Valencia

Hi!

This time of the year, 3 years ago, I spent my day in Valencia. It was already that long since I’ve been there. Valencia is a warm city, after Castellon of course. It is the center of comunitat Valenciana. I spent my days here most of the time for the class that I took in the uni. It was Valencian Arts and Architecture. I was captivated by how interesting the lecture was.

I’ll try to remember places that you could visit in Valencia when you happen to be in Spain or you are planning to go there. Because Valencia is one of cities in Spain that you need to visit, period. Usually, I went to Valencia by train, it costs me around 4 to 6 euros which take 1 hour long. It is the same amount of time we need to go from Yogyakarta to Solo. I also spent some days here to watch finale of MotoGP 2015 in Valencia circuit Ricardo Tormo on November 2015. Anyway, let’s see what you can do and see in Valencia.

Here are the things that I find interesting in Valencia,

Plaza de la Virgen Maria
This plaza is located in the heart’s of Valencia historical sites. You will find a fountain in the middle of this plaza. Yes, like any other plaza in Spain, you will find it surrounded by a cathedral, basilica, as well as palace of generalitat. I find the plaza is the perfect place to hangout with friends while enjoying the ambiance. At the first time, I went to this plaza in the night and watched many street artist shows their skill. Other time I went here, there was exhibition and pre wedding photoshoot happened.

Personal Photo

Visiting Museum and Art Gallery
I know, some people finds it boring, but museum and art gallery is one of activities that I always do while visiting new places. Even though I haven’t got a chance to visit all museum and art gallery in Valencia, but I am glad that I visit these two places.

Museu de Belles Artes de Valencia
I went here several times! For lecturer and also for fun visits. I like how it shows period of fine art in Valencia and how religion influenced the arts.

One of art works displayed in the Museum

Museo de Taurino de Valencia
This is a museum that exhibit history of bullfighting. Here, you will see the famous bull and all the intricate costume that used in the arena. The costume is pretty darn amazing you know!

Personal Photo

Reduced ticket, I am using my student card

Here is the lists of Museum and Art Gallery in Valencia, I search the web for you. 😉

• The IVAM, L'Institut Valencia d'Art Modern
• The Museu Valencia de la Illustracio i la Modernitat
• Del Carmen Cultural Center
• Museo Nacional de Ceramica

Beach
South part of Spain is a place where you can find a good beaches to spend your day in. I went to one of the beach there but I forgot the name of the beach. It is a way to cure my home sick you know. I missed all the beaches in my hometown while I spent my exchange program.

Mercat Central
Traditional market is a place to go when you spend a quite long time in any city in Spain. You could find a fresh fruits and veggies. It is not only pleasing your stomach but your eyes indeed. I haven’t got a chance to go inside, since I went there when holiday. It is ashamed though, I will visit the market when I go to Spain someday.

City of Arts and Sciences
This one, is the one place that I want to visit. When I went there, I just hang around the place without actually go inside the building. Even when you walk in the area, you will find it amusing with that modern and sophisticated buildings.

Personal Photo

Someone in the photo

Other parts of the city
When you do not rush to find any attractions in Valencia, you can just wander around the town and find little piece that impressive. Like, a mural on the wall, the smallest bar, or just old buildings that you will find all around the city centre.

I guess, I may not cover all the beauty of Valencia, but you can get a grasp of what you can find there. I know for sure that I need to go back to Valencia in the future. I don’t know when, but someday I will. I hope you find it informative enough for you.

Have an amazing day people!

Cheers

*all photos taken by me

My favorites restaurant in Pisa

Screenshot from Google Street View

Hi!
I am back with old story of my exchange life 3 years ago.
I know it is a little bit too late but this is one of way to remember it (I know I will remember it by heart but I want to write about it here)

Even though my trip to Pisa only for two days, it was wonderful!
Italy is famous with its pasta and pizza, and I personally love those dishes. I would never let the chance to eat the authentic italian cuisine right from where it is originally from.

We arrived in Galileo Galilei Airport around 5 p.m., the flight from Beauvais to Pisa is around 2 hours. Since we did not have any baggage. We decided to walk to our homestay. I booked the room from Booking.com, the accomodation was good for an affordable price. I chose large room with extra bed since I would stay there with two of my friends. We stayed for a while, unpack, and took a bath. After that, we decided to walk to the city center to find something to eat.

It took around 30 minutes walk from our homestay to the city center, and it is a little bit windy there. I found that the city is not that different from Indonesia except the buildings. Hahaha. We walked for a while and we finally decide to went inside one of the restaurant in the city center. At first, we doubt that the price would be expensive for student tourists like us, but it was affordable and the taste is super!

Personal photo

It will be weird to say that this place is my favorite restaurant in Pisa since I am not visiting other restaurant. I only visited two restaurants here, and for me this restaurant is my favorite one in Pisa so far. If I have a chance to go back to Pisa, I will definitely visit this place again and check out another restaurant around it.

Personal Photo

When I looked back to this trip, I know why I like small city, because it is easy to get around and it is not too crowded. Even though Pisa is a tourist destination but I find that it gives a warm feeling I use to get in my hometown.

Personal Photo

I will be back with short story on my exchange life soon.

Cheers,
M

Travel Diary - Barcelona: 3 days 2 nights

Hola Todos!

I would like to share about my short trip in Barcelona. My flight back was on 31st January 2016. I went to barcelona on 27th January by train from Castellon de la Plana. I said goodbye to Ianthe, because she was also getting back to Belgium on that day. For anyone who wonder about Spain long distance and short distance train, I could make another post dedicated on how to commute from one place to another place in Spain.

The memorable part of the journey was our luggage. Like, seriously. We need to brought our luggage back and forth, get on and get off from one metro to another. I actually did not really bring too many stuff when I went to Spain, but when I got home, I filled my medium suitcase with gifts and souvenirs for my family and friends. My own belongings only in one cabin suitcase and one backpack! [check my packing adventure post here]

We stayed in an affordable airbnb accommodation. For a room of 3 people, we only paid around 60 euros for 3 days stay. The place is neat and clean and the owner is really friendly even though we went to the wrong floor when we first get there. I was glad that after an early morning train, jump from one metro to another one, grabbing our dear luggage, we could rest our body to a comfy bed. After took a rest and took a shower in a communal bathroom, we headed to the city center! Yeaah!

It was right the time of Rebajas! So, we went shopping! I bought several souvenirs from local shop, not to mention another postcards for me to collect and for people I knew. Rebajas is actually a time when discount held in almost every stores all around Spain for approximately three months. You will get super cheap Pull and Bear tees [I bought some for my family, cost around 1 euro for 1 tee! Can’t you imagine!]. Most of the items that is on sale is the last season items. But it is okay since in Indonesia, we only had two seasons, wet and dry, all the clothes fit all year round.

There is two things that stand out the most during my trip in Barcelona. First, Kebab Alhamdulillah, it is a MUST TRY. I said, a must try! I am so in love with foods from this restaurant. The places is always packed and the food is in huge portion. It is another restaurant that makes me wants to go back to Barcelona. The price is affordable and the service is quite good. If you are super hangry, you will find this place a safe haven. Second one is the city. Barcelona is known for super blocks, where city divided into bigger blocks where it allows more priority to people and pedestrian within the super blocks. Because the blocks, it is easy to getting to know the city, you know it is hard or I don’t know maybe it does not exist in Indonesia [correct me if you know more about city planning in Indonesia]. The atmosphere is nice, like Castellon but more crowded.

I should definitely going to back to Spain someday, and I could go to any other stores and places I wish to see when I am there for example such as Montjuic, La Playa, and Gothic Quarter, also going back to Park Guell and Sagrada Familia. There are several things I need to reconsider everytime I travel, less stuff to brings is way better. You can explore more when you less worry about the things you bring with you. See you in another post about my old travel story!

Cheers

M

MUST SEE: 5 Fascinating Places in Pisa

Hi, again!

I haven't talk much about how I spent my time while I was an exchange student. I had a chance to travel for a little bit. One of the place I have been to is Pisa. Even though I spent only two days in this beautiful city, I wanted to share with you which part of Pisa you should take a look when you visit it. 😉

Here is 5 interesting places you could visit while you are in Pisa.

Vintage Market!

I put this first because I love vintage things and the place is amazing! I think personally, that the traditional market is one of attraction that I would never want to missed while in Europe. The vintage market open every Saturday, located in of Piazzas called Piazza dei Cavalieri. I regret many small things I ended up not buying, so better look up for pretty and cheap vintage goods. Mark your calendar and enjoy a fine and fun weekend in this event.

Vintage Books.  Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

Piazza dei Cavalieri.  Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

Giardino Scotto Garden

Giardino Scotto Garden located near the Arno river. It was once a fort built in 1468 then later made it as palace surrounded by many green spaces. Unfortunately the fort and palace was destroyed and garden is the only thing that survived.

 Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

 Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

It is a really great place to enjoy a stroll with friends after exhausting day getting around Pisa. The garden open until around 7 p.m. You can find a big tree standing tall within the garden. I enjoy the attraction of small playground with my friends. It was indeed a great day.

Botanical Garden of Pisa

Botanical Garden of University of Pisa is one of the garden that you need to visit while you are in Pisa. Actually we accidentally found the entrance to this botanical garden. I have read about it before, but since we do not have any internet balance, we just walk around the city with maps in our hands.

Again, Pisa is a small beautiful town and spending an afternoon in this garden is worth it. The entrance fee is 2 euro, if you are student it will reduced to 1, 50 euro.

Green house full of little cactus! Wish I could bring them all home.  Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

The leaning tower area

This is a must see sites while you are in Pisa, the Leaning Tower! I did not enter the tower since it was closed during winter, and only some building around it that open. I only walking around the sites while enjoying the sun in the green grass spreads around the area.

 Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

Leaning Tower Pisa. Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

Sightseeing along the Arno River

To finish the day, you can walk along the Arno river to admire the beauty of this city. If you had a chance, you could visit the well-known mural by Keith Haring

Alongside Arno River.  Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

Colors!  Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

Here is Italian Gelato to ended the post.  Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

That is the end of this post. Hope it will help you guys out. Enjoy your day in Pisa! Ciao!