Hammam Bathhouse in Bukhara, Uzbekistan

I discovered what a Hammom/Hammam was when I tried my luck in searching for a massage place in Bukhara.

In Wikipedia's words...

A hammam (Arabic: حمّام, romanized: ḥammām), also often called a Turkish bath by Westerners, is a type of steam bath or a place of public bathing associated with the Islamic world. It is a prominent feature in the culture of the Muslim world and was inherited from the model of the Roman thermae. Muslim bathhouses or hammams were historically found across the Middle East, North Africa, al-Andalus (Islamic Iberia, i.e. Spain and Portugal), Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and in Southeastern Europe under Ottoman rule.

In a modern hammam visitors undress themselves, while retaining some sort of modesty garment or loincloth, and proceed into progressively hotter rooms, inducing perspiration. They are then usually washed by male or female staff (matching the gender of the visitor) with the use of soap and vigorous rubbing, before ending by washing themselves in warm water. Unlike in Roman or Greek baths, bathers usually wash themselves with running water instead of immersing themselves in standing water since this is a requirement of Islam, though immersion in a pool used to be customary in the hammams of some regions such as Iran. While hammams everywhere generally operate in fairly similar ways, there are some regional differences both in usage and architecture.

 

📍Bozori Kord Bathhouse

I just came from a gruelling 1.5 hours of meeting and I wanted to relax so I decided that today was the day I'll go try the hammam. Originally I wanted to try Bozori Kord Bathhouse. Male and female could enjoy this bath house. However I didn't push through here because they only had a male masseuse. I'm just not comfortable in having a male masseuse. The good thing, they referred me to a Female-only hammam 6 minutes walk away.

📍Hammomi Kunjak Mosque

Google pointed me to a small alley. I was a bit scared because there was almost no one at 7 PM but I trusted that Uzbekistan was a relatively safe country 😆

They don't speak English here. Well, maybe just enough to do their business with a foreigner. It was payment first (400 000 UZS) before you are lead to a locker and asked to go nude (even undergarments!)

(Photos from Google as I wasn't allowed to bring a phone inside)

The bathhouse was hot. It was comforting because it was 5 degrees outside. The service went this way:

1. Sauna - You sit in the room for awhile while the staff prepares. She came in nude like me also. 

2. Bathing - She exfoliates you twice and wash your hair. This is my favorite part!!! I just love exfoliating but to be honest, it takes too much time so having someone do this for me, I'm so happy about this.

I didn't get to wash my hair tho because I was wearing contacts. I didn't expect that a hair wash came with the service.

3. Massage - I have mixed feeling about this one. It's because the massage will happen in that table at the center. So imagine if there were other people (I was the only customer at that time). I felt like a maiden being offered like in the olden times 😅

Back to the massage... it was nice and it's a style I like. I loved the part that they use body wash as 'oil.' However, I'm not too sure about the slapping part. You see, in this massage they slap your whole body for awhile.

4. Body Mask - This is the last step! They lather your body with a turmeric-honey-ginger mask. I think it depends on your tolerance how long you want the paste to soak. It gets spicy the longer you soak. But it's refreshing once they wash it off and I kinda feel like my skin was glowing. Plus it's autumn now so I liked how it heated my body.

The price is steep and to be honest it's too much for the service but that's just how it is. I like to spend on experiences. This is definitely a unique experience and I'm happy I get to do it. 

My friend said they have the same thing in Morocco and Turkey. I will go there next year so I would love to try again. It would be nice if there's a lot of people in the bathhouse so I could see the 'culture' in these type of places.

CDrama Feels After Visiting Mainland China

The past days, I've been back to watching a few C-Drama episodes. The thing is, this time, the dramas felt more 'real.'

I've just been back from a 15-day trip to Mainland China and I feel like, being there, made the Chinese dramas I watch realistic. I think the places and circumstance were pretty much the same when I visited China. Minus, the romance part, of course since I traveled alone.

Here are some of my favorite photos of my time in China:

There was a point where I started tearing up in The Bund area - feeling the main character energy. This is like the ultimate backdrop of either Cdrama couples dating or breaking up. I was hoping that I'd see some Cdrama shooting happening but I guess I was too early. Maybe they shoot in the wee hours when there's not a lot of people.

Of course I had to force my friend to ride the bike, eat crayfish with me, and get drunk. Very Cdrama scene if you ask me. Just missing the romance part. 

I visited my university before classes officially start. And I loved the vibe!!!

Losing My Grandmother's Language

"Abierto" — I read this word on a random restaurant's window while I was riding a tricycle to a cafe. For some reason, it was very very familiar to me. 

After thinking long and hard about why it was so familiar, I realized my lola used this word a lot. So when she died nobody in my household used this word anymore.

My grandmother grew up still studying Spanish in school so the way she spells and speaks still has a lot of Spanish influence. She used a lot of Spanish loanwords when she speaks like abri, abierto, tiempo, puerta, pensar, etc. I think most Hiligaynon in Iloilo still use these words on a daily basis.

However, since I grew up in Mindanao, my Ilonggo is different. My Ilonggo is a mix of English, Cebuano, and Tagalog. I don't integrate as much Spanish as my lola did.

Just as our family lost "Chinese," I think we will slowly lose this one too. The next generations in our family will probably even slowly lose Hiligaynon.

 

Kawah Putih: Nature's White Crater Wonder

Kawah Putih, also known as the White Crater, is a stunning volcanic crater located in the highlands of West Java, Indonesia. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region and attracts visitors with its unique white-colored lake and picturesque surroundings. 

Here are some key features and details about Kawah Putih: 

Be prepared to pay an extra 25,000 IDR / 125 PHP to access this dock in the middle of the crater.

Location

Kawah Putih is situated approximately 50 kilometers south of Bandung, the capital city of West Java. It is nestled within the broader region of Mount Patuha, which is part of the larger Bandung Basin. This dormant volcanic crater emerged from remnants of a volcanic eruption, with the last eruption occurring around the 10th century.

White Lake 

The main highlight of Kawah Putih is its lake, which boasts an otherworldly white color. The unique hue of the water is due to the high concentration of sulfur and other minerals present in the area. The color can vary, ranging from pale turquoise to milky white, depending on the temperature, sunlight, and volcanic activity. 

I arrived around 4 PM. There wasn't a lot of people.

Surreal Landscape

Prepare to be captivated by the breathtaking landscape surrounding Kawah Putih. Dense forests and rugged mountains embrace the crater, creating a dramatic backdrop. The combination of the white lake, the surrounding cliffs, and the mist that often blankets the area gives it an ethereal and mystical atmosphere. 

Visiting Kawah Putih

Tourists can explore Kawah Putih by taking a scenic drive up to the crater. There is a parking area at the entrance, from where visitors can continue on foot or take a shuttle bus down to the crater's edge. The walk down to the lake takes approximately 15 minutes. However, it's important to note that the sulfuric gases emitted from the crater can be quite strong, so visitors are usually advised to avoid spending too much time in close proximity to the lake. 

Facilities and Amenities 

At the crater's entrance, there are facilities such as parking lots, restrooms, food stalls, and souvenir shops. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views from the viewing platform or take a leisurely stroll around the crater's edge to appreciate the natural beauty of the area. There are also other activities available like horse riding and archery in the area.

Weather

The weather around Kawah Putih is typically cool due to its high elevation, with temperatures ranging from 8 to 22 degrees Celsius (46 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit). It's recommended to bring a jacket or light sweater when visiting to stay comfortable. 

View from Ciwidey to Kawah Putih

How to Get to Kawah Putih from Bandung:

To get to Kawah Putih from Bandung, you have a few transportation options. Here are the two most common methods: 

• By Car: 
• For flexibility and convenience, consider renting a car or hiring a private driver in Bandung. 
• Take the route via Soreang and Ciwidey, with the journey typically lasting 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic conditions. 
• Follow the directions and signs leading to Kawah Putih, and parking is available at the entrance.
• By Public Transportation: 
• From Bandung, head to Leuwi Panjang Bus Terminal (Cicaheum Terminal). Look for public minibusses (angkot) heading to Ciwidey. Angkot number 12 or 13 usually travel in that direction. Confirm the route with the driver or conductor before boarding. Fare costs 50,000 IDR / 250 PHP. 
• The angkot ride to Ciwidey takes approximately 2 hours, depending on traffic. 
• Upon reaching Ciwidey, hire an ojek (motorcycle taxi) or a local transportation service to reach Kawah Putih. It's advisable to negotiate the fare before starting the journey.
• By local transportation, you take a yellow angkot at Ciwidey terminal to Kawah Putih (15,000 IDR / 75 PHP). Make sure to ask a local for the fare price. I got ripped off on my way there; I paid 50,000 IDR / 250 PHP.  
  
• I wish public transportation to this place is more accessible. It's a bit too much to be honest to commute approximately 3 hours one way for this attraction. 

The entrance to Kawah Putih is hard to miss

Entrance Fees

Entrance fees for Indonesian and Foreigners differ by at least 2x. Better book at Klook the Kawah Putih Ticket + Shuttle Bus Ontang Anting unless you want to hike 10km. I booked only the ticket in Klook because I couldn't find in Ontang Anting (which is actually the foot of Kawah Putih) so I had to pay an extra 29,000 IDR / 145 PHP for the shuttle.

There are photographers loitering in the area so if you want better photos, you can hire them.

Kawah Putih offers a unique and captivating natural landscape, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and photographers. Its surreal beauty and tranquil ambiance create an unforgettable experience for those who venture to this enchanting volcanic crater in West Java, Indonesia.

Gap years & mid-30s

 

I've been traveling for 6 months now, and I have met so many interesting people along the way. I've noticed that the demographic of those who travel to far-flung places usually consists of European college students taking a gap year or people in their mid-30s who are seeking to find the missing piece in their lives. 

 I've always thought that by the mid-30s, you would generally be "stable." But I guess not. My experiences, talking with people, have taught me that maybe it's during this time in your life that there'll be a major upheaval. One day, they wake up and realize that they've had enough of work, they're unhappy with their family, or they're not happy where they live. So they leave behind everything that was considered "stable," and drift, traveling with no concrete plans of what to do or where to go until the next day. 

 It must be so scary to just leave one day with barely any concrete plans, but I also think it's a necessary process. And I hope that one day, if it happens to me or you, we'll allow ourselves to feel whatever comes up during the process, have the courage, and maintain the hope that we'll find what we're looking for.