Summer Holiday 2007 (Part 1 - Departure)

Hi All,

So this is it, August 2nd, 2007. This is the day when my long journey start. I'm very excited because I will travel around Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and back to Indonesia for 2.5 months long. My flight was departed from Des Moines Airport Iowa on August 2nd, 2007 at 6:35am. Because of this early flight I have to check in to the nearest hotel (Best Western Des Moines Airport Hotel) the day before, so I can catch the 24 hr free shuttle to airport. The hotel is nice though, comfortable and spacious.

The Room:


My flight was actually a direct flight (according to my itinerary) but it actually make an hour transit at Denver International Airport before arriving at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) using United Airlines (UA1197).

Denver Airport:


After arrived at LAX, I have to check in at Singapore Airlines (SQ) ticket Counter to change my UA Boarding pass to the SQ Boarding pass, because they need to make sure that I have arrived at LAX and ready to board their aircraft to Narita (Tokyo, Japan). Here the check in process was a little bit confusing, because I have already check all my luggage all the way to Narita, and the security people in front of SQ ticket counter ask me to queuing up together with other passengers that need to check their luggage in which I think will take a lot of time here (You know I haven't had my breakfast, and in UA flight you will never get free food except some mini pretzel and drink).

So, I decided to skip all the queue and ask the person inside the counter whether she can just reissue me the SQ boarding pass, and make sure my luggage had been transfered to their system from my previous UA flight. And she agree and ask me to queue in different line up, so that I can come to the counter before other people.
Tips: if you fly from other city and change aircraft before your actual international flight, and you have already check your luggage to your final destination, you don't have to queue up again, because what you need to do is just getting your boarding pass and you are good to go.

The LAX gate:


SQ 11 (747-400 Aircraft) LAX to Narita:


After having my brunch, I go through all the immigration check and ready to board the aircraft. I think SQ is the best airlines I have ever use. The FA(Flight Attendant) really take good care of all passenger.
Tips: If you want to know which seat is the best seat in that particular aircraft that you will board, make sure you check it using Seatguru. There it will tell you which section or seat number that you need to avoid or choose. But, make sure you know the airlines and also the aircraft model that you will use (You can find out in the website or your itinerary). In most cases, the emergency exit row is the best seat in most aircraft, because it has more leg room. After that make sure when you check in, told the person that help you check in which seat number you want to choose, and normally they will do it for you.

Inside the Aircraft:


SQ's FA:


This flight was about 11 to 12 hours, and I expect to arrive at Narita airport around 6:00 pm August 3rd, 2007, because of the time different between USA and Japan.

Fourth of July !!!

So this is the day that I'm waiting for especially after I owned my first and beloved digital SLR (Pentax K10D). Because at this day normally it will has a lot of fireworks show around my community. And only this time I have a lot of chance to practice my photography skill (In this case taking picture of fireworks).

There are 2 big fireworks shows, the first one is in Des Moines downtown (Around the capitol building area, 3rd July 2007). I arrived there around 9:30 pm(I Parked my car just opposite of the Wells Fargo Arena) and pointed out my camera to the capitol, because I heard they normally fire off the fireworks from behind the capitol. So, I wait there and wishing I can get a decent pictures. After waiting for 1/2 hour then suddenly I heard a 'boom' sound that come from beside my right shoulder, and I look up and think for a while (I think 'wth'). They shoot off the fireworks from the middle of east village road, so I decided to move my camera towards that direction and started to take some pictures. I'm a little bit mad because my position is bad and the electricity line is blocking my view, so the pictures I got is not very good. The show was lasted for about 15-20 minutes.

Des Moines Fireworks Show






The second one was held in West Des Moines area (Raccoon River Park). I think this fireworks show is better because there is a lake in the Raccoon river park that reflect the fireworks to the water. I met one guy (Called Josh) who also had a hobby in photography and he do this for almost 10 years now. We chat a little bit and he taught me a technique that I never try before. His trick is very useful because it helps me got some decent (can I say the best fireworks shoot that I ever took?) pictures of the fireworks. Again, thanks Josh for your technique. The fireworks was lasted about 20 minutes.

West Des Moines Fireworks Extravaganza








Again, for more pictures just visit my 4th of July picture set here
More 4th of July Fireworks Here

Chicago!!!

Hi All,

After the last post about my first baseball game, I'm actually going for a short trip to Chicago the next day with my sister and her friends. At first this trip was actually took place because me and my sister wanted to extend our almost expired passport in the Indonesia Embassy in Chicago, because this embassy will only serve all Indonesia people living in Midwestern (in my case Iowa). But it turned out to be a great short trip to Chicago.

We was renting a car for this trip. And this car is really a bad car I guess. Half way the car give a warning that said we need to change the oil (wait did I say something about renting a car? I assume the renter company will check the car first before rent it out right? But I guess this is our fault then, We also didn't check it before decided to take this car (I'm not in the scene though :-) ))

But Luckily we are in Davenport, Iowa, which is quite a big city, and we call the company and they ask us to take it to repair it for free. After about 1/2 hour we are set to continue our journey to Chicago.

We Arrived there around 5 pm, and we park our car around Midway airport and after that took the free shuttle to midway airport to catch the metro to our hostel. Here, we bought 2 days visitor pass which we can use it unlimited for bus and train (only $9).

After we arrived at our hostel, I say to myself "Man, this is worst than I'm expected" the hostel didn't have A/C, and it hot in summer. But, I think it's ok because I only stay here for 2 nights.

So, we done with the check in and all the stuff, then we walked to the Lincoln park that lead to the Lake Michigan. Along the way, I can see some of the Chicago downtown skyline which is amazing. We also walked along the Lake Michigan trail that connect the north side of Chicago to the south side of Chicago.

Lincoln Park






At the Michigan Lake trail we met some of my sister friend's friend, and they ask us to go to Millennium Park because there was a Taste of Chicago going on there. So we decide to go there and we actually lost and we took taxi from Navy Pier to the park. I can say that this park is the best park ever, it has a very very cool looking sculpture that shape like jelly bean which called "Cloud Gate". The surface can reflect the Chicago skyline which make it look very beautiful.

Lake Michigan Trail View (Chicago Skyline)




Cloud Gate at Millennium Park


Besides the cool stuff here, there was also a bad part, they didn't notice that Taste of Chicago was closed at 10:00 pm, and we arrived at millennium park around 10:30. This really p*ssed me off a little bit, because we haven't had any food after the lunch (Headache, toothache, hungry and tired). So, me and my sister decided to eat at the restaurant just below the park. Then, after finishing our dinner(or supper?) we went back to our hostel. (I Also missed the fireworks show because I had dinner in the restaurant)

The next day (1st July, 2007) me and my sister was going to visit Chinatown and met my sister's friend at one restaurant around there. We stroll around Chinatown, its really a good place, it also had Chinese zodiac sculpture (There are 12 Zodiac sign) at the park inside Chinatown which is very neat.
And the food there is delicious, and a lot of variety to choose from compare to Iowa, which didn't have a lot of Chinese food around.

Chicago Chinatown


My Chinese Zodiac (Rat)


Finished with our lunch, then we went to Michigan avenue and walk along there to see what Chicago downtown look like. I think Chicago is similar to New York City but in this case is "Cleaner version of NYC." Here I decided to take the Architecture tour using the cruise that run along the Chicago river ($28) which last for 90 minutes. My sister then decided to walk around herself to do her shopping. This tour is worth the money, because you can know some of the story for each building from the old building to the modern skyscraper in Chicago (Sears Tower, Tribune Tower, NBC Tower, Civic opera building, etc)

Architecture Cruise Tour


Chicago Skyline




Then I headed to the John Hancock Tower, which has a sky deck that can give a clear view of Chicago downtown from the top of the building ($11++). After went up to this tower, I decided not going to the Sears Tower sky deck(highest building in Chicago), because I think the view will almost the same as this one, and more important is save money(Hehehe).

John Hancock Tower


View From the Top




On 2nd July, 2007 we basically only go to the Indonesia Embassy and doing our passport there, and we also do some shopping for a while around Michigan Avenue. And we headed back to Iowa. We also made a brief stop at the Iowa 80 truck stop which is the largest truck stop in the world. It has a dentist, restaurant, and gas station, etc.

Iowa 80




At the end of this trip, I think its a wonderful trip for me. And, I would like to thank you my sister's friend (Valentina), "You are a great driver" She drive the car all the time from Iowa to Chicago and back to Iowa. Also, my colleague (Prashant) who borrow me his GPS that help us a lot in this trip to find the right way to our destination.

Thank you for the time to read this post, and if you really enjoy it you can check more picture in my pictures gallery: More Here

From 30th June, 2007 to 2nd July, 2007

Iowa Cubs VS Oklahoma RedHawks Game

Hi All,

It's been almost 2 weeks after my last post here. I'm kind of busy the last 2 weeks. But, I'm actually went to one Iowa Cubs Friday night home game. Its a fun night to be there especially every Friday night they have after game fireworks show for everyone to enjoy. This is actually my first time watch the baseball game live and I'm not very familiar with all the rules about the game, but I expect my friend will help me understand most the rules for the game.

The game took place in Principal Park, Downtown Des Moines. Me and one of my colleague from work went together for this game. The game is actually OK, but sometime I'm getting bored, probably because the pitcher is not good, so there are a few ball was being but luckily there is a moment where Iowa cubs get the Home run.





Iowa lost to Oklahoma 11-3, because in one inning Oklahoma manage to score 9, and Iowa play very badly near the end of the game. Besides, between the inning there were a lot of small event,race and free gift which is cool because you can get hotdog, or T-Shirt.





After the game, the fireworks was set up just behind the score board, so the Iowa Capitol Building was the background of the fireworks which I think was kind of neat.



Finale:


Lastly, I would like to specifically say Thanks to my Colleague who give me free tickets to the game so that I can watch this game and took the pictures. Also, my colleague who help me with all the rules so I can understand the game very well.

The game was played on June 29th, 2007

Effigy Mound National Monument

Effigy Mound National Monument Panoramic
Originally uploaded by Sraddhaputra

This place is really awesome and beautiful. It has a long trail that walk you through different types of Mounds that built long time ago by American Indian Tribe that settle there during that time.

Forget about the mounds, you also have a lot of good spot/place to view the Great Mississippi River (One of them is Fire Point). So just check it out there if you get a chance or when you visit North Eastern and Eastern Iowa.

Fire Point:

I took this picture last weekend when me, my sister and her friends went for short road trip by driving along Great River Road (Mississippi River). Which we stay a night at Dubuque, Iowa. The next day we visit Galena, Illinois (Just 12-15 miles away from Dubuque, Iowa).

Galena Main Street, Illinois:

But I think the best time to visit this place is in Fall (around October) when all the leaves were red and yellow in color which make the view more dramatic feel in my opinion (not just flat green all around).

Besides, I just want to remind all of you when you really want to drive along this road, keep in mind that your car must be capable of hilly road, because when I drive there my car couldn't speed up and one time, I forgot to change to the slower road lane, and suddenly there is a police car behind me, and ask me to pull over. But luckily he is kind enough and just giving me citation instead of warning letter or even worst issue me a ticket. So, again I want to thank you to that policeman that keep my driving record clean without ticket.

Here the Map (Credit: Google Maps) :

Hi

Hi All

Welcome to my blog. This is my first time writing a blog. So, still need to learn a lot of stuff, here. But I will try my best to fill this space as often as I can. And expect more on my photography activity and some of my future summer trip in around August 2007.
In the mean time just go to my Flickr page here:

Sraddhaputra

Some photos from there:

Gray's Lake Pedestrian Bridge

Law Public Library inside Iowa Capitol Building

So check it out frequently here and my Flickr Page.

Anyway Good Night.

Take Care

Sraddhaputra