Absolutely the Highlight of February

10 February 2011

The Radio Show

I had an hour radio show with these guys, started at 9 am. There were five of them-Michal (Czech Rep), Art (Netherlands), Alex (America), Alison (Canada) and Janwa (Slovakia). We started the show with a short introduction and how they found Indonesia and ABC School.

Then we talked about their hometowns which was very interesting as I could learn a bit about those countries. Apparently both Slovakia and Czech Rep used to be parts of Czechoslovakia and they split into Czech Republic and Slovakia. Therefore though they speak different kind of languages they could still understand each other. Michal and Janwa managed to have a short conversation which sounds great though I didn't know the meaning.

Art also managed to speak Dutch. I had no idea what he was talking about but I said thank you as he said something about Me and the radio, it must be good I supposed.

We spent the rest of the show talking about the things they had been and will be doing in Indonesia. Even though it was a bit awkward at the beginning, so glad I finally could break the ice and made the conversation way less formal. It was so much fun. They were all very lovely, especially Art, he was kind of really funny. I couldn't help laughing all the time. And I guess I was right since when I asked they other guys one quick question: "who is the craziest out of all of you?" They answered in unison: "Art". Now that explains everything.

We managed to have some photos taken at the end of the show which was fun. Thank you, guys! You were very lovely during the show!

11 February 2011

It was one bright Friday morning when the six of us started our unexpectedly never-ending journey in Batu. We left for this Museum Satwa at about 8.15. The moment these guys got into the car I felt like in a totally different place-America or somewhere as they are all white and speak English but the driver of course. Somehow the fantasy was really cool.

Museum Satwa

Once we reached the place the guys were mesmerized by the view and the beauty of the building. They said it was beyond their expectation which was good as it was meant to be a surprise. One good sign!

We had to wait for 15 minutes or so as the museum hadn't opened yet. So we managed to use the time to go into this hotel where we're going to spend the night which is right beside the museum to have them keep our bags and belongings.

We were all excited , including me though I've been there like four times. But this one was obviously special. So we saw the bugs, the insects, the dinosaurs, etc. The journey didn't last long or it might be just my feeling as normally something good goes by pretty quick. Then we had our lunch somewhere outside the museum. I wasn't really hungry at that time hence I didn't really enjoy it. I hope the guys enjoyed theirs though.

Secret Zoo

Afterward we continued our very journey to this Secret Zoo. I was so excited as I've never been to the place before. Art kept doing this crazy thing along the way. He asked like almost every animal questions like: "Hi, cantik/tampan! what have you been doing? what's your name? what, no name? well okay and bla bla bla". I felt like oh my gosh, he's totally crazy! I asked Alex who was walking beside me at that time: "How can he manage to be always like that?" Alex just pulled a face and shrugged his shoulders. What an extraordinary Dutch man!

We saw many beautiful creatures in the zoo, ones we knew how to call with and ones we had no idea about. It was like a never-ending journey as it looked pretty small but turned out to be very long. Everybody was getting tired and tired yet still excited to explore the place.

Pohon Inn

So we finished our journey in that labyrinth-look alike zoo at 2 pm or so and went to check in this very hotel called Pohon Inn. It was gorgeous! I like the way they have managed to have this tree-look alike on the building. Such a good work! Our rooms were on the fifth floor. Michal, Art and Alex were in 502 while Alison, Janwa and me were in 504.

The girls were so delighted about the shower as they hadn't had a real shower since they came to Indonesia. I really must admit that the bathroom they have in the hotel is awesome with those mirrors and stuffs. I am not sure about the boys but they seemed to enjoy the shower too.

We spent the whole afternoon in our rooms. Janwa looked so tired that she decided to have a nap. Alison preferred watching one of the films which she borrowed from Art. I was about to sleep when I heard the door bell which was so loud that I couldn't be able to sleep anymore. So I decided to text one of my buddies back home. What a day!

Batu Night Spectaculer-Food Court

I forget what time exactly we left the hotel for BNS, obviously sometime after 7. As soon as we arrived, we headed the food court. Oh God I felt like a terrible guide-the worst ever here as I had no idea about the place.

Luckily these guys I was keeping company were very kind. They managed to order their own meal. I had noodle and a bottle of tea. I didn't remember what the other guys had but Janwa and Alex. They had spaghetti and sate. My noodle was not really nice, kind of too salty. I just couldn't finish it which I found out rude as I saw the other guys were all trying to finish theirs though I guess it was not that yummy. Well at least I learnt another lesson.

Mam Wiwid's joining us made the dinner a lot more special as she is the one who made all the things happened. Art did something really silly when he took the glass with a candle in it to another table and a sate stick to light a fire with. It was like all the people in food court was looking at him and he didn't even bother. This guy is totally unbelievable!

Batu Night Spectaculer-Rides

One thing which was so exciting about BNS is the night rides. The guys were all excited to go for all the rides they could go. They tried this ride first-I can't remember what it's called, where everybody sits on a flying chair, the one that looks like a swing but there are loads of them. Then it moves round and round, faster and faster. I could see they had so much fun up there, Michal, Alex and Art didn't look frighten at all. They made it look so easy! I didn't go though, I was way such a coward.

The next ride looked even scarier. Somehow like driven by some weird courage I decided to come along. I kept telling myself I was so going to regret it and I did regret that 60 seconds up there. It was like the worst 60 seconds in my entire life, for God's sake-totally not gonna go for another one in the future. I can even still feel this horrible feeling in my stomach and head every time I think of it.

I remember I shouted the whole time on the ride; "Janwa please stop it. Oh my gosh! I feel like dying Janwa. Just stop it. I can't go for more. Please Janwa, stop it." Now I realize there was no point in shouting anyway.

Afterward Alex asked me if I was OK, and I said: "Well Alex, at least if somebody asked me: "Dini, have you ever tried that ride?"

I would say: "Yeah"

"How was it?"

"Oh it was goood. You should try it."

Then as soon as he jumps off the ride, he would come and kill me."

Alex laughed at my joke which meant it was a good one.

12 February 2011

I was awaken at 5. It was so quiet in the room since Alison and Janwa were still sleeping. It took me like 60 minutes to decide either to continue my sleep or to have an early shower. I finally chose to do the latter. Oh I love the warm water that came from the shower so much. I felt like I didn't want to get out. So I stayed there for about 30 minutes-totally enjoying the shower.

I was told the night before that breakfast would start at 9 but apparently the breakfast started earlier. I had fried rice, chicken, and a cup of tea. I managed to have a muffin too. I don't know what the other guys had as I sat on a different table. Hopefully they enjoyed whatever it was they were having.

Next Michal, Art, Alex, Alison and Janwa played games together with all the sixth graders (have I told you that all the sixth graders, some of the teachers and parents were also coming? If not, well I guess I just did) I love this apple game-I don't know what it's called. But it was so fun. Art and Alison were very good at modelling! It felt like I was watching a slow motion film when they did that. We spent like 75 minutes on the hotel hall.

Jatim Park 1

We checked out at 9.30 and then headed Jatim Park 1. Pak Sibly, our driver, had been really kind during the journey. I am not sure who started, either Alex or Art, they pronounced it "Possibly" instead of "Pak Sibly" which was so cool. I kind of like that too.

Alex kept teasing me by saying stuff like we're going to find the biggest roller coaster for Dini or Dini, look, Flying Tornado. And I said, Oh Alex, I hate you. Then he laughed. While Art kept embarrassing me about me texting. This is one of his jokes:

"who are you texting, Dini?"

"I'm not texting Art. I'm just checking the time."

"No, I saw you texting. Come on tell me." Art went on.

"No, really. I was just checking the time." I said.

"Oh well that's okay if you don't want to tell me."

After a couple of seconds he went on:

"So, who was it?"

Then everybody burst into laughter. Art!

We tried several rides at JP1 but the most exciting was the flying tornado. I loved it a lot, like a lot! There we were, screaming for excitement together with the other people. So much fun!

A heavy rain came unexpectedly. We gotta find a place to hide and the food court sounded perfect as all of us were starving. Michal told me that he needed a big portion. So I asked the man behind the counter if we could get extra for him and he said okay. What a nice Chinese man he was! Janwa and me had fries and chicken nugget. Alison had fried rice with shrimp. While all the boys had fried noodle. I guess we all enjoyed our lunch there. It was yummy.

Finally even a never-ending journey had an end. I walked together with Michal heading for the parking lot in which Possibly (Pak Sibli, the driver) and his car were waiting. I told him how I felt like a terrible guide for them but he said I was totally not. I was great instead and they had so much fun with me. Somehow I kept thinking those guys were just being kind to me.

We all fell asleep during our back home to Pandaan. Though I'm not really sure about Michal and Alex who were sitting at the back. But one thing for sure, I would never ever forget this moment. We came from six different countries but we were just like friends. These guys also treated me so nicely. Apart from the fact that I was the only Asian amongst the group, they made me feel like I was just one of them. What a beautiful universe!