Em JustWander: September 2018

River Park – Kampot, Cambodia

It was not the first time I visited Kampot province, but this was the first time I visit that River Park which is located about 10 kilometers outside the town. Went into through the narrow road to get there, the hidden park, the hidden river.

The view there was beautiful. It surrounded by forest, palm trees, and huts along the river. And there was also mountain lay behind, a place where the water came from.

The river was red, peaceful, and cold. It made me wanted to jump in and swim for hour. But the unseen of its bottom scared me somehow. I was kind of scared of monster. Hahaha

After had launch in the hut alongside the mountain water, I started to go kayaking. It costed 20,000 Riel ($5) for one kayak with three people. It was really fun, yet exhausted. There was also zip-lining across the river, but I didn’t take it, for I had a fear of heights. It costed 32,000 Riel ($8) for a person, for a ride.

In addition, the restrooms there were clean enough to use even though the park was far from town. Way much better that ones from certain school in city. The cost was 1,000 Riel ($1.2) for one time.

However, if you happen to visit Kampot someday, don’t forget to stop by the River Park.

Wayag Island, Raja Ampat – Indonesia

In order to reach on top was not as easy as it seems. Especially, to climb up mountain without stair, handrail, or even a suitable side walk. The mountain was fully filled by rough and sharp rock which could cute us anytime. All we had to do was to crawl up from bottom to the top for its stunning view.

Fortunately, I got a pair of rubber shoes which were thick enough to protect me from possible injury. But the guy who led us to the highest point of that mountain was amazing. He climbed up barefoot, yet he was faster.

Maybe it took around 15 to 20 minutes to arrive on top. From there, we found we were at the middle of crystal-clear water and plenty of islets which were showing off their attractiveness in green outlook for our vision.

We could hardly find beach for these types of island, or I might had not seen them. But there were a few short and small beaches over there.

Ancient Art Rock in Raja Ampat – Indonesia

Ancient rock painting in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. It remains pictures of ocean life and humans’ hand print. Regarded as they were left by aborigines from Australia because most of these arts were often found in that country. They were estimated having 3 to 5 thousand years old.

First, I thought this was kind of lying, for they said it is an ancient painting, yet I found human’s hand print which was made by spraying. It is weird that 3 or 5 thousand years before has spray can. And after, I found people said they sprayed by mouth which is reasonable enough. How smart they are! xD hahaha

Actually, I got no information from the tour guide, but I did more research on the internet after I arrive home. The only thing I own here are these two pieces of photos.

Article I have read:

· * Preshistoric petroglyph rock paintings in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia – by Dian Hasan : https://enchantingeden.wordpress.com/2010/07/10/preshistoric-petroglyph-rock-paintings-in-raja-ampat-west-papua/

· * Diving Raja Ampat – The Resort Experience in Misool – by Tim Hochgrebe : https://underwater.com.au/article/id/9736-diving-raja-ampat-the-resort-experience-in-misool/

· * Dreamtime: Nov 01, 2016 (sorry, I forget to copy the link)

· * Jon Cornforth: Apr 25, 2011 (sorry, I forget to copy the link)

Pancak Harfat Jaya Misool - Indonesia

Such as a quite good atmosphere where a morning at the remote island got drizzling, and the sky went less light as if it was at dawn while actually it was a really late morning. It made the nature looked fresher and alive.

When I stepped out of the boat, the small and soft liquid started to drop upon my skin. I felt the cold, and smelled the fresh air; the smell of nature and wet stuffs.

The surrounding was completely quiet, only a sound of rain drops. Felt like I was at a scene of a romantic and sad MV.

The sea was so calm, no shoreline, but a million marks of the dropping water from sky.

After spending a moment on the wet wooden dock for some pictures, we continued to the slippery and steep stair which was going to lead us to the top of the mountain. The stair run across the forest and attached to the mountain rock. Some rock which located above our head got wet and dropped water one by one made the situation looked more fantastic. Made me wanted to stop here just to view it.

At the top, I was surprised to see the stunning view of plenty of islets which I had never seen before. The further ones went fade into the rain. The sea was in dark green and looked like a blur glass, and some part were in light green, for how deep it was, I guessed.

Felt like I was in fantasy movie, yet it was real, the real heaven on earth I wished to never leave.

May 29, 2018.

2,500 Rupiahs

The Disgusting Money

You know what? These 2,500 Rupiahs are the only disgusting money I have ever seen and felt!

Things are not always go as planned. But every unexpected thing that bump into ours were all worth remembering. Just like these five pieces of coins.

Remember when I was in taxi in Makassar, Indonesia, the driver asked me to pay for the toll road for 12,500 Rupiahs, added on my fare. As I did not have smaller currency for that amount, so I handed him 15,000. And when he got the changes, he kept them in his shirt pocket first. A few minutes later, he started to sneeze, then he used his right hand to wiped his nose and throw the liquid through the car window! Next, he rubbed his SURELY wet hand with his trousers. Suddenly, he was kind of remembered that he had to give me the changes. Evv! But why now? Why that right hand?” I was screaming in my head.

I paused a bit, but I called myself back on time and took them from him so as not to be rude. “Remember to keep holding these coins, and will never use this hand until get chance to clean them.” Talk to myself.

Certainly, the money I hold was gross, the currency was not.

Whatever, I still keep them in my coin collection pocket.

Victoria SK Apartment

A comfort place to stay for long term which stand tall at the middle of the city, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Victoria Apartment is close to Phnom Penh Tower, Orussey Market, Kiwi Mart, Lucky Supermarket, and Olympic Stadium.

It’s 2km from The Royal Palace and National Museum of Cambodia, 1.5 km from Independence Monument, and 1.2km from Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, where are the most visit place in Phnom Penh.

The accommodation is quite safe. There are security guards and receptionists, 24 hours per day and 7 days per week. The security cameras are installed in every corner of the building. And the elevator needs access card to reach each floor.

Inside each room: there is a set of sofa, desk, fridge, gas stove, air-conditioned, electrical wall fan, TV, closet, and shoes case.

Entertainment: there is also a pool and gym on 14th floor of their building.

Moreover, pets are also allowed. But for kind of tiny pet only, and make sure that they won’t disturb the other people. In addition, tenant has to take respond for their pet by themselves, like feeding, cleaning pet’s stuffs, or their pee and poo.

· Price per month:

- $500 to $700 for one bedroom.

- $900 to $1,200 for two bedrooms.

- $1,900 for penthouse.

· Service include:

- Clean three times per week.

- Cable Internet.

- Cable TV.

- Gym.

- Pool.

- Parking.

· Service exclude: