These past two weeks were stressing, to say the least. Temper flared, frustration increased, tears may or may not shed (hahaha), beer with the guys that last for three hours since it’s been too long since the last time we had our ‘meeting’, tons of emails back and forth on logistic, little things blew out of proportion. You know, the usual stress of mission session.
After changing schedule for the 237th times (lebay, I know), drama of no hotel and just got tickets literally at the same time I took taxi to the airport, we finally arrived safely in Makassar. I had to take connecting flights since the direct flight were sold out. So Jakarta – Sby – Mks it was. It was my first time flying in Boeing 747-400 ever, since there were 3 delayed flights to Surabaya that afternoon and there were about 400 passengers boarded that flight. I guess the 747 is the equivalent of “oper belakang”, in Metromini lingo. The airport was dirty and chaotic, Garuda’s system was probably down, porters have to haul luggage manually inside since the conveyor belts were not working. So much for international airport, eh, Jakarta?
The meeting went well, after so much panic phone calls about scheduling. The mayor received us in good spirit, the presentation went well, good feedback from them, we achieved what we came for. After followed by sumptuous lunch at Kepiting Surya, the best seafood restaurant in town. We were served black pepper crabs, fried shrimps (never seen them that size!), deep fried fish (don’t know what kind of fish) and sauteed broccoli-sea asparagus. Never had sea asparagus before, and it was tasty! Too bad I had to travel in a pack with the group so I didn’t have time to check out the mall 
I stayed at Singgasana, which was the only 3 (or 4?) stars hotel we can get. The group was split between Aryaduta and Singgasana, and we’re just glad to get a room since there were no rooms available at stars hotels! We almost got into budget inn but it looks unsavory so someone took things into his own hand and ask the concierge at Ritz to find us hotels in Makassar within the allowed budget (insert major drama here).
Well, from outside the Singgasana looks good. It is a good hotel for the price (we pay Rp. 495,000 for standard room) but the service is lacking. I asked for airport pickup but they keep asking if it is ‘confirmed’ that we will arrive at that time since they don’t have their own cars and need to rent from outside to do airport pickup. C’mon now…. 3 stars hotel? Then the front desk gave me a room which was already occupied. Imagined my confusion, that after two trips to the front desk to reset the key card, I found a man answering the door to the room I supposed to stay in. We got a good laugh after that with my team – they joked that the guy must said that he didn’t order any massage service :p They were out of non-smoking room so I got a smoking one.
The room itself was OK. Standard, with two single beds (no complain here). TV has more blurry channels than clear ones, well, I was too tired to watch TV anyways. They supposed to provide free wi-fi but I couldn’t get any decent signal in my room.
But the bathroom… oh…. bathtub cracked and dirty. The shower head lost its middle part (don’t know how to explain this) so water just sprouted like from a hose. When I turned the water on, it came both from the faucet and shower.
Definitely need to book hotel a week in advance in Makassar so I don’t have to stay in hotels like this anymore. On the other hand, my 2 other colleagues said that their room were OK. Maybe I’m just unlucky this time?
Physically, and mentally tired, I enjoyed quiet time at the airport before boarding. But what’s the deal with the chairs at the waiting room – some of them are moldy! Ewww…. My flight back was horrible. I sat in front of a kicking and screaming baby who cried for 1.5 hours, puked, and then cry some more. Couldn’t move anywhere else – the flight was full.
I may sound like the biggest whiner in the world, but this particular trip was mentally taxing. I’m thankful that it was also a successful mission for all of us.
One Fine Day 