Jakarta & Price Hike Rally

Us in Soekarno Airport waiting for our flight..

The result of our shopping spree..

I am contemplating whether should I proceed my trip to Jakarta or cancel it. My hubby and Asam keep on getting to my nerve by saying, just stay, DON'T GO!!. Your life is more important than the errands. Which is true but having a hectic schedule I can't afford to take more leave. For your information, beside being a wife, mother of 2 and daughter to a very understanding parents, I am a Programme Manager for an established international world class hotel chain (Perghhh.. Dear Mr Managing Director(s), kindly pay me double for the statement - hehe..) + Managing Director of Marshella (which currently are going to launch 2 new clothing brands in this middle of April). I am really busy.

So I proceed with the trip. Ya Allah, please bless our trip.

The rally was "that" bad, REALLY BAD! I was informed by my hubby that in Malaysia the TV station did not revealed the whole incident like my description (we update each other through WhatsApp) but in Indonesia we was fed by the "real" scenario. It was TERRIBLE to watched the "mahasiswa's" be beaten, live on TV (diorang ni pon satu, ikut perasaan sangat). There was few incident, the police shoots to the protesters.

I have a very short trip, 3D2N but I can't wait to be back on the second day. This time my luggage weight is 50kg only (most of my trip I upgrade 70kg for 2 pax). I enjoyed the shopping but not whole heartedly. I am worried about our safety. Luckily enough our hotel is near by with Tanah Abang (and the rally spot). Memang bahaya, but this new hotel location not as bad as my previous stays.

On our last day, we went early to the airport. We arrived around 1pm (our flight at 8.30pm). So many obstacle happen during this trip. I asked my sister to upgrade my luggage through online and she tried to do it many times but not avail so when I check in my flight, I was informed that no luggage was upgraded. WHAT??? You must be joking! How on earth I am bringing back this 6 bags (with cheaper rates?).

Great mind think alike, before I contact my hubby, he rang me. "Yang, your sister tried to upgrade your luggage and failed". I already figure that out. Not a good news, of course. I walk to Air Asia office to do the upgrade and later found out I have no enough Rupiah. Ok, now I am really upset. Total for 50kg is IDR290k (MYR97.73). I have IDR100k. If I want to pay using MYR currency they asked me to pay MYR126 (I just love numbers). I asked them the nearest money changer and for the third time in this trip I change my MYR money. It is enough to pay the luggage fee and we still have over IDR240k to spend. Yeayyyyy (not!).

We ate our lunch and after that Pippa insist we "lepak" at JCo. She craving the sweet doughnut (she actually love spending my money to the last bit). After "lepak" 2 hours in JCo, I am getting bored. So I told her why not change the "lepak" venue at our usual cafe, upstairs.

This is when a couple coming to us and asked if they can borrow our money? We only have MYR100+ and IDR100k+ in our hand. Enough to survive until dinner and for our Malaysia transport fees. I told them that was the only money we had. They said they only have ATM and credit cards (which can't be used in Indonesia as they didn't inform their bank). Never knew they have to pay levi to go out from Indonesia. This is their first time. I suddenly recall their faces immediately. They stayed in our hotel! No wonder looks familiar.

Without hesitate we give them them the money and we only left with MYR19. Enough to take bus to KL Sentral. They thank us may times and asked my contact number. I gave my number but did not asked theirs. Their flight at 8pm. They said they will bank in immediately once they reached KL. I said no worries.

Exactly at 11.45pm (once arrived in the airport), I received sms from the couple. Thanks us again and ask our bank account. We replied next day and within 10 mins they bank in our money.

Remember I wrote that this trip is full of obstacles? Yup, this is the best part. We was stop by Malaysia Custom and they asked us to declare the luggage's worth. F***! Before getting our luggage's, few times Pippa asked me to separate the 6 luggage's to 2 trolleys. Being lazy as usual, I said no. We ended up in their office for 45mins. I stubbornly said I will not paying any of the tax. They never put up any proper signage that quite number of items will be tax impose. From asking us to pay MYR300 (10% from the MYR3000 worth) and later was reduce to MYR150, MYR100 and lastly MYR50). I still said NO!

Pippa being Pippa, not up to the argument. She quietly said that she will pay the tax. I roll my eyes with this girl. Fine, I told her get the receipt as I am not going to pay any non sense "duit kopi".

To cut this short, we safely arrived home at 2am in HUNGRY mode. Hehe.. My hubby being very sweet, he "tapaw" us Nasi Arab (lamb for me, chic for Pippa) and we felt loveeeed..

Jakarta Bandung Jakarta

My second time actually. I never fancy to go there due to the "macet". But this time it was different (the "macet" is still there of coz), I have to go for Marshella fabric hunting and settle my family business. Pippa, Adah and Su joined me for this trip. They just started the business and need my advice for the best deal in town and what to buy. So we booked the tickets. Unfortunately, Su haven't checked her passport expiry date properly and we have no choice, but to leave her behind (she renew the passport and get on the next plane to Jakarta). Very high spirit girl!

We have tied schedule during the stay. Travelling between Jakarta, Bandung, Jakarta is not an easy job. We slept few hours a day, little rest but at the end this was a successful trip - at least for me. I did not bring camera so all the pictures credit to Adah and Su. They love to take the pictures.

Food are super great and yummy! We ate Iga Panggang few times, Nasi Goreng Seafood, Ikan Gurami Goreng Berlado, Pisang Ijau for the dessert and many more delicious Indonesia kuih.

There was one incident I hate during my stay which should never happen. I was cheated by one shop assistant which I have asked him to buy the starter SimPati sim card. He has mentioned that the starter kit in Jakarta is Rupiah 55k (MYR19.36). Without having second thought I gave the money. After he passed me the starter kit, I was so curious on the credit value I had in the sim card (Rupiah 5k) and found out that the starter kit actually cost only Rupiah 10k. I came back to the shop to clarified with the boy. He is not there. I came back again after 2 days (I have a trip to Bandung the next day). Don't ever think I will forgive and FORGET easily ya.. It's not about the money but principle.

The boy denied and even pestered me to follow him to the shop. I am not interested to be lied twice. He even dare me to get the rates mentioned by others (Rupiah 10k) and if I managed to buy with the price he will pay me "4 lipat" - wah cakap besar pulak tu! You cheat my money and now you want to pay me 4 times if I get the sim card? Hmmm... I then walked to the nearest shop to get the actual price and most of the shop and people I interviewed said the maximum for the kit was Rupiah 15k. I buy the sim card and get the bill. To cut it short, he pay me Rupiah 45k (not 4 lipat as promise- memang dasar penipu).

I totally understand that they are poor but it should NEVER be the reason to cheat people. Duit haram is always haram. No excuse.

Apart of that, I FINALLY managed to met with Aas (my ex colleague manager in Promark) and Sanjay in Plaza Indonesia. I've notice almost 90% of the women at the shopping complex wore 5inch heels, carried all the designer handbags, thick make up, and have a nice hair. Aas said it is a normal view in Plaza Indonesia and it is rare to see women with flat sandal and no make up. Even on SUNDAY! Huh? I was also informed by Aas that all the branded goods are having the sales. Gucci, Prada, Ferragamo and Louboutin on 50% off! *double pengsan* Why me??? Why now, when I have all the errands that I have to gave the prioritize?

Let's browse the pictures lah..

KLM, Business Class & Jakarta Part II

Ha.. I did not bring my camera for this trip + not feeling well to give all the poses.. This picture credit to Kak Aida.

KLM, Business Class & Jakarta

Happening title? Indeed! We are booked for KLM flight but later when we check in at KLIA, the KLM personnel have asked me whether we would like to be upgrade to MAS BUSINESS CLASS. My first reaction - "jangan nak tipu boleh tak?".. Yup, that was the words came out from my mouth. He then replied, "kalau tak nak saya kasi kat orang lain". This time I knew he is serious! I coolly replied, "yeah, why not"... To cover my embarrassment. *blush*.

I love shopping in Jakarta especially Tanah Abang and Grand Indonesia. Bumped with so many sales - Guess and Quicksilver for kids up to 80%! I hate the "macet" but we have great driver that have a great sense not to used the highway (he use the kampung road instead, thank god!).

For the first time in my life, I take the "bajai". It cost me around Rupiah 20K/ RM7.18 (fee depends on the macet and driver, you may bargain the price - in my case I have too because I can't stand to carried all the shopping bags and the worst was THE HONK! Madness!). We have no choice but to take this. But hey, it worth of experience and time. We arrived safely at our hotel in Thamrin Residence within 15 minutes, if by taxi around 1 to 2 hours. MACET! In Jakarta that consider FAST! My personal opinion, bajai is extremely enthusiastic if you willing to gamble your safety and life. I won't mind to use this service again if I'm going back to Jakarta (only in Tanah Abang area!)

Btw, my stay in Thamrin Residence only cost me Rupiah 348K /RM124.93 per night, with breakfast for 2. Affordable, clean, in the middle of all the fantastic shopping complexes and 5 star hotels and Hard Rock Cafe.

I will write and upload few picture on my next post. Very busy.

Tata for now..