Endo & Nes

We got refund voucher from Garuda Indonesia because our flight to Japan cancelled because of pandemic, the total voucher values are IDR 18,451,100. Plus, we also got compensations voucher IDR 300,000 because the in-flight entertainment system not working for our last flight from Bali to Jakarta. So, our total voucher value are IDR 18,751,100 expired on 31 December 2023. Then, for Lebaran Holiday this year of 2023 we search various destinations that the total cost around our voucher value.

Japan, way too expensive. Singapore, too crowded. Bali, already went there last year. Thailand, still more expensive. Padang, mostly are Moslems so many places are closed and hard to find driver. Manado, majorities are Christian therefore many restaurant still open and easier to find driver. Manado, just right: 18,711,420 IDR for three of us. Final decision, Manado it is. Unfortunately, to use voucher we must go to branch office can’t be done via website or mobile apps.

Our grandparents, and brother-in-law and his family wants to come too. All in all, we are 10 people. For transportation, we want to rent a HiAce car. We do our research, compare price and service, and our decision fell to Mata Kail Rental. Except for Kotamobagu area (25-27 April 2023), we used our acquaintance. Below is the price from Mata Kail Rental, not too cheap, not too expensive. But we like the owner is very responsive, he can guide us to a tourist spot.

[Section = Cancel some Flights with Garuda Indonesia]

21 April 2023 our nephew got high fever and must stay in the hospital with his parents of course, so we asked for hospital letter to cancel their flights. I contact Garuda Indonesia live chat, and he/she guide me to email for refund. 100% refund to bank account because they bought via transfer, and take around 14-30 working days. Actually they didn’t ask the reason, we just provide the hospital letter to be sure. Fast forward, they gave a full refund on 12 May 2023. Thumbs up!

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We used FlyGaruda mobile application from Garuda Indonesia to manage our flight, and book a Child Meal for Emma, and Fruit Platter for Agnes. Our departure flight is 09:20 AM, so we ordered taxi van-size from Blue Bird through MyBlueBird mobile application to pick us at 06:00 AM. As expected, 15-minutes earlier the taxi already standing by in front of our gate. We got ready, and leave to Terminal 3 Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (a.k.a. T3 Ultimate).

6:55 AM we arrived at T3 Ultimate, and we went straight into security check and baggage check-in. We got into priority line because traveled together with kids and seniors, also our grandfather already used a walking stick. Smooth process around 5-10 minutes, actually we expected a more crowded since it’s the first day of long holiday. This terminal is huge, but luckily our departure gate just below the escalator.

7:43 AM we already got bored in the waiting room, all the shops are not open yet. We’re so sleepy, and no coffee can rescue us. Actually there is a Starbucks near the check-in area, but we need to go back up and past the security check again. Also one shop already open but no coffee, only mineral water and travel essentials: pillow, charger, snacks, etc. We bought a bottle of mineral water, 600mL for IDR 10K.

9:10 AM we finally boarding, again we got into priority lane. While waiting for other passengers board the plane, we take a few pictures. So far take off went smooth, the seat belt sign is off. Emma went straight to sleep because she’s already sleepy from wake up early morning. Not long after take off, the flight attendants gave Emma her Child Meal and Agnes her Fruit Platter, which received by me because they are sleeping.

After 1hour+ sleeping, Emma finally awake. She wants to go to lavatory then eat her child meal, there is also a plush doll include with the child meal. For now she got Hara, a Harimau. So the plush doll theme is Indonesian animals, nice! Beside as a souvenir, also as a general knowledge. She plays with Hara while enjoy her meal, western style (fried potato, omelette, etc.)

While Emma was still eating, the flight attendants gave us light snacks. Apples for Agnes and Emma, and bread for me. Also a bottled sweet jasmine tea, Teh Pucuk Harum for each of us. Because we still full, we put the snacks in our bag to eat it later. Maybe around 20 minutes later, the pilot announce that we’ll landing shortly.

Landing was smooth, we walk slowly and go to toilet first. After that, we claimed our baggage. We call our driver, and then drove of to have a lunch. We asked for seafood lunch, and he suggested Wisata Bahari. This restaurant famous for it’s place build on top of sea shore, so we can see some sea fish swimming. Also speedboat, some fisherman, Old Manado Island, nice view for family with kids.

Manado was famous of their fresh food, the downside is preparation takes longer time than usual especially for those who used in hustle bustling city, Manado is like relaxed and chill atmosphere. We spent an hour in Wisata Bahari, then we went to the oldest Catholic Church in Manado: St. Joseph the Worker. The church still used old spelling of Bahasa Indonesia, for example pekerja (Worker in English) spelled pekerdja.

On our way to Yama Resort Tondano, we pass by Statue of Jesus Blessing Manado City. We stopped a while for take some pictures before continue our journey. It takes an hour to reach Tomohon, and when we finally arrived at Tondano all of us really exhausted. So we decide to have dinner at the resort, also they have special buffet dinner for Lebaran Season. Nice, perfect for us to just rest and enjoy our evening at the resort.

Sunday, 23 April 2023

8:45 AM woke up and having breakfast, the buffet breakfast not so many options but all are delicious. Also we brought Manuka Travel Pack to boost our stamina, because today we plan to visit Bukit Doa Mahawu and Linow Lake. While we’re having breakfast, the Yama Resort Tondano: Kawa and Kiwi pandas came to visit. It’s not every morning they came here, so we told. Today must be a special day, they brought balloons and happiness for children.

But, since it’s holiday we also want to take it slowly and enjoy our time. So after breakfast, we take a dip into the hot water pool. Actually it’s hotter than we thought, so maybe more suitable to enjoy this hot pool in the evening. Because this water pool came from natural hot spring, legend said it can make us healthier and younger.

When we drove off from our hotel, it’s already time to take a lunch. So we went to Kelapa 17 Tomohon, famous with it’s Pork Head. The Pork Head comes with two choices: Original or Honey, we chose the later. The skin is crispy and meat is juicy, also sweetness that comes from honey. Portion is big enough for 2 people and more, they also have french fries and vegetables.

Our belly now full of pork, we continue to Bukit Doa Mahawu. Only takes 20 minutes by car from Kelapa 17 Tomohon, and when we arrived the weather became cloudy. The entrance fee price is IDR 25K per adult include free coffee or tea, also don’t forget to try their Fried Banana (Goroho). It’s their specialty here, and very crunchy it can wake up neighbor.

We also saw a group of young people just finished their event here, should be some spiritual retreat. Yeah, this makes a perfect place to take self reflection. So, in here they had praying area with Cross symbol. We walked follow the trail into Mary’s Grotto, feels so serene here. We can’t here another sounds except bird, water, wind, all nature.

Near here there is a cave for Via Dolorosa, but we didn’t go there because it’s so dark. We also bring kids and looks like gonna rain, excuse excuse. Instead we went to the chapel via amphitheater, and stopped by the toilet for a minute. The chapel itself has peaceful atmosphere, sadly they didn’t have regular Mass here only for wedding event.

From Bukit Doa Mahawu, it takes around 30minutes by car to reach Lake Linow. Famous for it’s color changing water because of the sulfur, they said it has 3 colors but I count just 2: blue and green? Now, they have bigger restaurant. My brother said it usually only 1 floor restaurant, but now they have 2 floor restaurants. The entrance fee is also IDR 25K include free coffee or tea, when we arrived it was raining so everyone sit down inside the restaurant.

It was so crowded and packed, difficult for us to sit down. Some of their staff just ignore us, maybe because they are also tired. Luckily, they have 3 cashiers so we can exchange our voucher and buy snacks where the most few people.

Majority in Manado, Tomohon, and Tondano are Christian. No wonder we often find many restaurants playing Christian song, this time too the live music is “Here I Am to Worship”. After the rain stopped, all customers start to go outside. Sit down, stand up, various poses for taking photo, eating, sipping their drinks, enjoy the atmosphere, request and sing together with the live music.

Tomohon really a pretty and peaceful place, this is the perfect place to enjoy leisure and take a rest after busy workday. The customer service hospitality needs to be improve though, also the staff to make sure every customer enjoy their visit to the fullest. We should continue to maintain the environmental sustainability, our blue planet earth.