Week 1
AUGUST 15, 2019
Bye for NOW, PHILIPPINES! :-)
The day has finally come. I’m leaving Philippines going to Indonesia. I feel excited because it is my first time to ride an airplane and feel lucky to visit a country where several learning and experiences awaits me there. I never worry about anything though I always heard about “jetlag” and homesick.
I prepared my things for my itinerary from Baguio to Manila. I was with my classmate and accompanied by one of our mentors. It was a long day travel going to the airport and has to check in for the first time. This is it!
After having my first flight from Manila, I had my lay over at Jakarta and had a connecting and self-transfer flight to Semarang City, Indonesia.
August 16, 2019
After a long hours travel, here I come, Semarang City, Indonesia. Together with my classmate, we were fetched by Kuya Hadziq and ate Shabrina at the airport using UPGRIS car. It was never too hard to look for them because they were holding a paper written our names.
Since, it is already day time, before we go to the place where we will stay for a month, we had our late breakfast. It was my first time to eat Indonesian food and they paid everything for us. Since, I also love spicy foods; I never had a hard time eating all the food being served.
Upon arriving to a place named Wisma P4G UPGRIS KAMPUS 2, I thought it was our Cooperating school and had to stay in a dormitory. I feel so lucky because it is a hostel and I feel so comfortable with the place. They immediately gave us the Wi-Fi password and informed us for the free breakfast every day. And sometimes, our breakfast is buffet.Yehey!
Ate Shab told us to take a rest and fixed our things since it is Friday, so we don’t have to worry and rush things. A very happy weekend to me!
We took our rest and had the chance to take a bath after a day travel from Baguio City, Philippines to Semarang City.
China Town
At 7 pm, we were invited by our student buddies, Aulia and Ayuk to stroll around the China Town in Pecinan Semarang. There is a must-see destination called Semawis Festival. It is a night market with different stalls. We tried the traditional tea and it cost for only 6000 rupiah and ate Nasi Bakar Ayam-it has Basil leaves, rice and grilled chicken worth 45, 000 Rupiah . Delicious!
At 10 pm, Aulia brought us at the hostel by grab car. It was a tiring night but I enjoyed my first day so far. I really appreciate how they welcomed us with great food, great people and with a very comfortable place to stay in.
August 17, 2019
I had a peaceful sleep and woke up early. The buffet was ready and I ate a lot.
Since it is Saturday, our student buddies, Aulia and Riri accompanied us using their motorcycle. They help us to change our money to Indonesian Rupiah. It is advisable that I should buy a lot of US dollars in the Philippines for a higher exchange rate.
They also helped us in buying Roaming Card. They also taught to us how to use the grab application, for grab car and grab food since we will be using it during our stay.
At 11 am, we went back to the hotel to take a rest and be ready for our first city tour the next day.