The Travelling Mushroom: Travel Tips

St. Peter's Basilica

St.Peter's Basilica is an enormous Late Renaissance church which is located in Vatican.
This church was design by four famous artist. They are Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

So, why this church is very special ?
This church is one of the largest churches in the world. Therefore it has known as the most famous Renaissance architecture. If you want you know and learn about renaissance architecture details, you must come and observe this gigantic church.

Secondly, for Catholics people. This church is considered one of the holiest Catholic sites. Hence, many people and tourists describe this church as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom".

Then, the most important thing about this church is the place where St. Peter was buried. Below the altar of this church of the basilica is St.Peter's burial. He is one of twelve apostle of Jesus. He has become a big piece of Christianity history. So this is also becoming one of the reasons why does this church become so famous around the world.

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican, Vatican

Tips :

If you are planning to visit this church for traveling purposes, I would recommend you to go out from this church before the devotions begin. It gonna be so hard for you to go out from the church and the city after the devotion begins as they gonna close some street access and the situation will be also exacerbated by how crowded this place is.

Secondly, I really don't recommend you to use flash inside the church as it will disturb the others who come to worship. I hope you gonna understand and could respect each other because this is a holy place.

Rating :

Excellent

I love to get extra destination on my itinerary. It isn't far from Rome and offer tourist the to see and feel the most famous Late Renaissance building. Moreover, for Christian people,while you are visiting this church, it's gonna be better if you pray here too.

Inner Part of Duomo di Milano

One of my reader asked me to write about the interior of the Duomo di Milano. Actually, I was planning to did it before he asked me to. But to make him curious, I delayed this post for several months. Hahaha
So, this is it, the interior part of the Duomo di Milano, Italy. As I had told you before, that we couldn't take picture inside this cathedral. However, when I was coming in, I saw many tourists were taking photos inside this building. As I was not the only man who eager to take this cathedral picture, I encouraged myself to take some pictures with the risk of being reprimanded by the cathedral staff or even worse, the bunch of armies that guard this building.

When I came in this building, my first word is "wow". This building is awesome. Maybe for you guys who live around Europe, this building isn't special as I told you. But for me, a person who come from Asian. This building is very hard to find. Even if I could find one, it is not as wonderful as I saw at that time. So, what I saw inside?

This Cathedral isn't as busy as the one in Vatican. But this cathedral still exist in my top ten busiest church that I had ever visit before. As I rarely visit church when I travelling. Hahaha. Yet, seriously this church is quite busy and crowded even though it isn't Sunday. Many people come to the left side of this Church, turn on a candle and pray. I don't know what does it means as I am a Christian and and not a Catholic. And at the center of the building there are rows of chairs that I guess a place where people come and pray. I also prayed to Jesus at that time inside that cathedral. I told HIM that I am grateful to be blessed and got a chance to visit Europe that I had never imagine before. And it feels awesome. Then, moving to the right part of this building there is several rooms made of wood. My friend told me that it is a place where you could confess sins that you had done.

Duomo di Milano, Milan, Italy

For those who want to visit this Cathedral and want to take some pictures inside. I suggest you to respect the others who are worshiping. Do not using flash as it will disturb them. I know that the picture gonna be quite dark as you couldn't use your flash. But I had tried to edit it and it looks like picture above.

Rating :

Good

If you love photography as the same as me. This place gonna be a good spot to take some photos. But if you are going to take some photos please read my post first before you took some. Happy travelling !

Do and Don't in Thailand

I went to Thailand last Christmas. I visited many interesting places. Several of these interesting places are also known as temple. I realized that many of you gonna feel bored and doesn't feel interested with those places. But, for me temple is one of my best places to capture great moments.

When I went to Wat Pho temple I met a monk around the temple.He was moving around and around the temple. I took his picture because the monks have a strong relation with Thailand because majority of the Thai people are Buddhist. I can feel the atmosphere and recall my memories in Thailand by observing this photo. From this picture I felt that I wanna know more about Thai Traditions as we are in the same continent and Thailand is one of few countries that still hold their traditions firmly. So this is some tips that gonna be very useful when you are in Thailand.

1. Do dress appropriately and conservatively.

When you are visiting Thailand and planning to visit some temples. You should wearing conservative dress, a footwear that has a strap so that it isn't known as slippers.

2. Do step around People

If anyone is sitting on the floor. Do not step over him or even step over him. Instead, walk around. Because it is rude to step over people

3. Treat a book respectful

Thai people believe that books are a place where people could get education. Therefore, they believe that book should be treat respectful

Thailand Monk, Bangkok, Thailand

1. Don't do or even say something that disrespectful their king.

Thai people love their king. There is king's photos everywhere along the street. You could be arrested if you do or even say something that disrespectful and also to the royal family.

2. Do not point your feet to anyone.

For Thai people, feet are looked as an unclean part of human body. So, showing your "unclean" body part gonna be so rude for them. I suggest you do not do that during your holiday in Thailand.

3. Take off your shoes before come into the temple or someone's house.

This thing is happening in many countries in Asian continent. Indonesian people also do this due value politeness.

4. It will be better if you don't shake someone's hand.

Not all Thai people accustomed with this western customs. Thai people are used to put both of their palm together like in prayer.

5. Do not touch someone's head

For Thai people, their head is a sacred part of their body. Only the monk are allowed to touch their forehead to bless them. I didn't suggest you to this unless you have asked the person's permission before touching their head.

The Reclining Buddha

Firstly, we went to Wat Pho Temple to see the famous reclining Buddha. There was a little change on our itinerary because our driver predicted that the Royal Palace that should be our first destination in Thailand gonna be full of bus and of course a bunch of tourists around the world. This is one of the the advantages of having a local tour in your destination.

Before we enter the Wat Pho temple, of course we should buy a ticket first. You should pay 100 bath for the ticket. But as a return you could exchange your ticket after you went inside with a bottle of mineral water. You don't have to pay again for the mineral water. As an information, this temple is open at 8 AM and close at 5 PM in the afternoon.

It was quite crowded when I came there. Many people including us was busy to open our shoes and sandals because based on the temple rules that we should took of our footwear. Instead, they also gave us a bag to put our shoes in it so that we didn't have to brought our shoes with our hand that gonna quite annoying for some tourists.

So, what is so special about this temple ?
As I stated before this place is famous for its reclining Buddha. The figure is located inside a building and when you come inside you gonna found a 15 meters tall, 46 meters long Buddha and covered by gold leaf!

The Reclining Buddha between the Pillars, Bangkok, Thailand

Tips :

When you are going to this temple, I suggest you to wear an inappropriate outfit to respect the Buddhist and also it has become of of several rules before you entering the temples. If the officer/ employee find you wearing an inappropriate outfit such as short pants, sleeveless shirt and others they gonna ask you to rent a piece of cloth that you should pay to enter the temples. Moreover, I really recommend you to wear sandals when you are visiting Thailand because you must took off your shoes in many places, and I know that it is quite troublesome when you have to open your shoes frequently. I also gonna tell you some places where you should take off your shoes so that you gonna realize that slippers are really fit the tourists when going abroad to Thailand.

The Reclining Buddha, Bangkok, Thailand

Rating :

Fair

I rated fair for this destination as this destination has a huge area but they haven't be developed. This attraction just focusing on the reclining Buddha and become quite boring when you are going around. I hope they gonna developed the other area of this attraction.

General Information :

Kuta Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Indonesia, especially in Bali. Kuta is famous within local and international tourists for its wonderful sunset and its hot climate that really fit for those who craving to be having a tan skin. For me, this beach is a must visit beach if you have a chance to visit Bali. I guarantee that Bali is wonderful. Many people love to visit Bali. In addition to the beauty of the sunset, this beach also offer the tourist to enjoy other activities that majority is managed by the local community. They are offering the tourist to enjoy the beach by doing water sport. Generally, the water sport they offer is surfing, parasailing, and banana boat. On this beach you also will find local people who offering for your hair plaited, ask you to make a temporary tattoo,offer you something to drink or even renting umbrellas to tourist. These local people usually gonna offer those service for a certain price. But the price isn't a nett price. Sometimes you could bargain the price because sometimes there are some merchants who offer high price to the tourists.

My Story :

As I had told you before that these local people is quite friendly. When I visited Bali, I went to Kuta beach. When I was waiting for the sunset, I was looking for some photos on the beach. While I was taking some photos, suddenly there was a man who talked to me. He asked where do I come from. After we had a short conversation, he started to suggest me some place to visit in Bali. I found that those information that I got from that man is really turns helpful. But the most interesting part of this beach is its enterance gate. The enterance gate is exotic. With the ornaments on it, it separates the crowd of the town with the joy of the warm beach. I stayed right on the beach til the sunset.

Kuta Beach, Kuta, Bali

Tips:

1.Do not forget to use your cream. It might be sunblock or even cream that help your skin become tan. The main thing is to keep your skin keep healthy and doesn't get burned.

2. I do not recommend you to bring your private car as the parking lot isn't broad enough/

Rating :

Fair

This beach offer you a lot of fun. White sand, great water sport, and beautiful sunset is a great package of happiness. But really have to improve this beach cleanliness. But I believe that cleanliness can only be obtained if the tourist and local people help the government by keeping this beach clean.

Travelshroom.com

Okay,
It is almost six months since I've decided to write on a blog,
I am now sure that I am gonna pursue this activity through travelshroom.
I am deciding to invest all my time, energy, and some of my money to entertain everyone through this blog.
So this is me, on my first post.
It's was such an awkward moment on my first post. But now, even though the traffic of my blog is not as busy as the other popular blogs, I felt that I'm improving in speak and interact with other people and it's a pleasure for me that my work could be viewed around the world.

For me the advantages that I could experienced through blogging is :

1. Definitely, you gonna meet new friends that you have never met before.
2. Your work gonna be viewed around the world. And if it is possible, there will be a company that want to advertise in you blog, so that you will earn some money. *but i'm still looking for those company lol
3. Your speaking and interacting skill going to be improved.
4. You will have a place to put your idea into a tangible form which is quite hard for me in the past.

As a sign of my seriousness and my dedication in my hobby which are travelling and photography, well as respect for the readers who have faithful readers. I've changed my blog's domain into http://travelshroom.com.
I hope this update could readers find my old blog and new web easier than before.
I also wishing that my blog's traffic gonna rising too.

I hope you gonna pleased with this update. I also expecting your comments in my posts. Any comments are valuable to me even though it's only a solicitation friendship. For your information that travelshroom is now available for advertising space. For those who want to advertise his/him company product could contact me on e-mail :joshuagondokusuma@gmail.com. I'm gonna consider your request as long as it is still related to travel.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Little Merlion

In 2009,

I had ever went to Singapore.

For me Singapore is an expensive country. You would spend quite much money when you travel to this country. But you also could travel there in budget because nowadays there is many ways to travel cheaply.

Tips to save on holiday :

1. Schedule your departure, so that you could book the tickets far in advance. Many budget airline would held a promo several times a year. I suggest you to buy at that time the promo is being held.

2. It is better to buy the airline ticket by your own. Because you shouldn't pay a third-person's commission for the ticket. So you could get a cheaper ticket.

3. For those who have a flexible work schedule, I suggest you to go abroad in low-season *when nobody wants to go for holiday*

4. You also could save money by not buying luggage. Bring and buy stuffs and pack it wisely in a cabin bag. *Remember not to exceed the weight limit that has been specified*

But at that time I was not mature enough to understand about it. More precisely, I don't want to understand about how much money that I spent at that time as I don't even interested with travelling as I had mentioned earlier.

I got around this country. Nothing special for me at that time. I wish I could repeat this trip but I still don't have any chance to go back to Singapore. I remembered that when I went to Singapore I saw the merlion

The Merlion is just right there, Singapore

I felt that I should see it because it is the emblem of this country. But actually I saw the merlion from far far away where I could see many buildings and tunnels. Can you see the merlion ? Lol.

If you can't find it I will show it to you.

Based on my mother's story, she told me that long long ago when I was a little boy. My sister should have her tonsillectomy. So, we stayed here for several days. Obviously, my sister could went out of the hospital faster than we expect. Therefore, we went to travel around Singapore. My mother told me that she had taken me up the Merlion statue.

I felt lucky that at least I have ever visit Singapore. So that I could write my experience in Singapore on this blog. However I still wishing to go to Singapore once more one day.

Rating :

Fair

"You're not going to Singapore if you have not seen merlion". This is the first sentence that occurred on my mind when I was giving this place a rating. So as this place is very important. I will give three star for this attraction. As this statue has been represent Singapore as a whole. Thanks to Merlion

General Information :

So, Belgian Brewers. I was totally unfamiliar with that word. When I looked up on the dictionary, brewers means a process which is held to make a beer. Moreover, I found that The Belgian Brewers is the oldest professional brewers in Belgium. Actually, Belgian Brewers is a brewery museum which was built around 17th century. Nowadays, this building show the tourists how the beer is made.

My story :

I didn't know at all if there was a beer museum in the Grand Palace at that time. When I was editing these photos, I was curious about what were those buildings that surround the town hall. So I zoomed it to take a look. I found that several of them are restaurants and cafes in usual. But I found something different with this building. It didn't look much different than the others, but it has a gold horse statue up there. When I looked more carefully I found an inscription reads "Maison Des Brasseurs". I didn't understood what did it means as maybe it was written in Dutch language. So I copied it on a search engine and found its website. But I found that its website wasn't too helpful. I am not offending any party but I am just write what I feel right now. I also read some people reviews about this museum. I've read hundreds of visitors review, and most of them wasn't felt satisfied after came in to this museum. It cost several euros, exact 5 euros. And most of them said that it isn't worth to spend your money and time to visit this place because this museum is small and doesn't give you enough entertainment as their trip is so short. Instead, they will give you a glass of beer so that you won't feel aggrieved. After look after the photos of the visitors, I quite became convinced with their reviews about this place as it looks small and not interesting. I believe that the view that being offered outside this museum is more attractive. But there is nothing wrong to taste the Belgium beer. As most countries has their own beer taste.

Tips :

If I could be back to Belgium, I won't go in this museum as it is quite unworthy. But if I have some extra money I will use it to go inside,to add some experiences. So I can write more accurately. However, this place will be more interesting if it become a free attraction. So the tourist will be get more attracted.Because price has been an important factor which make the tourist feel not interested.

Rating :

No Comment

I felt sorry to give this attraction only one star. As this attraction isn't too attractive. This is worsened by enactment of a paid admission. But you will be presented with Belgian-style beer which won't you get anywhere else. Because the taste of a beer is typical, it won't taste the same in anywhere else.

General Information :

Town Hall,Brussels,Belgium

The town hall is a Gothic building that was build in 15th century and located in the Royal Palace,Brussels,Belgium. This building is one of the most luxurious city hall in the country. Inside there, it possess important artistic and historic heritages such as paintings,sculptures, and tapestries.

Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that thrive during the high and late medieval period. You can recognize this style of architecture by observe the detail of the building. Gothic architecture use the pointed arc, they also have a large windows that often grouped, and have some traceries on it.

My Story :

I was so excited and happy when I visited this place. The air was cool, beat the heat of the sun. I got my sunglasses on my eyes and started to capturing these buildings. These buildings is enormous with thousands of Gothic ornaments on it.I rather never find this kind of building in my own country before. I took these view in parts to take it as a souvenir for me and you guys to see and feel. First of all, I saw the town hall which is famous around the world as one of several icon in Belgium. It was on the first sight of mine when I was right up there. And it was totally fascinating.

Town Hall, Brussels, Belgium

The sun was just above our heads after I took several picture of this buildings. My stomach started to make a sounds. Lol. It's time for lunch then. We found a lot of restaurant and cafe around here. But it was so crowded and looks expensive. It is so usual in Europe, that the restaurant which have outdoor seats with a great view offer you a great value of price. As they are not simply focusing on selling their food&beverage but they sell their place for the people especially the tourists to sit and enjoy the scenery. Actually,we decided to look for food while we were walking. But my friend and I were quite extracted with those landscapes and tried to look for some souvenir in the souvenir shop which is also located near the town hall. You just need to go behind this town hall and you will see many stores and some of the are souvenir shop. Inadvertently, I forgot my hunger and start to look for souvenir. After that we continue our trip and felt hungry during the trip. Luckily, we found a bus stop and buy a cheese cake to prop our hunger.

Tips :

The Crowd of the Town Hall, Brussels, Belgium

If you are looking for souvenir in Brussels. You could find one behind the town hall. When you find hundreds of stores in front of you, I suggested you to pick a medium-large size souvenir store as the goods they sell looks more convincing. Moreover, as I observed that a small stores aren't offer cheaper price for souvenir. Souvenirs are sold approximately in the same price and quality, no matter who sell it. So do not waste your time, simply to save several cents. It will be more worth if you spend your time enjoy the scenery than saving several cents.

Rating :

Good

This building is fascinating. The Gothic architecture style will amaze you. The atmosphere is really great. You can find many things to explore right here. The most important part is that you can recognize the difference between Belgian building and another building in the another nation as they have their own characteristic.

Photographing The Unknown Temple

When we went to Mt.Sorak, we were delivered by a gondola. Everybody busily took a photo in the gondola. But I have a different mindset, my aim is to have a different viewpoint photo than others so I could get a unique photo of Mt.Sorak. But I suddenly realized that we were too close to the mountain so definitely I can't took it's picture on the whole. I felt so dumb at that time.

I've already set my camera off because I've failed to take it's photo as we were too close and also the window of the gondola made my photo bounce back. Surprisingly I found something very interesting. There is a building surrounded by trees in the forest.

I think that it's a cool building. As time goes on, my curiosity grow bigger. So that I asked my tour guide related to my photo.Then she answered that it' Sinhheungsa Temple and we had visited that temple right after we visited Mount Sorak.

Sinheungsa Temple from the gondola

So here is some photography tips when you are in the gondola to Mount Sorak :

1. Get in to the gondola faster than others and stay next to the window

2. When taking photos don't use your flashlight to avoid reflection

3. After several minutes inside the gondola, you'll find a temple. Recognize that it's the Sinheungsa Temple.

4. You need to retouch your photo by adding some contrast level as sometimes the photo which is taken through a window is quite "foggy"

You don't have to wait, isn't it ?

Last year my family and I traveled to Korea.

Yay, Holiday ! A sweet memory to have.

However we weren't directly head to Korea because we choose China Airline as our flight, and they should maintain their airplane in the main international hub which is located in Taoyuan airport. Taoyuan airport is one of four airports in Taiwan, this airport is the biggest airport in Taiwan. Even though Taoyuan airport has a pretty interesting roof construction it can't help too much to overcome my boredom. But a while before our flight I found something interesting for me.

Tao Yuan Airport, Taiwan

By the way, I really apologize to the pilot in this photo because I took your photo. I hope you are not angry. So if you're travelling around, even though you're in airport t is possible to get an interesting photo. This really gonna help you to fix out your problem during waiting for your next flight.