mendadak tour guide

i’ve been blogging since 2005 first in Blospot then MUltiply (now demished) and switched all the writing to wordpress. all free platform though. 😁
Of course, like whoever that blog, I bet you “met” new friends. NOwadays, blog seems being replaced with social media, but then again I also made new friend as well thru twitter, facebook and Instagram. 

Anyway, last Saturday, I became a tour guide.
it was Ridwan @theahmadridhuan, I knew him thru blogging years ago. Almost 10 years ago if I not mistaken. he wrote in blogspot, mostly about daily life.

He lives in Kuala Trengganu, Malaysia. that is 7 hours by bus from Kuala Lumpur on the east coast, facing South China Sea (well yeah, you can google. I never heard the city before until I know him). to note, KT the state is one of the 4 states in Malaysia that has Friday as holiday while business day starts on Sunday.

I can recall 6 years ago his wife called me, when she was in Jakarta for business trip, but unfortunately, we didn’t meet.

i don’t think he still writes, but yeah…we keep each other posted thru socmed, FB and Instagram. 

to make story short, Last weekend, he had a business trip to Jakarta for 3 days. lucky for him, Saturday was free. I was the only Indonesian he knows ( which I doubt, because he said later on, his grandfather was a Bugis- well yeah, jakarta perhaps,  hahahah). He left a comment in my IG account a while ago. so i knew he’d be in town.

 Since I was free but hate driving, I offered him trip by Trans Jakarta or may be Train if it is possible. he didn’t mind taking public transportation in a megapolitan city with the worst traffic and public tranportation. cool then! I refused driving, looking for car park, pay the expensive fee, etc! 

anyway…since it’s Saturday, I took the whole family too! the whole family include my sister. We picked him up in hotel around Senayan area (yeah sure, you can guess)

SO, it was the first time we met we in person. very easy to recognize him. he posted his pic a lot.

One tourist 7 tour guide

since it was noon, I offered a lunch in Jalan Sabang before continue our trip to Kota Tua Jakarta (also by Trans Jakarta) where the capital city started in 1500’s. 

i considered we were lucky because it wasn’t rain. Though walking  under hot sun is also uncomfortable, but better that heavy rain.

 

RIdwan busy takimg picture of macet and bajaj….and the Padang Food we eat.

of course, two Melayu’s face yet speaking English received attention in the bus. 

Some of the bus passanger even asked where Ridwan comes from 😀

Museum Bank Indonesia

We visited Museum Bank Indonesia. those who never visit this Museum, PLEASE do!

Face value!

Kota Tua

Street performer in Kota Tua

Anyway, kiky’s city- walking tour wasn’t bad! though he asked : 

“how come I didn’t see angkot? I want to take angkot!”

Atuhlah Pak Cik…..🤣🤣🤣
To make story short, we bid farewell in Halte Bus Trans Jalarta Dukuh ATas because I’d take the train back to Bintaro from Sudirman Station  (and unfortunately, he took my BCA flazz card too because he had to tap out where he got off). Unlike Commuter Line Train which has its own card  that can be refundable later, Trans Jakarta busses only alow debit cards. THat’s why I prepared him the flazz card from BCA. We didn’t have enough time taking train to Bogor.

So Ridwan, if you read this, I’ll take you with angkot next time as well as dining in Warteg and don’t forget, bring back the card! 

Selfie in TJ before bidding farewell

have you ever be a tour guide for your blog reader?