FINALLY, finished my travel blog on New Zealand (for the first trip!). I guess, I have succeeded in presenting not the usual me travel blog, less talking (= writing) more pictures. Still haven't gotten my hands on my NZ merino yet, but I'm on the way continuing Call Me Sonja, my currently hottest travel blog about Trans Siberian - Trans Mongolian railway journey in Russia. Oh, I love trains.
Talking about trains, why oh why Google Maps doesn't provide the feature of drawing a railroad line? I want to draw my Trans Siberian - Trans Mongolian route which I have traveled. Worse, why on earth has Google Maps gone backwards?? In the past I could draw route lines in different colors. Thus I can differentiate which are the routes still planned and which are the ones already traveled. That's just one example.
Here's also one example, of my NZ photos available for license through Getty Images:
At this moment, however, my Hokkaido photos are being put on sale. Here's one example, too ;)
Happy sampling! :)
Quick Update
24 hours a day apparently is not enough for me to do all the things I want to do. Haven't yet finished with the blog on Russia, I'm now already starting a new one on New Zealand, the place where everyone said I should visit if I love to take pictures. To complete that blog quick, I have planned to make it not the usual me. Less talking (= writing), more photos. Hence, NZ in Pictures. Photos, photos, photos... I've been here, I've been there, I saw this, I saw that, done.
After ten post, it turned out not an easy thing for me to do. That less writing, I mean. However, I'm still trying (hard).
Because, I can't wait to get my hands on my new balls of NZ merino thread.
After ten post, it turned out not an easy thing for me to do. That less writing, I mean. However, I'm still trying (hard).
Because, I can't wait to get my hands on my new balls of NZ merino thread.
Another Winter Dream
Originally I had planned for this January 2013. However, after my return from my first Silk Road adventure, the ticket rose beyond the numbers in my bank account. I'm not giving up this dream:
Harbin Ice Festival
Harbin Ice Festival
We are Different
you make money about writing
i make money for traveling
you write about traveling
i travel for writing
you draw beautiful dreams for sale
i pay my dream to materialize real scrap
you make money and be happy
i make money from my happiness
you need one step to money
i need two, because before money there's my passion
Jakarta, November 7th 2012
i make money for traveling
you write about traveling
i travel for writing
you draw beautiful dreams for sale
i pay my dream to materialize real scrap
you make money and be happy
i make money from my happiness
you need one step to money
i need two, because before money there's my passion
Jakarta, November 7th 2012
Traveling as in Eating
"There is no food that doesn't taste good!" proclaimed a friend during lunch. "Even pork is good!" Everyone looked at him. He was a Moslem. A moment of silence entered our dining room.
My friend swallowed his food and continued, "If it isn't good, there are people eating it. So, it must be good. Because we don't eat it, it doesn't make it no good."
Some at the dinner table nodded, but some returned his statement with a suspicious look.
That happened a week before I left for Brunei, a place where many say, "There's nothing." Although I had planned my itinerary (as always) in detail, I boarded the plane while 30% believing that there would be nothing.
If you ask me, why did I go to Brunei anyway, that's because of an article I read in a children's magazine when I was a kid. That's another story.
Back from Brunei, my friend's words were still fresh in mind. I began to think. Isn't it so with traveling? When we say "there's nothing" about a place, aren't we actually saying, "I can't find what I like." ? It's actually not about the place. It's about us.
Just like when we say, "The food is no good." we are actually saying, "The food doesn't suite my taste (or condition, whatsoever)." It's actually not about the food. It's about us.
Just because we don't eat something, that doesn't make it no good. Just because we don't find our interest in a place, that doesn't make the place nothing.
I have seen many people who has passion for food as much as for traveling. Take TLC for an example. Is it about traveling? Yes, it is. Is it about eating? Yes, it is, too. If TLC were mine, there would be no program about food. If Anthony Bourdain were me, there would be no episode about me behind a dinner table. Nevertheless, I can see how close is eating to traveling. Here's another example.
"I prefer joining a tour to save myself from the hassle of preparing everything," commented someone on my frequent solo trips.
Hassle? Like what?
For me, drawing an itinerary and bringing it into realization is a thrill. Sometimes I draw an itinerary without knowing when I will actually make it (come true). I draw an itinerary like my artist friend who draws for the sake of drawing. You ask her, "Will your drawing sell"? She might answer you, "I have never thought about that." You ask me, "When will you go?" I might answer you, "I have no idea."
Please note that when I draw an itinerary, I don't fantasize. I search the map, travel guides, blogs, and so forth. My itinerary should be one that can be done by anyone who has the time, and the money.
At the end of a trip, when I exit the airport of my home country, I feel like hanging my finished drawing on the wall.
Yes, dealing with airliners, hotels, travel agents, drivers, can be frustrating. But, come on, this is called w-o-r-l-d. Is there a place guaranteed frustration-free? Tell me where! You join a tour to save yourself the ache of frustration from the above. Are you sure your tour agency won't frustrate you? If it does, there's a chance to be frustrated the whole trip, because you are bound for the whole trip.
Back to eating. Being a food lover doesn't mean a kitchen lover as well. Some prefer to have their food ready served on their table. Some other enjoy every slice, every chop, every stir, they do in the kitchen. For them, that's not hassle. That's joy.
I now understand why books and channels often get mixed up between eating and traveling.
My friend swallowed his food and continued, "If it isn't good, there are people eating it. So, it must be good. Because we don't eat it, it doesn't make it no good."
Some at the dinner table nodded, but some returned his statement with a suspicious look.
That happened a week before I left for Brunei, a place where many say, "There's nothing." Although I had planned my itinerary (as always) in detail, I boarded the plane while 30% believing that there would be nothing.
If you ask me, why did I go to Brunei anyway, that's because of an article I read in a children's magazine when I was a kid. That's another story.
Back from Brunei, my friend's words were still fresh in mind. I began to think. Isn't it so with traveling? When we say "there's nothing" about a place, aren't we actually saying, "I can't find what I like." ? It's actually not about the place. It's about us.
Just like when we say, "The food is no good." we are actually saying, "The food doesn't suite my taste (or condition, whatsoever)." It's actually not about the food. It's about us.
Just because we don't eat something, that doesn't make it no good. Just because we don't find our interest in a place, that doesn't make the place nothing.
I have seen many people who has passion for food as much as for traveling. Take TLC for an example. Is it about traveling? Yes, it is. Is it about eating? Yes, it is, too. If TLC were mine, there would be no program about food. If Anthony Bourdain were me, there would be no episode about me behind a dinner table. Nevertheless, I can see how close is eating to traveling. Here's another example.
"I prefer joining a tour to save myself from the hassle of preparing everything," commented someone on my frequent solo trips.
Hassle? Like what?
For me, drawing an itinerary and bringing it into realization is a thrill. Sometimes I draw an itinerary without knowing when I will actually make it (come true). I draw an itinerary like my artist friend who draws for the sake of drawing. You ask her, "Will your drawing sell"? She might answer you, "I have never thought about that." You ask me, "When will you go?" I might answer you, "I have no idea."
Please note that when I draw an itinerary, I don't fantasize. I search the map, travel guides, blogs, and so forth. My itinerary should be one that can be done by anyone who has the time, and the money.
At the end of a trip, when I exit the airport of my home country, I feel like hanging my finished drawing on the wall.
Yes, dealing with airliners, hotels, travel agents, drivers, can be frustrating. But, come on, this is called w-o-r-l-d. Is there a place guaranteed frustration-free? Tell me where! You join a tour to save yourself the ache of frustration from the above. Are you sure your tour agency won't frustrate you? If it does, there's a chance to be frustrated the whole trip, because you are bound for the whole trip.
Back to eating. Being a food lover doesn't mean a kitchen lover as well. Some prefer to have their food ready served on their table. Some other enjoy every slice, every chop, every stir, they do in the kitchen. For them, that's not hassle. That's joy.
I now understand why books and channels often get mixed up between eating and traveling.
I've Moved Brunei
Eventually, one of my dreamS has come true. Last May 14th to 18th, I visited Brunei for the first time. I'm so thrilled to move Brunei from under "Dream" to "Visited" in my Travel Blogs. About this modern road less traveled, I have so much to tell. The time in bed with laptop on lap -- as it's suppose to be -- and a glass of coffee beside, is the most looked-forward-to time of my day. I'm trying my best to write my stories about Brunei more effectively, before I travel my next dream.
How Bad is the Second Mile?
When I decided it's time to make my dream into something that actually happens,
I prepared myself for the followings.
I didn't prepare for the second mile.
It never ever occurred to me that I would have to deal with a gym center that service's sucks.
Every morning when I get up and remember that it's my day for the gym,
just the thought of it makes me feel sick.
What an irony, I often think.
People go to a gym to lower their blood pressure.
In my case, my blood pressure just bursts out every time I go to this gym.
Last night when I watched Nat Geo Adventure, I heard something like this:
"If you want something so bad, you would do whatever it takes."
I asked myself,
"How bad do I actually want this?"
I prepared myself for the followings.
- Work out ways to increase current income.
- Reduce favorite cafes from the list.
- Sacrifice sleeping-in times to avoid taking a taxi.
- Work out my body to increase current stamina.
I didn't prepare for the second mile.
It never ever occurred to me that I would have to deal with a gym center that service's sucks.
Every morning when I get up and remember that it's my day for the gym,
just the thought of it makes me feel sick.
What an irony, I often think.
People go to a gym to lower their blood pressure.
In my case, my blood pressure just bursts out every time I go to this gym.
Last night when I watched Nat Geo Adventure, I heard something like this:
"If you want something so bad, you would do whatever it takes."
I asked myself,
"How bad do I actually want this?"
Travel Your Dream!
regardless the power of your dream
without working for it
a dream stays forever a dream
too often, it doesn't happen
in all a day's work
but takes a life's journey
you get your dream happen
only if you use that power
and travel your dream
without working for it
a dream stays forever a dream
too often, it doesn't happen
in all a day's work
but takes a life's journey
you get your dream happen
only if you use that power
and travel your dream
The Baby Steps
In building this website, I've been inspired by two, three actually, major reasons.
First, it's what you surely know, my passion in traveling, photography, and writing.
Second? Hmmm... I'll announce that one day.
Third? It's Alexis Grant's newsletter "The Baby Step That Can't Wait", whom I knew through Travellerspoint.
So what are those baby steps I've made today?
I've put a little something into this website. I've posted some of my travel photos from my home country: Indonesia and from other countries in Asia: Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, China...
and I dream to post more from other countries
in the near future.
First, it's what you surely know, my passion in traveling, photography, and writing.
Second? Hmmm... I'll announce that one day.
Third? It's Alexis Grant's newsletter "The Baby Step That Can't Wait", whom I knew through Travellerspoint.
So what are those baby steps I've made today?
I've put a little something into this website. I've posted some of my travel photos from my home country: Indonesia and from other countries in Asia: Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, China...
and I dream to post more from other countries
in the near future.
In the Beginning
You find nothing here?
Neither do I.
But I dream to fill this space up,
for me and for you.
Although you are apart from me,
I can bring you travel to the places I've been.
Neither do I.
But I dream to fill this space up,
for me and for you.
Although you are apart from me,
I can bring you travel to the places I've been.
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