Belfast, Northern Ireland – April 2014

October 10, 2014 Wahyu Hidayat 3 Comments

From Edinburgh we flew easyjet to Belfast International Airport, an almost one-hour flying with a ticket as low as 30 GBP one-way. The airport is located about 30km northwest of Belfast from which we took a taxi to Premier Inn Belfast City Cathedral Quarter. The strategic location of the hotel means that we are basically within walking distances to many of the Belfast point of interests such as Belfast City Hall, Albert Memorial Clock, The Big Fish, Cathedral Quarter and Victoria Square Shopping Centre. Belfast City Sightseeing Bus Tour starting point is also located within 300m from the hotel.

Although we checked-in quite early (around 9am), the hotel could accommodate us hence we could start early exploring Belfast. Within minutes we’re already onboard the sightseeing bus. The first stop is Titanic Belfast located at Titanic Quarter. Home to Titanic Museum, Titanic Belfast is also sited very close to launching site of Titanic, back in 1912.

As time is limited, we did not opt to visit the museum but instead checking surroundings, and then heading to Titanic’s Dock and Pump-house, passing Samson and Goliath Cranes and Titanic Drawing Offices. A visit to bottom of Titanic’s Dock gave us dramatic impressions on sheer size of Titanic when it was built and last sat on dry ground.

Continuing on the bus tour, guided by a humorous yet knowledgeable guide, we visited or passed through many areas of Belfast, from Parliament Buildings, George Best Belfast City Airport, conflict areas (between Nationalist and Unionist), troubled past scenes, the one-and-only bullet proof CCTV, universities, touristic areas to Belfast City Hall.

After quick nap in our hotel, we continued exploring the city by walking around the hotel, starting from Cathedral Quarter, Albert Memorial Clock, to the Big Fish and finishing at Victoria Square. That afternoon/evening walk concluded our short visit to Belfast, a city we had never imagined we would step on it.

This capital city of Northern Ireland, the birthplace of Titanic, keeps the scars of Belfast’s troubled past (1969 – 1997), while starts celebrating awakening moment as an intriguing destination. The friendly people we met also adds easy justification why a visit to Belfat might be a rewarding one.

Bridges over River Lagan that connect Belfast to Titanic Quarter

Titanic Belfast which houses Titanic Museum

SS Nomadic, a steamship of the White Star Lane, which was used to ferry passengers from/to Titanic

The launch site of Titanic, behind Titanic Belfast (Museum)

Samson and Goliath Cranes - landmarks of Belfast — Samson and Goliath Cranes – landmarks of Belfast

Let's visit a place where Titanic was built and last sat on dry ground — Let’s visit a place where Titanic was built and last sat on dry ground

Ready for self-guided Titanic's Dock and Pump-House Tour — Ready for self-guided Titanic’s Dock and Pump-House Tour

Inside Titanic's Pump-house — Inside Titanic’s Pump-house

Used to be a control panel for the pumps

Inside the dock, 44 feet under. Feeling the size of Titanic when it was built here

Titanic: Built by Irishmen, Sunk by an Englishman

Belfast's Parliament Buildings or Stormont — Belfast’s Parliament Buildings or Stormont

Crumlin Road Courth House, opposite the Gaol

The scars from long rivalry between Nationalist and Unionist is obvious here

Chichester Street on the way to Belfast City Hall

In front of Belfast City Hall with Centra Donegal Square background

Like father like son ;) — Like father like son 😉

At Writer's Square - Cathedral Quarter — At Writer’s Square – Cathedral Quarter

St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast — St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast

"I think we should go this way", Fathan — “I think we should go this way”, Fathan

Pedestrian Underpass on the way to Big Fish

Fathan and The Big Fish, with Samson and Goliath Cranes and River Lagan (backgrounds)

Somewhere near Victoria Square Shopping Centre

Victoria Square Shopping Centre, Belfast

Inside Victoria Square Shopping Centre go to the top under the dome for view of Belfast

View from the dome, Victoria Square Shopping Centre, Belfast

Under the Dome of Victoria Square Shopping Centre Belfast

Europe, TRAVEL

Edinburgh & Glasgow – April 2014

October 8, 2014 Wahyu Hidayat 1 Comment

Late post from our all-four UK capitals-trip back in April 2014. First, Edinburgh and Glasgow. As usual, a crash tour was employed 🙂

We flew British Airways, promo tickets from Doha to London then Edinburgh with transit in Bahrain. It costs us (3 adults 1 children) nearly 10K QR for this leg plus London – Doha on the way back.

From Edinburgh Airport, we took Airlink bus to Waverley Station. The bus terminates at Waverley Bridge. From here, our hotel, Destiny Scotland – St. Andrews Square Apartments, is only 200m away, walking back the street and crossing Princes St. to St. Andrews Street.

Once we arrived at Waverley, the crash program started. Soon after we loaded our luggage in our room, we’re back to Waverley Station, ready to depart to Glasgow, an hour train ride.

Once in Glasgow, we managed to have a quick 3-hour walking tour around the city center before returning to Edinburgh.

The following day was Edinburgh day. Amid cold rain (down to 2 C), we visited Edinburgh Castle, Camera Obscura, Princes Garden and Princes Street, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Mosque, and The Royal Mile.

We checked out early morning to take Airlink bus to Edinburgh Airport that saw us flying to the second UK capital to visit: Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Edinburgh from above. Edinburgh Castle is dominating the view here

Airlink Bus on the way to Waverley Station

At Waverley Station, waiting for the train to Glasgow

Scotland2014- (22) — George Square, Glasgow

People enjoying sunshine at Glasgow Square — People enjoying sunshine at George Square

At Princes Street with Scott Monument in the background

Scott Monument, Princes Garden and Waverley Station — Scott Monument, Princes Garden and Edinburgh Castle

At Princes Garden with National Galleries of Scotland background — At Princes Garden with Scottish National Gallery background

Bagpipes, one of the unique souvenirs from Edinburgh

At Kilt Factory, Edinburgh (it's actually located at basement of souvenir shop near Edinburgh Castle) — At Kilt Factory, Edinburgh (it’s actually located at basement of souvenir shop near Edinburgh Castle)

Edinburgh Tram on testing while we were there in April 2014

The house in the corner was the birthplace of Alexander Graham Bell (inventor of the telephone), born 3rd March 1847. 16 South Charlotte St

INDONESIA

Batik Day 2 October

October 2, 2014 Wahyu Hidayat

2 October is celebrated as National Batik Day in Indonesia after the UNESCO recognition for Indonesian batik on 2 October 2009.I took the opportunity to participate by wearing batik to office. See my selfie, taken discreetly during early office hours 🙂

Doha

Long Term Parking @HIA

October 2, 2014 Wahyu Hidayat 3 Comments

It was back in last August when I had to go back to Indonesia for my second batch of summer vacation. Unlucky enough that I couldn’t take a straight 7-week vacation. Travelling alone, I have a liberty to drive and park at HIA Employee Parking area. I left my car for two weeks and it was fine and FREE.

Apart from Employee Parking there are actually short term paid parking area and long term free parking area (at least until now).

Shuttle bus will ferry “Employee” from parking area to dropping point on the left side of arrival terminal, a mere few (5-7 min) drive. As HIA operates 24-hour shuttle bus is supposedly always available with very short waiting time. I left my car at around 10pm when departing and picked up at 4.30am when landing and on both cases I waited for no time.

If you have big luggage you may face some difficulties as the bus is not designed to carry passenger with luggages.

I haven’t tried Long Term Parking area yet so not sure if shuttle bus is also available. I was initially lost to Long Term Parking area and observed no shuttle. Not sure now though.

If you’d like to try, I suggest that you make a dry run to the location to avoid any hassle on the D-day.

Coordinate “J”block – Employee Parking Area: 25 15’06.5″N 51 36’52″E

How to reach Employee Parking Area

Route 1:

Follow normal route from Ras Abu Aboud Road to HIA Road (F Ring Road). After passing two bridges, just before the road forks out into Parking and Arrival/Departure look for the yellow “High Vehicle Exit” sign. Then you’ll see blue signs to Long Term Parking and Employee Parking. Follow Employee Parking sign, passing through Rental Center on your right and Long Term Parking on your left. Turn left at intersection with Exit sign on blue-arrows signboard. Aim for “J” block which can be identified from high mast with black letter at the top. This is where shuttle bus picks the employees from. Last September construction was on going to provide an air conditioned waiting room at every block.

Route 2.

Google Maps shows that this route is possible. From HIA Road (F Ring Road) take the second ramp down (the first one being to Emiri Terminal). Turn left at the first intersection to pass through underpass. Turn right at the first next intersection, and again aim for “J”block.