and help our gigantic baggage. While my mom do the check in (we already have a booking), the waiter came with a mango juice welcome drink, with a nicely warm towel and elaborate flowers etc.

Ok, the joy is over, my moms name is not on the booking list. my mom insisting that the booking has already arranged. But alas, the reception did not found our booking. Eventually we realized that we arrive at the WRONG hotel. We supposedly to stay at discovery kartika but our lousy taxi driver drops us at other hotel-I-forgot-the-name.

Finally we have to walk in shame but still trying to keep our heads up. We are walking strolling around our enormous bag for around 1 kilometer reaching our hotel. 1km is nothing to be complaint about, but the story will be different if you are so tired, carry on a massive bag and walking with your Mom at midnight, oh yeah one more thing : there is a light raining! Perfect.

During the walk, we cannot push ourselves to stop laughing. We are so sorry for the previous hotel that already gave as a nice welcome drink and elaborated arrangement for a lost tourist like us!

***

view from my room

Ahh, I love Bali. That’s why I have never bored visiting this heaven, waking up in the morning with the beach sound on the backdrop, listening to the bird chirping beyond the coconut trees. . God it is heaven…