Sledging Anyone?

Bagi orang yang hidup dan tinggal di daerah tropis, impian terbesar jika ke daerah sub-tropis adalah bermain salju, atau bahkan main ski meluncur di atas es. Whew...

Lokasi impian? Biasanya Eropa, mungkin Swiss akan muncul sebagai top-of-mind. Juga bisa di Amerika, Canada, China, atau Korea.

Tapi tahukan Anda kalau ski itu olah raga yang mahal? Pertama harus beli peralatan ski. Tanpa ini otomatis mati gaya. Harga papan ski 'mulai' dari \$100 itupun masih yang ecek-ecek. Ini bisa akali dengan rental bagi turis yang mau coba-coba.

Kostum juga harus diperhatikan supaya tidak mati beku atau kram kaki. Kacamata khusus untuk ski, baju dan celana, syal leher, dan beberapa printilan kecil, semua harus ada baru bisa bermain dengan nyaman.

Nah, berikutnya baru masalah lokasi. Kita harus membayar ski-pass yang harganya ratusan ribu rupiah untuk 1 hari. Ada lagi yang namanya ski-lift, yaitu membawa pemain kembali ke atas.. emang mau jalan kaki naik? hehehe. Ini juga bayar, bisa yang unlimited atau dijatah.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="580" caption="Awal untuk beginner ski, Grinderwald, Swiss"][

Biasa ski resort punya area untuk beginner, ini untuk orang yang baru coba-coba belajar main ski, atau buat turis yang mau mencoba. Slopenya tidak terlalu besar, bahkan cenderung datar. Di sini kita baru belajar untuk berdiri stabil, dan belajar meluncur pelan.

Riding Bicycle in Amsterdam

Netherland is bicycle heaven. Every city, any places, we can easily find someone is riding bicycle in his daily activity, from walk his dog, shopping, go to university or workplace.

So as a tourist, this activity should not be missed. It is fun and healthy, also cheap (if you own one). Rent a bike is also very convenient as many places, Amsterdam in particular, are offering bike rental. One day rent of bike is from 8-12 Euro. Deposit is required, either by placing your cash or by credit card. This is deposit to ensure that you will return the bike back to its workshop. Also paying insurance is optional (3 Euro) against theft.

One thing to note is the bike we rent usually is dutch classic, granny bike. It features one speed only with pedal break. It will take little time to get accustomed to operate this kind of bicycle. After paying rental fee and deposit, follow bike lock instruction shown by rental company staff. Then take your bike to the road. Most of roads in Amsterdam have special dedicated bicycle lane, so it is very safe as long as you follow traffic rule (bike usually is prioritized against cars).

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Hotel Review: Eurostars Gaudi Barcelona

Choosing hotel to stay in Barcelona is practically not a big problem. There are a lot of good hotels to choose at your preferred location.

Eurostars has many hotels in Spain, at many big cities like Madrid and Barcelona. This time, I am writing one of them, Eurostars Gaudi.

Located not far from Gaudi's masterpiece: La Sagrada Familia, Eurostars Gaudi offers great view to it. Choose a standard room, we'll get view to the in-progress church. Get an upgrade to junior suite, with a balcony, at the highest floor, the view will get better. The location is very convenience, at the corner of Consell de Cent street, just only 50 meter outside Monumental Metro station exit.