Java Part I (Yogyakarta)

After 2 Nights in Jakarta, I went to Yogyakarta by train. Jakarta itself wasn't that interesting. So no more comments for this city. But Yogyakarta impressed me a lot!

I stayed at Venezia Garden Homestay. They have Dorms and Doublerooms. It's was quite hot here and I was glad they have a nice Pool to chill. Breakfast was included which was not really the best but still ok. 

The location of this place is very central. Walking distance to downtown, Kraton (Kings palace), underground mosque, Birdmarket, restaurants, cafes and many galleries. 

(Sleeping Tuk Tuk Driver)

(Tuk Tuk's everywhere!)

There is art around every corner. Many  Galleries which are in the middle of a private living room, lots of Batikshops, public paintings and statues. 

(Garbage bin, Downtown)

(Statue at downtown)

(Casa CaSinta)

(...) 

(Temporary Art exhibition of Batik and Oil Paintings)

The last picture impressed me the most. The exhibitionist told me about the technics of Batic. It's so intense and I was really interested how they make it.

Yogyakarta has many restaurants and cafes... Local food places (Warung), Street food (e.g. Sate with peanut sauce), 

Vegetarian Organic Hipster restaurants and lots of restaurants with charity backgrounds. 

There is one place I have to recommend: Milas. The concept is sooo amazing and the atmosphere is nice.

Excursions around Yogja:

- Borobudur Temple (one of the biggest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia)

- Prambanan (biggest Hindu Temple in Indonesia, looks like a small version of Angkor Wat)

(Sunrise at Borobudur View Point, but I chose an other point in the jungle. Too many people at the View point where you can't enjoy the rising sun)

Killing the time at airports

I love to hang out at airports. 

(Photo: Zurich Airport, Edelweiss, 2014)

This is an area, where you are between borders... It's like to be nowhere... Just in Transit... No definition where you exactly are now. 

It's a very big emotional feeling to leave a lovely country and to enter an other beautiful one very soon.

-> to come to a conclusion: this is one of many sections during traveling, which can also be very excited.

So many people complain about the time they have to spend at the airport if some flights are delayed. In some kind it's understandable. But your life doesn't consist out of waiting, to be bored or to complain all the time especially at the airport. 

Use the time and do some productive activities for yourself:

1. Reading a Book or Magazines

2. I love Arts and I also draw a lot. That's why I always have a piece of paper or a sketch block and a pen. Sometimes I have to draw down all my fantasies from my head.. Otherwise it would explode.

3. Checking social networks (*Jane). A wonderful opportunity to keep in touch with the world out there. 

4. Having a nap after a brutal and incredible adventure you had in that country. 

5. Eating and watching people. This can be very entertaining.

6. Watching a movie. 

7. Talking and meeting people. Every single person I met during traveling, has this intention. Otherwise you have a big problem to get in touch with new people or you prefer to travel all by yourself without to get in contact (in my opinion, this is definitely brainless!!).

8. Shopping, but this could always be expensive or you save taxes. 

Now, I am at Phuket Airport and I have to wait 10h to check in. Today, I came all the way from Koh Tao (spontaneous trip). Because there was a storm, I decided to exit from the island 1 day before my flight will go to Jakarta.

Diving in Koh Tao

What a life: Sitting in the hammock at a lonely beach. 

I decided to go to Koh Tao and continue my PADI Advanced Open Water Diver. It's like I am addicted to discover the under water world and to go more deeper. Koh Tao is a very small island (about 3,5km long) and there are many many Dive spots. I am going to do my AOW at Alvaro Diving in Chalok, Koh Tao. 

(Studying for my AOW)

(Shark Bay) 

(Nangyuan Isand)

(Pirate Bar @Alvaro Diving, Chalok Beach)

On the last day, I decided to get a tattoo again. Instead the machine I want a Bamboo Tattoo. I chose a Thai Traditional Mandala. People from the Diving Shop recommended me this place: Koh Tao Bamboo Tattoo. Jun the owner, is well experienced and did my tattoo. He runs the shop with his sister who is a very lovely person. From the first time I felt very welcome. 

So glad to have this tattoo now. I adore it! 

Phuket: PADI Open Water Diver

I flew with a low-cost Airline called Jetstar. This is one of the low budget airline in Asia besides e.g. Airasia, Tigerair or Scoot. The flight just last 1:30h and it was comfortable. 

Phuket is located in the west south part of Thailand (Indian Ocean). It's the biggest Island of this Country and very touristy. You can do so many activities e.g. Diving, Surfing, Tanning :-), Party, Rock climbing around Krabi, Kayak, snorkeling and excursion to other Islands. Now I enjoy the low season before the high season will start next week. 

I did my first PADI certification @sssphuket. This is a Diveshop I really recommend. Tomorrow I will go to Koh Phi Phi for 3 more dives. I am so excited to see more. 

Summary: What I have done in Phuket

Diving - Beach -C ooking european food with friends - French People around me - learning stupid French words - eating Asian food - discovering Phuket with the motorbike - having a plat tire - everyday Thai Massage - having the best view of the Ocean from the flat (in the Jungle) - learning Thai words again - watching stupid tourists got transformed to a lobster (I am actually not a tourist, I am a traveller!!!) - amazing pink/orange colored sunset - eating Exotic fruits in the morning: carambola, pineapple, watermelon, guava, mango, pineapple, dragon fruit, pineapple, pineapple...

10 Things to do in Singapore

Yeeeew I am back in Singapore. This is a place, where I had a very nice childhood. Visiting my best childhood friend and hang around, having nice dinner and party hard :-)

I even don't do all the touristy things because I know Singapore very well now. But some places I still love to go which also are on the lis below. 

Here are 10 places in Singapore I recommend to go:

1. Marina Bay (MBS, Sea Lion Statue)

2. Orchard Road (Shopping!!)

3. Clarke Quay (Dining, Nightlife)

4. China Town (Temple, Market)

5. Little India

6. The Singapore Zoo

7. Sentosa Island (Universal Studios, Attractions, Beach Clubs)

8. Bugis (Shopping)

9. Everywhere: Eating at local places (food stall/court)

10. The Gardens by the Bay

With Finnair!

Ruben and I, we are waiting for boarding. Enough time to enjoy white and rosé wine and checking social networks. 

Before boarding at Zurich Airport

If you are still under 26 years old, I would recommend to fly with Finnair via Helsinki to Singapore or to other destinations. There are youth rates and you'll get a special price on the flights. Of you want to know how much we payed for, just pm. 

Okay, ready for boarding now. Good Night!

What's Homesick?

Homesick? 

An unknown feeling for me. I can't identify any situations of my life with this word. There is something inside me that always pushes me away, from where I stay now. I never found a place to set down yet. 

Someday, the place (or places hahaha) where I would stay and feel totally comfortable, is somewhere there outside. 

I am so damn curious to get into new countries, discovering other cultures, meeting and learning from other people, trying food and having a short insight into other mentalities. 

The way I am not loosing myself in discovering: I always need to find spots, where I can concentrate on my favorite hobbies during traveling.

If you got any similar statements or other reason of becoming or not becoming homesick, don't hesitate and tell me! I think it really depends how you grew up and how early you got in touch with traveling. 

About me and my travel

Background: 

I already traveled with my parents in my very early ages;

Having roots in Germany and in Thailand;

I mostly grew up in Germany and traveled a lot between Europe and Asia;

Also stayed in Singapore and Thailand for a while;

24 Countries I've been/visited until 2015:

12x Europe: Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Great Britain, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Portugal

1x Afrika: Morocco

9x Asia: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Russia, Turkey

1x USA: New York, Florida 

0x Latin Amerika: "soon"

0x Australia: "soon"

And More: 

surfing, snowboarding, rock climbing, fitness, diving, blogging, design and arts

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