Graduation Trip
New York City
26 February - 2 March 2007, Part One

Being successfully obtained the visa and a cheap ticket from Tokyo(Narita International Airport) to New York(Newark International Airport), i was so looking forwards to my trip to the United States. So i had came to the city that never sleeps. New York City, US`s most populous city and among the largest metropolitan areas in the world. NYC is also rated as an alpha world city for its global influences in media, politics, education, entertainment, arts and fashion.


Pier 17, New York City.

I was picked up by Ziggy from Penn Station and brought to Ludlow Street, Chinatown. I was staying with my cousin and her family. First night was welcomed by a luxury dinner together with my cousin and her friends. The following day, after exploring Chinatown with my cousin, i walked to Pier 17 myself and passed Ziggy my souvenir that brought from Japan.


Taken from Pier 17.


The skyline of Brooklyn Borough from Pier 17.

Like Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Eiffel Tower in Paris, Times Square has achieved the status of an iconic world landmark and has become a symbol of its city. I was crazily fascinated by the huge number of animated neon and LED signs or advertisements that have long made it one of its iconic images.
















Me at the junction of Broadway and Seven Avenue.

There i met up Ziggy and her sister, Sze Wan who i watched a broadway show, Les Miserables together with after dinner at an Italian restaurant. I had a great night at Times Square. Need to mention, before i forget, there was a black guy requesting to take a picture with me. `Perhaps he thought that you are one of the Korean or Japanese stars.`, Sze Wan said. LMAO


Sze Wan and Ziggy in front of Planet Hollywood.


Les Miserables, a good broadway show.


Empire State Building.

Empire State Building, one of the world first skyscrapers and the tallest building in NYC after the destruction of World Trade Center in 2001. The bird`s eyes view at the observation deck was very impressive. The word appeared on my mind is only buildings, buildings and still buildings. Phew, what a concrete jungle.



East, south, west, north view of NYC from the observation deck.

Later Ziggy showed me around the Midtown and Uptown. Thanks God. She was a nice guide! She brought me to the popular tourist spots such as Central Park, Washington Square Park, Lincoln Center, New York State Theater, Rockefeller Center, etc and explained every little thing to me. I found the right person to meet up. She too bring me to a nice club and i had a fun time there with her friends.


The Statue of Liberty.

Next destinations on the next day were Ellis Island, the first stop for most immigrants from Europe, and Statue of Liberty, presented by France in 1886. Departed from Liberty State Park, we were enjoying the view of Downtown Manhattan and the cool wind at the deck on the ferry.


The Skyline of Downtown Manhattan.

After that, we headed to Atlantic City where famous for its broadwalk, casino gambling and as the inspiration for the board game Monopoly and most importantly also Ziggy`s hometown. Spent couple of nights there with her family before i went to Washington, DC.

Homestay in Laos
Vientiane and Vang Vieng
6 - 22 March 2008

Spending a week homestaying at Jon`s house is the most memorable and meaningful trip i have ever had.

Kao kope, Lao sticky rice cracker.

Yeah, you are right! I was helping my friend`s parents making Lao sticky rice cracker, kao kope. It`s very easy to make kao kope.

First you need to get all the tools ready.

Above are step one, two and three. Then you need to soak up the kao kope in the sun for couples of hours. After frying, you need to pack four kao kope into one package. It costs roughly 15cents(US$). Yummy. Crispy. Good snacks for anytime and anywhere. Have a break, have a kao kope. =p

Kao kope frying.

After and before.

Photo with Jon`s mother and friends after finished packing kao kope.

Later, i moved to a village of Patoo, another friend of mine who i knew through my Thai`s friend and had fun together for half a day in Vientiane last year. I was invited to celebrated the village`s main festival, Phavet Buddhist Festival. There i was able to wear Lao`s costume and learnt a little of Lao culture.

Dinner at Patoo`s house.

With my friend`s relatives.

Phavet Buddhist Festival.

Of course i wouldnt miss out the chance travelling around the country. I went to Vang Vieng with Jon where the main attractions are the scenery, limestone hills and numerous caves and caverns.

Sunset, Saysong River, Vang Vieng.

My bungalow in front of a beautiful landscape.

Landscape of Saysong River.

I had only visited Buddha Park in Vientiane as i was shown around the city with my friend by Patoo last year. Basically i just hung out with both Jon and Patoo`s friends around the city.

Buddha Park, Vientiane.

Mekong Festival.

Lao food is very spicy! The boring night life made me so sick. They still dont have a proper system for karaoke yet. Traditional herbal sauna was great. Celebrated my early birthday in Vientiane with group of crazy buddies together with two dozens of beerlao.

My early birthday party in Laos.

Birthday gift from Toy.


Birthday boy gotta drink beerlao.

Three Star Two Restaurant.

Overall, i had a great time in Laos with my friends and their friends.

Indonesia Trip
Bali, Malang, Bandung and Jakarta
19th February - 3rd March 2008


Hard Rock Hotel, Bali. Can, Nus and Fu.


Lunch at Jimbaran, Bali. Can and Fu.


Dreamland, Bali. Fu, Can and Nus.


Tanah Lot, Bali. Can, Nus and Fu.


Monkey Park, Bali. Fu, Nus and Can.


Naughty Warung, Bali. Fu and Can.


Kuta Beach, Bali. Fu, Nus and Can.


Surfing at Kuta Beach, Bali.


Surfing at Kuta Beach, Bali.


Karaoke Keluarga, Malang. Fu and Citra.


Coban Rondo Waterfall, Malang. Fu, Anang, Citra and Sanjaya.


Coban Rondo Waterfall, Malang. Anang, Citra and Fu.


Jawa Timur Park, Malang. Fu, Citra, Sanjaya, Anang and Rennie.


Kedai Assalamualaikum, Malang. Rennie and Fu.


Kedai Assalamualaikum, Malang. Rennie, Citra, Fu and Sanjaya.


Malang Town Square, Malang. Fu and Rennie.


Malang Town Square, Malang. Citra and Fu.


Paris Van Jawa, Bandung. Jill, Lia, Fu and Bronto.


Paris Van Jawa, Bandung. Jill, Fu, Lia, Can, Bronto and Nus.


Breakfast, Bandung. Bronto, Fu, Can, Nus and Ferline.


Monument Nasional(MONAS), Jakarta, Indonesia. Fu and Estrin.


Observation deck of MONAS, Jakarta. Fu and Yolanda.


Dinner at Kemang, Jakarta. Fu and Estrin.


Lunch at ITC Mangga Dua, Jakarta. Estrin, Febbry, Fu and Yolanda.

I had a great time in Indonesia. Sightseeing, surfing, shopping, clubbing, drinking, dancing, karaoke, chatting, eating and etc. It was a wonderful memory for me! My friends, Chinese, Javanese and Muslim are super great. Love them so much. Thanks for showing me around. Wish to see you guys again in the near future.