Exchange semester 2.0 YOGYAKARTA (INDONESIA)

My father was super stressed out, thinking of not making it, making plan B’s and C’s, but I was just chilled and whatever comes, comes anyways. That was my thinking. And so we rushed on the highway, were lucky with the traffic and with only a stop at Subways (yes, the typical American experience – but did you know they have Wraps there too?), we made it! Yeah, we made it right on time for the hotel, or called Inn, which is like a motel where you park the car down and right next to the street, super cheap, but the cheapest and free parking in San Francisco, which is not easy at all!

The other views were nice too, or? That is the Big Sur – the coastal pacific highway #1 from San Simeon to Carmel. Well, we would have gone further, but the road was closed – oh no! So all the way back and taking the initial plane

Then let’s hit the road – roughly 600 kilometers are ahead of us. And we just need to stop at my university, or former one, to pick up the big suitcase we were lucky to store there, shop at Trader Joe’s because of my 10$ gift card I am still carrying with me and then go up to Monterey. Lots and lots of miles to drive. But I am optimistic, my father is not. Anyways, once made a stop, I remember the Big Sur that is so famous, so why not go up the road on the coast side, sounds like the best idea, or? The greatest one were the sea elephants in San Simeon, that are just so cute lying on the beach and getting ripped off their skins – all natural and for free.

6:30, bit later though – and we arrived on mainland, again. Welcome back Los Angeles! I was able to sleep almost the whole flight through, I even did not noticed the water they were handing out, but I have been told we got not a single snack, in comparison the almost 3 times on the way to Honolulu. Well, happy us we had enough food before. But due to the missing breakfast, we had to stop for some food in Los Angeles, which was easier said than done. Once picked up our car for choice (Dollar again), this time a Hyundai in red, we tried to find a place and ended up in a real typical old stylish American breakfast place: Pann’s Café. Love it! Got omelet with spinach and feta cheese + toast with some whipped cream/butter/kindy thing and regular coffee + fruits as a side dish. It is almost as pricy as normal food, but really delicious.

Spending New Year’s Eve with my best Jogja Girl, who ame to Bali with her boyfriend, it could not have been better as my plan B - got fireworks to see a lot and too dangrous and a wishing-paper balloon :) hope my wish will come true! Canggu is nicer than I thought after I have met incredible people/the staff from the project hostel who picked me up when I was kinda lost, gave me food for new years (DELICIOUS one!) and we went to party, the vibe was there for sure! THANKS A LOT. It has been amazing last days in Bali and Indonesia. Time to move on though! ... AUSTRALIA here i come! :)

after having stayed there for a couple of days, I really do understand people saying and claiming the city the best part of Bali! It covers everything, you can find coffeeshops and nice restaurants as well as smaller warungs, go shopping, getting delicious ice cream (you MUST try it!) and some culture with temples. On top of it, the city is located around rice terraces and the jungle, an amazing nature! Still regret having left it! 

a short stay at one of the famous gili’s, it is kinda a must. We decided to go to the smaller one, though Gili Meno might be too remoted and on Gili T definitely too much crazy party. It was a good decision, even though I kinda hated all the horses, as I am not a real fun of this animals! However, I found out how wonderful and delicious Nasi Campur tastes. AMAZING! Why didnt I try it before? HM? so funny people keep talking about the gili islands, even though gili is the translation of island :D

my secret paradise, still wild life and typical local people living their way how they are used to. However, tourism also affect their lifestyles and dont want to say if it is in a good way or not. Spent christmas on some private islands with an amazing guide/friend and his helpers :) Kuta was a nice place to stay, for discovering I suggest going to waterfalls and the inner side, truly beautiful and still untouched!

a special entry about the stay at Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Yeah, we did it - great christmas present from my mother. Otherwise I would have neer spent the money just to go to the pool (honestly, for me the infinity pool in KL was better^^ andd cheaper hahah) But I appreciated it, enjoyed it even though the wind was blowing as hell :O :D Once in your lifetime and never again hahaha

a bunch of photos from our stuffed walking/experiencing tour - got everything covered I guess :D are my feet hurting? actually no! missed the discovering on foot, something you barely find in indonesia. As you see on the photos, christmas is coming - too warm but at least I have found some snow : HHHHHAAH AND on top of it, I am reunited with my family! Spending some days here before heading tooooo: Indonesia! :) JUHU!

the holy and totally rich small country on Borneo! Just spent 1,5 days in their capital, called the same, but frankly we did not need any other day :) we were already bored the 2nd day :) though nice to give it a try! but just to warn you, there is no alcohol and any fun activity allowed - we were lucky to find some kind of night market :D

it was a long journey with a lot of delays and a not planned stopover in Penang. But I guess it was worth it :) got to know amazing english people and celebrated with them. Rented a scooter, explored the area and the cable car :) yeah, definitely worth it! and I did a boat trip, that was honestly too touristic

in total spent 3 days there, the first one was rather spent during the night though :D one day hardcore sightseeing with my lovely hungarian friend and after our return we just relaxed in one of the infinity pool hotels of KL - with a view of the towers, the night before in a rooftop bar. Gotta say KL is really well developped, I was suprised!

Unglaublich wie schnell di eZeit hier vergangen ist - 4 Monate sind um wie im Nu... Ich muss mich für all jene bedanken, die ich auf dieser Reise kennengelernt habe und die mich bei meinen Reisen/Erkundigungen/Kaffeeaufenthalten etc. begleitet und mir Gesellschaft geleistet habn. Ich schätze jeden Einzelnen und bin froh, so viele neue gute Freunde gefunden zu haben, die ich auf alle Fälle vermissen werde! Ich habe so viel Neues dazugelernt, angefangen von einer neuen Kultur, der Art und Weise wie die Leute hier ihr Leben meistern am “anderen Ende der Welt”, so viele neue Landschaften und Menschen und auch universitär natürlich :) DANKE! Ich werde bestimmt demnächst zurück kommen - auf meiner bucket list stehen noch einige Plätze, die ich noch nicht gesehen habe!

the best buddy in the world, mine ;), is celebrating her birthday and of course we are celebrating with her! Congratulations my lovely buddy! I have to thank you a lot for the opportunity to be part of the celebration, which is bit different to ours. Here the parents are welcomed to join, holding speeches about the birthday kid and a lot of singing and performances - AND of course great food! :)

really great place “outside”, where you can watch and listen to the rain while you are safe and dry :) really great food and a lot to offr. Nice talks with my friends over here! Will miss you!!

bit hidden, which makes it not that easy to find (by accident at least!)