Getting to Know the Hok Lay Kiong Temple: Inside and Out
“Come and go without worry, because happiness and blessings are born from your own heart.” After lunch at Mie Ayam Surya, our bellies were all full and warm. The tables in the corner of the restaurant still had the aroma of fried garlic and chicken broth permeating the air. But that afternoon, instead of heading […]
Welcome to Kyushu Island
I’ve been to Japan several times, but most of those trips have taken me to the island of Honshu: glittering Tokyo, vibrant Osaka, quietly mournful Hiroshima. This time, my steps veered in a different direction—heading south, toward Kyushu. An island I’d only known from maps and stories. I wanted to see a different side of […]
Zig-Zag on the Caldera: Travel Notes from Aso to Kumamoto
Today’s journey felt like a train pilgrimage. The relay began at noon: taking the Yufuin no Mori from Yufuin to Beppu, then continuing on the Aso Boy! to Aso. After two hours of being pampered by the warm wooden interior and wide observation windows of Aso Boy!, we arrived at Aso Station . Here we […]
To Kyushu, A Must-Ride—The ASO BOY!
After exploring Beppu Station and getting to know the legendary Aburaya Kumahachi, it was time to return to the platform for the journey I had been looking forward to since the beginning. On the departure board, the name ASO BOY! appeared in letters that felt much more cheerful than the other trains. This train would […]
Between the Gumuling Well and the Mango Trees at the Pleret Museum
After driving for about thirty minutes from the Alun-alun Kidul area, we finally arrived in Pleret. Our main destination that afternoon was the Pleret Archaeological Museum, a place I had long wanted to visit, but for some reason had always put off. As we arrived in front of the museum, I felt a little hesitant. […]
Exploring Rangkasbitung, Searching for the Abandoned Multatuli
Our journey through Rangkasbitung continued on foot, leaving the Multatuli Museum with a cheerful feeling. That afternoon, the sun felt kind, even shyly showing itself. The air wasn’t too hot, just pleasant enough for a journey intended as a historical journey, not just a tourist attraction. Mbak Mutiah led the group. My friends and I […]
Max Havelaar, Unresolved Accusations in Rangkasbitung
At eight minutes past eight, the commuter train from Bekasi finally pulled into platform 1 of Tanah Abang Station. The once-crowded station now looked grand, spacious, and multi-story. That day, I was participating in the Clickompasiana activity with Kreatoria. Our goal was simple but moving: a trip to Rangkasbitung to visit the Multatuli Museum. Upstairs, […]
The “Takbiran” Tradition to Welcome Christmas and New Year in Macau
Compared to Hong Kong, Macau always comes second, except when viewed from a historical perspective, antiquity, and several cultural uniqueness. Macau has been a Portuguese colony since the 16th century, much older than Hong Kong, which only became a British colony in the mid-19th century. One unique legacy that remains to this day is the […]
The Fun of Playing with Deer in Nara
After lunch at the Indian-Nepali restaurant Lumbini, our stomachs felt warm and full. The aroma of spices and seasoned rice lingered on our tongues. We felt we had enough energy to explore Nara again. From Kintetsu Nara Station, we crossed to a bus stop decorated with a deer illustration in large blue letters: “I” for […]
The Rainbow People of Martim Moniz: A Night in Lisbon
The day ended in a way I hadn’t expected. A day of walking through Lisbon’s hills had made my calves protest, but my heart still wanted to keep going. The yellow tram still occasionally went up and down the hills, dragging its wheels slowly as if enjoying the same route for decades. From a miradouro, […]
