First Impressions about The Netherlands

The first three days I still can feel the authenticity of the Dutch, and memorize the roads that I went through. But there are some things that definitely stuck in my heart and mind because it is different from my everyday life in Indonesia. For example the following things:

Body size

Do not think all the Dutch people as big as a pot-bellied yes, (to my knowledge Bagong Petruk in the series was short and fat). Not really, just like we people of Indonesia. In the Netherlands there is also a small, short, pufferfish, tall, skinny, singset, etc.. Additionally; some Dutch people there are big high. High 180meter's, big 100kilo's. And I was not too small to feel insecure. After all the warm clothes can dipasin futures in law to me.

Colloquial

Everyday language in the Netherlands is Dutch. But wherever I go, I communicate with English and my communication with anyone smoothly. That is, almost everyone who encountered could speak English. except the really old, who first made the national language sekolahannya doang. School is now in the Netherlands almost all international standards. English-language books and English-language exams, so all students are required to clever English.

Everyday language including Leeuwarden in Friesland is the Dutch language as well. Know the brand sweetened condensed milk Flag Frysian right? Frysian its existing flag? nah it from the Friesland region. Friesland cows are well known you know, there are characteristics of black complexion between his white skin. His language is also different, (not the language of his cows). There are some areas still use Frysian language. Some there are who insist on maintaining the language and lower the same children and grandchildren. Especially my future in law, male. Inside Geart family, the father still uses Frysian language as the language of everyday life, whereas the mommy to use the Dutch language to their children. (Hehehe. .. maap, later I want ajarin Padang same language my child, not Frysian: P than he is confused.)

Discipline

In my opinion, the Dutch with a disciplined lifestyle, many of which have become lazy nature. There may be ... but still must be disciplined. disciplined about hygiene, taxes, solideritas, etc.. For example, discipline problems of cleanliness, if not litter fined, fined careless smoking, take it on loud car does not fit the rules was also fined. Another example, electricity, if not disciplined in the use of electricity could go bankrupt. uh, not quite hell broke-broke ... but do not free electricity, he said quite expensive. In the Netherlands, electricity hardly ever goes out. if the lights off, the government must compensate big-gedeanan to every consumer of electricity, both homes and companies. So even if a power failure, usually only once every few years. Different yes ... the same I **** tettt a subscription electricity outages.

Honest

I think honest people equally. after all the evidence, many things are worrying in Indonesia to be nothing to worry about in the Netherlands. For example, parking cars on the streets all night. Since all the streets in front of the house and provided ample parking at the curb, then everyone in the park there. No one was afraid his car stolen while transparent glass and stuff lying in the car. Another example, if we are shopping in the adjoining supermarket, continued to run out shopping at the supermarket next door which does not use bags, shopping bags can we put back in the Trolly and brought into the supermarket next door. Later at checkout to live whichever is from the supermarket A or B, and would not be suspected if the goods are taken not going to get paid.

Chatterbox

One surprise, apparently the Dutch were fond of chatting. The proof loads of cafes and restaurants, both indoors and outdoors. The majority of its open air cafes, and the number buaanyak really. It turned out that the Dutch like to get together, get together and hang out longer at the cafe. There are some bar hangout, but not so in love.

Depan rumah camer, 3 lantai papan kayu semua. Kalau semua semen bisa kedinginan di musim dingin. semen menyerap dingin. Di Belanda standar semua rumah adalah papan kayu.

Depan rumah camer, 3 lantai papan kayu semua. Kalau semua semen bisa kedinginan di musim dingin. semen menyerap dingin. Di Belanda standar semua rumah adalah papan kayu.

Rumah yang lebih murah berjenis flat/ apartemen beberapa lantai. Bisa di sewa per lantai bayar tahunan. Rumah yang mahal letaknya di komplek perumahan, dan biasanya di bangun beberapa tingkat. Kalau apartemen yang punya taman belakang lebih mahal lagi.

On the way to Netherlands

Airline ticket of my choice is the Emirates, majoring from Jakarta - Dubai, Dubai - Amsterdam. Departure which I select from four options is set out as slowly as possible from Jakarta and reach until noon in the Netherlands. And vice versa for a return ticket to Indonesia, I select the departure day from Schipol and arrive at Soekarno Hatta also during the day.

Since I live in Padang, thereby ticket that I bought have a good timing from Padang to Jakarta. I take into account the long wait in case of delay of Padang. It's possible I missed my flight from Jakarta to the Netherlands. So, with a heavy heart, I left as soon as possible from Padang, and are willing to wait six hours rather than bear the risk of flight from Padang to delay for hours.

Padang to Jakarta (Lion Air)

Thank God my journey is not impaired. Travel smoothly and the aircraft on time. My luggage was safe. I arrived in Jakarta at 03.00 pm.Then I had to go to the international departure terminal which is a short distance from the arrival terminal Lion Aircraft. To get there, I ride a bus free airport bus. Since Lion Air only allows 20 kg of luggage, so I am not greedy to have very big baggage. Moreover, if I was left, let me not loose any so i only bring one suitcase, the rest is handbag.

Departure process at the International Airport

My departure schedule for the majors of Jakarta Dubai is at 03.00 AM. Imagine how long I have to meditate alone starting from 4pm. While sitting in the lobby of the airport, I had a conversation with people around who sat near by me for asking how long the immigration process is, I worried a bit complicated, because I mostly read the information from google, so worried about it eventually. Three hours before the scheduled departure, check-in counter was open. When I go in and queued, there is little remorse; why did i do a long time staring out, and when I was on-time in front of check-in counter there are dozens of people queued in front of me. Stupid me ... it turns out these people are already queuing up before the check-in counter was opened. Then i have to stand up to an hour.

In this counter, according to Indonesian regulations, I pay airport tax for Rp. 150.000, -. The process is not that long, I just enter the baggage, show the passport and being given a Arrival and Departure Card to be filled prior to the Immigration.

Next ..

I went to the immigration counter. I thought immigration was a room where the is interview before we get into the check-in. It turned out that only an immigration officer who sits at his desk each, and serves one line of each queue. There is a special queue for Indonesia Passport and a queue for Foreign Passport. Arrival and departure cards that have been completed earlier handed over to Immigration, then being stamped and the 'arrival' side was handed back to me. Arrival Card must be kept and handed over to immigration again when I return to Indonesia. Apparently all the documents that I brought (invitation letter, insurance, guarantor declaration, and so on) are not required at all here. I easily slip by. Well ... I think, to know so I do not need double carry additional documents.

Next ...

Having escaped from the immigration, I can go to the boarding gate and ready to wait there. Because the time is still long, I spent my time to look up some souvenirs. OMG ... its expensive. Just look up at the three stores had already made me headache. Want to buy batik handwriting sandals almost a hundred thousand, forget it ...

Before entering the boarding gate, there is cabin baggage inspection. The trick is simple, just scan through the usual stuff. But apparently the rules are more stringent. We are not allowed to carry goods a kind of liquid over 100 ml. I had been carrying a soft drink and forget to drink, finally I should drink on the spot. The drink is from my sister in law who give me snacks and drinks for the trip. Unfortunately I forgot to drink it. While drinking in front of the officer, I saw many piles of other fluids bottles. There are shampoos, Handbody lotions and shower gels. Hehehe, too bad... already tired of buying and carrying heavy-weight, they don’t know they shouldn’t be brought to the plane.


Jakarta to Dubai (Emirates)

I'm excited, you know. This is my first time to go abroad and also with the famous Emirates plane. Being excited is not because of fear of being among the people or the communication language. I am worried my cold allergy recurrence, especially given the long journey of about seven hours. Fortunately, the service is great at Emirates. When entering the plane, the fear feeling was relief, the blanket is already available on the seat, and TV monitor was already on sight. Within 1 hour bakfast has been served, lunch after a few hours to come.Every hour ditawarin drink (tea, coffee, various juices, beer, cola, and even wine are also served free of charge). All Emirates satisfactory and kosher menus. Unlike the menu on the internet.When buying airline tickets ordered select the menu, next thing I knew on the plane can not choose. Either two, fish or chicken, chicken or meat, meat or fish, etc.. Anyway guaranteed Halal.

Dubai International Airport

In Dubai, I was in transit for three hours. It was the perfect time. Perfect calculation for the aircraft down, perfect time to see souvenir shops, perfect for the toilet, and perfect for a short break and also for check-in. Dubai Airport is big, i should walk far enough. Immigration process is also briefly. In order I was only transit, so I did not need a visa on arrival. I went straight to the boarding gate with boarding pass that has been given since from Jakarta. To Pass the boarding gate was also easy, just showing your passport. Previously, handbag was also scanned at the gateway of terminal for Emirates aircraft.

Dubai to Amsterdam (Emirates)

This time I'm not excited anymore, because i have experience the pleasure of flying with Emirates. On the first flight at night, I spent much time for sleeping and resting. Since I left at night and it was Indonesian sleeping time. Despite being fed, I'm still sleepy afterwards. In the second flight, my schedule was a morning to afternoon. It is definitely not sleepy and it's time to take the advantage of available facilities. I watch the latest movies for free on the monitors, from Bolywood, Hollywood, Arabian, Chinese, Comedy, TV series, playing games, etc..

Amsterdam Schipol International Airport

Thanks God, I arrived safely in Holland. I did not loose any, and also in a good health. I was Having dizziness and nausea because eventually waiting at Jakarta airport, but were saved by the intake of food on the plane. Arriving at Schipol, I took the baggage and none lost. But before going into the baggage claim, I had to go through the Dutch immigration which was also only a high table with two officers. This is where I was rather excited, being asked for how much money I have. Well ... i wanted to answer but i get confused, if I say i just have ittle, I was afraid will be complicated, if I say many, i was afraid being disputed. But apparently not as complicated i though, just asking how much money i preapre for holiday, how many credit card limits, etc.. They also asked for documentary evidence.Finally, the documents I had brought was worth too.

Next

Its not finished yet, before heading out into the lobby of the airport, there were checks again. My bag was unpacked at the officer to check out if I bring expensive items adn need duty fee. Because the officers were young and handsome, I finally made a joke, I offered him a souvenir from Padang. Then he said: "thank you, I am not allowed to receive and take any of the passengers stuff". Good....

Bandara Internasional Jakarta

Bandara Internasional Dubai

 

Bandara Intl Dubai

Bandara Internasional Amsterdam

Submission of Visa to the Netherlands

Under the plan the departure in July 2011, and view the procedures of visa at the embassy of the Netherlands with a variety of conditions, so I decided on the visa process started three months before the departure date, namely May 2011.

May 2011: Preparation of documents

Appropriate visa requirements are listed on his website, then the things that I prepare is as follows: • Ask for future future in law making English the invitation letter explaining the reason he invited the contents, basic Geart and my relationship with my relationship with the future future in law as Invitor.
• Ask for the warranty statement that the future future in law to ensure people are invited and mention will be responsible for my existence in the Netherlands. Letter of guarantee is already available in the format of official letters in the local government.
• Require insurance sketch with dependents during the period of my existence in the Netherlands. The insurance covers life and health insurance, can be plus-plus. The original insurance policy must not be made because my travel schedule has not been ascertained.
• Ask for a salary certificate and print a savings account future future in law as a guarantor.

All the above original documents sent from the Netherlands and the documents I have received in late May 2011. Meanwhile, I prepare a document that is:
• Passport
• passport photo with a gray background; only need 2 pieces.
• Print out a savings account.
• The certificate of my job, because I am self-employed are equipped with a Business License. Since I do not have a Business License, Business License wear my father. Because my father would have to use the same ditambahin KK (family card).
• Proof of confirmed airline ticket. I might not be able to print tickets before paid, I finally wrote a screen print buking's tickets on the internet, do not pay as well but ... important right intentions. Hehehe

After all the above documents completed, time to apply for visas to Jakarta. For that, an appointment must be made in advance.Making an appointment made through a special website of the Dutch Embassy. Making this promise was not playing hard. The trick's easy, but each would take a day to my schedule, the calendar is already full of appointments. Finally I had to wait at 12.00 the night of the turn of the day to get ahead of other candidates who want to make an appointment. (Read! I promise not to tell this trick to anyone)

June 2011: obligations facing

In the visa application, there are terms that should not be facing liabilities represented. Terms facing compulsory means show my face and apply themselves to the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta. I made a promise in the early weeks of June so I can get immediate certainty of visas and immediately order tickets before July. Since I do not want the uncertainty during the manufacturing process the visa, I finally settled in Jakarta for twenty days. I went to Jakarta for three days before the date of the visa agreement, then apply for visas on Monday.

Obligations facing this sounds daunting. As if it would happen a great interview from the Dutch consulate to the candidat. But ultimately it is something mediocre. I arrived with a paper print schedule an appointment - in line - insert the document - the interview, putting the document - to pay the administration - to wait in the waiting room - called again with a sheet of paper containing the schedule of the visa decision. And Done!

Excited initially had wanted interviews. It turns out the things in question only trivial problems, such as how I met Geart, how long courtship, why their parents who invited, what I do, and so on. Even then, standing in front of the counter where to enter the visa documents.

After fifteen days of waiting schedule a visa, I finally picked up my own passport. Actually this can be represented, but I do not want to risk the possibility of missing the trip that I took nitip use a power of attorney. What could be more aware of how important this is for me other than my own? no way. Visa decision is not too old, not quite 30 minutes.

order tickets and take arrange the original insurance

Because the insurance is valid from the date of departure until a definite return date, then the main thing I arrange of after the visa in hand is a arranging two ways ticket. Airways ticket required two ways, if not, could be trouble in immigration. since ticket is paid and the date of departure and return that would have been there, then the insurance taken care of. Handling insurance is only one day work, and after obtaining an insurance policy, Geart directly print and send by email (scan). I just have to print here, so it's printing like the original, not a copy, which is important is a requirement of visa already finished.

and then ... time to fly!


sample of invitation letter