Jogja 01 - Welcome to Jogja

Hi
Here we are again. You guys must be familiar with this scenery. It is one of the unique scenery of Singapore Changi International Airport. Unique, because there are shops even near the boarding gates at the aero bridge. That means you can shop until you drop and finish off all your Singapore Dollars before you leave the island.

We were gathered here at 9:15 am for a departure flight at 11:10am.

My wife and I left our Toyota Altis at home and took the Singapore Bus Service No 858, from Woodlands Regional Centre to Changi Airport via Yishun Housing Estate. It was a smooth ride.

We were on a 5-day Majestic Jogjakarta + Solo Tour
Prescribed by Qodariyah Travel & Tours Pte Ltd, 5A Jalan Pinang, Singapore.
Tel : +65-62941562
Email : qodariyahtravel@yahoo.com

Another familiar unique scene is the aero bridge which is clearly visible from the pier of the Changi Airport boarding gates.

Our flight was Air Asia QZ 7139. There were long queue at the check-in counter. Perhaps because it was school holiday season. Also there were 3 destination on that morning. One to Jogja, another to Kuala Lumpur and I have forgotten the third one.

In the plane you would have a little cultural shock, because, The Malay Language that we have learnt so far is now tested. It is now in Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian Language) and not Malay Language. Any Singaporean or Malaysian malay may find some difficulties to understand Bahasa Indonesia.

As we were reaching Jogja, we could see the mountains and the rivers from the air. I think this one must have been the volcanic Mount Merapi which exploded in 2006, and next to it must have been Solo River, very famous for its floods in the 1950s, so much so that there was a very famous Indonesian song written about this river. The song is entitled "Bengawan Solo".

Everyone knows how to sing it in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. There is even a huge chain of bakery & confectionery outlets here in Singapore shopping sentres by the name of "Bengawan Solo".

As we were landing I managed to capture this pictures of Jogja main road, but, I was shocked even further when we landed on the airport, because the name of the airport is a;lmost similar to mine. It is called Adisutjipto Airport. Isn't it almost the same as adiekosongtiga...??? Perhaps it is the name of my undiscovered twin...???

I was told that this airport was only recently open for international flight. Hence, there is no aerobridge yet.

I like this kind of airport, because, there is a lot of things to see, while there is nothing to see via the aero bridge. Nows a days, you hardly have the chance to walk on the airport ground. You would propbably go from one aero bridge to another, and then direct to the hotels.

Therefore, this airport looks very friendly especially with this huge sign board to welcome you.

Guys......look out for Jogja 02....in the next posting.....soon....Insya ALLAH.

2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix

2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix Circuit Map

The 2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix street circuit

has received in-principle approval by the

Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA),

via the Singapore Motor Sports Association.

Finally...with a click of a button I found this circuit map in the internet. I know it is not clear. Well you can go the internet ypourself to find out the detail route.

At the Pier

This Saturday morning, I was at the tip of the matured reclaimed land in the southern shore of Singapore. It was bright and sunny that I needed the ultraviolet sunglass to protect me eyes from the scorching sun. I was tired, but I dare not sit on this chair as it does not look stable enough.

I was leaning against the steel railing observing the ships and boats at the sea. There is this jetty here for a medium size junks and ferries.

On my right is the other jetty for smaller ferries and boats. Further still to my right is a very long jetty catered for the even smaller ferries and boats. Apparently, the destinations are mainly Batam. I noticed also that the waves are very mild here within the jetty area as there is a long concrete wall build underneath the jetty, that stop the waves from coming. So you see that the ferries and boats do not rock too much.

If you are wondering, my wife and I was on the third level of the jetty pier. That is why I could see a lot of activities going at the jetty. This level is called the "Roof Garden". It looks like a stadium isn't it.

At the first level or ground floor, is the entrance to the jetty. Passengers has to buy tickets from the counters and go through Singapore Immigration before we can go to the jetty.

But before all that, you may need to change money or buy some petty requirements or even to have some light snacks and drinks or perhaps also some souvenirs from Singapore.

Most of the paswsengers are Indonesians. This morning there were many Singapore students who were perhaps going on a study and/or voliunteerism tour to Batam.

Opposite the pier are trees and bushes.

Wherease, the shore alongside the pier are well kept and nicely decorated.

Drivers need not worry, as the parking coupon area are available alongside the main road leading to the pier. Compare to the nearby Central Business District (CBD) area, the parking charges here is cheaper, only 50 cents for half and hour. In the CBD is one dollar for half an hour.

Surprisingly during the day, the carparks are full. This picture was taken much earlier, on the 29 April 2008. At that time, I had an afternoon job assignment to examine the ground features at the pier.

If you are still wondering, I am talking about the new Marina South Pier, which is newly built at the southern tip of the reclamation area.

Apparently, Marina South Pier has replaced the Clifford Pier, which is not used anymore for ferrying passengers to Batam and other southern Islands of Singapore.

Tanjong Berlayar Park Extension

Thess are pictures of the extension of the Tanjong Berlayar Park, which was situated at the end of Labrador Villa Road and Port Road.

So far, I had been posting histories. With the advent of the New Year 2008 and still the coming soon of 1 Muharram 1429 of the Islamic Calendar, which fall on 10 Jan 2008, I am looking forward to post current affairs.

No...no...no...not political or economic affairs.....but rather everyday affairs in my life. You may say its my Life Journal.

On 1 Jan 2008, my wife & I revisited, one of our favorite park in the vicinity of Pasir Panjang and Alexandra Road junction.

Although we were dissapointed with the Nasi Padang and the banana fritters (goreng pisang) that we packed from the Labrador Food Centre, we were amazed at the new discovery of the new extension of the Tg berlayar Park.

There is now an amphibious vehicle landing and launching facilities. Something like the one provided for the Duck Tours amphibious vehicle.

There are also brand new clean and very cosy toilet. Cosy it has an open-air concept. Not that people get to see you doing business, but rather, there are free flow of fresh air as there are ample open space, as it is not trendy with many public toilets. No more fans needed to flush stuffy air and to draw in fresh air....saving electiricty huh...

There were many fishermen and fisherwomen on that bright morning. Many children were brought along by their parents too. Many families also came for recreation. I saw some Europeans families too. Majority were Malay families.

I saw that a Minister had just visited the venue earlier on that new year morning at 7:30 am.

We were there at at about 10:30am to 11:30am and no wonder we found there were many vehicles and we did not get to park our car nearby but at a far distant gravel car park.

There were also many chartered buses to ferry the attendants to the nearby public transport place. I think there was a Community Club family day earlier on with the Minister.

Now you can probably walk all the way to Bukit Chermin Golf Club at the KEPPEL BAY.

From here the view of Sentosa is also very clear and seems to be very near, like you can swim across, if not for the ferry services to Batam.