To Write or Not To Write?

Since the rise of social media and micro blogging, it's getting harder and harder for us, blogger, to have the  urge to open our computer and write the long words. People don't read blogs anymore, they open their TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and another social media platform which are easily found in their phone. But, what was the reason I started writing this blog? Is it merely to please the audience, is it to get brand endorsement, is it to get as many viewers as possible? 

No.

I started to write this blog because I wanted to put my scattered thoughts in order, to reflect again the way I think and any possible ideas I have in mind by re-reading my writings to find meanings in it, to have memories forever written as clearly as possible here in this blog so I will be able to cherish them forever, whenever I want to. 

So, no. I do not want to stop writing in this blog. Whether a lot of people read my writings or nobody even know this blog even existed, I will keep writing :) 

And now I want to write things I miss the most, what happens right before Covid-19 happened back then at early 2020. My last solo journey to Istanbul, just because I missed the city so much and lucky me, there was also an endodontic conference there and my paper got accepted. And just like that, I flew to Istanbul!

I stayed at a budget hotel, Taksim Alya Suites and I loveee the place so much. Click here for the hotel page at Trip Advisor. The room was only cost USD 27 or IDR 400.000. 

The room comes with a bright window, overlooking little alleys at Taksim

My face after 14 hours flight journey from Lombok, Indonesia to Istanbul

Me peeking in the mirror

The view from my window

Neighborhood around The Hotel

Although it was a budget hotel, the room is quite comfortable, it has heater (really important because I visited at early Spring and the temperature was around 9 to 13 degree Celsius) and the amenities is quite complete. There was no cafeteria in the hotel but it provides sharing kitchen with free coffee, milk, and egg! The staff was also really helpful. I needed a metro card back then, and the hotel's staff lend his metro card to me so I did not need to buy a new one! :D

And the most important thing, the hotel is located at the heart of Taksim. Five minutes walking to Metro and Istiklal Street! Beside the hotel itself, I miss walking around the neighbourhood as well. Located at the heart of Istanbul, you could just walking aimlessly and will always ended up somewhere interesting, there are a lot of little comfortable cafes and beautiful little shops. A lot of people walking just to buy coffee or fruits, Turkish delights, walking their dogs, or just enjoying Istanbul. Just look at how beautiful the little alleys are, how could you not miss something like that? <3 

Bandung Bound

The homey ambience of House Sangkuriang, Bandung

Me & Husband

Ketupat Tahu at Dago

Sumber Hidangan, an old bakery at Braga

Kopi Lay & Sagoo, our favourite food for breakfast in Bandung

Warung Lela, its Yamien Manis is the besttt! And oh the view from the restaurant too!

Have this little rituals, chilling at Warung Taru in the afternoon before heading back to Jakarta

Last February 2020, just before the announcement of the first COVID-19 case in Indonesia, my husband and I went to Bandung for one of our friend's wedding. It turns out to be a mini honeymoon moment for us, for since our marriage we hadn't have the chance to travel somewhere far because I have to attend my study as an endodontic resident at University of Indonesia.

We randomly picked a hotel that looks homey and have a good location, and it turns out to be one of our favourite hotel in Bandung, House Sangkuriang! The place is small, located in the middle of Dago, yet turns out to be so serene and homey. And a year after the pandemic strikes, February 2021, we feel the urge to have a little vacation for us to be able to have the change of sceneries, clear our mind, and break our routines to be able to get back in the days with a fresh mind. So, since a long journey at a time like this is not really convenient yet, we chose to travel to Bandung again.

Had the chance to visit some of our favourite place in Bandung as mentioned above, we felt a little recharged. A 3 days quality time just for the two of us is enough for us to have a long and deep talk, sharing our dreams, plans, important values, and hopes. Since our university days, Bandung has been the place for us to reconnect, since we have a long distance relationship for 9 years. And here we are after getting married, Bandung is still one of our favourite cities, possessing a lot of good memories we will never forget ♡

Tat Tvam Asi

Selong Belanak Beach, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara

I really can not believe that I haven't written anything since January. Well, there are some drafts I left undone and which I haven't touched again since the last time I wrote them. What gets in the way? Life does. Got caught up taking care of documents before I ended my job at underdeveloped area in North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. Got to move back to my hometown for a while before moving again to Indonesia's dazzling capital city, Jakarta. And not to mention, as always, a little twist here in there. I got so caught up I forget to reflect. 

Writing has always been a medium of reflection for me. Writing my thoughts magically can make my scattered thoughts lining in a nice order thus I can consider matters in a deeper way. Today, for the very first time after what felt like forever, I feel inspired again. Done with cooking my meal for sahoor, done replying chats I should have replied weeks ago, done tidying my room, done learning things I'm supposed to learn, and about to meet one I love this end of day, I feel calm yet alive. And I feel like I want to write. 

My workplace, Primary Health Care in North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara 

(Operating under the emergency tent after the 7 SR earthquake)

Last February was my last month working as a dentist in a primary health care in North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara in an underdeveloped and post earthquake area. I chose to serve in an underdeveloped area because I want to know what it's like for the rest of society live outside of the sparkling metropolitan cities, I want to know what they need and their health condition and I want to serve them [will write about it in a separate post about PTT (health workers work in underdeveloped area)], but primarily it is because I got sick of life in the city full of materialism. 

I too, used to dream of continuing my education abroad on the top 10 world universities under the reason of learning what is best for my country. While actually there is a part of me that only want to study abroad for the sake of enjoying a cup of hot coffee in one corner of public park in the developed country. There, then, I realised how can I contribute to my country if I didn't even know how the majority live in our country, struggling even to get proper electricity? 

So, to North Lombok off I go. Better than my expectation, there, I did not only realise how beautiful Indonesia is, given the heavenly landscapes of hills and beaches of Lombok, but I also get to experience humanity in a closer and deeper way. Before the 7 SR earthquake in North Lombok, even if the infrastructure of the area is already developed (paved road, proper irrigation, easy access to clean water), its human resources' quality is far behind what we have in Java, Indonesia's most populated island. 

To be able to speak with elementary students during my dental health education programs, asked them about their dream, and share with them some inspiring stories, to be able to serve society from the middle low class in the primary health care, I feel like this is how we actually should have lived, by giving and treat others in a best way possible, for what we give is what we get. I feel like the more we share and give back to society, the more happiness we will get. 

My home away from home

Leaving Lombok 

Also in Lombok, I met my new families; Ibu Nengah's family who own the place I lived for my 13 months stay and my fellow doctors from different cities who work there. From Ibu I also learn a lot, about kindness, families, love, and humanity.

So when I have to move back to the city, at first I feel like I get uninspired. In Lombok I am able to enjoy the slow living, a balance work/life all because of the easy access to fresh air, open spaces, and beautiful hills and beaches unlike here in Jakarta, I worked in underdeveloped area and is easy to share my knowledge and using my expertise to help others. Tat tvam asi; I am you and you are me. In Lombok, I live so close to this belief, far from materialism. And it makes me happy. 

Survived my first day at Jakarta, commuting with public transportation

With some twist also get in the way, I forget to reflect and to be grateful. Thanks god, this month is Ramadan, a month full of reflection and duties to move us closer to God. Asking the staff of my rented room about whether or not she has food for iftar, giving food for them, although not much, actually is also a simple act of applying Tat tvam asi in each and everyday. Isn't happiness is within ourselves? No matter how hard things get and no matter where we at, when we always create positive mindfullness and giving our best attention and treat others the way we want to be treated, wouldn't life will treat us the same way too? 

On The Highest Railway in The World (Chengdu to Lhasa Train) - Bucketlist Checked

Read the previous post here:

• Overland Trip From China to Nepal (Chengdu-Tibet-Kathmandu)
• Chengdu-Tibet-Nepal: Budgeting Recap, Documents, Tips & Trick
• Things To Do While on Transit - Chengdu, China

The Serene Ambience While Reading a Book 

Along The 36 Hours Train Ride 

The Ticket

Transit at Xining Railway Station (To change to special train which can

 operate on high altitude along Qinghai Tibet Plateu)

Along The Ride, Fruits and Food (Non Halal) are Available on The Train

There are Bedding on One Side and Window Coach on The Other Side

How Locals Spend Their Time: Reading, Watching Drama, and Enjoy Hot Drinks and Eat!

The Dramatic View Along The Journey

Coffee Given to Me by Neighbor

My Neighbor (Locals Traveling From Chengdu to Lhasa)

One of My Open Trip Member Have to Use Nasal Cannula to Heal 

The Symptom of Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS)

Lhasa Train Station

When I was reading about Lhasa, there I stumble upon the so called highest railway in the world. The train on this journey will travel from Xining, China to Tibet, China through Qinghai Tibet Plateu, reaching the highest altititude when passing Tanggula Pass on 5200 meters above sea level. There are another high railway in the world, some of them are journey from Lima to Huancayo and from Cuzco to Lake Titicaca but this route from Xining to Lhasa is on the top of the list. So, who wouldn't want to put this journey on their bucket list?

So, purposely, I chose an open trip which taking train instead of plane to reach Lhasa. And turns out it really was once in a lifetime experience. The journey was taking 36+ hours train ride. Departing at 21:37 p.m from Chengdu, I take the hard sleeper train to Xining (2283 meters above sea level). The seat available are couch, hard sleeper, and soft sleeper. 

The couch is clearly not recommended for this two nights journey, the soft sleeper is the most comfortable one because it only consists of 4 beds in one private room, whilst the hard sleeper gives the most local experience; consist of 6 beds in a compartment without door, so clearly it will be a little bit noisy but this is how we can have interaction with locals who take the train, experience the way they enjoy the journey, mostly by watching movie, reading, playing cards, eating and eating!

One night was spent in a usual sleeper train from Lhasa to Xining. At the next day at around 10 a.m. we change train in Xining Railway Station to a special train suitable for high altitude, a completely sealed train with oxygen system which deliver oxygen to each of the carriage, nasal cannula is also available for those who feel AMS sympotms such as headache, nausea, and heavy vomitting. This train has the same seating and bedding configuration with the first train and we also got the same seat number.

In the second night, at about 10 p.m., we started to ascend to a higher altitude. I chose to sleep early because I am afraid that I might get AMS for I have never traveled to altitude higher than 2500 meters above sea level before. And a little tips, it's been a common knowledge around mountain climbers that Acetazolamide (Usually known by its brand: Diamox) could help with AMS symptopms. And after did a consultation with my doctor, she said that it might help with AMS symptomps, looking from its drug's mechanism of action. It is okay to consume this drug as long as we have no contraindication condition to this drug (such as hypersensitivity to Acetazolamide) and as long as it is not consumed in a long time (more than 7-10 days). So, I take Acetazolamide 125 mg, 2 times per day before ascending and take 250 mg, 2 times per day when I am in 4000+ altitude. And I have no AMS at all :)

Some of my group tour members get AMS symptomps such as vomiting and nausea when we are passing the Tanggula Pass on the train, therefore they have to use nasal cannula to get more oxygen. And this also happen with a lot of locals. So, AMS is real issue when traveling to high altitude guys! Make sure to consult with your doctor about the best way to prevent it, including taking Acetazolamide in the right dose. 

And finally at the second day, around 10 a.m. we arrived at Lhasa Station. It was really a once in a lifetime experience. Sleeping in a hard sleeper train for two days, passing the most dramatic landscape, from cities, to desert, until the snow capped mountain along the highest railway in the world, while seeing what locals do, talking with them, sipping hot coffee once or twice, reading my favorite book, until enjoying fresh fruit from the cart is really an unforgettable memories. I would not choose to take plane to reach Lhasa, for this experience is worth to be ticked from my bucket list, and from your bucket list too for sure, no?

Things to Do While on Transit - Chengdu, China

Read the previous post:

• Overland Trip From China To Nepal (Chengdu - Tibet - Kathmandu)
• Chengdu - Tibet - Nepal: Budgeting Recap, Documents, Tips & Trick

Chunxi Road, Chengdu, China

Before departing for Tibet, I first arrived at Chengdu to catch the train departing for Lhasa. I purposely came a little bit early so that I can enjoy Chengdu first for I long for visiting its Giant Panda Breeding. Fortunately, not only I can visited its Giant Panda Breeding, I can also walked along the buzzling street around my apartment. Here are some interesting places I visited during my one and a half day spent in Chengdu:

Chunxi Road

This road is located in Jinjiang District. From my apartment, Chengdu Memory Space Apartment Taiguli Branch, this road is only five minutes away by walk.  This street was initially built to connect two commercial centers. And now you can find almost everything here, from the famous bubble tea, traditional snacks, fruits, until department store such as Isetan. 

To spend one evening there after a tiring long flight is such a memorable first day in my travel journey. This place would be perfect to be visited whether in days or nights, for when the night come you could only stare at the city lights and already feel happy (at least, it was, for me) :)

Tianfu Square, Chengdu, China

Tianfu Square

About 15 minutes slow walk (and a little stop here and there to take some picture) from Chunxi Road,  I found Tianfu Square. This place is located in The Commercial and Business District and a stop for 2 lines of the metro so this place is quite crowded. But I still can enjoy the super clean open space and stop for a moment to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city. The famous Mao Zedong Statue is located in front of this square so I must say this is a must visit place for your first visit to Chengdu.

Walking passed by The Mao Zedong Statue, Chengdu, China

Me wearing: Top (Unbranded), Wool Jacket (Marks & Spencer), 

Pants (Unbranded), Bag (Fossil), Shoes (Payless)

Mao Zedong Statue

This famous statue is located in front of Tianfu Square. Actually, nothing to do here other than taking picture with the statue, but for a Chengdu first timer I guess it is nice to see this memory of the founding father of China, no? 

Eating halal noodle at one store in moslem area near Chengdu Museum

Moslem Area Near Chengdu Museum

After get enough with the walk and the night started to crawl in, we were looking for some food and we found that there is a moslem are not far from the square. So we walked there, passed The Chengdu Museum and finally about 8  minutes from Tianfu Square we saw this halal noodle store in the second floor of a bakery (the bread is delicious too) and there we went (So sorry I can't read the store's name, but it is easy to be found in the moslem area). 

I ate a beef noodle and I like it. Just like the usual Chinese dishes this noodle is rich with spicy and oily flavor and some of my friends did't find it suit their taste. But honestly, I like it :)

JinLi Ancient Street

JinLi Ancient Street

One of our tour group member wanted to find a starbucks located in an old traditional building, then there we were, finding it inside JinLi Ancient Street. We first thought that this place is not far from Tianfu Square, but actually it takes us about 20-30 minutes by walk from Tianfu Square because we were taking the long way round, getting lost for we were not reading the map carefully. And we totally walked about 10 kms from our apartment to reach this street.

I didn't find any of the starbucks store's photo in my camera (my bad), but you can see it here. A quiet interesting way to end the day by sipping hot cafe mocha inside the ambience of an old traditional building, I must say. But more than that, I enjoyed my walk along this street, buying traditional snack (grilled fish), eating it while watching traditional dance performance and moreover in a breezy spring day.

At Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

One Panda was Busy Eating

Red Panda 

Every panda in The Breeding Center have their own personal detail and characteristic described!

 你好 Er Qiao! 

Can't help but wanted to buy all of the souvenirs in The Souvenir Center

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

And finally! Can't believe that I have the time to visit this place I've been longing for so long. It took 30 minutes by taxi to go to this breeding center from our apartment. A really vast and beautiful conservatory to wander around. And for erderly or for some people who only want to enjoy the ambience while sipping on hot drinks, there are few beautiful cafes available which overlooking a serene lake. 

I chose to explore this place on foot but of course for some people it might be tiring, but believe me it was worth it. You could also take the train available, but the queue is quite long. There I could see panda and their (always) funny behavior. There is also red panda, anyway have you ever seen it before? Yes, they are exist!

And my favorite is Panda's cub. The little and active baby is located far in the nursery area. Not much people reach this place, but a little tip for you, really you should visit this nursery area!

Explore Time: 3-4 hours

Entrance Fee: 9 USD