Bagaimana Cara Belanja di Amazon?

Kadang kalau mencari barang yang emang ga diproduksi atau diimpor ke Indonesia pasti salah satu cara ya beli online. Situs yang paling sering digunakan ya Amazon.com

Amazon tuh udah didirikan sejak 1994 dan sampai sekarang mereka masih eksis (bahasa gaulnya). Berarti mereka trustworthy kan. Pertamanya mereka emang dibikin ya di US jadi yang paling besar Amazon US. Tapi mereka punya Amazon untuk UK, France, Canada, German, Italia, Spanyol, Australia, Brazil, Jepang, China, India dan Mexico, dan situs untuk Sri Lanka dan negara Asia Tenggara segera menyusul. 

Artikel ini bukan menceritakan pengalaman belanja saya. Sebenarnya saya lagi mencari CD Guardians of the Galaxy - Soundtrack dan secara kebetulan (ga juga sih) saya menemukannya di situs Amazon.com. Senang? Gembira? Eitss, jangan dulu. Mari saya beberkan cerita saya.

Di Amazon ada keterangan barang yang dijual apakah baru atau bekas. Kalau di Indonesia mungkin udah aja bisa diakalin tuh info. Tapi kalau untuk situs ini, saya percaya kalau barang baru adalah benar barang baru. Harga untuk barang baru terkadang berbeda-beda setiap seller-nya. Untuk mencoba pertama saya pilih barang yang dijual Amazon.com LLC.

Menariknya untuk soundtrack film ini ada yang tipenya berupa Audio CD ada pula berupa Vinyl alias piringan hitam. Weeww.. keren ya.. Karena saya tidak punya pemutar Vinyl, otomatis Audio CD aja ya.

Harga untuk CD tersebut sebesar $14.67. Saya coba ubah ke rupiah. Jadi..

$14,67 * 11690 (kurs lewat cek di Internet) = Rp 171492,3

Saya cuma pikir.. okay, no problem. Berikutnya saya cari-cari panduan untuk beli di Amazon. Saya menemukan artikel ini (link). Cuma dibaca aja sih, mau liat-liat pendapat orang dan pengalaman mereka. Ternyata benar dugaan saya, ada biaya tambahan seperti membayar biaya bungkus kembali sebesar Rp7.500 per paket. Kenapa? Karena barang yang datang ke Indonesia di cek Bea dan Cukai dengan cara dibongkar bungkusannya. Otomatis perlu biaya tambahan untuk membungkus kembali. Biasanya akan dikasih berita dari perusahaan jasa pengiriman. Abis dibayar baru deh dikirim ke kita. (kata orang-orang) 

Okay, langkah selanjutnya Proceed Checkout. Membuat akun Amazon, menulis nama dan lain-lain, terus menulis alamat kita. Eittss jangan lupa, ga semua barang bisa dikirim ke Indonesia. Saya coba-coba nih tulisannya International shipping eehh pas checkout tidak ada opsi pengiriman, itu artinya barang tidak bisa dikirim ke Indonesia. Saya tidak tahu ya kalau negara lain gimana. Alhamdulillah CD yang dijual Amazon.com LLC bisa dikirim ke Indonesia.

Setelah loading sana sini, akhirnya masuk ke halaman mau dikirim pake apa mba/mas? 

• Standard International Shipping - No tracking (rata-rata 18-32 hari) 
• AmazonGlobal Expedited Shipping (rata-rata 5-10 hari kerja) 
• AmazonGlobal Priority Shipping (rata-rata 2-4 hari) 

Saya bingung memilih yang mana, akhirnya saya coba satu-satu. Pilih yang pertama harga pengirimannya sebesar $8,98. Bagaimana saya tahu? Karena harga total menjadi $23,65. Wah ternyata lumayan lah kira-kira 250 ribu rupiah nih. Tapi saya rada takut soalnya kita tidak bisa melacak keberadaan barang kita alias no tracking. Was was kan. Gimana kalau nyasar?

Oke, kita coba yang kedua yang rada cepet nyampe 5-10 hari kerja. Harganya ternyata $23,37. Wuih beda banget harganya sama yang opsi pertama. Harga ini juga setara harga CDnya, malah lebih. Tapi kalian ga was was kan plus ini termasuk cepet. Iseng-iseng saya coba yang terakhir. Saya kaget harganya sampe $42,01 dua kali lipat dari harga kedua

Dari situ saya mikir-mikir apa jadi beli barang ini? Akhirnya saya ga beli. Kenapa? Harga ongkosnya udah lumayan murah (kalau opsi pertama walaupun was-was) tapi saya mikir kalau beli di Amazon mending belinya banyakan. Antara anda pengen beli banyak barang sekaligus atau anda dan teman-teman beli barang di Amazon sama-sama dan bisa membagi ongkos kirim. Sepertinya itu pilihan bagus dibanding hanya beli satu CD saja.

Saya tetap berfikiran kalau Amazon merupakan salah satu situs e-commerce yang tepercaya dan merupakan senior dibanding situs-situs e-commerce yang lain. Mungkin sebagian dari kalian kecewa dengan artikel yang ternyata akhirnya tidak terlaksana (ga jadi beli). Tapi yah saya cuma membagikan pengalaman saya. Mungkin kedepannya saya akan benar-benar belanja di Amazon. ^^ 

It feels unusual for me to write an article in Bahasa. Since almost 90% article in this blog is written in English. 

Indonesian Election Day

Today is the most important day for Indonesian. They will vote between Prabowo and Jokowi to rule Indonesia as a president. It’s crucial, because the winner will be a president for 5 years. It’s not a short time, in 5 years Indonesia can developed or stuck. They have some incidents in their campaign. I think it’s never this exciting, well since the first time I vote. In quick count, Jokowi wins the election. But we never know till the KPU announce the next president.

First, let’s talk about Jokowi. From my point of view, it’s not right for a governor who still govern Jakarta to participate as presidential candidate. I don't know about the regulation about it. But don’t you have responsibility to Jakarta’s people?

Second, Prabowo with the issue about his job in military, Human Rights issue. They (media) said he’s the one who give instruction about the kidnapping. I think there is a news about he said about the issue is true.

Anyway, you can see that they plan to take their enemy down and it’s all about the people’s perspective about them. What people think is the only important thing here. Of course it is. I won't tell you which one I vote for. But right now, it’s rely on people hands. Hope for better and greater Indonesia!!

Thanks for reading this. ^^

I will also post when the result is out.

Plan your travel - TripAdvisor

If you haven't read previous article, you can read that first or just read this article. Umm.. I am rambling again. So back again, this article's about traveling. It's more like planning.

Have you all visit TurisLokal? There're some differences between this travel site. First, TurisLokal is about the travel destinations in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the TripAdvisor's more like planning your travel, accommodations and of course the destinations too. 

Second, TripAdvisor you can plan your entire trip, flight, hotel, restaurant in your destination. You can manage your budget with this site. At least you don't have to wander around and lost in new place. But TurisLokal you just read some articles that probably mention "how to get there" or "where's the restaurant". 

Third, TurisLokal only comes in Bahasa Indonesia. On the other hand, TripAdvisor is in many language, more than 30 countries. 

Forth, TripAdvisor has come with Mobile Application in iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. While TurisLokal only comes in website. The apps also free!!

Fifth, there's GreenLeaders Programme in TripAdvisor, so it identifies hotels and B&Bs that are committed to green practices like recycling, water efficiency and alternative energy. But there's no such thing in TurisLokal.

If you read it, you probably thinking that TripAdvisor has a lot to offer for traveler. I also think that way. But what I like about TurisLokal, it's made by Indonesian people. It maybe cannot compete with TripAdvisor, but hopefully it can reach Indonesian people. 

Anyway, which one would you prefer TripAdvisor or TurisLokal? 

Concerts in June - Indonesia :)

Yeppieeeeee.. There're so many concerts in June, 2014. I am so excited :)

Here it's the list of the concerts ^^

• 4th June - Taylor Swift in Mata Elang International Stadium, Jakarta. Price range from 800 thousands to 4 millions. But there're some incidents in tickets sale. The promoters are City Entertainment and AEG Live. Well, I don't really know other artists using City Entertainment. So the promoter probably still new.
• 6th June - Peter Cetera in The Kasablanka – kota Kasablanka Mall, Jakarta. Price range from 880 thousands to 3.3 million. The promoters are Innoform Media and Adhitama Creative Entertainment.
• 6th June - Afrojack in Blowfish Kitchen & Bar, Jakarta. You have to pay 500 thousands if you want to party with DJ from Netherlands, who has real name, Nick van de Wall. The promoter is Ismaya Live.
• 6th June - Ørjan Nilsen in Colosseum Club, Jakarta. People have to pay 200 thousands to watch DJ from Norwegia. The promoter is Colosseum Club.
• 7th June - Tenashar in Foreplay Club – Surabaya Town Square, Surabaya. You have to pay 125 thousands to see this DJ and also model from Singapore. The promoter is Foreplay Club.
• 8th June - 2NE1 in Mata Elang International Stadium, Jakarta. For the K-pop fans if you want to see girlband from South Korea, you have to pay 780 thousands  to 2.320.000. Hopefully this concert will not be canceled like last year. The promoter is Synergism Entertainment.
• 18th June - The Chainsmokers in Dragonfly, Jakarta. DJ group from NY, consist of  Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall can be watched if you pay 200 thousands. The promoter is Ismaya Live.
• 20th June - Alex M.O.R.P.H. and Natalie Gioia in Colosseum Club, Jakarta. If you want to see this DJ from Germany and Russian singer, you have to pay 200 thousands. This event promoter is Colosseum Club.
• 22 June - SHINee in Mata Elang International Stadium, Jakarta. Handsome idol group from South Korea who has capture many women hearts. Their tickets are sold from 800 thousands to 2,5 millions. Grab their tickets fast!! Their promoter is  Synergism Entertainment.
• 23 June - Christian Bautista in Prive – FX Sudirman, Jakarta. You can watch Filipina singer who song “The Way You Look At Me” from 495.000 - 2.750.000. His promoter is Rigel Dinamika.
• 29 June - Sungha Jung in Hermes Place Convention Hall, Medan. Awww.. He's gonna come to Indonesia. Guitarist from South Korea who was popular through YouTube now you can watch his performance from 350 thousands to 500 thousands, depends on the seats position. His promoter is Naga Guitars Taiwan.

I don't realize that there are so many promoter and many artists have come because of our promoters. Yeayy!! Good job guys!! 

(source: Yahoo)

Bogor Palace open for public!! - Happy bday Bogor :)

If you don't know where is Bogor. Bogor is located in Indonesia, on West Java. It's near Jakarta, capital city of Indonesia. And I am from Bogor. I've been lived in Bogor for 21 years. Yep!! All my life, my kindergarten to my college are both from here, in Bogor. Bogor has some amazing place to visit. In this article, I will wrote down events that happen here, on Bogor's 532 birthday.

There will be..

1. Week Exhibitions Attraction
2. Museum Open
3. Bogor Culinary Festival 2014
4. Art and Culture Show
5. Celebrity Chef Demo
6. Capital City Artist
7. Contest and Competition
8. Bogor Palace Open

Gedung Kemuning Gading

There're several contest and competition such as eating competition, little idol contest, stand up comedy competition, band parade contest and also dance competition. It's located in Gedung Kemuning Gading, Kapten Muslihat Street #21, also included in Bogor Parliament/DPRD complex. The building often used for cultural events. For contest and competition you can register to Anwar Reza (0852-8371-0802) or Gilbert (0812-8461-6207).

Bogor Palace

Bogor Palace Open is one of the most anticipate event that allows public to enter and see inside the palace. The palace has great architecture and a wide palace grounds with deers. The deers was brought by Dutch when they colonize Indonesia. It was built on 1744 and rebuilt again after earthquake from Mount Salak volcanic eruption. Also it's connected to Bogor Botanical Garden, actually it's the place grounds too. It means, the palace is huge with botanical garden as the palace grounds. (source: Wikipedia)

You can register for Bogor Palace Open on June 2nd - June 14th, 2014. The program will be on June 9th - June 14th, 2014 (except Jun 13th, 2014) at 8 AM till 3 PM. You have to be on yard of Bogor Parliament/DPRD building half an hour before the program because you have to re-registration. 

This events are made to celebrate Bogor's 532 birthday and it's held by Department of Culture and Tourism Bogor. If you happen to be in Bogor this week, you can join the events ^^

(source: Radar Bogor Newspaper, Mei 31th, 2014)

How to choose safe and clean food from street food vendor?

Do you know what is roadside hawker? Usually they are street food vendor, but sometimes they also sell clothes and tools. Sometimes they disturb the traffic and cause traffic jam. But they are very common in some Asians countries, like Indonesia, India, and others. What we love about them, they sell some good food and in some areas they are like traditional hawkers. It really shows the culture side of the country. Maybe they sell good food, but you must be careful with the health issue. Here I am gonna give you some tips to choose the street food vendor.

1. Buy food from clean street food vendor. Because the environment where food is made affecting food hygiene.
2. Don't buy it, if it don't have container and not placed on the table. 
3. Make sure the canteen, or any place where the hawkers is, are clean. Don't buy food near the garbage/ trash can.
4. Buy food from healthy hawkers. We don't want to get sick right?
5. Make sure the hawkers hold the food with tools or containers. It's not hygiene when the hawkers hold the food with their bare hands.
6. Choose cooked food. Make sure it cooked perfectly, not raw.
7. Buy food which is displayed, stored, and placed good and take notice if it's hygiene or not.
8. If we buy food with broth, make sure the broth placed separately.
9. The food consumption must be right.
10. Buy food which is safe from biological harm, chemicals, also secure from hair, glass shard, and also pebbles and dust.

Street food vendors in Jakarta. (source: Wikipedia)

Make sure you buy food from clean vendors. If you are not so sure, just buy it from shop/store. Thank you for reading this article  ^^

(source: Radar Bogor Newspaper, Mei 31th, 2014)

VINCCI - Malaysia Footwear Brand

About a year ago, I went to Spore (Singapore) and KL Malaysia. It's a short trip. When we shopped there, we saw this VINCCI store. Of course we went in and bought some shoes. There're so many people because it's on sale. Figured.

VINCCI is the most prominent brand of the Padini family. A footwear brand that focuses on chic and affordability, most of its shoes are made from synthetic material. It also sells watches, sunglasses, PVC handbags and bead accessories. VINCCI was established to market ladies shoes, bags, belts and other accessories in 1986. (source: Wikipedia)

If you want to see the collection, just go to this link. Since 2005, the first VINCCI store in Indonesia was opened at Mal Taman Anggrek. In Indonesia, they used VNC for shoes from VINCCI.

I bought this shoes because, I don't know. I like it, I guess :)

And then I saw Justin Timberlake - Mirror Music Video. I just, woow, It looks like the same, from afar.

Anyway, bye bye. See you ^^

Uber @ Jakarta guys!!

Yeyy.. I got news yesterday, that Uber will be operated @ Jakarta this year. Hopefully this year. Are you guys excited? I am!! Wooo... Urg too much exictement... sorry.. let's get down to it..

What is Uber? 

Uber is an American venture-funded start-up and transportation network company based in San Francisco, California that makes mobile application software ("app") that connects passengers with drivers of vehicles for hire and ride-sharing services.The company arranges pickups in dozens of cities around the world.
Initially, Uber drivers had cars such as Lincoln Town Cars, Cadillac Escalades, BMW 7 Series, and Mercedes-Benz S550 sedans.After 2012, Uber added a wider selection of cars to market to a broader cross-section of the market, called UberX. Cars are reserved by sending a text message or by using a mobile app. Using the apps, customers can track their reserved car's location.

Uber is evolving the way the world moves. By seamlessly connecting riders to drivers through our apps, we make cities more accessible, opening up more possibilities for riders and more business for drivers. From our founding in 2009 to our launches in over 70 cities today, Uber's rapidly expanding global presence continues to bring people and their cities closer. 

It's a great mobile apps!! we don't need to say where we going, how to get there, and for money, the charge comes to our credit card. Ride-sharing concept? Brilliant! You can asked for private drivers. Of course it's not taxi. But the drivers already had a background check so you can relax. I got to say, it must be interesting to be a driver ^^ (check this article)

But I don't know if they will be succeed in Indonesia. According to DailySocial, there're some regulation in Indonesia. Because Uber doesn't have commercial license like taxi, so they can be called "illegal taxi". Well, I am from Indonesia and I wonder what if there're crimes when passages ride with partner car (ride-sharing drivers). Anyway, Uber can faced some lawsuit if they don't handle the situation with the governor here (Indonesia). I just hope they have handled the problems before opening at Jakarta.

Psstt..

Uber_JKT is looking for interns for this summer. But you have to be fluent in Indonesia and English of course. You can send your CV to andrewkim@uber.com. If you want to know what jobs are offered, just go to this link.

That's it and have a nice day..

MIKU EXPO 2014 in Indonesia - MIKU is not an anime chara

I got this news since May 9th. There's an email about MIKU EXPO 2014 in Indonesia. I am super ecstatic. But I don't know if I will go there, since I'm still busy with my final project. I have my goal, I want to graduate this year. Wish me luck :)

Some of you probably wonder, who's MIKU? Well, I have a friend who assume that MIKU is an anime character. Well, she is not an anime character, guys!! She is a character, true, but for singing voice synthesizer products. That's why there're so many characters but MIKU is probably the most famous one.
You can see it here. Oh, if you want to watch on YouTube there're some videos of fans using the products and make songs from it..

Anyway, in Japan, MIKU just like an idol. She perform on stage, but as hologram. It's so awesome. ^^
If you guys have time, please come and watch the live show.

Bellow is the message from mikuexpo2014 (the bold one)

Hello everyone!
MIKU EXPO 2014 in Indonesia, the long-awaited first show in Indonesia and the first show as MIKU EXPO, is being held on May 28 and 29, 2014! At this event, there will be a lot of contents we bring outside Japan for the first time. We are looking forward to seeing you soon, too!

HATSUNE MIKU EXPO 2014 in Indonesia is a festival that will host the most popular contents about Hatsune Miku. Included are exhibitor booths with Miku-related items, toys and services, an exhibition about the history and cultural movement that was inspired by Miku, fan gathering activities and as absolute highlight the fabulous live show of Hatsune Miku using cutting-edge projection technology.

Fans will have the chance to enjoy the rare appearance of Hatsune Miku in Indonesia, and to gather with other fans of the community; other music, art and technology lovers will have the opportunity to get to know Miku, related activities, various creators and artists, and the fan community.

Live Shows

1. May 28th: Open (18:30) - Start (19:30)
2. May 29th: Open (12:00) - Start (13:00)
3. May 29th: Open (18:30) - Start (19:30)

Venue: JCC Cendrawasih Room

Tiket:
[PLATINUM] IDR 1,390,000
[GOLD] IDR 1,000,000
[SILVER] IDR 700,000
[BRONZE] IDR 390,000

Note:
Platinum and Gold concert tickets are based on reserved seating. The minimum age of entry is 6. 
Silver and Bronze tickets are free-standing and the position is based on a first-come-first serve at the time of entry. The minimum age of entry is 12.

Get Tickets!
See more about CONCERT
EXHIBITION
There will be Hatsune Miku exhibition, cosplay experience area, company booths and concert merchandise booth!

May 28th: Open (16:00) - Close (22:00)

May 29th: Open (10:00) - Close (22:00)

Venue: JCC Cendrawasih Room Lobby

Admission: FREE

Note:

Priority is given to concert ticket holders, when exhibition area is full. Thank you for your cooperation!

See more about EXHIBITION

See more about EXPERIENCE

See more about GOODS

If you want to go there, I bet it'll be awesome. Especially for MIKU fans ^^

Have fun guys..

Sugarbell - Bakery and Cake, Bogor

There's new (it's opened at the beginning of 2014) cute hang out place for girls in Bogor, Indonesia. It called Sugarbell - Bakery and Cake. I don't know the address but it's on Bondongan and in front of street that access to Bogor Nirwana Residence (BNR).

It's cozy and the decorations are cute and very girly.

I bought 2 cake and some breads for my family. The rainbow cake's so huge. =__=

I recommend this place of you want to try some cakes. :)