Part 3 : Turkey - A Religious Adventure

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Here I am to continue sharing my another adventure, a religious adventure to a country that in Indonesia quite famous with its city called Cappadocia, yes its Turkey

So after finishing the Umrah, the group is continue to hit Turkey, leaving Jeddah on April 19th around afternoon and arrived at Turkey in the evening (4 hours flight). During the tour, there was a guide that accompany the group and his name is Hakan, lets called him Hakan, as I forgot his complete name 😆

On the way to the hotel, we had dinner, and the main menu was kind of burger without the bread, just the meat and served with rice and salad, the taste was ok, not bad.

After dinner, then to continue to the hotel as its getting late, and yet most of the group member was very happy because the hotel was good, a level of 5 stars hotel....or I think, it was like studio apart, super!!

D-2 Yasss, finally I will have chance to visit Hagia Sophia, the museum that now turn into a mosque. However, before to hit this mosque, got chance as well to visit the Tulip garden, as the season still spring (perhaps) and flowers were flowering. The garden I must admit, it was beautiful with colorful Tulips everywhere, feel like you're in Amsterdam 😂

In Hagia Sophia the group was lucky to have chance to praying Ashar in the mosque, even I bit disappointed because not having chance to see another parts of Hagia Sophia, I guess the museum area because its paid entrance, I dont mint to pay, but I cannot separate my self from to group tho, as we need to always stay together, anyway its OK, at least the main goal to pray inside the Hagia Sophia was happen, Alhamdulillah

The rest of the adventure, the group was also visit; Blue Mosque, Green Mosgue (Bursa), having chance for Bosphorus cruise, to shop at spices market and hang around at Taksim Square.

In overall, again this is my personal opinion and from my point of view, I think the hospitality manner compare to Bali, Bali is better, especially when you are shopping at local market. And the food, the main course mostly wasnt meet my taste, except the dessert, their dessert taste is good...very good

Not really interested to go back to Turkey again, well for now, but who knows later I change my mind. Still, Alhamdulillah for the opportunity to visit Turkey, and Allah smoothen all the journey from Medina, Mecca, and Turkey and back to Indonesia...even though I bring the cough home, well the weather was challenging during the journey and lucky to get sick after tho and not during the trip 😉

ILY Allah SWT

--It is about time, He will make your dreams happen in His ways--

Part 2: Religious Journey - Umrah (Mecca)

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

The journey continue from Medina to Mecca on April 15th, 2025

It was around 5PM by express train (Haramain) leaving Medina to Mecca and the Umrah was also starting, because during the trip, it will passing the Miqat point in recap here are the steps of Umrah:

1. Entering the state of Ihram (a sacred state of purity and dedication).
2. Passing the Miqat (the boundary from where it becomes necessary for pilgrims to enter Ihram)
3. Entering the Masjid al-Haram and performing Tawaf (circumambulation) around the Ka’aba.
4. Performing two Rak’ah at the Maqam Ibrahim and to drink Zamzam water.
5. Carrying out Sa’i (walking/running between the hills of Safa and Marwa).
6. Finally, either shaving the head (Halq) or trimming the hair (Taqsir)

Source: Islamic Relief

My group was separated, majority of the members were taking the bus to Mecca, and only around 9 people including me whom taken the train to reach Mecca faster and having longer time to take a rest.

On April 16th, around 2 AM the guide lead us to perform Tawaf, Sa'i, and ended by Halq or Taqsir.

In Mecca, the group was staying at Anjum Hotel, a 5 stars hotel and I feel satisfied with the all the facilities and the food, various options and the best thing was no lift "war". Alhamdulillah

There were willing while doing the Tawaf to have chance to touch Ka'aba but I dont have that chance due to lots of people around, and I think by Allah SWT allowed me to visit this holy land and seeing Ka'aba directly are full me and I feel blessed

I couldn't describe my feeling while doing the Tawaf and Sa'i into words, all I can say I thank you for the opportunity, I thank you for the calling, I thank you for smoothly touching me in Your way, so many thank you for this blessing, hasbunallah wanikmal wakil nikmal maula wanikman nasir.

The above picture was all the women member, the men has their own pictures tho 😁

Another smooth things that given by Allah SWT, all the members in the group was nice, helping, and support each others. Alhamdulillah

The next day there were city tour and we're visited: Arofah/Jabal Rahmah, and passing Muzdalifah, Mina, Hira cave and then having lunch at Al Romansiah Restaurant, where I will taste my first camel's meat 😉 

During the visit to Jabal Rahmah, the weather was hot, and Alhamdulillah eventough was hot and I was like going to have cough but again everything was ran smoothly. I can maintain my health and keep going following the tiring schedule.

Yes, then finally reaching the Al Romansiah Restaurant, and tested the camel's meat for the 1st time, and its was good, and I think its better than beef, the kebuli rice was perfect and  the kunafa dessert were closed the culinary journey with score 8/10 👍

As usual the trip was ended before Zuhur time, so from the restaurant we're went back to hotel which was very close to the mosque area. Alhamdulillah

The rest of the day usually was spent to praying, back and forth from hotel to the mosque. Eventough is tiring but I feel happy to do it, because this all the reason me, and other people that doing Umrah is to optimise the time to praying as much as possible at the mosque

Mecca will always be missed inside my heart and mind, this was a journey that I dream it, because I want to visit His holy land and praying one my utmost wishes directly here, especially to one of my grandpas which I never meet. Al-Fatihah

After the Umrah, the journey will continue to Turkey and see you in Part 3

--ILY Allah SWT--

Part 1: Religious Journey - Umrah (Medina)

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Ya Rabb, Allah SWT, I thank You as always, for every signs, every sounds, every lights, that guiding me closer to You step by step

I was disappointed my self that I wait, I delay, I postpone, things that I should did earlier, however, You are still in Your way reach me out and moved me to follow your path, I am blessed to experience what its called "Hidayah"

This religious journey - Umrah, something that I wish I could do it, and You make it happen 

It was 2 years ago, when I mark in the plan that Umrah is one of life goals and I wanna do it, isn't easy because I need to save first, and alhamdulillah in 2025, Allah SWT grants the wish, financially I have the money, my office responsibility is quite low, and everything around me is in good condition, so this is the time to go for Umrah. 

I started to source the travel agent, lots of options, and I need to do it around April - May, as during this time the workload in the office is quite slow, after sometime I found a travel agent named: Namira Travel (IG: @namiratravel). They're offering good package which is Umrah + Turkey (I want to visit Hagia Sophia badly....)

And yes, in starting in April 12th, dispatch from Jakarta - Medina, it took around 10 hours flight, kind of longest flight I ever experience as earlier when I go abroad the longest was around 4 hours.

When arrived at Medina due to time difference like Medina is 4 hours behind Jakarta, so feel like supposed to be night but when landed its still in the evening, need to have body and mind to adjust the time.

In Medina, the activities mostly spent at Nabawi Mosque its Prophet Muhammad SAW's mosque.

Everytime will do praying, will go to the mosque....the unique things is since of lots people staying in the same hotel, and they're mostly doing Umrah, and want spend praying in the mosque, so when the praying timing come, there will be "war" for the lift :D ....and yet sometime I will go down from 12th floor to lobby by stairs 

The most touching moment in Medina was when I got the chance to visit an area in Nabawi mosque called Raudhah ( It is considered one of the holiest places in Islam after the Kaaba in Mecca). I can have time to pray and wishing all my wishes to Allah SWT, a moment where I feel Allah never leave me and helping out thru all the difficult time my life, during all the hard days, during the downs, and He just always giving endless helps in His ways. Alhamdulillah, Allahuma Barik.

In Medina, the travel is also having the group to visit several places such as; Quba Mosque, Kurma Farm, Uhud mountain, and passing the Qiblatain and Khondaq, the city tour was took around half day, and ended close to Zuhur praying time.

The period the group in Medina was in between April 12 - 15, 2025...and continue the journey to Mecca, it will be in Part 2.

--ILY Allah SWT--

January 2025

The year has changed, and now we are in 2025.
How’s life? I’m doing well. Of course, there were ups and downs, however, every trouble will pass; you just need to go through it.

Always have faith that with God’s blessings, we, me, you, and us will be okay.
We don’t know when this life will end. Therefore, let’s live happily and enjoy it in our own way. Don’t worry too much about what people think of you. Just strive to be the best version of you

Treat yourself better before treating others.
Love yourself before loving others.
Be proud of yourself before praising others.
It’s okay to walk slowly and enjoy the journey. Your timing and others’ timing are different.
Thank you, Allah, for Your never-ending blessings

Allahumma yasir walatuasir

Self Reminder: The Born Day

Today is my born day, I think I never post on my born day, but this year I want to write few words.

Since I was young, in my family, not really celebrate the birthday, usually my parent and sister only give me the birthday wish, and my mother cook good food for us. So, in my mind birthday not really a big deal, and am just happy when my family remember it, thats it

I dont really wish or want people notice by birthday, I even closed my birthday from my sosmed account, coz I dont expect friends to notice it.

As the time pass and I am getting older, actually every year when the number of my age is scale up 😊, I realize spiritually its like a year lessen to live in this beautiful world

How do you feel in this year? ?

Well this twin number of my age that move me to write this post actually, because the twin number will be happen in another 11 years, and who knows? am I still alive? well I hope so...amin

How I feel? In general, first of all, I pray al-fatihah for my self, I thank you to Allah SWT for always bless me, my parent are healthy, I have job, I can do charity, I have good friends even not many, I can buy things that I want, I have debt but not much, I have small saving, am healthy (well in my pov tho), I can treat my fam with good food. I am happy

But then...I am happy and also sad. I sad because there are still many poor people out there and working hard to live, Palestine still suffer, many babies abandon by their parents, many orphans, I still see arrogant rich person, I face or see unfair things happen, poor children couldnt continue their school, and then how to answer, why am I not marry yet?

The last question is that mostly kind of standard question in my society, in my age and still single is like weird

They forget that every person has her own path and journey, I cannot choose my destiny, I was dreamed to get marry at 26th and having children, I made this target when I was in high school, but who can predict that am still single now. This is the path that Allah SWT assign to me, and what will be happen ahead is in His hand, in simple understanding, do you know when you will die? no one knows the answer, anybody maybe?

Therefor Rina, I talk to my self, lets enjoy this "you only live once" in this beautiful world, que sera sera, whatever will be, will be. Lets continue this life bravely and it doesnt matter if I will walk or run, I can manage the speed

Everyone that celebrates birthday in May 11th, I wish you a happy born day, and all the best for you, because your best is yours!

Bali, May 11 2024. Thank you Rina for being strong and dont forget to loving yourself!

Around 11.45PM - 15 minutes before the day will change!

Woman, Worth, Wonder

The recent news about korean k-pop and k-drama that revealed having relationship which might be called "transit love" made me feel sorry for the ex (woman)

Transit love is kind of situation where couple still in relation but a party is also build feeling with other (cmiiw) in Indonesia called selingkuh (kind of it)

I just want to describe my feeling, I dont really care which version is the truth

I want to say to you H*eri, you are worth woman, and I know you're a wonder woman

I believe you will face this shit situation bravely

I dont know you, I dont even your fans, you broke up with him, simple just because he is not worth for you

You will find yours

If not, then God knows and having better plan for you

To all the broken heart:

I am not saying that broke up is an easy thing, go cry, go alone, go find the space, go to heal the soul

But then...

Wipe the tears, wake up, stand up, walk firmly and open the window and the door

There are rainbow and sun after the rain

There is future that waiting 

You only live once....enjoy it to the fullest

Taylor Swift said:

------And you wanna scream

Don't call me "kid"

Don't call me "baby"

Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me

You showed me colors

You know I can't see with anyone else

Don't call me "kid"

Don't call me "baby"

Look at this idiotic fool that you made me

You taught me a secret language

I can't speak with anyone else

And you know damn well

For you, I would ruin myself

A million little times--------

Coldplay Concert : Singapore National Stadium

Singapore, January 24, 2024

Coldplay Concert: Music of The Spheres

Alhamdulillah, Thank you Allah SWT for making the dream happen and for the blessed that never ending You have pour in my life!

It begin with just a wishing that if I can go to abroad again, I only want go to; 1st Coldplay concert, and 2nd I want to go for Umroh, and well after the covid period passed and global access was opened, Coldplay starting their worldwide tour concert. Hoping that they will go to Asia, and yes its answered. Indonesia is in their list, preparing with friends for the war ticket, and yet failed, as sooo many people joined the war and well it just not my luck. Disappointed? ofcourse! but I accept it, maybe in another time...am trying for Malaysia, but yet its the same, failed!

Then, there is announcement for Singapore for 4 days (+2) concert! in January 2024, and again helped by my friend Lisa and Etta, we're in better prep for the tix war, as Ticketmaster.sg is like more strict and the D day was in June 19, 2023 (Presale) with big hope that this time I will get the ticket!

OMG when 3 of us enter the war, we were all in like no 600k queuing! however, a least the timeline is running eventough slowly, and finally after 3 hours waiting, I get the access to execute the tix, and yas!! succeeded bought 2 tixs.

My friend Lisa and Etta were only helped for the tix war but they dont want to go to the concert, so I share the tix with my other friend; Ulfa!

Since then, starting the prep to attending the concert in Singapore; renewing my passport, hunting hotel with reasonable price, and also the flight ticket.

After reading the reviews and price comparison, I booked thru Agoda.com and decided to stay at Summer View Hotel.

I think for booking hotel, Agoda is one of the best among others in term of price!, this is based on my experience booked hotel for domestic and abroad destinations.

For the flight I have also recommendation, which you can get best offer from Tiket.com, so far when I booked the flight tix, it offers the best price for both domestic and abroad.

I choose for DPS-Singapore with SQ, I got good offer at around IDR 2.2 mio/pax and Spore - DPS with Batik Air at IDR 1.5 mio/pax

Time flies and close to the D day, my flight was on Jan 23, 2024, me and Ulfa arrived at Singapore around 4PM, and we decided to go around Changi Airport; visit the Jewel at Terminal 1, what an experience!

This place is cool, green vibes, like having clean oxygen around! 😀 love it.

There are several photo spots around, most people that arrived at Changi will spend their time to visit Jewel. If you already at T1 to reach this area you can follow the direction and there is kind of "bridge" that you can walk by to reach Jewel.

If you are in T2 or T3, to go to Jewel, you can use the Skytrain (free of charge)

What else? well there are lot of restaurants around and if you have good budget then you can enjoy the food there!

At around 7PM we took grab to go the hotel! as we dont have much energy again to use the MRT with the suitcases we bring along!

Sometime after reach hotel, we go out for buying meal, and I booked the right hotel, because it close to Seven Eleven and also next to a Korean Store ✌. Me and Ulfa bought ready to eat meal...heat it up at sevel and bring them back to hotel, after finished the meal, we go bed for charging the energy for the D day!

On Jan 24, 2024 we took grab (again) to Kallang Wave Mall which in one area with the National Stadium where the concert will be held, we go around, bought merchandises, taking pictures, and starting queuing for the gate to be opened.

We came too early, and wait too long, this kind of learning lesson, because in Singapore, I can say no need to worry, you will be able smoothly attend the concert as long as the tix is in your hand, yes you can bit early to anticipate traffic, like 1 hour arrival before the main concert, you still have time tho. At Kallang Wave Mall, we also experience lunch at The Soup Spoon, and took cheap offer, with SGD 9.9/pax you will get a big plate of warrior salad bowl with jasmine ice tea included.

This is resto is recommended! one of best salad bowl that I ever tasted, it just sooo good!

The waiting is over! and eventough it was heavy rain, it didnt stop the coldplayers to enter the gate for the Coldplay's performance. At 8.30PM the show is begin and I cannot describe my feeling at that time, tears, blessed, happy, still cannot believe I can attend the concert, all those feelings mixed at once.

Almost all of my fave songs were presented; A Sky Full of Stars, Viva la Vida, Something Like This, My Universe, Fix You....I think I also heard Charlie Brown? whatever, I too enjoying the concert and not really remember all the songs tho.

Chris was performed well, eventho I mostly of time seeing him thru the big screen, its totally OK, this moment will never be forgotten in my life. A blessed that even until the time I write this post, I still feel that Allah is sooo kind to me. He allows this moment crossing in my life, exactly like I want, smoothen all the process from the tix war, renewing my passport process, booking the hotel and flight, the whole trip in Singapore, everything!

Friends or whoever happen drop by and read this post, wish and believe in Allah (God), He might postpone your wish to happen, because he knows the best time for you, and He will guide and be with you along the way, this is my spiritual experience, even though I was sometime neglecting Him, He still gave me endless blessings!

-Believe in Him, He will never fail you, it just about timing-

Thank You 2023, Welcome 2024

In 2023. most of the year, I full it with journeys. I started with it traveling to Surabaya and Jakarta for suppliers visit and audit, which happen around Jan - Feb. Learning lesson; most of the supplier's personnel in years I just communicate with them by email, phonecall, and whatsapp however, since the relation build by trust and good willing, by the time you meet them, its like meet your friends. The target visit and audit in overall is good.

In march, got 2nd chance to visit Selayar, as the impact of covid, the flight from makassar to selayar is limited, so for the first time I used the ferry. How do you feel? tiring tho, because from makassar I need to go to bira by rent car for about 4 hours, then continue by ferry in 2 hours to pamatata (selayar's port). On the way back to Bali, it was already entering the fasting month, so I did fasting on the journey from selayar to makassar all they way, I made it I didnt break my fast eventho the journey isnt easy. What did you do in selayar? Its more to find out why the nutmeg supply taking so long time, the conclusion is the demand isnt much, forbid to build buffer, and by the time the nuts is available it taken by other collectors, and when nuts order come in, as no buffer of raw mat, then ofcourse needs time to collect it again from farmers which is taking time. Learning lesson: Strong willing will overcome the doubt, as well as you cannot please everyone, the are always reason to judge you and complaint on your effort. But is ok, challenges will enrich my soft skill, and never fail me to keep learn doing good.

Next was in end of May to early June total in 19 days of journey, be part of harvesting vanilla and went to Maumere to Adonara. It was very challenging, as the first time I involved in harvesting process, meet farmer and buy the vanilla in cash, this year the price for green vanilla was drop, and difficult to explain it to farmer, isnt my company that arranging or planning the price down, but the fact the market price for vanilla was down, because the Madagascar is doing well with stock and crop, which impact to Indonesian's price. Arguing with fews stubborn people, starting the journey in very early morning everyday, and end it mostly at night, having meal always late, the road that not always smooth, make sure no missing on the money calculation, it does tested my patient and body endurance, and thanks Allah, I wasnt get sick. Learning lesson: Dont forget to pray in every step you take, and Allah will just stay beside you, and keep you safe and sound!

Last but not least, was in August, I got an assignment to go to Manado, as the pic of clove wasnt around, so I went on her behalf, to buy and make sure the container loading as planned. I was like 11 days there, as a sudden additional container is ready and I requested to stay and make sure the final container is safe. The good thing is that, this is the 1st time I went there alone, beside doing the transaction (I am a purchaser tho) and planning the container, I was also taking the responsibility in quality, I mean taking sample to make sure that I am not buying water (moisture shall be meet the spec.), and make sure the method of taking the sample is also following the guideline so the sample taken is representative. Alhamdulillah all is running good. Eventho at this period of assignment I experience something that against my personal life rules, but again I cannot ask everyone to have the same life rules as mine right? Learning lesson: I learn to respect other people point of view of treating others.

I believe everyone has they own stories in life, as well as mine. All I want in this life Allah will always and always take care of me and parents mostly, and others. In His guideline I will keep the willing to learn being kind, and doing good. In His decision I will follow whatever that He plans to me. I hope that me and all of you will have the best things in the next year and in the future.

-Love yourself before you love others-

Thank you 2023. Welcome 2024

Clove, The Indonesia's Spices

Working in company that processing various spices have enrich my knowledge. I am graduated from Agriculture faculty, however, I must admit that having chance to be part of my current company made me realize Indonesia has few and well known spices in the world such as; vanilla, clove, and nutmeg

I will write more about clove this time. According to Scienagri.com Indonesia is one of the nine biggest countries that producing clove. In Indonesia itself the area which are the source of clove such as; Sulawesi, Maluku, Flores, and even Bali is also has produce clove. The peak season of clove during August to Sept, however it could be changed depend on the climate condition. Like in 2023 where rainy season happen longer cause shortage of clove stock in the market and kick the price up.

In the market in Indonesia for industrial clove, the standard quality called AB6 so with kind of calculation the total of moisture percentage (Kadar Air) and foreign material (Kadar Kotor) are max 6. I must be honest that I fully understand about this calculation a year ago after educated by one of suppliers.

Manufacturer could turns clove to become extract either in liquid or powder as well as make it into tea bag cut finish goods. Cigarette, pharmacy, food and beverage industries are also using clove.

Clove it self has several benefits and good for health. There are: anti bacteria, good for blood sugar level, maintain the lever health etc.

Next time I will share more about other Indonesia's spices or perhaps my journey working in spices company which give me chance to visit many cities in Indonesia.

Picture source: Tripper Nature

Retinol B3 Serum and Hyalucera Moisturizer by The Originote

To overcome the skin aging process which basically is a normal process in life, until several months ago, I still stick to use only moisturizer as skincare for my face and adding the compact powder for outdoor activities.

However, as I also often on field duty and expose by the sunlight, then I realize I need more booster to strengthen the skin barrier, especially for my face. 

My face skin isnt sensitive type, its dry to normal condition and I know as far its moist enough it doesnt give me problem so far, so I have wide chance to trial various face skin care. One of the good combinations to boost the skin barrier during the day is to apply serum, moisturizer, sunscreen, and lock them with compact powder. I will share one by one for each product in this blog, and I will start it with the serum.

Its Retinol B3 Serum by The Originote. Currently, I will buy my 3rd bottle, this retinol serum is fast absorbed into the skin, light, and giving cool sense in my skin. For the technical review of the product ingredients you can read here

Compare to the other brand of retinol serum which I also bought in the same time while having the originote, eventought it mentioned like consist of 6x retinol content, but personally the one from originote still the best for my face skin. 

In term of price, its bearable, for like 20ml the price range around IDR 40-50K, I think is good price for good quality product.

Beside the Retinol B3 Serum, other product that I recommend for from the originote is the Hyalucera Moisturizer. 

If the serum I use it for the day, the moisturizer I prefer to apply in my face the night before going to sleep. As its light and same, giving cool sensation in my face, and further for the night, I think no need like applying too heavy or to good skincare, as the skin only need to maintain its moist condition, and the Hyalucera Moisturizer is a good option for me by far. The ingredients you can also read here if you're curious and want to have more detail.
The price is also bearable around IDR 42K, here is the link for the pricing taken from The Originote Official Store

Picture sources:

Retinol B3 Serum

Hyalucera Moisturizer