Travel – Page 6 – goofydreamer

Good Times

September 2, 2015September 5, 2015by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

We all have our definition of a good time. Having a best friends-talk with coffee is my version of what is a good time or, an opportunity enjoying delicious food with my family. On this post, I’d compiled some good times I had when I was really, really enjoyed quality times with my best friends. Reminiscing those moments makes me realize that life is how we should enjoy every precious time with everyone we loved, and let it be a good time.

Many coffee-scenes on our table via iPhone 6 on this post! Let’s start! :)

A | First one was a coffee-scene when I landed in Abu Dhabi airport. A good time I had was simply amazing there, just after I flew 8 hours from here. Ah, annual leave is always a very very good time. I remember I traveled on fasting month when I left by 9 am from this country and landed just after iftar time in Abu Dhabi. It’s mean I was still fasting on the plane so I didn’t take my meal :). I always enjoy my flight-meal every time I travel back home yet that time I still had good time while I had nothing in my tummy. Yep, my excitement for another 8 hours to Indonesia was the reason. When I landed in Abu Dhabi airport which is smaller than Dubai and less confusing, I took a simply light food for my iftar. Just a cup of hot cappuccino and panna cota while I was waiting for my next flight (I kept it light cause I always worry if I have to use airplane restroom for a long in international flight).

B | Second, a good time with my childhood best friend, Sohib. We had a good time that day watching Ant-Man together in the cinema. Anything better than enjoying an afternoon with your best friend and movie?. Fifteen minutes before the movie played, we shared some sweets on our table even I have to admit that the taste of that rolled-crepes with ice cream on top wasn’t delish as how it looks here. But wait, how could I resist taking picture of them on that super cute table? :)

C | Third, a very very good time again with Sohib. I asked Sohib to join me for cafe hopping and finally tried delicious mille-crêpes in La Réia, a little cute cafe inside Ciputra World, Surabaya. Best friend-talk, yummy dessert plus coffee in one fine afternoon?, how I missed that moment. Another part of good time that day was when I could meet with Atre and Giri again with Sohib. I always feel good when I have a chance to link my friends like what I did to Sohib. I knew he was quite nervous when he met with Atre and Giri for the first time yet I’m sure his mind would open wider on how to have new friends. Inspiring new friends like Atre and Giri? He must be happy for that moment :).

D | Fourth, let’s throw back to Singapore. I had a good time on my second day there when I finally met Maya! and Ranu ;). How I missed Maya and her cheesiness right now. A good time indeed when I just came back from Jummah prayer, met Maya and ready to explore the day (hope you guys aren’t boring with my late post from Singapore cause I still have a lot of photos from that trip ;)). First stop when we met was for pies and cold lattes at Le Kue. We spent two hours (if i’m not wrong ;P) for best friend talk and free wi-fi for our next destination. Oh, say hi to Ranu! :) He’s as cheesy as his mom, huh?

E | Fifth, on my last day in Singapore with Maya and Ranu we stopped by at I-am after we went separately in the morning. I went to Gardens by Bay while Maya took Ranu to Bugis mall looking for Minions kids bag (and ended with toys, sigh). It was drizzling a bit that noon and made the day was cool enough (humid Singapore was something). Had to admit that a good time with Maya and Ranu on our last day was quite missed. Sharing rainbow cakes and mille-crepês with both of them was good (though the taste of those eye-candy desserts wasn’t delicious as they look!). I always enjoy my time when Maya starts laughing loudly with ‘who-cares’ feeling for everyone around us ;).

F | Sixth, how lucky I was when I had a short time in Jakarta extending my visa and finally met Mbak Ririn this year. She is a kind-hearted woman I always excited to meet with. When I knew I had to stay one night in Jakarta after I was done in Embassy I, asked Mbak Ririn if we could meet and it would be exciting if Maya could join us. I though I could meet again with Giri and Atre when they were in Jakarta that time (sadly they had their own event). So, it happened when Maya closed by 21.30 pm and we met near my hotel and went straight to Koi Kemang. It was a good time meeting with Mbak Ririn again! We shared stories and oh, she knew me well and didn’t feel interrupted when I had to move our food to another table near us for pictures ;P. Just because there was a brighter lighting and, how could I resist to keep that moment into photographs?

G | Seventh, it was such a dream sharing a beautiful Saturday morning with my best friends, Andhi and Sohib (again? ;P). I was beyond happy we had best-friend-talk with desserts and coffees at this cute coffee shop that day (one of my fave green tea latte in Surabaya). We didn’t stop at this cafe only and spent an afternoon with another best friend-talks and Indonesian food for lunch then ended by homemade martabak in my parent’s house. It was a real good time indeed.

H | The last one was a good time with another best friend of mine that ran away from her house just to see me ;) (I’ll write another story about her that day, later). Cafe hopping in one of the newest coffee shop in town, Caturra Espresso (hope I’m not wrong ;P) plus best friend-talk along with taro and green tea latte was a beautiful day. Sadly the cake wasn’t that delicious but the interior, and the light, and those wide clear glasses is on point. As I wish I had longer time with Mbak Ika that day :).

Well, looking for continuous posts after this hopefully, and hello September!

Design & Style, Travel

Kolombiana

August 29, 2015August 29, 2015by Azis Abdul2 Comments

Updating this blog, somehow, it’s not a small matter, sigh. I’m having an issue posting this through MacBook when the page always change into another ~~rubbish~~ page until I had to post it through my iPad (it’s been a while, iPad!). Thanks to Ayos who suggested to do so. Well, just wanted to share a quick post from my trip to Singapore last month (as I wish I was still on vacation!).

As a creative person who work in creative industry, it’s a pleasure to see interesting spaces, interior, and stuffs that inspire me. It helps a lot if you work in creative field where you have to play with ideas and concepts. And producing ideas everyday it’s not easy, sometimes. So it was a pleasure for me lingering Haji Lane in the afternoon while I was in Singapore (I photographed quite a lot of pictures, more to come!).

My kind mate, Atre (I’m a fan of her distinct writing style) mentioned Kolombiana as one of ‘must-visit’ store at Haji Lane since she knew I was in Singapore. She told me Kolombiana has a lot of unique and beautiful stuffs and I would get a lot of beautiful pictures there, so after Jummah prayer that day I stopped by at Kolombiana. Atre was true, it’s a beautiful store indeed. I didn’t spend time there since I had to see Maya just after she dropped her things in the hotel and took lunch in Bugis mall. After I met Maya that noon, I asked her to follow me back to Haji Lane and visited Kolombiana again. I couldn’t resist to take my mirrorless out and took some pictures (for sure I asked for permission). Their stuffs is beyond beautiful, and the fact that it’s easy to guess South American style from vibrant color-play in the design. Look at those bags, amazing color play, huh? You can’t even argue if the price isn’t cheap cause it’s worth it. Maya took some bracelets for herself while I took bracelets and the bag (it wasn’t the expensive one as I wished!) for my best friends.

Make sure you bring enough Singapore dollars if you’re keen with unique stuffs and Kolombiana, as far as I concern in their design, it’s a dangerous place :) (like you won’t mind to bring all them home! ;)).

64 Haji lane,

Singapore.

Design & Style, Food Lodge, iPhone, Travel

Ladurée Singapore

August 23, 2015July 22, 2018by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

While I’m still thinking and trying to write about how grateful I was, when I had chances to see my best friends this year in Indonesia, let me jump quickly for some iPhone pictures of Ladurée Singapore.

Visiting Ladurée store was on my list when I spent 4 days in Singapore for my quick jaunt this year. I had two main reasons why. First, I’ve eaten macarons several time but wondering their luxury double-decker macarons taste was on my mind since I dreamt about Paris. Second, I wanted to learn how Ladurée as one of the most well-known luxury bakery and sweets maker house in the world package their products. So in one fine afternoon on my third day in Singapore, I went to Takashimaya in Orchard road with Maya.

Entering hi-class mall with hi-class stuffs everywhere made me dizzy a bit (cause I couldn’t bring them home :P). Just five minutes after we entered the mall we found Ladurée’s counter. But I said to Maya that I wanted to buy the macarons in their store because I was so sure we could see more eye-candy macarons and other products, plus their beautiful interior. Because it was lunch time, both of us and Ranu (Maya’s cute son) decided to find something heavier for lunch. Then, after we went around to Harrods and other stores buying some goodies for both of us, we finally found Ladurée store and our eyes were sparkling. The interior is beautiful, details everywhere, and I fell in love with how Ladurée takes graphic design on their packaging seriously. I was so confused when I had to choose my own box of 6 and 8 macarons :P. The macarons? well, you’ll know the difference why their macarons is quite expensive if you grab some :). The texture and the taste of their fresh macarons is different. Crunchy outside, fluffy inside.

Do you think spending S$70 for 14 macarons is worth-it since the macarons have to fly over from Paris?

Oh, visiting Ladurée in Paris is still in my dream, tho :). Just like how Alice Gao was excited about Ladurée when she hadn’t never been to Paris that time (I think she made a wish to see Paris on that post and she flew to Paris many times years after!, should I put this post as a simply wish to see Paris soon? :)).

iPhone, Travel

Few From Abu Dhabi

July 16, 2015July 16, 2015by Azis Abdul1 Comment

Oh gosh time flies so fast, indeed. I’ve been here for wait, ten days? And it’s just like three days (in my dream).

In this short post, I just wanted to share some cuties I brought from my five-hours-transit in Abu Dhabi. As usual, every time I’m going home, I can’t keep my wallet close for some souvenirs. Since I didn’t bring many from Africa this year, I took some for my best friends, my family and for myself while I was in Abu Dhabi airport.

On this iPhone shot below, I brought ~~as always~~ fridge magnets, camel with snow-globe (I brought two, here is mine), camel with candle (two as well), a book of 100 interesting places in Abu Dhabi, chocolates (and chocolates, and Arabian key-chains, not captured here :)). Some of those cuties had been shared to few best friends of mine. Not only them, I couldn’t resist to grab the latest Kinfolk magazine when I landed in Jakarta.

I thanked God for another opportunities to see some of my best friends until today (more to see, hopefully!). It’s always exciting to see them after a year. Yesterday when I met my best friend, Yuriko and his little family, I had a spring of joy. It wasn’t because I finally met with his too-cute baby boy as well, Brian, Yuriko gave me D&G-ish tee by Zara for my birthday present even it was two months ago. Another best friend, Rifda, brought me some cuties from Hawaii when I met her and her husband two days ago. I always take a serious appreciation for a simply gift that has a very, very deep meaning. The meaning of friendship.

If you are a reader of this blog, it’s not a secret if I love collecting fridge magnet from all over the world. It’s a simply happiness if I can add more and more magnets from different countries. Most of these magnets here is a gift from my best friend. My fav magnet so far is those two from Egypt and New York of course :). Guys, I’m waiting the one from my dream city, Paris ;).

iPhone, Travel

Fifth Of July

July 5, 2015November 8, 2015by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

Here we are, July!. I’m so pleased I can start counting hours to fly home (in fact, I’m so sleepy right now!). It’s always exciting wondering what should I do there, who will I spend my quality time with, what will I eat (oh Indonesian food, I can’t wait!) and where will I go this year.

Alright, before I fall sleep and wake up again for my last suhoor in the next four hours in this apartment, I would like to share some shots I did today. I can’t argue if you think these pictures would be so cheesy (since I’m not stylish enough to start sharing ‘fashion-stylist’ post kind of, sigh!). Hope you guys can take it as ‘photography-practice’ via iPhone ;).

Comfortable outfit is a must if I travel for almost 20 hours (oh 22 hours to be exact if I have to count my transit time). I choose super comfortable basic tee by Zara for top and loose harem by Giordano for under (super comfy and who need belt in the airport? I wore the same thing last year). Just because a blanket can’t warm me enough inside the airplane, I take two-sided jacket by Zara (dunno, I always feel international flight is much chiller). Shoes with shoelaces is big no no when I have to travel with an airplane, basic jute shoes by Zara is big yes. A watch is substantial as well (it’s Fossil). Oh, I bring some of my cooking books along with other stuffs home.

I have to make sure that my stuffs are neatly arranged inside my medium suitcase. First, because I love to see them arranged tidily, second (and I think it’s the real reason why) is the check-in officer in the airport will always ask the passenger to open their suitcase. By arranging your stuffs neatly, it means you don’t need to waste your time with them (cause sometimes it’s a bit annoying when they start asking you a, b, c, d). Picture above is the only one taken with mirror-less.

What I put inside my mini Herschel backpack are my iPad, important files, portable charger, earphones of course, my travel wallet from Fossil, light chips and chocolates. I keep it as light as possible cause I put my MacBook and all those chargers, portable hard drives inside the smaller suitcase. My mirror-less is going with me as well just in case I find interesting moment/objects later.

This year I have to be reasonable in so many ways, including how I spend for souvenirs. Tight budget is never be my friend yet I have to be more discipline for it. This noon I went to get two Ankara, one for my Mom and for the other one, I know who will I give to. I should bring more for my sisters but I think I’ll get something in Abu Dhabi. The rest of those souvenirs are already booked by the owner-will-be.

Well, I thanked God for another year I spent in this country. Challenges, tension, and obstacles I face for past eleven months made me stronger and stronger. Now, time to rest a bit and find big smile on my face when I wake up (gosh, it’s almost mid night!).

Indonesia, I’ll see you soon :).

Cheers,

-A-

Photography, Travel

Mexicola

December 25, 2014December 26, 2014by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

It is a bad thing every time I try to write something and ended with nothing, lately. Even I had more normal days in this December it didn’t help much to update this blog. I hope you guys don’t mind for a throwback a bit to Bali.

On my fourth day in Bali, I and Sohib had no plans to spend the day until I decided to take a short peek to Motel Mexicola. It started when I posted my lunch in Ubud with Andhi and Sohib on my Instagram. Putri, my kind mate commented and asked me if I had visited Mexicola, one of the happening place in Seminyak where you can find so many cool peeps. Since I didn’t have plans that day, I thought I had to visit and see what was happening.

In the morning (I think it was 11am), we only needed five minutes from our ~~cheap~~ hotel to Mexicola. First impression I had was oh wow. First thing that took my attention was Mexican beautiful tiles on the bar and interesting sculpture made from melted candles. As we entered inside, I could feel the Mexican culture from the vibes, colors play everywhere, strong catholic ornaments, loung-ish Mexican music, all of that made me thought like achieve we just landed in Mexico. The vibe reflects the complexity of the Mexico’s history through the blending of indigenous cultures and the culture of Spain. Here are some pictures I took from my iPhone and mirrorless that day (pardon for some selfies!).

I realised that Mexicola is a ‘hits’ spot in Seminyak after fifteen minutes we were there where I found so many cool kids and typical tourists mingling around, chatting, taking pictures and selfies (oh well). We spent approximately one and half hour after took some tacos and exotic drink. I found that Sohib didn’t feel snug with the vibe (well, he’s not a cool kid definitely :P) and said that Mexicola wasn’t “him” at all. Me neither but I was thrilled with the fact that Mexicola such a good place to learn about Mexican interior and exterior. For a person who works everyday playing with concept for themed events, interior and graphic, Mexicola is definitely a beautiful space to sharpen eyes.

I was so happy could capture Mexicola in day light before we headed to Ku De Ta for a sunset. If you guys want to feel the Mexican vibe stronger, you should come in the evening to enjoy the Mexican food and the vibe just like this.

Fyi, Mexico is one of my dream country to visit if I have a chance to travel to South America someday. I find there is a romantic hispanic vibe that Mexico has that makes me think it would be great to spend weeks there. Wondering along the beautiful cathedrals, traditional markets, street dance, city hall, the people and for sure, the food. I’m not a fan of this boy band but truly, this v clip made me fell in love with Mexico City from the first time I watched it on MTV. Can I resist to lingering around the city hall with that beautiful sunset light in Mexico City? :)

Last one, Merry Christmas to those who are celebrating!

Food Lodge, iPhone, Travel

Reminiscing Culinary Delights

November 19, 2014November 19, 2014by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

I still have some food pictures when I was in Indonesia for this blog. Looking at them reminds me how delicious they were and of course, I enjoyed them so much cause I was in vacation (there is nothing like that, when all you need is just follow your desire everyday on what you want to eat). I rarely snap street food for this blog but here, you’ll find some iPhone pictures with little stories on them :).

1/ Batagor was among of ‘must-eat’ list and I had a chance to enjoy Batagor with Ruli and Ayos near their house. The best thing that day wasn’t only the Batagor itself but the fact that the place was near airport, where you’ll have a rice field in front of you and…airplanes flying very close. Sumedang fried tofu was another yummy snack that day when I and Ruli tried to catch sunset after we had Batagor.

2/ There was an afternoon when I wanted a treat of Crème brûlée while my sister and my nephew just had snacks. Another day, dinner with Andhi and Fahmi (it was such a great time!) and what I had on my table was a bowl of spicy ramen.

3/ Another street food I ate was with Andhi when we had fried duck for our lunch, and it was so so good. Sometimes it’s okay to stop by at one street food corner and guessing how the food will taste. It was I and Sohib’s late noon snack that day when I wanted to eat Batagor and found Bakso in the end.

4/ I throw back to Bali when I had to manage myself to enjoy some Javanese food for breakfast and lunch. It wasn’t bad at all to try some inexpensive food, well, especially when you have to manage your wallet but you’ll have brown rice on your plate :).

5/ I think granola with yogurt and passion fruit at Zucchini, Seminyak, was a perfect breakfast to start the day. Another breakfast scene I had while I was in Bali.

6/ When I was in Bali, I took a day off to Ubud with Sohib and Andhi in the morning (I do not want to remember about how we drove our motorcycle that day! super terrible). By evening when I and Sohib went back to Seminyak, we stopped by at Denpasar for Surabi. Yes! Melted cheddar cheese with chocolate on top? I’m dreaming of it right now.

7/ Warm croissant and a cup of cappuccino was so so good to start the day. Morning scene at Anomali Coffee, Seminyak.

8/ Had seafood spaghetti at Warung Itali, Seminyak was awesome. Well, creamy ravioli was another mouth-watering treat. Enough said :)

9/ One of well-known food in Ubud, Ayam Kedewatan for lunch. And I was enjoyed my short time at Ku De Ta with slices of warm pizza.

10/ Well, I have to say that I’m a big fan of well-cooked tuna fish on street food.

11/ Salmon in the afternoon? I could ask more (!!) at Sushi Te. And, matcha ice cream such a perfect ending.

Design & Style, Travel

Corner House

October 1, 2014October 1, 2014by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

I’m a bit late to post some of remain pictures from my very short trip to Bali. I’m trying to figure out ‘me time’ when I can enjoy a cup of coffee and pick food photographs when I was in Indonesia to be posted on this blog (a splash of food lodge on this post, I think it’s been a while, amirite?).

On my last day in Bali, I had a chance to visit Corner House in Seminyak. When I woke up that morning, I was really wanted to enjoy a proper light breakfast. I kept thinking to sit down at the airy restaurant with a cup of cappuccino and a warm croissant. I didn’t need to think twice to enjoy my morning at that newly opened restaurant-bar-interiors. Apart of the eye-catching cappuccino, the interior catched my attention, also.

I was really enjoy the vibes and quickly looking for a croissant in the menu list. I found cappuccino and fruit salad to be added on my order. To be honest, I ordered the salad for my picture purpose only cause I thought I would need colors for my picture :) yet I didn’t regret cause I always love plain yogurt and fresh fruit in a bowl. I looked around the restaurant and thought to play with my camera when I remembered that I didn’t take many photographs while in vacation. I was in the middle of ‘lemme enjoy this last breakfast without worry about picture’ and ‘keep going with camera before you leave this island’. I just wanted to enjoy every second of my time before I left in the afternoon yet I couldn’t deny that I engaged with camera and food. So, when my cappuccino, croissant and eye-catching fruit salad already on my table, I couldn’t resist to take picture before I ate them.

It was such a funny moment when my best friend, Sohib broke his fast that morning after he found my fruit salad catched his attention. In the end he ordered muesli with exotic fruit and plain yogurt with a cup of cappuccino. Another funny moment I had that morning was when a French man asked me to snap his food after he saw me became crazy with camera for twenty minutes. Now, it sounds really crazy. I quickly used my iPhone and took one picture only, haha. I just snapped one picture (number six, here), no more cause i thought it wasn’t polite to come to other people’s table and busy in front of their meal. However, he and the lady in front of him were welcome enough to converse with me (yeah well, I did wish I could speak in French that day instead of English). We had a five minutes warm conversation before I came back to my table and enjoyed my breakfast.

You see the lamb burger above was my first burger after two years (it is true!). That day was an exception to eat burger cause at least the burger wasn’t cooked in the fast food restaurant. I ordered along the orange juice for my lunch. Sohib and I came back to meet Andhi before we left that noon. I thought Andhi would wait for me for a lunch (I know you’ll think that it would be nice to snap a complete table with food scene) yet he couldn’t wait because of starving as well :P. I took my chance to linger around the restaurant to take more of interior photographs. The industrial look just awesome and plus, I found that in the upstairs the natural light was gorgeous (if I shouldn’t mention that I fell in love with that plant in that corner). I would like to come back again for a proper food snap with that gorgeous light.

P.S. Should I mention here after we met in the Corner House and came back to the hotel to pick our suitcases, we had a traffic and arrived late in the airport? When we had to run like headless chickens until we entered the gate? :P. I couldn’t even forget that totall-ridiculously-funny moment.

iPhone, Travel

Bali From an iPhone

August 30, 2014September 9, 2014by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

I had no plan “plan” spending days in Bali this year when I came home. It was such a grey plan after I thought about Lombok Island where I wanted to spend mostly my time at beaches. I really had a wish I could explore Lombok with my crazy fellas, Maya, Ruli, Ayos and Winda, like we spent at Ranukumbolo (I, II, III, I wrote in Bahasa, oh pardon for those pics!). Sadly, time was an issue. It wasn’t easy to travel where most of them just came back to work while I was the one who really free. I and Ruli thought we could go without three of them and explore Lombok as much as we could. Second “Sadly”, among things I have to do in Indonesia, I had a very, very short time to decide between “Explore (fancy) coffee shops in the town” or “Escape for days to another place” as long as I had time before I had to come back to Africa.

It was a spontaneous plan I and Andhi (my former flatmate when he was in Africa) decided to enjoy Bali together. I and Andhi met that day and it was our first time we went together since he left Africa four months ago. After we spent a day we sat down and talked about Bali. It was a-last-minute plan until we bought three tickets (for me, him and yes, I finally had time to go with my childhood best friend, Sohib, to Bali) and booked hotel. Andhi had a plan to enjoy Dreamfields while I had no plan what and where I wanted to spend. I will share some stories with some pictures I took while we were in Bali separately (I think it’s gonna be more about food post! :P). I realise I didn’t take a lot of pictures while I was there yet these (mostly impromptu) shots from my iPhone could slightly remind me about Bali vibe, for five days. The last one is my fav :).

Hellos From Africa, Travel

Bogobiri

July 20, 2014December 25, 2019by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

There is one spot in this city I fell in love on my first visit. I pretty remember when me and my former flatmate went there after we had late noon meeting with our client. We met our good friend and spent an evening at Bogobiri, a small boutique hotel that offers authentic-onomatopoeic African ambiance. When we reached there, I said to myself, “this space is so ‘me’, calm, cozy, so African, and very loungy (I’m not a night club guy :P)“. After then, Bogobiri has become a perfect space to escape from my hectic world. I could spend Sunday morning there just to get some cups of coffee.

Apart of the boutique itself, Bogobiri offers the Bamboo Bar & Restaurant. The average price for the food is a bit pricey but their goat pepper soup is dangerously-must-try dish. Here, some mirrorless snaps of Bogobiri ~~from last year~~ (whatt? :|,’Ekabo’ on the first picture means ‘welcome’ :)).