My second trip to Indonesia. (Kalimantan Timur and Sulawesi). A trip to remember

by RihanNa (bukan Nama Sebenar)



This would be my second trip to Indonesia. it was short. it was sweet. nothing more can describe the Business trip i had for 8 days in these two area of Indonesia.i have met few people that left very sweet moments in my heart.i didnt even have time to talk about my first trip. but it was so-so. the only part i enjoy is when i was in Bandung. you know right?it is shopping time.. =)





Anyway, being first time to Balikpapan, my first impression was like.... it is a very big city and clean. altho the Airport or what they called Bandara is a bit small but, the experience being there that count. Agree? i traveled from Miri at 6.20am and only arrive at Balikpapan that day at 8pm something. yeah. a very tiring trip i can say. but when Mbak Sophia from ELC greeted me at the arrival, I was happy to finally  talk to someone. my mouth felt numb.lol.

the next day, i have to travel from Balikpapan to Samarinda by road. i know right. it took me 3 hours journey. and the road condition to Samarinda is superrrrrr scary. if you think Sarawak and Sabah road are worst, think again. it was very hilly and the road are quite narrow. but, i enjoy the ride with my eyes shut. lol.

so the next day, i have school talk in the morning and exhibition in the afternoon. i have Aming as my interpreter in Samarinda. He is with the ELC team in Samarinda. He accompanied me to School talk as well. He is pretty much like me. as in similar like me. very friendly and talkative.  He even gave me a small token for the friendship that we created for about what? 12 hours? lol. i know. i am that friendly.. well, he gave me a bead bracelet that he had wore for 2 years. and i am honored for that. i only gave him Curtin woven bag. = (

a statue of women from kenyah tribe at the Bumi Senyiur Hotel Front lobby

a statue of men from kenyah tribe at the Bumi Senyiur Hotel Front lobby

 I took these two statue pic while waiting for the agent staff to pick me up for School talk in Samarinda. the similarities of sarawak and samarinda. after all we are one borneo.

 

 After the talk i took their pic and the school as well .oh yeah the school name is SMA Negeri 1. a very different view from Malaysia's school. most students ride motorbike to school. and they dont even have license. oh.. there are students who drive to school as well..  these people can really afford to study oversea. it is just the matter of their interest.

it was a fun and exciting talk that i have with them. i just hope that they succeed in whatever area that they chose to be in.

Finish in Samarinda, all of us travel back to Balikpapan on the same day. i mean at night. imagine the 3 hours hilly and scary journey. ahaha.. when we arrived. it was already 10pm plus. tired and cannot wait to check in and sleep. the next day we have our exhibition in the afternoon.

Education Expo in Novotel Hotel Balikpapan

some of the year 10 students that attended my booth.

most of them came only for the school assignment. nevertheless i enjoy giving consultation to them.

 Finish in Balikpapan, we flew to Makassar that night. our flight got delayed for 2 hours. lol. we were pissed off but still maintain our coolness. it was supposed to be 1 hour flight only. but yeah. Garuda flight normally delayed when it comes to evening.

so here is Makassar. different view and sight from Kaltim. the hotel that we stayed located nearby the sea. it was nice at day, but when the sun goes down, you can see a lot of people especially 'gelandangan' or homeless people started to fill up the waterfront.

my room view in Hotel Imperial Aryaduta Makassar

another  view from my room in Hotel Imperial Aryaduta Makassar

Masjid terapung by the sea.

Pisang epe is a popular local delicacies in makassar. give it a try when you are there. =)

 So me and Wele got the chance to walk by the waterfront at the first night we arrived. we even tried the popular pisang epe, as recommended by Riko. So we try the pisang epe coklat keju. hmm.. suprisingly sweet but not chocolate taste. only the color is brown. lol. should have tried Durian or other flavor tho. its quite cheap 3 pieces for IDR3000 if i am not mistaken. less then RM1 .

from left, Welesiang (FTMS), Me, Riana (Curtin Perth) and Eka at the back from ELC

 the second night in Makassar, me, Wele, Alex (LCIBS) and James (i forgot which institution he represent), went out again after we had dinner at My Dinar restaurant, which was sponsored by Ibu Lily. the big boss of ELC Education.

Masjid Amirul Mukminin at night. its a bit poor that these mosque have little lighting. i bet it would look nicer with more light.

me. kepo pose.

senget.

another amazing piece in Makassar

 the next morning i had an early flight to Jakarta and then only fly to Manado in the afternoon. actually they do have direct flight from Makassar to Manado. but apparently the flight was full. so.. yeah..

Manado was our last checkpoint for this roadshow. Manado was great, only the final night we have time to chill and relax.Me, mbak Ovy, Mbak Reni, Mbak Sari and few other reps from other institution had a blast night at the Club. the Club is similar like the Station 1 in Miri i guess. the only diffrerent is the location. it is located just nearby the sea, and the view was awesome. i could not took any pic. my phone battery was low. =( but the first night we ate dinner at the opposite of the club, which called Wahaha seafood restaurant and then we (me and Alex) joined Wele and Wele's friend at Cabal (another cool place to hang out) similar to ming cafe i guess. the food in Wahaha restaurant was awesome and you can even karaoke for free there.. this is serious. lol..

final night in Manado at Angelfish restaurant in Manado. Ria (James Cook Uni) and Riko. (Monash Aus)

people i met

selfie included. of course the meal were sponsored. =)

it took me only 30 minutes to finally bought this baby. i supeerrrrrr like it.

 me and Alex decided to go for a walk to nearby shopping mall while in Manado before the last event. so we walk around 10 minutes in the morning after breakfast at 10am.  the shoes above is among the item that i brought. i go back to hotel with 5 plastic bags. lol again. well, all i can say i only have that day to shop from the 8 days trip ok. so understand my needs. lol.

another round of exhibition in the afternoon and we all wrap up the event in Manado.

so the next morning, i got early flight again to Jakarta.

5.30am in Manado.

saying goodbye is hurt

from 5.30am in Manado and only arrived at 7pm plus in Miri. Who said being marketer is easy? but the traveling part is very much exciting.

There you go. my hectic and enjoyable days in Indonesia. Dont be scare to visit these 2 place (Kaltim and sulawesi) if you have the chance. new experience are waiting for you. =) Till then.