Around The World: Complete

Long ago,

Well, not that so long ago though.

Back in 2017 I think, I discovered a book that I’d consider as the “Best Book Ever” at least for myself. It was not really a new, novelty book with breakthrough approach or what not—no, really, it’s an old one. A title so popular, I didn’t even realize I was so much exposed to it yet I took it for granted.

A true classic,

“Around the World in 80 Days”

Even until today, I’m still amazed by the book.

The 80-day trip done by the protagonist throughout Europe, southern Asia, a bit of southeast Asia to the east, and finally back to America, well, it might sound just, normal. But realizing that the book was written in the 1800s, and the fact that the author hadn’t ever actually been to those places he wrote, dang, it just blew my mind!

It was only natural that the book really inspired me to do the same. Obviously I couldn’t do the 80 day version because while Phileas Fogg had all the leisure of time -and money- to accomplish his ambitious goal, I’m here just a regular Joe who has a job to be responsible to, works to do, and limited money to take care of.

And so I did improvise a little, and twist that “Day” element from the book to something more realistic to achieve: “Around the World in 80… Months”

Lol seriously this is such an imitation to my similar previous post, but I just achieved a milestone and so here I am telling you guys this shit again.

So back to the project.

80 months.

It all began in January 2013,

My deadline is supposed to be August 2019.

Throughout those time span, up until I made that very goal of mine, I’ve been to literally so many places: Bali and Singapore for so many times, Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, then Thailand’s Bangkok, then amazingly jumped to the US, to New York and Washington DC, then back to Southeast Asia again in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne, Nha Trang), Cambodia (Siem Reap and Angkor), and Philippines (Manila and Cebu), Hong Kong and Macao, Japan (lots of cities!), and Australia (Gold Coast, Sydney, and Melbourne).

It wasn’t until the end of 2017 that I finally unlocked my fourth continent, where I got the chance to visit France in Paris, Strasbourg, Lyon, Nice, Cannes, as well as a bit of Monaco and Italy. In addition to those collection, I added South Korea (Seoul, Busan, Jeju) by the middle of last year.

72 months passed.

4 continents done.

Then came the end of 2018.

Another plan of big yearend trip came, and you knew the story. It was Europe again this time, with whomping number of six cities across two countries lining up my agenda. With Spain I was planning to go to Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, Cordoba, and Granada, while in Portugal I felt like it’d be enough with just the capital Lisbon.

But then, I thought of something else.
Something crazy that I knew this was the time to do it.

My plan was to start from the north, so I could spend Christmas and New Year on the more Christian side of Spain. Afterwards I'd move down south, to Andalusia and around, where it's more Islamic. Then it came to my attention that, the southern part of the peninsula, is really close to more Islamic states. Only across the strait, and there it lied, just another country—Morocco.

It was really tempting. The country itself is really exotic. I wouldn't think twice for it would be crazy prestigious to be the first among my surroundings to visit Morocco. Plus, Indonesians don't need a visa to enter. Although, those weren't the main reason why I decided to switch to Morocco. You know why.

It's in fucking Africa.

This was it. This SHOULD BE the call. This could be the only place closest to Africa that I'd ever be. And it was there, just before my very eyes. I had the tickets to Spain already, it was happening, and I'd be a fool if I didn't use this opportunity. And for God's sake I had the leisure of time as I was currently jobless... THIS WAS THE CALL!

I'd do anything to make this happen, so I omit Granada from my plan to make space for Morocco. And I didn't have to be ambitious about it, just make it like Portugal, visit only one city and that should be it. But which one!? Well let's see... its capital might seem boring, its largest city sounded really crowded. So Marrakech it was: the country's ancient capital, and tourist haven.

The verdict? Possibly the best decision I ever made.

Morocco might sound intimidating for some, including me, too. But Marrakech was surprisingly international-minded. Its Arabic touch, with its rich dessert vibes, and massively famous riads, souks, and plazas, blended nicely with safety, enough comfort, and reassuring presence of international tourists everywhere. I didn't feel like stranded, yet I could still taste the authenticity of the place!

But then it was the feeling of achievement that poured over me throughout my visit to Morocco. The sense of self-satisfaction, pride, and glory, that weirdly enough, no one seemed to care or even be aware about it—but still, it was between me and myself, and I nailed it.

I visited my fifth and last continent.

Wow. Never had I imagined that Morocco would be the one championing my dream. It was always either Cape Town, or at least Joburg, where I could still be civilized even in Africa. And I actually had plans to make either one of them as my annual trip for 2019, visiting there on either June or July this year so I would dramatically accomplish my goal on last minute gig.

You just never know what God had planned for you.
All you know is that, you're the one in control of your dream.

I'm so glad I read that sacred book just in time. And I'm so glad I took the best of Phileas Fogg, not seeing him in negative, pessimistic air, that I got inspired instead—something I rarely feel towards other figure, let alone a fiction one.

It was just meant to be.

So here I am officially stating that, 
My ambitious dream project of traveling
Around the World in 80 Months, is finally

Completed

Like It or Not, Enjoy

Hi.

I don't think I ever once talked about my city. Jakarta. Well, I guess I'm now in mood to talk about it. Since last weekend, I just felt how convenient this crazy city actually is.

Sunday will always be the un-guessed-able time of the week. You cannot predict what happen in Jakarta during Sunday. Usually it's empty because as the last day of the weekend, people don't feel like going out. But if everybody thinks that oh, I bet roads are empty today so let's get out then boom! Enjoy the sudden traffic jam.

Last weekend, for example, my friend brought me to two places that in general, should be crazy crowded: Tugu Kunstkring Paleis and Balai Kartini. And don't get me wrong - both were, crazy crowded. But Jakarta was so sweet last weekend -and that's why I initiated this post because if it was an ass, don't even expect me to mention Jakarta ever again in this blog- that somehow, we managed to visit both places easily, with a happy heart.

For the first place, we parked the car by the street, in front of somebody's house. This is what I benefit the most from how loose regulations in Jakarta are - also, the first thing I really adore from this city. We can be a slick and cheat the rules. Well actually rules about cars parked randomly went a bit more strict lately but still, loose regulations are loose.

So we went to the building, enjoyed the colonialism-themed bazaar and left with two super beautiful china plates we don't even know what they are bought for. I'd really love to upload the plates but, yaa maybe later.

Next stop was Balai Kartini. From central Jakarta, the venue can be reached either from the main protocol Jl. Jend. Sudirman or via this critical big road Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said in Kuningan. During weekdays, both streets are, well, what can I say, fresh shits from hell's ass. You don't, ever, wanna be stuck there. Ever. That's why during weekend, traumatized people try so hard to avoid these evil streets.

We decided not to take Jl. Jend. Sudirman and drove through Kuningan instead. And guess what. The street was beautifully empty. We were so pleased to realize that the only long line we'd be facing was around the venue, when entering and looking for parking space. But again, guess what. Apparently Balai Kartini knew that the event will be blessed with tons of crowd so they provided this shuttle service that people can take from one building in... Kuningan.

God blessed our Sunday. Second thing I like from the city, is that people here are well-developed. They didn't just make some crappy events, they thought forward about how to make people reach their event easily, practically. Well, maybe because most of the committees were expats which lead me to the third point I like from Jakarta: it's freaking internationalized.

So we parked the car in this very empty parking lot, walked to the lobby and took the shuttle straight to the venue. It was the event of promoting European countries so yes, lots of traditional foods, traditional outfits, traditional music, traditional dance, and yes, again, I watched flamenco! This time, the dancer was a female so I could get the true beauty of enjoying the dance.

I forgot her name but, she danced gave a crazy elegant show

Wow. I just love how surprising Jakarta is.

One day it could be a pain in my ass, giving me unnecessary plenty of time to waste in the street, pouring my days with extra sunlight, making me wanna curse with all bad words I learned from the day I was born. But one other day, it could be the savoriest thing in my chicken. You know, when you eat fried chicken and there's this one second of your chew that tastes better than the rest of the mealtime, yea, Jakarta can be like that sometimes.

Never once I ever thought, to actually leave this city for any other big cities in Indonesia. Not even Bali. The only choice I set for myself to live in is either Jakarta, or, abroad.

And oh, this reminds me to one striking-right-in-my-heart punchline I heard from a Love Jakarta Campaign video that, shit, I still can't get over with even until now.

It says something like,

Jakarta, my beloved cruel city.

Hm. It lost it's tone when said in English.

Okay so let's try saying it in Bahasa, shall we?

Jakarta, Kota Kejam Kesayangan