Gaby's New Dresses 'n Hats

Got into online shopping frenzy and bought new dresses and hats courtesy of http://brandedgakmustimahal.multiply.com
Very cuteeeee.......

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Gaby's First Trip 2 The Zoo

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Yippeee...Bangkok! (Part 7) - Last Day (April 13, 2009)

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Yippeee...Bangkok! (Part 6) - Day 2 (April 12, 2009)

Happy Easter Everyone! Decided to go to church today. Went by taxi to Evangelical Church of Bangkok at Sukhumvit...Was a lovely service but spent most of my time outside the hall with Gaby ha3x.....
After service, we decided to have lunch at Siam Paragorn. Since we couldn't shop at Jatujak, figured we could shop at the adjoining mall Siam Square or head over to MBK after eating. Walked a bit along Sukhumvit road before deciding that it's too tiring and took a taxi ha3x..Gaby was already asleep in her stroller and enjoying the walk although it's really really hot out there!
Siam Paragorn and Siam Square are 2 mall joined side by side. While Paragorn is a high end Plaza Indonesia like mall, Siam Square is more like ITC (so they say). Have lunch at Paragorn Foodcourt..I end up eating KFC of all the places! Then we decided to explore the mall a bit and went up to the dept. store kids section (mothers...babies...u figure!). Went inside a bit, things were priceeeyyy! So just sit outside and played around with Gaby while waiting for Omar n Joice....

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Yippeee...Bangkok! (Part 5 - Day 4 (April 11, 2009)

Today is our trip to Jatujak Market! Hooray! This is the day we've been waiting for, at least I and Joice ho3x...Plan to do souvenir shopping and other kinds of shopping. Ok, everything's prepared and checked...so let's go!

We decided to travel by BTS, since we want to try out riding in a monorail ;0) Since the nearest BTS station (Ratchatewi) is a bit far (well if it's only us adults we wouldn't mind walking while sightseeing, but then again..it's back to the babies he3x..), we took a taksi (40 baht, cheaaappp) there. It turned out we have to go up using an escalator and stairs! So it's....Fathers Get Ready!! Ha3x...they have to haul all our stuff up! Hey it isn't easy to carry a baby too you know!
Exchange money for coins to put in ticket slot machine, done with that we entered the station and up more stairs! Hmmm.....that means when we get to Mochit St., we also have to go DOWN lots of stairs right?!?! Phewwww!!!
The train was packed with people who are all headed for Jatujak, since this market are only open on weekends and famous with both tourists and locals....
This is one huge market! Actually, it's pretty similar to the stallss at Ps. Senen I think..but definately more organized and clean...

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Yippeee...Bangkok! (Part 4) - Day 3 (April 10, 2009)

Ehhh...it's day 3 already in Bangkok...
Btw...the weather here is HOT HOT HOT! Booooo...kita yang dari Jakarta ajeh basah kuyup euy! Especially when we arrive dan keluar dari terminal airport! U know lah bahwa inside the airplane we usually put on some heavy clothing...and since we'll be arriving at night we figured the weather will be cool also! Nope baby! It's sweltering outside! So we immediately shuck off those jackets and sweaters and scarves etc....Okay back 2 day three..

The deal is, since yesterday we couldn't go to the palace, we figured that no matter what we have to succed today..And since we got some info from Mimi, we're better armed now...
Left the hotel at 9.30 (plan was to leave at 9 buttt....as usual..too many unfinished bussiness he3x...), took a metered taxi that drove us all the way to the palace front gate where there are already a zillion tourist there! Hey whaddya expect!?!? The Grand Palace is after all a Must 2 See Sight in Bangkok!
Pas masuk ke dalam langsung dirazia dey ama penjaganya mana yang pake celana pendek, atau baju ketat de-el-el....Terus kita beli tiket..Hmmm...mahal juga 350 Baht, harga nuris banget neh..sementara untuk orang Thai gretong! Ini neh hebatnya disini, semua tempat wisata pasti dibedain untuk lokal ama wisman. Jadi orang lokal juga mau jalan2. Ohhh..lagipula di dalam kan ada temple-nya untuk sembahyang, makanya org lokal gratis.
The Palace complex is quite large as expected from royalty. Some parts are off limits because currently still in use. What's amazing is all those bling bling you see on the building and towers, etc. The Thai's really love their gold eh?
Okay...so we started entering the compund, only walk about 50 m and then...stop! Time for the babies to eat!!! And it took us about 1 hr b4 continuing the tour again ha3x....
The weather was so hot! My poor gal! We keep stopping once a while to rest..and feed..and change Gaby's clothes...All in all, our tour in the Palace took us about 5 hrs ha3x.....
Ha3x...no more time to visit Wat Arun and other temples and museums as planned
Lessons learned, when travelling with infant, I think one place per day is enough for them....
Good thing Gaby is still very happy and in a fine mood until the end of the day....

Pas keluar, ada yang jual suvenir gitu seperti biasaaaalahh......nah ada yang nawarin lukisan di atas kain Thai scenery gituuhhh..bagus seh....tawar menawar....got 10 for 500 Baht..pikir2 yah lumayanlah untuk oleh2 masal.....Ternyataaaaaa....ada pedagang laen yang nawarin 20 for 500 Baht ha3x......Alhasil kayaknya semi ketipu dehhhh...tapi...berhubung ini suasana liburan ya sudahhh dibawa seneng ajahhh...Kesimpulan ga bakal beli oleh2 lagih ho3x...
Oh kita kena scamming untuk kedua kalinya! Itu loohhhh the taxi scam!
Turns out from Palace back to our hotel cost twice...And then a taxi driver offered us only 50 Baht if we visit a gem store first. I've heard about this and it's okay if u go along and don't buy anything...So mostly all you lost is your time..But.........we haven't had our lunch yet, and said that we want to eat first somewhere cheap...This is where we got scammed! The taxi driver took us to an expensive seafood restaurant ha3x....All in all we spent 700 Baht for lunch! Luckily the portion was good...Kebayang kalo ga....sebelll banget!!! Sebenarnya ga terlalu mahal kali yeeeee...Well everything is part of life's experience right!
The jewelery store was large and fancy looking and...EXPENSIVE! We managed not to stay long by using the babies as an excuse ha3x....But one thing....the sales there can speak Indonesian!! Since it's impossible to discuss in English we speak in....Batak ha3x.....
FYI, all the taxis in Bangkok is fueled by gas. Dunno how much it cost, probably expensive, that's why the taxis driver really want to get vouchers from gem stores, leather stores, tailors, etc.

Back finally to hotel, tireeeddddd!!!
Omar & Joice decided to stay and order dinner in hotel.
The three of us went adventuring to the neighbourhood behind hotel and found a cheap food stall that sells rice or noodles with....PORK! hooray! 30 Baht per portion! Boy I love Bangkok food!
So there goes another day!

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Kebaya oh Kebaya...

Holaaaa..hari ini abis ke Mayestik fitting kebaya ho3x.....
Jadi ceritanya neh berhubung bulan ini ada sodara yang kawinan dan stok kebaya ga ada..(bener2 ga ada, cuman 1 yang terbaru dan udah dipake bolak balik ampe bosan 'n mudah2an ga ada yang ngeh, sisanya kalo ga kebaya pas hamil, kebaya kawin ato kebaya wisudaan ha3x..) akhirnya dehhh kita bela2in jalan2 ke Mayestik tanggal 1 Mei kemaren....
Males keluar masuk toko, akhirnya langsung masuk toko La Vinz yang di paling belakang....
Setelah 2 jam di dalam, keluar dengan membawa tentengan hasil ngutang ke Bang Visa hue he3x....Dapet 2 bahan kebaya (1 biru 'n 1 ungu plus bahan senada untuk bustier), serta kain bawahan sari india n bahan bustier krem untuk padanan bahan kebaya jadulllllll yang ada kali 10 tahun ngendon di lemari. Abisan, jarang2 neh belanja untuk bahan kebaya, jadi yah udah disekalianin ajah, trus sengaja cari yang warnanya belum punya sehingga kalo nanti ada colour code-nya kita sudah siap! Hore!
Sekarang masalah kedua adalah masalah penjahitan..

Nah...sebenarnya neh, kita biasa jahit di Bara Rawamangun...
Tapi bo!!!! Jauh niaaaaaannnnn...males bolak balik ke sana untuk fitting yang biasanya terjadi...
Mikir mikir perasaan di Mayestik bukannya gudang penjahit kebaya...ya sutralah...kita muter-muter ajah ngeliat...Ga tau apa yang nuntun, iseng2 naek ke lantai 2 dan berjalan beberapa langkah mata tertarik dengan kebaya yang dipajang depan salah satu kios...
Langsung deh masuk dan bertanya-tanya mengenai ongkos jahit...Kebetulan di tempatnya ada majalah isi model kebaya. Nah tertarik neh dengan satu model, tanya2 ongkos jahit n payet serta menunjukkan bahan yang mo dijahit...eh langsung deal deh! Bo!!! Stress juga euy, kok bisa ya tanpa nanya2 perbandingan harga...tapi kita dah pasrah euy!
Sengaja milih jahitin kain yang ungu secara harga paling murah, jadi kalo gagal ga nangis2 bombay banget! Lagipula padanan-nya dah ada di rumah ho3x...Siiipplahhh...
Yang bikin kuaget..ternyata nama penjahitnya Penjahit Universal milik Pak Sukirno! Oh la la..bukan apa2, tadi pas di toko kain sempet nanya ama mbak-nya ada penjahit yang dia recommend ga..Nah dosq jawab coba ke Universal ajah, tapi dia ga ngasih tau lokasinya dimana. Ya males lah mesti muter2 nyariin satu-satu...Eh ternyata oh ternyata kita nyasarnya ke situ....Halaaahhhh...entah ada tuntunan apa kali ye.....Ato jimat keberuntungan si Universal ini oke punya ha3x...

Lanjutttt....
Oke deh jadi ceritanya tadi fitting neh. Eh langsung terlihat ada kebaya nan anggun terpajang di depan kios! Kebaya guaaa!!!!
Ihh surprais dey, perasaan dia bilang pas fitting belon dipayet, eh ternyata tadi dah dipayet dan bustier dah jadi! mantab euy, cuman 11 hari...dipikir dengan payetan bakal bisa 3 mingguan gitu loh!
Langsung deh dicoba di fitting room dadakan..(duh kasian jadi gusur mas-mas yang lagi semangat kerja...ato dia malah seneng yah jadi istirahat tambaharn ;0) )
Bustier langsung pas, cuman emang agak keras...apa karena cuman 9 (Bara biasanya 12 yak!?!?) dan bagian belakang pendek (nah...ini juga apa karena kebiasaan di Bara yang agak panjang)...Hmmm....kayaknya fitting selanjutnya harus pakai kain bawahan neh biar ketauan kependekan apa ga...
Bajunya harus diperbaiki di bagian leher dan tangan...Ha3x...tangannya kekecilan bo! Dia yang salah ngukur ato tangan kita yang tambah gede ya ha3x....
Tapi overall cukup puas dengan model-nya, kalo jahitannya nanti setelah bener2 jadi di-update lagih...
Tapi merasa payet agak kurang neh di bagian belakang. Depan mah dah oke! Cuman belakang kosong hiks...jadi minta ditambahin deh yang notabene tambah ongkos hu3x...
Kalo ditotal: Jahit 150rb, bustier 160 rb, payet tadinya 200rb karena ditambah jadi 250 ribu, jadi semua 560 ribu...Mahal? Murah? Nanti masukkin foto ahhh...sapa tau ada yang bisa komen..
Nah ada tambahan lagi neh, bikin rumbai2 untuk selendang 50rb terus bikin selop 50rb (kita bawa selop sendiri, terus ama dia ditutup bahan kebaya n dipayet)...So setoran gua di penjahit adalah 660rb...gileeeeee...hua3x.....Mo nawar neh biar dibuletin ajah jadi 650rb hi3x....Ups lupa, bahan bajunya tuh 50 rb dan bahan bustier 14rb. Jadi nanti gua sekali keluar memakai baju seharga 728rb ga termasuk harga kain bawahan n selendang serta harga beli si selop (semua pakai uang nyokap jadi dianggap gratis *wink wink*...)
Yang stress ya suami kalo udah gini, untung yang kawin sodaranya dia ;0) Dan Q menghibur dia dengan bilang bahwa terakhir jahit kebaya setaun lalu, jadi 728rb dibagi 12 bulan kan cuman 70rb sebulan, belon lagi nih kebaya bisa dipake minimal 2 taun, nah lebih murah lagih kan jatuhnyaaaaa ha3x......padahal, kan masih ada 2 lagih bahan baju yang mo dijahit ho3x...
Okeh deyyy...nanti diupdate lagih aaaahhhh kalo dah jadi plus foto-fotonyaaa

UPDATE 13 May 2009
Ini neh foto-fotonyaaaa....senaaaannnggg eh tapi bustiernya bukan punya si kebaya. Punyanya lebih muda...hore

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Yippeee...Bangkok! (Part 3) - Day 2 (April 9, 2009)

Olaaaaa....
Ini lagih ngebut bikin blog hi3x...
Jadi ceritanya hari ke-2 neh di Bangkok...
Emang dari awalnya kita tuh ga niat ikutan tour coz with 2 babies it's really hard to follow a strict touring schedule what with the many feeding time, resting time, baby stamina, tantrums, etc.
Makanya kita sistem go show ajeh.....Dari Jakarta kan emang sudah ada gambaran kira2 kemana ajah yang mo dikunjungin tinggal cari2 di Bangkok...
Pas nanya ama Omar n Joice, bilangnya mo liat yang gajah-gajahan secara kita di tanah Thai kan...trus waktu ke Hatyai mereka ga bisa ngeliat karena emang kage ada...
Nah menurut jadwal yang me arrange waktu di Jakarta, niatnya hari ini Palace and Temple Tour....but.....damn those protester! Puuuhhhhh...ngeblokir jalan gitu...Alaaahhhh ga asyik pisannnnn!!
At the hotel there was a tour counter dan guidenya yang namanya Mimi! Ampe sekarang bingung dia orang Thai asli ato Cina yang di Thai hmmm....Tapi bahasa Inggrisnya lumayaaaaannnnnn...
Nah dosq ga recommend kita hari itu ke istana, lah bingung kan kitaa.....mo ngapain gitu looohhhh...Nah inget deh ama si gajah! Ternyata lokasi di luar Bangkok, kira2 di Bogor kali yahhhh....Ya udah, nanya fee-nya berapa dan berapa lama dan shownya mulai kapan....Fee-nya 750 Baht per orang dan show-nya mulai jam 12....Oke deyyyy...diputuskan secara aklamasi kita ke situ ajahhhh.....
Berhubung masih jam 10, kita keluar dulu ke 7-11 (btw..kalo disini kan yg banyak Circle K, disana 7-11) mo beli pulsa n nomor di Bangkok!
Ampuuunnn...rumit banget secara orang tokonya ga ngerti bahasa Inggris, tapi sukses juga sehhhh...yah harganya ga jauh acan ama di Jakarta..cuman masa berlakuk kartunya itu bo! 2 Taun! Neh masih disimpen, sapa tau taun depan ke sana lagih ha3x....

Akhirnya balik ke hotel dg persiapan penuh....maksudnya persiapan penuh untuk para babies, kalo kita mah modal dompet, kamera n HP doank ha3x....
FYI ya...pergi 2 jam ama pergi seharian hebohnya sama...ga ngaruh..Nyiapin pakaian ganti, makanan dan snack, susu, stroller, gendongan...Ampyunnnn dehhh....
yah resikonya bawa baby yah....But you just have to take it in stride and not be overstressed....That's why go out when you can otherwise just stay in!

Ternyata yang jadi driver and tour guide kita ya si MiMi itu..Naek sedan Camry...lumayaaaaannnn....
Nama tempat yang dituju Samphran Crocodile and Elephant Farm....kira 45 min drive lewat jalan tol yang Gratis tis tis! Ceritanya neh jalan yang bangun raja makanya gretongan gitu loh! Mantebnya sistem road di bangkok yah gini ini...jalannya kayak jalan tol semua tapi gratis...Ceunah..when the King commands, everyone listens! That goes for klakson juga! Kage boleh! Dilarang raja! Manuuuttttt.......

Sampe disana, action dulu donk foto2, terus lunch dulu secara laper bangettttt.....Baru dey buru2 ngeliat crocodile show...
Aje gileeee.....berani amet tuh orang-orang....manteb lah debusnya, yang masukkin tangan n kepala ke mulut si buaya ato narik2 ekornya....Hmmm...agak kasihan juga seh ama crocodilenya, tapi mereka endut2 kok..berarti dikasih maem yang banyak yahh...

Selesai show kita ke open air field gitu mo nonton show Gajah...nah berhubung show belon mulai curi2 deh kasih makan si Gaby sambil liat pre-magic show...lumayan..satu kewajiban selesai biarpun si Gaby ngaco banget makannya (this goes on for the whole trip...kayak waktu ke Medan, tapi better because at least she still ate a little bit)....
Ternyata oh ternyata abis mamam si Gaby langsung bobo! Laaahhh kumaha, bagaimana mo ngelaiat si gajah!??! Ya sudahlah sepanjang show dia bobo terus, bahkan pas ada tembakan meriam yang suaranya gede dan bikin kulit panas dia mah antennngggg mulu!
Selesai show kita foto2 dia juga teuteuppp tidur! Halaaaahhhh...
Baru bangun dey pas udah mo pulang! Sempet juga dia ngasih makan gajah hi3x....

Ternyata dah sore euy, jam 4an...akhirnya balik ke hotel dey....
It was great using a guided tour for our first day coz Mimi was a mine of information. Coz of that we decided that we're brave enough to venture alone the next day...
I don't know if our fee was too expensive or not, but it's worth it! My suggestion is this, for the first day try the guided tour and ask lots of questions..then the next day you can travel by yourself and you have an acquaintance to contact if you get lost or something..

Capeeee deyyyyyyy...
Omar n Joice decided that they have enugh for the day...but the three of us went on a little sightseeing..jalan2 ke LOTUS supermarket (similar to Giant or Care4)..nekattttsssss!
Untung perginya di drop ama si Mimi, pulangnya baru naek taxi! Mimi's the best!
Really recommend MiMi to anyone going to Bangkok!

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Yippeee...Bangkok! (Part 2) - The Hotel (Bangkok City Suite)

Haiyaaahhh..lama banget baru ngupdate blog yaaaahhh...
Emang kage bakat euy kayak gini-ginian.....Tapi berhubung dah commit pengen cerita..yah sok dah dilanjutin.

Sekarang neh ceritanya mengenai hotelnya.
Nah kan kemaren setelah ngobrak ngabrik internet akhirnya mutusin tinggal di Bangkok City Suite hotel http://www.bangkoksuite.com/
Agak ragu-ragu juga sehhh, makannya bookingnya cuman tuk 2 malem...Istilahnya kalo ga suka yah kita bisa langsung ngabur gitu lohhhh...
Ternyata oh ternyataaa...lumayan juga euy!!!
Emang hotelnya ga gede, hmmm...kalo di Bandung mungkin model hotel yang deket Superindo (was Gelael) Dago kali ye...lebih gede lagih...
Tapi bersih, kamarnya lumayan, kamar mandi bersih...
Cumaaaannnnn...memang view-nya jangan diharepin yah...kayak ngadep ke arah permukiman padet gituhhh...Tapi berhubung emang ga niat ngeliat view ya tak pa2 toh...
Breakfastnya juga lumayanlah....emang ga ganti-ganti tapi ngenyangin untuk di pagi hari....
Alhasil kita jadi nggak pindah euy! Udah manteb dan males ajah ngangkut barang2 lagih...Ya sutralah kita ngendon di situ for the duration of the stay.
The hotel cost about 900 baht/nite..hmmm around IDR 300k (depending on the rate)...
The location for us is great..Only 60 baht (IDR 20K) taxi ride to the Grand Palace. It's a bit far tho to the BTS Ratchatewi..but since there're 4 of us and 2 babies, we mostly travel in taxis. Ya iyalah...gile aje..orang sekali keluar barangnya ajah dah segambreng. Stroller, tas gemblog, tas tangan, gendongan kain, pashmina buat selimut...haiyaaa....Belon lagih kalo si Gaby mandeg ga mau di stroller...Terpaksa dey digendong..hhhhh....
Hmmm...I think that's about all for hotel review...ooooohhh...forgot one thing! FREE WIFI in room if you bring your own laptop! Mantaaaabbbbb....makanya bisa langsung update foto di facebook! Asyiiikkkk!!!! Oh ya...makanan tuh di hotel ga terlalu mahal (untuk standar Jakarta), rata-rata 60 -65 Baht/porsi (IDR 20K)..tapi kalo niat ngelancong ke daerah belakang hotel bisa dapet setengah harga euy! Babi pula!!! Aduhhhh surganya piggy dah di Bangkok! Anytime, anywhere it's avalaible! Setiap hariiiiii euy!! Kapan lagih..di Jakarta mana bisa bo! Cabutssssss.....

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