Umrah Bacpacker: Preparation Jakarta

PREPARATION JAKARTA

When you plan to go Umrah with backpacker style, first come first you have to prepare you MINDSET and MENTALITY. This kind of umrah is half self-administered journey to Makkah. You will not be FULLY-SERVICED by travel agent either in Jakarta nor Saudi Arabia.

Steps of Umrah Backpacker Preparation Jakarta:

1. Call and Visit your travel Agent 

2. There will 2 travel agents: one for Land Arrangement & one of Ticket Booking

3. Things to pack (all by ourselves)

4. No Manasik!

5. Self Checking!

Travel Agent

First you have to find out is Travel Agent that provide the service of Umrah Backpacker. I used the Menara Wisata Travel Agent or Cheria Travel (MenaraWisata.com) whose is owned by my best friend that gives me piece of mind and this is the repeat order after years ago we also used their services. Here, you will be offered the Land Arrangement and Ticket Booking in two separate items. Why? Because the price is different. Firstly, the Land Arrangement price is not fixed since depending on numbers of people in the same flight, the more people the cheaper. Why? it has something to do with the bus, number people in a room and the guide.

Secondly, Ticket Booking price is fluctuative every day, even every hour. The longer time you book, the cheaper price you will have.

Usually the Ticket Booking Agent will offer you the secondary flight from Jakarta to Jeddah, not the primarily direct flight since it is much more expensive. As you may know that airline ticket is the big chunk of umrah cost at almost 80% of the total cost. Top three airlines offered usually Air Asia, Srilankan Air/Mihin Lanka and Jet Air. Off course the flight has 1 or 2 transits. That makes the cost is much cheaper. Imagine that you usually take only 9 hours from Jakarta to Jeddah but with those three airline you have to spend more or less 48 hours or 2 days from Jakarta to Jeddah. It depends on your time flexibility, your mindset and the most important thing is your BUDGET.

How much is the budget? More or less, please ask for not more than US$ 800 return. Unbelievable price hah? Yes it is. That’s why its called Umrah Backpacker. And then the Land Arrangement cost will be around US$ 350 with 4 people in one hotel room. In total we spent US$ 1150 each for Umrah Backpacker, with the bonus of One Day Free Tour in Istanbul since we took Turkish Airlines on our way home.

With that cost, the Land Arrangement only provides VISA entering Saudi Arabia, Bus and tour guide only 3 days(Jeddah-Madinah, Madinah-Makkah and Makkah-Jeddah), limited meals during bus tour in 3 days.

No free Luggage, no uniform of Batik, no ihram provided, no manasik, no bus from home/travel office to Jakarta Airport. We have to come ourselves in the Jakarta Airport 5 hours before departure because there will be a briefing and “simple manasik”. An Officer from travel agency will us ID card, Umrah Guidence Book and Contact Person in Jeddah. That’s it. And also we will meet our friends in the umrah group in the Jakarta Airport.

Then, we have to check out to the airport by ourselves. Safe flight ya…ooops Wait there will be TRANSITS. Prepare you MINDSET and MENTALITY!

Something left, you have to have a vaccine letter called Kartu Kuning that cost you Rp, 250.000 if you do the vaccine only on Soekarno-Hatta Airport Clinic or Halim Airport Clinic. Or you can do the stupid thing like me by “buying” the Kartu Kunig that cost you Rp. 350.000 without being injected vaccine. This is not obligated by Saudi Government by it is a must by Indonesia Government. O..God Yellow Card, its very very Indonesian.

Richmond, Tasmania: All about the old things

          A few days later, I was able to visit a small town and is one of the oldest cities in Tasmania. His name is Richmond.
          The city is famous for relics such as old buildings are still maintained until now. Several heritage buildings of the 18th century are still preserved intact and used as a tourist attraction. Like a prison called Gaol. A symbol of the pain of the prisoners ever "stay" in the prison reflected in state prison tersebutyang stuffy and dark. Many common items used to torture prisoners.

Another place which is also a historic tourist assets are some of the ancient church buildings Anglican style architecture. There are still many churches which serve as a museum because it is not a lot of people who like to go to church. Then we had time to walk around to see some houses artistic and quite old age. Seen from the styles and models of houses are reminiscent of the old castles in the UK which is occupied by the king and his family.
          There are also some older ones are still used to serve the guests. Hotels are deliberately not altered, maintained its originality so as to attract tourists who visit the town.
          Every year in the City of Richmond held an annual party called Richmond Fair. Many attractions are mostly influenced by British culture, such as ballet competitions, country music, clowns entertaining the kids, various tents that sell handicrafts, souvenirs, children's games, etc.
River Launceston
            Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania was established in 1805. Storing a natural charm such as Cataract Gorge Reserve, a blend of natural attractions of the beautiful rivers, cliffs, a suspension bridge that stretches on both sides of the Tamar River upstream. In that same place there is a steam-powered ship hundreds of years old, MV Lady Stelfox were down the river Tamar each day devoted to the tourists. Additionally, when a walk in the famous city with beautiful parks and old buildings are still maintained until now.
          The city is also known as the city of handicrafts which have high artistic value such as metal crafts, clay, painting, sculpture, sculptures, etc. In addition there are some well-known parts of the city such as malls, old buildings around town and a tourist spot called Penny Royal World, a kind of fantasy world that presents a variety of attractions and travel time lau Tasmania.
          Not far from Launceston, there is an area known as a tulip flower planter. It was like in the Netherlands when he saw the expanse of tulips along the eye can see. Name of the Wynyard area. There is also a beacon for the benefit of cargo ships that pass in the Bass Strait.
          Inconceivable that the agricultural areas also raises a charm for tourists visiting Wynyard. Apples and peanuts into a major commodity of the area next to the vines.
          The scenery is no less attractive beaches where there are steep beaches about 50 meters, because it scours the waves hitting the shore wall. Combination of agricultural area, the plantation of tulips and steep coastal siphon is what many tourists for dating mengunjungu Wynyard.
          About two hours drive to the north of Launceston are local attractions famous for penguins. His name is George Town's famous Tamar River downstream stored the beautiful scenery of the river estuary to the Bass Strait, which separates Tasmania with the Australian continent. Attraction can also be seen at night, which can be seen with some penguins that come home almost every night. The place is at once the estuary of the river Tamar to the Bass Strait.
          Then Huonville area, a region in the western city of Hobart is famous for river tours. There are several tour packages scour the river by boat at high speed jet called devil. While enjoying the beautiful panorama right-left side of the river.
Craddle Mountain
            Craddle Mountain, a mountainous area where there is a lake on the mountain. Mountain which has always been a tourist destination for those who want bushwalking. Each winter, snow scattered around the mountain pose an incredibly charming.
          Runs just one hour from the car park we could reach the top of the mountain and see the island of Tasmania which consists of a meandering river, towns, forests bare in winter, etc.
          Inevitably my trip during the two months it was not yet enough to witness all the attractions on the island of Tasmania, but suffice it to enjoy most of the attractions in the island.
          As a comparison among the attractions that exist in the country was not lost, but with a few notes that the government should fix the various attractions that exist. Multiply promotion abroad and keep the attraction as it is, not to change after the area is famous. As happened in Bali.
          System of tourism management professional and public awareness of the potential of the beautiful nature makes the island of Tasmania as one of the most beautiful places in the world.
          In this case the role of the community was tiidak can be separated in the preservation of nature and the relics of the lau. A positive attitude that makes the island of Tasmania became famous as a tourist attraction, supported by high public awareness of Tasmania who understand very well that the natural state can indeed be used for "live" them.
          As the advancement of the development of tourism there are also a variety of business relating to parwiwisata such as hotels, restaurants, banks, travel agencies, tourist advertising agencies, etc.
          It was from the tourism industry that is the people who live on the island alive. Various hotels available there include Sheraton Hobart, Hotel Novotel international level as well as a variety of other small hotels.

Romantic St. Helen, Romantic Tasmania

After touring the island of Tasmania The extent of 68 300 square kilometers, or roughly a quarter of the island of Java during the week, was impressed that the local government is so professional selling tourism industry.

 Although an island, with the arrangement of a genuine, all untapped tourism potential and worth selling.
          They preserve historical heritage, developing the potential of natural resources which consists of beaches, rivers, mountains, lakes up with the provision of facilities and tourism infrastructure such as hotels, motels, promotion abroad, tour packages, etc.
          This is what might be the key to successful tourism program designed by the government of the State of Tasmania. With the holiday isle of Tasmania program, they are able to attract hundreds of thousands of tourists from abroad. Even the number of tourists exceeds the total population of the island are only 471 700 inhabitants. It was fantastic indeed.
          Undeniably bahwaTasmania is one of the most beautiful places valve cleanest in the world, due to the absence of pollution. Maintaining the natural conditions make no place left that is not used as a tourist attraction.
          Almost all parts of the island is a tourist attraction. Examples are some of the old town on the island. Here are a few attractions that can be visited on the island of Tasmania:
St. Helen: Romantic
            St. Helen attractions famous for its beaches. This place can be reached approximately 4 hours drive from Hobart towards the north. The small town of St. Helen promises panoramic views of the beach and before reaching the city.
          Unimaginable how beautiful beaches berliuk-contortion and coves that exist around the city. When climbing the boat that brought to the various parts of the coast, cool or cold more correct to say spin while insatiable toying with a tame seagull bird.
When we tossed the potatoes and other foods towards a swarm of birds, with sigapnya they will catch it flew food and pursued by his friends who want to get a part.
Having tired of circling the boat, could also take a walk in the small town of St. Helen. Visible typical regional port, but far from being shabby and dirty. The terrain is really clean and quiet, enjoy lunch in a café overlooking the street and across the road is sloping beach.

Hobart, Tasmania and its snowy mountains

Gusts of wind from the South Pole to penetrate three shirts and a jacket that I wore. Physical product this thin chills when setting foot into the stairs off the plane at Hobart Airport, Tasmania. In fact, the air temperature was 9 degrees Celsius mebuat teeth chattering. I rubbed a hand to ward off the cold. I dare not imagine how about a bath later.

          Relatively short drive 9.5 hours from Jakarta to Hobart, with Boeing-owned Qantas after transit in Sydney and Melbourne makes me not be so quick to adapt to the cold climate in Hobart.
          However, there are also delicious cold climate, so the trip was not too tired. More eyes sparkled when it comes shuttle that will take me to the hotel in the heart of Hobart.
          An hour's drive from the airport to the hotel overlooks a beautiful and comfortable, passes through the Bellerive elite area on the right there is the Derwent River, passing Tasman Bridge, 2 km-long bridge that divides the city into two parts Hobart west and east.
          Although splitting the heart, I do not find a bustle as we imagine as the capital. In fact, Hobart impressed deserted. Hobart resident was Cuma 181 830 people.
          When the night, my body increasingly unable to berkrompomi with cold air. Despite entering the spring but still uidara temperatures ranging from 3 to 5 degrees Celsius at night.
          Two regular blanket, the blanket super thick and an electric blanket or electric blanket that is placed under the mattress is not also dampen the chill of the night air. It was still plus heating or heater. "Gilaaa ... chill," I commented to a fellow traveler. My friend even commented, "Well, if gini prayer subuhnya half jihad, here."
          It is true that there are few obstacles in implementing the obligation of five times, yes cold. Morning prayers at around 5:30, 14:00 noon, 17:00 Asr, Maghrib and Isha 20:45 21.30. Try to imagine, if at eight o'clock in the evening everyone was saying, "Good evening, Mate." And this time the sun was still bright.
          The next morning, I immediately rushed to travel to a mountain peak 1,270 meters above sea level altitude ,: Mount Wellington. You do not think we would walk there. It took an hour vehicles on the road that has been creeping up to the top of Mount Wellington.
          Wellinton always snowcapped mountain, except summer. From the top of this mountain, we can see the city of Hobart and playing snowballs.
          A plume of snow-compacted and then thrown into the body of a friend and grain yield were scattered in the white jacket was his friend, not angry, he was laughing and throwing snowballs back into my body.
          "We're really having a fun, mate, How'd you reckon?" I asked a friend. "Yeah, we are. But it is a freshing," he said. Indeed, the cold should not be asked again. But it was also lo time we take off the jacket there is a friend who took our picture. Anyway, we will not forget the experience joking with snow.
          The next day, we organized a guided city tour by a guide Caucasians. Fun is also around the city of Hobart which is the second oldest city in Australia since the island of Tasmania was discovered by a Dutchman named Abel Tasman in 1642.
          In this city there are many well-preserved ancient buildings, even still used as government buildings, restaurants, shopping centers, offices, etc. These buildings include the Town Hall, City Hall, sederatan building in Arthurs Circus, Battery Point, the old port of Victoria Dock, etc.
          Everything blends nicely between old buildings and modern. Meeting modern architecture and a long form Hobart City face becomes fantastic.
          Face of a beautiful and comfortable city more complete with professional tourism management.
          So the island of Tasmania becomes one of the attractive tourist destination in Australia. Tasmania local governments promote the island with The Holiday Isle. This island is ready to tour, because it is clean, pollution-free, well-maintained, discipline, etc.
          We also took to the park are scattered in the city of Hobart, such as the Royal Botanical Garden, Franklin Square, St. David's Park, Abel Tasman Memorial, and Salamanca Place. Terkhir park was a place on the Hobart waterfront that holds a charm from the start restaurants, crafts, music concerts in the park up to the open market every Saturday. In fact, can be used to ngecengin Caucasians, Caucasians who are pro-weekend.
          Then unforgettable when walking across the Elizabeth Mall, located in the heart of Hobart. As befits a mall that provides a wide range of facilities, from restaurants, cafeterias open, supermarket, bank and this place is ideal for ngecengin high school kids who were waiting for the bus.
          Elizabeth Mall is also good for lunch while lunch break. Benches breaks available around the mall. Anyway eager to unwind.
          Another experience that is hard to forget the time we visited Bonorrong Park Wildlife Center, a zoo in west Hobart.
          There we can find different types of animals unique to Tasmania, only exist in this area. Kangaroo-tame kangaroos can we approach even stroked. There is also a smaller kangaroo called a wallaby and in Tasmania is famous for kenneth wallaby.
          Koala who likes to sleep and eat. This beast known for shyness if there are people who see it. In addition, known as the animals for 16 hours of sleep, 6 hours of eating and 2 hours playing with his friends. Basic handyman eat wear embarrassed anymore when I meet people.
          And the famous and not in other places is a Tasmanian devil or demon Tasmania. So called, because the temper is always angry in any atmosphere and was always fighting with his friends a good time to eat, sleep, etc.
          He is a meat-eating animals using their powerful jaws, so they can eat the bones as well.
          Also can be seen a wide variety of birds, ducks, etc., as well as the largest bird in the world and the most expensive is the EMU. This bird is about 2 meters high and has a high selling price. The eggs can only be sold at a price of 700 Australian dollars, or about one million rupiah.
          At night do not miss to enjoy the atmosphere of Hobart. One common place visited was Wrest Point Hotel Casino. Is the first legalized gambling center by the Australian government. Indeed, we do not gamble there, just to look at what is actually present in the casino. Many game machines and other forms of gambling games are available there.
          A friend from Australia who said to me, "Look at the people coming into the casino, they look cheerful. But check it out to the people coming out, they look cranky." I proved himself the words of Australia's friend. Each new person entering into the casino seemed excited but the home face many are "bent".
          Socio-economic life of people in Hobart also quite high with the availability of various facilities in their homes such as cars, telephones, video, microwave, etc.
          Even a strange thing when they mature but do not have a car. Because the price is relatively cheap car even in one house there can be 3 to 4 cars for their children.
          But the children were bought with his own money. How, during the summer holidays for three months they work in different places and has enough money to buy a car.

Travelling to Port Arthur, Tasmania

It feels like back to the past when visiting an area called Port Arthur. This area is located in the southeastern part of the island of Tasmania. Famous as the first place to dispose of the prisoners from the UK are classified as high profile inmates.

          Port Arthur is a complex prison which was founded in 1830 consisting of several buildings like prison cells, the control tower, hospital, home commander and other buildings. Goosebumps shivered slightly as he watched the remains of the most haunted places throughout Tasmania it.
          Was established in 1830 specifically to imprison inmates who said heavyweight, but there was also a prisoner-prisoner who was sent to Port Arthur for stealing bread. In the subsequent development of many prisoners were eventually freed and lived around the area by working to build ships, bricks, nails, shoes and clothing.
          For example John Kerswell, who was jailed for 15 years the place is. He was taken from Swansea in the UK in 1851 when he was 28 years for stealing the money of 10 pounds and 15 shillings. Including one of the first prisoners were sent to jail Port Arthur forced to work until he was released on parole and then stay around Port Arthur and worked as a brick.
          While the state of the prisoners at that time was even worse where they are isolated from the outside world rather than merely physically imprisoned. In doing forced labor on a daily basis, they were wearing masks so as to each other do not know each other and work without talking. There are still many remaining tools are used to work forced like a sledgehammer, an ax, a train transporting goods and goods "gear" inmates, such as handcuffs chains, iron-iron ballast, etc. Everything can be seen in one of the buildings in Port Arthur is used as a museum.
          So tragically resulting in several attempts to escape from the hell of Port Arthur. Many who managed to escape by hijacking the British ships that cross Port Arthur, but many were caught again and sent to the executioner's shot dead. But not a few who returned to ordinary people and live off agriculture and livestock in Tasmania and in the Main Land, Australia.
          They were from the beginning until now known as bushranger. They are highly respected by the people of Australia, even the names are widely used for tourist attractions. Why is that? As indeed most of the population of Australia ancestors yes ... invoke bushranger earlier. Historically, the people of Australia is less like people and more governments make the bushranger earlier as "heroes" them.
          Of the amount of debris and remnants of the Port Arthur site can be said that the place was once indeed crowded by inmates. From the available data, the total number of prisoners who were sent to Port Arthur as many as 164 thousand people. About 25 thousand of them female prisoners, 123 thousand are still single and on average they were aged under 26 years.
          Walking down the complex "prison tour" Port Arthur takes about kirasatu day to be able to see all parts of the area. Which can be seen among other models dark prison and there is only one heating for approximately 100 inmates. You can imagine how they were very cold when winter arrives. It also can be seen a variety of old buildings such as guard towers, church, home commander and cemetery located on an island called The isle of the dead. From 1831 until 1877 was buried more than 2,000 inmates and civilians Port Arthur. It felt really in the 18th century, especially from the side of the building that was used as the home of the commander of sound aluanan typical Irish wind instrument, played by a musician with a typical Irish outfit anyway.
          Until a couple of fires in places of historic accompanied by lapuknya some parts of the building at meal times. However, efforts to save these places continue to be done by the state government of Tasmania, among others, with the enactment of Port Arthur as a historical site on the way of life of the people of Australia as well as tourist attractions prison.
          The remains of the building that is now still save a million charm because it is handled professionally by competent institutions so that every year tourists from Japan, Korea, Europe America and the countries of Asia flow into the venue to simply knowing the origin of the Australian nation.