an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
It is one of my indulgences that keeps me excitingly creative by capturing moments in life.
“The day I confirmed my date to travel back to Indonesia, I did manage time to set my flight as comfortable as possible. The window seat for a long haul might be the best choice. At least, to capture some moments above the clouds.
Oh, I played folklore from the on-board entertainment.”
shot on iPhone 12 pro max
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“How do I start? Blaming myself for being so, so lackadaisical?”
Perhaps, I really should. It is awful neglecting this page for almost a year. I’m writing this apology from myself to Goofydreamer, a room of everything I share to the world, from a simple story of how I prepare my breakfast till “very-personal” life stories.
Eine Unvergesslische Reise (teil eins) was originally written last year but I re-published on the month of May when I did correct some grammatical errors and adjusted few photographs. So truly, I neglected this blog from October last year, the longest time I did write nothing here.
2020 was definitely an unforgettably awful and unexpected year for everyone. As I thought 2021 was going to be better yet some moments terribly hit me till I almost lost myself for sometime. Never had I imagined one the worst life destinies happened to me too soon. Never ever had I imagine it left me nothing but memories with one of the most important people in my life. Nothing I could change but keep going even to crawl for days till I had enough braveness to stand still again. I may share on writing what happened when myself is ready.
I once stood in front of a mirror in the restroom when I thought that one of the things we all need to do during these hard times is to stay happy. So many ways to achieve that, different ways for different people. I have been trying hard to keep myself stable during this “pandemic” era from last year, listening to a record that helps me to stay happy every time I listen to the whole body of work (folklore, what else :) let me remind you that today last year ago folklore was released and boom! it won Album of The Year Grammy 2021), investing more on my time to be closer to my mom even though it is only by phone, keeping my saving on track but I still let myself go for an eat-out ordering the same Tom Yam at the Chinatown restaurant, buying one or two new mugs (you’ll see the latest one is FOR FOX SAKE below – I guess it’s my new addiction), watching Lee Je-Hoon‘s dramas, etcetera, etcetera. I am taking it slowly on the fact that I never travel back home for more than two years due to some issues on this and that yet I am still looking on the day I stare to the clouds by the window seat again pretty soon.
Today when I woke up, I whispered to myself that I wanted to try to write something here, some random stuffs, or thoughts, anything, just to keep updating. Because updating contents here used to make me happy: photographing my food, chasing an afternoon light when shadowplay falls nicely, editing travel photographs from the vaults and publish them, or even those personal touchy stories that take one or two months to finish, or some random iPhone pictures. I was worried that I might not keep my words to post but then, I accidentally lifted myself when I found an afternoon light fell on my faux Eames chair. I took some interesting objects near me and well the time I exported all to my MacBook, I finally felt that spark again. I was happy. I named that simply happiness from photographs I took for 15 minutes as “A Little Oasis” – feeling.
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All taken with Sony A6300
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I remember how it felt when I received a gift from my sister which was the first mobile phone I ever had, Nokia 2112.
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Few months before I handed mine, I always imagined how cool it was if I was walking, passing the crowd and the mobile phone was ringing. It was tardy in my third year at high school when I first got mine while most of my friends had those fancy ones. Back then, Nokia was ahead of time. I remember various “out-of-the-box” designs applied on the mobile phone yet I was enough with a very handy one in lilac. The way I imagined I was so cool for sending a text with my Nokia to my friends just to ask if the next day at school we would have an exam came to real.
Then the trend for changeable phone cases was in as well as various designs and phone accessories. From 2112 I got upgraded to 3220, my world, that phone was so cool back then, launched with a fun feature, LED light on the body. It wasn’t that long until I changed to another “quite-quirky” phone called Nokia 7610 (whatsss!! I remember the unusual looking phone in red, white and black!! – trust me, I had to Google the series). It was crystal clear in mind I had 7610 when I started college. Photographing via mobile phone was an epic experience even the pixel was so limited :)
From Nokia, my mobile phone adventure flew to Samsung. I do not remember what series my first Android phone was but I remember it was white with a better quality camera. When I left Indonesia for the first time and started working overseas, I got an upgraded Android as a reward for myself, from myself. Until later the phone was lost when I left from a meeting in the evening. I recalled it was gone when I had to return to check the screening system twice and found nothing. Few days later I closed my eyes by spending my saving and got a Blackberry (who remember BBM, and the pop-up sound, and the emoticons, and BBM status?!).
Blackberry Bold 9900 to Sony Xperia Acro S then I finally landed on iPhone 5 (my first iPhone was iPhone 5! :)).
iPhone 5 accidentally fell and got broken –> iPhone 5 again, just because I had thought twice on getting an upgraded iPhone 5S (but no! I was diligent enough on saving money, lol) –> iPhone 7 –> and the current one, iPhone X –> iPhone 12 (blue one bitte, who knows! LOL, I’m still okay with iPhone X).
Some random iPhone photos from an iPhone X to end this random post :)
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I’m writing this post when travel bugs around me are flying higher. I think it’s such a good sign to hurry packing a bag pack and explore somewhere new.
This might be the last post I dedicated for a pretty city called Cape Town. Last year during this time, I was in my room thinking about a destination. Few choices, few new places in mind. I was pretty excited as always to start browsing where are the hits coffee shops in town, museums I needed to pay a visit, how about outfits to bring, and of course, thinking about how my indulgence in photography would be stronger.
Cape Town as I mentioned a few times on previous posts was beautiful. Having a week there was a cup of tea. Combination of nice weather (clear sky, tho sometimes was too-chill in the evening), delicious food, picturesque landscapes, freedom to visit and documented places as I wished without a schedule. I loved it when I woke up a bit late and took a good coffee nearby. I loved it when I didn’t need to rush because of drizzling and enjoyed the vibe after rain without an umbrella. I loved it when I went to a supermarket at noon and stood confusingly choosing what to eat. I loved it when I went to places and got photographs of Cape Town. All of these make me want to, let me repeat from above; make me want to pack my bag and explore somewhere new sooner than later.
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Colors I saw after I had a very quality breakfast and coffee at Truth
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To be honest I was quite disappointed with what I found “just this?” at Boo-Kap. Good news, it wasn’t far from where I stayed
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A little fancy brunch at Hemelhvijs (the ceiling has dry colorful hydrangeas). That day was very windy so I ordered hot Sri Lankan tea.
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It was a lovely and calming time at Honest Chocolate. Perhaps, it was the most favorite time I had when in Cape Town. I sat beside the window with cappuccino and banana cake when it was drizzling outside.
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Two photographs I took at one shop and one restaurant at V&A Waterfront .
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Strolling at Cape Town Civic Centre after visiting Ramadhan bazaar where I met one Indonesian lady selling Indonesian food.
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Okay, last ones. These were taken near where I stayed. The last morning and the last sunset.
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I almost forgot two things when I finally got an iPhone X five months ago; one, that feeling when you first unboxing an iPhone, time when you slide the top box, then find inside how handsome an iPhone is. Two, how clear the camera compare with the older versions. Every time I get a new iPhone the first app I always figure out is the camera, the rest are secondary. There was a time when one of my colleagues got an iPhone 7+ (wasn’t it years ago?), I admired how clear the camera was! compared with my iPhone6. Then when he got an iPhone X and I was still with iPhone 6, I felt “Damn, how could!”.
Till the time when an iPhone X arrived on my hand and I got that ‘feeling’ back, a feeling of excitement capturing objects only with an iPhone. Here are some coffee scenes I captured with an iPhone X three months ago when I was on vacation and had some coffee times in Indonesia. All was edited with VSCO on an iPhone (yes, still no editing apps on this new MacBook Pro :|)
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Don’t get distracted by the title.
I didn’t make cupcakes for breakfast. It was just a time when I had my breakfast few minutes before 8 AM and morning light fell in my room. You know me, I’m weak for a dramatic natural light that falls onto an object.
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“I spent few hours at Clifton till very subtle sunset was brighten the day”
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A week spent in Cape Town was one of my slowest travel styles as I did not have a must-visit list and high expectation of the city. Every time I travel to a new country, I always try not to put high expectation cause I feel some surprises I’ll find there are more interesting. Even before I flew to Cape Town, I didn’t really have a clear idea where to visit though I did a little research for the itinerary (of course for a visa purpose, what else). But when I was there, I kept doing the same thing every day: woke up, checked map and cost for Uber to a chosen destination, and followed what my heart said.
I paid a visit to Clifton on my third day after I went to Bo-Kaap for less than an hour since it’s quite close to the hostel I stayed. That day was quite gloomy, and I wasn’t so sure to spend my day at the beach (what was the point if it were raining then?) until I saw the weather changed a bit. After 20 minutes Uber ride from the hostel, I arrived at Clifton Beach 4. The area has 4 beaches named 1 to 4, that would make it easier which area you want to explore first.
I was pretty enjoyed when I lingered around there. I gasped a few times looking at those beautiful houses facing the ocean which made me knew that Clifton is an exclusive residential area where the most expensive real estate in South Africa located.
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Cause I didn’t prepare myself for beach time, I came to Clifton wearing my very comfy Zara cloth trousers (it made me easy to climb those huge rocks), light tee, and leather bag. This sounds so stupid right now but really, I came just to have some scenery photos.
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The simplest thing that made me grateful when I was there was I could simply sit on the bench hearing how magical the ocean sounded. It was a moment when I said to myself there a lot of things in life I need to be grateful for.
I came and found a brighter sky then it changed a bit gloomy again till I saw a subtle sunset before I ended my visit. It reminded me that in this life, we just need to let the universe shows different scenes without asking too much. And somehow, it could be unpredictably beautiful.
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The fact that I just realized today is April already, it makes me remember, I spent my April last year in one of stunning places I’ve ever been…
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I could tell that traveling is addictive in a good way, of course. I’m writing this in my room on Sunday, plus Easter holiday tomorrow, with my body’s here. But my mind is somewhere else. I’m literally thinking to travel to somewhere new. To somewhere I have never been to. I have some ideas where I’d like to spend my casual leave this year but I won’t tell for now :) (as I wish I didn’t need to think about budget TBH!).
As often as I think about where is my next destination, I also think about how I should gather my will to start something for my own house. It is too bad I neglect it for two years doing nothing. The last time I went (yes, last year when I had my annual leave in Indonesia) I forgot the exact location of the house, ridiculous I know. But it was true. I was literally wondering “where is my house” till I laughed stupidly when I saw a lot of vines growing on the floor. From the rusted gate, thru the door, till the unfinished part at the backyard. Sigh, pathetic. But here’s also the truth…
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“There are a lot of travel bugs flying around me right now”
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While I’m still looking at some places for my vacation, I’ll take you back to where I spent one of beautiful days I had last year in a stunning Cappadocia.
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Ok, fine. You just saw what I had for my breakfast in Cappadocia. It looks good right? The truth is, yes, it was! le pardon if it makes you hungry.
It was a bless having an opportunity to experience the famous balloon ride there and came back for an hour before my tour started. I still remember how peaceful it was having the breakfast that morning. When the sunshine was bright but the weather was cool, endless Turkish almond I fell in love with (true, the almond is amazingly milky!), fresh fruits, also that fluffy cutie popped in the picture :)
I only had an hour before the shuttle bus picked me for a whole day tour called Green Tour. It was part of the tour package I paid included the balloon ride (I’ll attach the link of the travel agent in case you guys need it :)). I had to rush preparing myself cause I knew that day would be an exciting long day.
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“You know I prefer to be a BTS person but when standing in front of that stunning landscape I gave my camera to one of the tour members and said “Would you mind?” ~ cause yes, for memory purpose. Perhaps if I didn’t follow my spirit I won’t have a single picture of myself in Cappadocia :)”
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Before I continue with the story, I’ll take you to take a short tour to some stunning landscapes…
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“If you read what I wrote up there, I must say one of the things “Ok, travel first” instead of “Buy the furniture for your dream living room” is photograph. I admit that photography is my happiness. Before I even started writing this post I looked again on those pictures I took when I travelled, always, and will always make me happy. This might sounds like an excuse not to do something for my house but buddy, there is a magical feeling every time I look at those photographs”
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I deliberately joined the tour cause I knew I can’t drive, meaning it would be easier for me to explore another side of Goreme by tour (even though I’m not a tour person tbh!). Perhaps if I could, I would drive around and stopped at some points anyhow I liked. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t regret anything joining the tour cause I was glad could see interesting places like what you’ve seen above. The tour itself started by 9am to 5pm and costs 40 euros/person. It includes Derinkuyu Underground City (you’ll love it if you are into history), Selime Monastery, Ihlara Valley, Pigeon Valley, and ends at Goreme Onyx where you could see onyx demonstration (and pick some if you want to spend money :)). The tour itself was a bit tight, so you might need to fuel yourself properly before it starts.
Honestly speaking you’ll be mesmerized by the fact how people lived in 8 levels of underground city then. It was amazing knowing the history from the English-speaking guide, tho it might be a bit boring if you are not into history. Again, if you have a plan to visit Cappadocia and have a very short time to explore but want to experience something else, the Green Tour isn’t bad at all. Yes, hiking on some points might be a bit tiring, but having a quick-lunch at place with beautiful surrounding and ended the trip at Pigeon Valley was worth to try.
When I finally arrived at my hotel that day, I didn’t want to waste my time in my room. I opened my window, the sky was gorgeous, some sunset hues were on the sky, and call prayer was echoed. I had no reason not to be grateful before I ended my day two in a stunning place called Cappadocia. Now, let these photographs do the talk :)
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I’m glad right now looking at picture above when we were stopped for five minutes and most of us decided sat on the road for memory purpose. Mine was taken by one of the tour members, she’s Chinese and traveled alone (oops, with her friend (read: a selfie stick) :)).
When I shared my chocolate to her in the bus, she said “I loved to be up there on the balloon ride, I think I’ll do it one more time tomorrow” :)
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Below is one of my favorite photographs I took that day…
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“Oh, bloody hell why I have to write the title of this post as if I’m a travel blogger, I can’t even say it with a straight face (I’m laughing!)”
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Okay fine, this isn’t a bad thing. I have managed my time (no, not actually, it’s laziness!) to start posting a post today. Been trying to finish what I have started since December last year after compiling some memories from my second visit to Japan (who doesn’t want to come back again to Japan anyway? One isn’t enough right). Well, this is a thing, when you start forgetting “don’t wait till tomorrow what you can do today” you’ll never finish. It’s lackadaisical, of course.
But here just a short one I’d like to share with you guys, ten things I will always love to do when I’m in one of fav cities on earth, Tokyo.
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“Of. Course. This. Is. The. First. Thing!”
“Pocky! This particular almond crush I tasted inside Shinkansen to Kyoto (on my first visit to Japan) stole my heart”
“What else is a better thing to start a morning than having a cup of cappuccino :) this was from Streamer Coffee Company”
“I might stay in hostel everytime in Tokyo for the sake of “finding new friendship”, but eating a proper “a-bit-fancy-oh-yes-it’s-pricey” breakfast at one cafe or restaurant is always a good idea, period”
“This is funny, but it’s actually fun”
“Staring the magical city light from above”
“Praying in a beautiful mosque called Tokyo Camii. When I was there, I remembered the day I met Hakan and Saf in Istanbul”
“Eating authentic halal ramen”
“Looking for some design inspirations cum spending money for some new stuffs”
“This last one might be the cheesiest thing I say on this post, but honestly speaking it’s one of my fav thing to do not only in Tokyo, everywhere I travel to a new country :). In frame below is my friend, Luís from Brazil”
“I actually woke up right. It’s Sunday…”
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When I have no events on the weekend, I prefer to pretend my Saturday night at home is endless. Sleep late is allowed, of course, cause wake up late on Sunday sounds right! When I was watching a movie on the bed last night, I was thinking to sleep late but felt asleep cause one, the movie’s such a boring one and second, I was kinda tired after editing few pictures for an upcoming post (still, an archive from Istanbul last year). I don’t watch TV, I prefer watching either movie scenes on YouTube or some favorite movies over and over again like Argo, Me Before You, Million Dollar Arm or La La Land from my MacBook.
This morning I woke up as if it was Monday: on time, straight working on my clothes (ironing, what else?), cleaning my room, and then brunch scene session with a multi-grain croissant, granola with pome, hello berries it’s been while, quinoa chips, kiwi and grapefruit. My morning is definitely not complete without a cup of coffee.
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Talking about movie, the one that stole my attention recently is Call Me By Your Name. Not because it’s scored 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, but the movie itself is such a masterpiece imho. Timmy’s acting is amazing, the scenes shot in northern Italy on the eighties are to die for: the wardrobes, lighting, locations, angles! I never watch a whole movie but some scenes on YouTube.
Even though I had no idea why Armie Hammer didn’t get a nomination for Best Supporting Actor on upcoming Oscar (this sounds like a snub huh, like how crazy Divide by Ed Sheeran didn’t even get a nomination for Best Album Grammy 2018, holy shit!), but I’d be so glad if this movie wins Oscar or perhaps a lucky star drops for Timothée Chalamet!
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
Ton meilleur pote à Bruxelles
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
"It's so beautifully arranged on the the plate - you know someone's fingers have been all over it." - Julia Child
baking makes friends.
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
Healthy Vegetarian Recipes.
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
an insight into the life of a dreamer who loves croissant, Paris, folklore, and nice things
goofydreamer 