Travel Info : Palangka Raya

Travel Info: Palangka Raya

Place to stay

Hotel Luwansa

http://luwansahotels.com/palangkaraya/

Jl. G. Obos No.102

(0536) 3242828

the room at Luwansa

Places to eat

Rumah Tjilik Riwut Gallery & Resto

Jl. Jenderal Sudirman

(0536) 3225430

RM Samba

Jl. RTA Milono No.31, Palangka Raya

(0536) 3224322

RM Samba

RM Borobudur 2

Jl. RTA Milono No.46, Palangka Raya

(0536) 3230149

RM Wong Cilik

Jl. Dr. Murjani

0822 5460 1313

RM Wong Cilik

Interesting places to visit

-          Arboretum Nyaru Menteng

(penangkaran orangutan milik Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation)

Jl. Tjilik Riwut Km 28

(0536) 3308416

www.orangutan.or.id

-          Danau Tahai

-          Taman Wisata Keluarga Fantacy Beach (Taman Gaul)

Tiket masuk: Dewasa Rp8000, Anak-anak 5-12 tahun Rp5000

-          Jembatan Kahayan

-          Replica of Rumah Betang at Jl DI Panjaitan No.3, Palangka Raya

Interesting things to do

-          Charter water plane from the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), Jl Palangka Raya – Bukit Rawi Km 1 #5, 0536 3254005, 0811 522550.

-          Try kalimantan’s durian called buah paken

-          Explore Sebangau river. Depart from Dermaga LLASD Kereng Bangkirai. You can ask the local people there to take you river cruising using their small wooden boat. Rp100.000 for a small wooden boat for 5 persons.

-         Explore Kahayan river. Starting point: kawasan dermaga Tugu Soekarno Hatta. Contact: 081349050718. Price Rp85.000/person for a 3-hour cruise. Warning: There’s a big chance that u’ll end up having to listen a group of people singing their hearts out on a karaoke set during the whole 3-hour journey.

-       Explore the river around Pulau Kaja to see orangutans. Morning (7-8am) is the best time to go to Pulau Kaja. Ask the local people at Desa Sei Gohong for their small wooden boat. Rp300.000 for a small wooden boat for 5 persons. The trip only take sabout one hour. After getting off the boat, walk around the village to see sandung. Sandung is a place to store the bones of the dead.

-          Photo session at Jl. Arut and Taman Kota

-          Buy souvenirs at Jl. Batam

To rent a car, call Pak Ipat 08125158343. The price (as of April 2014) is Rp500.000/12 hours. Price includes gasoline and driver.

Rita’s itinerary:

Day 1

Arboretum Nyaru Menteng, Danau Tahai, Fantacy Beach, MAF, Replica Rumah Betang, try buah paken, Dermaga LLASD Kereng Bangkirai, late lunch at Rumah Tjilik Riwut, back to Fantacy Beach, D’Tugu Cafe at kawasan wisata susur sungai kahayan. Stay at Luwansa Hotel. 

http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2014/09/palangka-rayatrip-18-20-april2014-rita.html

Day 2

Explore the river around Pulau Kaja to see orangutans. Lunch at RM Samba. Photo session at Jl. Arut. Explore Kahayan river. Photo session at Taman Kota. Dinner at RM Borobudur 2.

Day 3

Explore Sebangau river. Depart from Kereng Bangkirai Pier. Lunch at RM Wong Cilik. A visit to Bukit Raya Guesthouse.

http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2014/09/palangka-raya-part-2.html

Trip to London

Our trip to London

March 23 – April 3, 2014

Rita n Aza

Got the opportunity to attend a 3-day seminar organized by CCBS in London. Very excited, of course. 

And so we went there. And we had fun, despite the many days accompanied by gloomy sky and despite the air that was not as fresh as I thought it would be.

24 March

A clear blue sky! Thank God! Early in the morning, we tried the underground (tube), and felt the infamous ‘’rush hour’’ and always keeping in mind to prepare our oyster card before entering or exiting the station so that no British people will bump us.

We went to check out the venue. That is at the Bank of England. Turns out it wasn’t so hard to find. And the underground was very ‘’user friendly’’ as well.

After making sure that I won’t get lost tomorrow (the seminar starts at the 25th), we went to the Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of The Guard. When we arrived there around 15 minutes to 10, already there are crowds in the area. They’re already standing against the fence (the best spots I assume). There weren’t any space left for us.

Went walking around afterwards: St James’s Park, Big Ben, Wenstminter Abbey, London Eye, The Household Cavalry Museum, Trafalgar Square, and Marble Arch. Took us the whole day.

27 March

At late afternoon, we went to see the London Tower and the Tower Bridge. We didn’t go into the Towers. In fact, we didn’t go into any of the attractions in London which has an admission fee. Haha.. Everything is expensive for us (because we convert everything to our currency). Poor us :D

28 March

By this time, I’ve finished my 3-day seminar. Time to visit Windsor Castle. Unfortunately, the sky is gloomy today (as was expected). The castle is beautiful, inside and outside. The surroundings of the castle is beautiful as well.

Back in London. We went to visit the British Museum, mainly to see the famous mummies collection.

british museum 

29 March

Greenwich! I love it!

Went there by DLR (Docklands Light Railway). Sat in front of the train (as advised by Lonely Planet).

  

Cutty Sark, Discover Greenwich (took some funny picture there), The Painted Hall (stunning!), and of course the Greenwich Park and the Royal Observatory.

After all that, we went to check out O2 and the British Music Experience.

british music experience

Went back by Emirates Cable Car.

30 March

The serene Bath

Went inside the Roman Bath. And then, we just walked around the town: The Circus and the Parade Garden.

31 March

Back in London, doing more sightseeing. First up, St Paul’s church. U also can go the One New Change Shopping Mall (take the elevator to the 6th floor) to see the church.

the view from One New Change Shopping Mall

Bank of England Museum, The Monument, London Bridge, Science Museum, Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Harrods, Hard Rock Shop, and a cramped foot. Too much walking can kill you.

1 April

Manchester!

Off to the famous Old Trafford Stadium! Too bad, it was a match day, so we couldn’t do the museum tour. But they were kind enough to let us do a ‘’look in’’. Just about 15-20 minutes, taking a peek inside the stadium.

old trafford stadium

After Old Trafford, we also went to take a picture at the Etihad Stadium. And afterwards, had a very late lunch with our beloved friend and her husband. She’s studying at Manchester Business School.

2 April

Our last day in London. So sad :’(

Went for a little bit of sightseeing: Camden Town, the 9 ¾ Platform at King Cross Station, Tate Britain, and Kensington Park.

We didn’t go to Scotland (although everybody told us to). But I don’t regret it. Coz there are so much to see in London, and this is our first time. 

Please click here for the travel info.

Travel Info: London

Travel Info: London

From Jakarta to Heathrow Airport, London by Qatar Airways.

Price as of March 2014: USD 1,000 / person (return)

Transit at Doha

Jakarta to Doha: 8 hours 20 minutes

Doha to London: 6 hours 40 minutes

How to get to the city from the airport?

Heathrow Connect to Paddington Station (journey: 25 minutes, with several stops). You can buy online and get the tickets from the Heathrow Express’ machine at Heathrow airport.

https://www.heathrowconnect.com/

Heathrow Express Machine

Where to stay?

Hyde Park Radnor Hotel

7-9 Sussex Pl, London

The Hyde Park Radnor is a 3 minute walk from Paddington Main Line and Underground Station.

The Hyde Park Radnor is a 5 minute walk from Lancaster Gate Underground Station.

http://www.hydeparkradnor.com/

Price as of March 2014: £105/room/night including breakfast

Where to buy souvenirs?

Primark at Oxford Street: clothes, bags, notebooks. Marble Arch Underground Station.

Queensway/Baywaters: key chains, fridge magnets

Camden: small cups

Poundland: key chains, calendars, pencils, chocolates

Weather on late March 2014:

Raining occasionally. Some days are sunny, some days are gloomy. Temperature ranges between 10 degree celcius to 20 degree celcius.

Interesting places to visit

Hard Rock Cafe London

150 Old Park Lane

Rock Shop:

Mon - Sat 9.30am – 11.30pm

Sun 9.30am – 11pm

http://www.hardrock.com.sg/cafes/london/

Harry Potter’s 9 ¾ platform at Kings Cross Station

St James’s Park, Big Ben, The Supreme Court, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Household Cavalry Museum, Trafalgar Square.

Tower of London and Tower Bridge

St. Paul’s Cathedral, the 6th floor of New Change Shopping Mall, The Monument, London Bridge.

Hyde Park (Diana Memorial Fountain, Serpentine Lido)

Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace

To see the schedule:

http://www.changing-the-guard.com/dates-times.html

Arrive 1-2 hours earlier to get a good spot. If you want to see the changing guards ceremony, you have to stand near the surrounding gate. Be careful of pickpockets.

Bank of England Museum

Threadneedle St, London

Opening hours
Monday to Friday:​ 10.00am - 5.00pm (last entry 4.45pm).
Closed at weekends and Public Bank Holidays.
Admission is free

Closest tube: Bank station on the Northern, Central, Waterloo & City lines and the Docklands Light Railway – (5 minute walk)

http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/education/Pages/museum/visiting/default.aspx

British Museum

Great Russell St, London

Free

Open daily 10.00am – 5.30pm

Fridays until 8.30pm

Tube: Tottenham Court Road, Holborn,
Russell Square, Goodge Street

http://www.britishmuseum.org/

Science Museum

Exhibition Rd, London

Free

Open everyday 10am – 6pm

The nearest tube station is South Kensington on the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines

http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/

Tate Britain

Millbank, London

Free entry

Opening times

10.00–18.00 daily

The nearest London Underground stations to Tate Britain is Pimlico (Victoria Line, 600 metres approx.)

http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain

National History Museum

Cromwell Rd, London

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/

Entry is free

There is a charge for some exhibitions.

Open Monday to Sunday from 10.00-17.50, except 24-26 December. Last admission 17.30.

Victoria & Albert Museum

Cromwell Rd, London

http://www.vam.ac.uk/

Opening times

10.00 to 17.45 daily
10.00 to 22.00 Fridays

Admission to the V&A is free

How to get there: London Underground (The Tube): The V&A is a five minute walk from South Kensington underground station (on the Piccadilly, Circle and District Line).

Harrods

87-135 Brompton Rd

http://www.harrods.com/

for pictures of london, please click here and here

AROUND LONDON 

WINDSOR CASTLE

Price as of March 2014: £18.5 / person

http://www.windsor.gov.uk/things-to-do/windsor-castle-p43983

How to get there?

By Rail:   First Great Western operates from London Paddington.  Travel on services that call at Slough and change to the branch line that links Slough with Windsor and Eton Central station.

Rail ticket price: £10.2 / person (return)
Please click here for windsor castle pictures

BATH

http://visitbath.co.uk/

How to get there?

By coach from London Victoria coach station (£48 for 2 persons return)

Places To Visit:

-          Royal Crescent

-          Circus 

-          Pulteney Bridge

-          The Roman Baths

-          Parade Gardens

The stores at Bath closes at around 5pm.

For pictures of bath, please click here

the circus

MANCHESTER

the train to manchester

How to get there: Train from Euston to Machester Piccadily (£38/person – return). 

Places to visit:

-          Emirates Manchester United (Metrolink from Piccadily to Old Trafford)

-          Etihad (Metrolink to Etihad Campus)

You can buy a one day travel card for metrolink and bus for £6.7 per person.
For pictures in Manchester, please click here

GREENWICH

http://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/

How to get there?
Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Bank to Greenwich, Cutty Sark and Woolwich Arsenal; you can use oyster card

Emirates Air Line (Cable Car) Royal Docks to Greenwich Peninsula; you can use oyster card  

Places To Go:

-          Royal Observatory Greenwich (£7 / person); Open daily 10am-5pm (last admission 4.30pm); MUST DO: Stand with a foot in each hemisphere at Longitude 0°0' 0” in the Meridian Courtyard.

-          National Maritime Museum

-          The Queen’s House

-          Old Royal Naval College: Visit the beautiful Chapel and the magnificent Painted Hall

-          Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre

-          Cutty Sark

-          Greenwich Park

-          O2

Please click here for the pictures

Tips:

-          For cheaper food, go to Tesco, Sainsbury’s or M&S Food. You can find it everywhere.

Rita’s itinerary (12D/11N):

Day 1.

Dinner at Ya Hala Hyde Park (a Lebanese Restaurant): chicken, salad, fries, soft drink (£7.5).

Day 2.

Changing of The Guards. St. James’s Park. Big Ben. The Supreme Court. Westminster Abbey. Grab a bite at Tesco Express. London Eye. Household Cavalry Museum. Trafalgar Square. Primark.

Day 3.

Work

Day 4.

Work. Afternoon walk to Queensway/Bayswater. Dinner at Tuk Tuk (Thai Restaurant) £15 for 2 persons. 

food at tuk tuk

Day 5.

Work. Afternoon walk to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Grab a bite at Tesco Express.

Day 6.

Windsor Castle.

British Museum.

Day 7.

Buy coach ticket to Bath at Victoria Coach Station.

To Greenwich by DLR from Bank to Cutty Sark (using Oyster Card). Cutty Sark, Old Naval College (Painted Hall and Chapel), Maritime Museum, The Queen’s House, buy something to eat at Greenwich Market (Chicken Karaage Set £5.5), Royal Observatory £7, queue to get pictures taken at the Meridian Line, hop on a bus to O2, British Music Experience £10.8 for 2 persons, cable car £3.5 one way.

Day 8.

8am from Victoria Coach Station departing to Bath. Roman Bath, The Circle, Royal Crescent, bridge, Parade Garden. Back to London at 7pm.

Day 9.

St. Paul’s Cathedral, the 6th floor of New Change Shopping Mall, Bank of England Museum, The Monument, London Bridge, Tower of London, Science Museum, National History Museum, V&A Museum, Harrods, Hard Rock Cafe.  

Day 10.

Train from Euston to Machester Piccadily depart at 10am (£38/person – return). Emirates Manchester United (Metrolink from Piccadily to Old Trafford). Etihad (Metrolink to Etihad Campus). Late lunch at Al Jazerra. Back to London at 6.55pm.

Day 11.

Rendezvous with an old friend at Paddington’s Starbucks. Camden. Fish n chips for lunch at Camden. Tate Britain. Hyde Park. 

at camden

We spent £60 worth of oyster card for 12 days.