FAR FAR AWAY

Hi! We meet again! Remember when I told you that we left Jakarta on the same day Muna & Abg hafiz left for Malaysia? Yes! On Sunday morning… despite saying goodbye and crying for the whole day in our apartment, Ezmir planned a trip for both of us. He booked us flight tickets to Malang, East Java on the same morning. Many questions were playing around in my head. Where is exactly Malang in the map? Will there be any civilization in Malang? (Malang in English term is unfortunate or very unlucky) Anyway, Malang is almost 14-hour drive from Jakarta and 2-hour drive to Surabaya. (Surabaya is the second largest city in Indonesia) Very ‘malang’ that we cannot go to Surabaya since we had very limited time here in Malang. Ezmir had work to do in Malang and therefore he brought me along for a 4-day trip.

On the day we arrived, a sopir waited for us and was ready to show us around Malang. Malang used to be known as one of the cooler states in Indonesia. Here, they grew apples and strawberries! Without wasting any more time, Ezmir asked the driver to take us to Kota Batu (apple plantation) after a quick lunch at Pondok Desa in Malang Town Square (Matos). 

Kota Batu

It took us about 30 mins from Kota Malang to Kota Batu. Upon reaching there we had to pay Rp35 000 each  for entrance fee and we were allowed to pluck the fruits from the garden. Sadly, although there were apples (Granny Smith apple) but we were not allowed to pluck them since they were not matured yet. However, the place is sooOOoo beautiful and surrounded by mountains. The scenery is priceless and we enjoyed ourselves plucking the Guavas and Oranges. They provided a tour guide to attend to you without any extra charges and he/she will accompany you for the rest of the visit.

Taman Rekreasi Singkaleng (Singkaleng Recrational Park)

The next day we had lunch at this local restaurant –Pak Amir Soto recommended by Ezmir’s colleague. We both had Soto Nasi Impit and it was really really scrumptious! –This was our very first time eating in a small kedai makan (restaurant). Hahaha

After luch, we headed towards Taman Rekreasi Sengkaling (by the way, this theme-park is owned by Ezmir’s company) On the way to the park, Ezmir’s colleague, Rony kept on reminding us that the theme-park is small  - not to give high expectations on it since the theme park caters for middle to low income group. 

We were very surprised that the theme park was NOT SMALL at all!!! The 20 year-old theme park has a water Park, dry Park, mini Zoo and Go Cart and many more... We spent 2 hours sightseeing and taking photos.

Taman Indie Restaurant

Later that night, we had our dinner at one of the most exclusive restaurant in Malang- Taman Indie Restaurant. The restaurant is located in Araya Golf Club. The restaurant ambiance is very exclusive and private. We got to choose our dining place - whether we wanted to eat in the restaurant, garden hut or River view hut. There was also a live band and gamelan (traditional music instrument mostly played by the Malays) performing for the whole night. The place was so nice and romantic. We had our dinner and chatted until we forgot the time. 

We only realized the time (about two hours later) when we called the waiter for the bill. To call the waiter, we had to knock on this wooden piece (much like in the kampong - call of prayer)…Amazingly the bill came up only LESS than RM 50 for both!! Hahahaha.. We had a blast!

The East of Java

Enjoying our complimentary breakfast @ Executive Lounge due to flight delayed

My very first time experience on Garuda Indonesia (Not so bad huh?hehe)

I was totally wrong! Thought I was going to spend the rest of the vacation in a small motel! hehe

They have a nice bathroom also! woowweee... ;p

Jalan tikus aka shortcuts to avoid massive traffic jam

Pondok Desa gives the kampung feeling...

Nicely set up!

Malaysian medical student studying in Universitas Brawijaya, Malang (there are so many Universities in Malang)

Welcome to Kota Batu, Malang

Welcome drink 

Apple trees!!!!

Wow..they are big and healthy! hehe

We were surrounded by mountains..

Us

Miss Tour Guide is giving explainations and Mr Ezmir is pretending to understand! hahaha (their dialect is a bit different compared with the dialect used in Jakarta)

Oranges!!!

Another one in another tree!

Free fresh juice direct from the farm

Plucking Area

PLUCKING TIME!!!!!

I had a hard time walking with my new sandal (Why la did I left my Crocs at the hotel??)

Very nice pink guava..yummy yummy..

At Pak Amir's

Very typical local restaurant

Delicious Soto with Nasi Impit

They eat together with below cucur udang (here they call it rempeyek udang) ! Fuhh!! dahsyat!!

Welcome to Taman Rekreasi Sengkaling

Alligator Fish that only eats meat!!

Fish world..(someone was already inside the fish's mouth!hehe)

The Glass House

Photo with the boss of the park!;p

having fun at work!

Nice pool!!

The real alligator..

More and more pics of the theme park..

Taman Indie Restaurant

Es Taman Indie

Sup Bontot Special

Gado-gado

Rawon Iga bakar

River side's Hut

Someone looks really happy with the bill!! hehehe

Indoor Restaurant

Cheers,