Bali ~ must go places

I went to Bali last year, it was just a spa gateway, not visit many places. I'm going to list down the places that I should visit next time.

According to my friend, here is some list from her ;-

1. Babi Guling @ Ibu Oka; Jln Tegal Sari, NO. 2 Ubud (opp Ubud Palace), price around US $ 4 good for lunch. Open @ 11am. 
2. Jimbaran Seafood - Singaporean suggest Pandan Sari, Segaran Cafe. Local suggest Melasti Restaurant, Ganesha Restaurant, Blue Marlyn (with Bali dance) * keep away from ones near Four Seasons.

During my trip, I stayed at Ranadi Villa, the villa is really nice... very quiet... it might little pricey but is worth for a relax trip. The room is with garden and private pool, shower are is outdoor..of cause with roof top so you able to shower even if rainy. kitchen at the garden, it was really relax ... studying, reading... swimming.. we did not do the spa in the resort ... we choose another places, which they will pick and drop us at any where that we want..

resort lobby

bathroom... with big tub

outdoor shower room... 

private pool, is small but not too bad

garden and kitchen

But this villa is bit inside, I am not suggest to walk back to the villa, better take cab. Although it is not far. When you choose the cab, please use blue bird. 

All the food was covered nicely. This is good.. ... ..

simple breakfast, that's good enough....

You may choose to have the meal serve in the room. Of cause is nice be in the room, enjoy your food while watching tv, chatting.. so nice~

This their building from outside.

For spa, we went to Murano, their package is cheap and service is quite good. For that price with the service I could say is quite good enough, If you expecting more, maybe here is not your option. I personally like the places here, except for during shoulder and foot massages was doing in a "hall" where also for hair wash & massage. Open area. 

Full body spa in the room was good. I was very relax and enjoy. 

5D 4N trip to Bandung and Jakarta

Firstly I would like to thanks my dear Friend, Anita. Because of her, I would be able to make to this trip. Never think of travel to Indonesia.. is not in my travel list. Well, is my dear friend wedding, I am really so happy for her and this will be a good experience as well to spend some of my time traveling to Indonesia during the trip. I was so so happy can witness this...


Next, I would like to thanks Cannie, for arrange the trip to bandung and in Jakarta, she might not the perfect 'tour guide' but she definitely the best travel accompanies, she gave us laugh during the trip. Her blur blur way of arrangement gave us another special traveling experience. In general the trip was fun. Also thanks Ana, Suggis, Thomas & chris. Make this trip a wonderful trip.


Also thanks to Aris, accompanied me during this trip, therefore im not alone again ... but she gave me a heart attacked.... she lost her booking itinerary, so we thought that she might didn't successfully booked her ticket.... lucky it was just a shocked... we still able to travel together.


4 November 2010, Thursday, 0830
Took bus from home to airport. 25 minutes reached airport Terminal 3, transfered sky train to terminal 1.


We were Boarding to the flight 0950. An hour flight journey reached to Jakarta @ 1150.

Exit Gate 2D (Pintu 2D), you will see A&W restaurant, turn right to the Cipaganti bus counter. We purchased the 27 seater bus ticket @ RP 75,000. @ 1200 to Bandung alight at Pasteur Giant. We were quite rushing as we want to save the traveling time, so we bought the A&W set and had it in the bus. 4 hours bus journey to reach the destination. The bus provided us the mineral water, quite friendly staff. Before boarding on bus, 2 set A&W meal cost only Rp 84,000.

1600, reach to Giant Pasteur. took the taxi to hotel D'Batoe. The driver charge us at RP 50,000. (At the same night, we took cab from the same price back to hotel is only Rp 30,000, because we have some indonesian friend with us. So be smart, negotiate more.. ) We found the price is reasonable to without much negotiate we took the cab.

20 minutes later, we reached. Had some problems with the staff, as my friend was not around, the staff barely understand english, I spoke with him in Malay due to different slang and vocab, we had hard time to communicate, however, the staff were friendly and we had pleasant stay still. The room cost me about Rp 624,600. 


The room is nice... but terrible internet speed.. wasn't moving at all... I was unable to check my email, sighed, my company need me... well what to do.. take my rest since i can't do anything ... hopefully the next hotel will have better internet access.


well well well ... so we just rest... shower and enjoy our time.. 


either time was passing fast or because the traveling make us hungry.


Around 6pm, we were looking for dinner... and you know what.. terrible things happened... similar in Vietnam...


The traffic was terrify... you got to be daring to cross the road, catch the right timing to cross, zebra crossing doesn't work there... and if you gonna wait till lesser car... i believe you might take 30mins to cross the street... 


Tips: catch in right timing, look for low car speed driver... once you cross just continue to walk, do not hesitate.. as the driver will look after you.. 

We had our dinner at Po ka Tiam, the restaurant just nearby the hotel. It is a chinese restaurant. Price moderate, food moderate. Ambience very nice. Simple decor. Very comfy. We spent Rp 80,630 for two of us. After dinner, we bought some mineral water for the next day. The mineral water here was selling cheap. 1.5 litre was selling at Rp 3,100 only. We bought 2 bottles of water & oreo total cost is Rp 18,800.

We were really tired, after dinner back to hotel for rest. Almost to sleep, we got a call from Cannie. She brought us to KTV!! haha... this was really a fun time.. so many KTV kings & queen.. KTV here also quite cheap each of us paid only Rp 29,000. 

5 November 2010, Friday

Anita had arranged us the van with driver from white horse, so he will drive us to any place that we want. The cost for the van 2 days is only Rp 1,105,000 is good for 8 person sharing. The van is comfortable with reasonable price. 

Breakfast at hotel. We were too early, the chef and the staff were busy to prepare the food for us..  I was very happy with their services. 

Check out the hotel, moved all our luggage to the van. Here we start our journey, exploring Bandung. 

We went to Gunung Tangkuban Perahu. There are still active volcano at this area. 

None of us expected of this trip. None of us do any homework about this place. So... we were so cool... its height 1830m from sea level... strong wind... and most of us were wearing sandal... this was really a memorable trip ... we make it.. hiking with sandal... -.-'''

The mountain was managed by private organization, they hired security staff to ensure the safe for the tourist. When we enter to the zone he will be with us along the trip to ensure we are safe. He works from 7am - 5pm. Every time before he knock off, he has to ensure that no one was leave behind. 

The more inner zone - kawal Upas will be close around 4pm, or when is bad weather. This area is very close to Kawal baru which the valcano still active, so this entire will close if there is a warning of the bombing of kawal baru. 


According to him, many wedding couple would like to take photo here. He story us quite a lot of story. 


There were tourist been here for hiking alone, and he was lost. The rescue team spent about 9 hours to find him. 


One more case, a tourist who was too focus to take photo and he slipped but he was lucky that he didn't fall down to the cliff, and the rescue team able to save him. 


Seriously, I was quite scared when we were taking photo at certain places... But you can't deny the beautiful scene over here. Definitely worth trip even tracking with sandal... hahaha

After the hard time, we spoilt ourself with some 'high tea'.. hehe.. this my first time.. here in Bandung, they grilled the corn and eat with chilies sauce.. amazingly taste nice.. bit weird.. but really yummy.

Not only that, I was very curious about a drink called Bandrek, so i tasted it, very nice and it cured my running nose.. taste sweet with some ginger flavor, added some coconut slides inside. I felt my body so warm after I drink it... I miss it now~

Another yummy food which I would say must eat when you were there. Is hot and I am sure is nice to eat with the cold weather. --->Tahu Goreng. It's crunchy outside and very soft & tender inside, juicy... I bought 1pc for try and in the end I bought 10pcs.. me and my friend were regretted after that... we should have buy more... is so so yummy~


If you love chili, eat with chills padi. It give another flavor for the tauhu. The tauhu is selling in plain one or with filling. Both of them thumb up!


Leaving here, we went to hot spring. This was not the hot spring that I imaged of, this is more like a hot spring swimming pool. We need to pay entrance fee to the hot spring and the fee for using the pool. Total per pax is Rp 50,000. 


Not many people here, quite okay for such price, of cause don't put too much expectation. 

While on our back to Bandung town, along the way, I realized that the houses in Bandung are not organize. No idea how the air circulation and I think they can hear each other quite clear.. maybe? maybe not?


After I think about 1 hour journey, we backed in town and we had our lunch+dinner at Bumbu  Desa. Authentic Sudanese cuisine. When I saw the flies, I was thinking to change the place, but was too hungry.. so closed my eyes... see no evil... well... nothing happened to me after the meal. 


This restaurant is really nice. Yummy food, although many flies.. but they re-heated it before served to us. This can kill most of the germs. So it save for consume. haha


Also realized another things here... the chicken here is so skinny... I mean in Indonesia.. compare to other places.. the chicken here a lot healthier.. hardly find any fat on them....


We enjoyed our meal here. So full. I had 2 bowl of rice. Long time I didn't eat with hand.. so yummy~ mama mia~


Next we went to Prima Rasa, while waiting our bus, we relax ourself there. What I saw here was really impress... a bakery shop... most people here shop with basket.. full of basket.. 3 cashier counter... long Q.. I was really curious. So I bought some too. According to a friend, this bakery shop was famous with their brownie cake. Their signature cake here~ This shop is only available in Bandung. 


Time getting closer... we took a cab went to some where nearby our bus area. We walked around the shopping mall. 


When time get closer.. we realized that we were rushing out of time. Hurry take our luggage and run... really run under the rain... 


We run all the way to the bus counter and unfortunately we were in the wrong outlet. There were some miscommunication. Too bad, so we took the shuttle and wait 1 hour at the other outlet. 


We reach Jakarta around 12 midnight and worse part was... we about to reach... there were a road block.. we were so tired.. and the police were checking on us slowly~ 


Finally when we reached to the hotel Harris .... shower.. get into bed.. extremely tiring day. 

6 November 2010, Saturday

After a tiring day, we were slept till quite late... we had our breakfast at a small cafe. Very home style .... bit dirty but we just wanna to grab some for breakfast. Wow, the food here yummy and was so cheap. I had some noodle with omelet and tauhu at only Rp13,000. 

Backed to hotel, while waiting for Cannie. Suggis went to salon for hair cut. I went to gym and Aris rest at room.

Gym machines well maintained. I went to swim also. The staff was friendly. He suggest the interesting place for me, showed me how to use the machines too.

Nice stay here~

Around 12noon, with Cannie we took a cab to Plaza Indonesia which like the ION Orchard. Huge mall with most of the luxury brand selling here. 

Coincidently, there was a Jakarta Culinary Festive here, while waiting for the slot we went inside and have some food tasting... yummy and fun. 


We had very delicious penyet. I ordered the beef meet penyet. The meat very soft and the belacan is hot too... wow love the dishes... 

After the sumptuous meal, we went to Monas. The National Monument, unfortunately we were too late. The operation hour is from 8am - 3pm daily. 


So if you were visit to Jakarta please arrange during morning time. At night shopping & dining will be good. Some spa session will be great also. 


We spent a little time there, took some nice photos and we decided to go for massage at Marthatilaar. Each of us pick the message session. We spent about 3-4 hours there. This my first time doing spa. I was a bit awkward when naked myself in front of the massager. It was very nice experience. My body smoother after the spa... hehe so happy~ It was very relaxing.. I fall slept during the spa... hehe

Finished spa, here dinner time again..... we took cab and alight at some where nearby our hotel. 


We walk along the street and enter to the shop that we think is nice... Each shop we order 1-2 dishes.. we shared and again we continue with other restaurant... this was crazy but fun... and the best way to taste all the different food in the shortest time. 

First we tried soto & satay. Soto was nice but I still prefer Malaysia one. The soto in Indonesia not that spicy. I love the one in Malaysia with spicy kicap. Satay also quite different with Malaysia & Singapore. The condiments has some mixture of different nuts... bit sweet but not too sweet. very unique taste.

Then we tried pemphek, something like the fish cake.. they have different type... some wrapped with egg, and some served with soup. Quite special too. 


After that, we saw a stall making murtakbak. They fried it with a lot of oil instead of grill. Well, maybe is yummy but dare not too try... high cholesterol. 


Lastly, we tried the char kueh Teow. Salt but just nice. I love the bean sprout, small and fresh and a lot... each bite with the bean sprout actually gave a fresh texture in my mouth.. yummy~ too bad my stomach was not good.. I was quite full so I just took few bite... 


After so much food that we put in our stomach... so we decided to walk back... well.. the terrible traffic here.. please beware when you cross the road. 


End of the day. Back to hotel. Rest for the next day. 




7 November 2010, Saturday
Finally, today the day why I was here. My friend, Anita's wedding. We woke up quite early, get ready ourself, make up... dress up.. be nice to attend the wedding. 


When we reached the ballroom, wow, the theme was so great and the set up was very nice. A photo booth with a picture of the couple which allow us to take photo that really the best memory capture session. 


Ballroom set up was grand. very nice.. i can't wait to see her... 


Finally, waiting time has passed... here the bride and her groom... in the ceremony. I am glad that I able to witness this. But this couple make all of us cried.. The most touching wedding that I ever attend. Love you dear, you are blessed. 


Followed by her dinner at night, we were helping her to be ushering the guest to the ballroom. It was fun. It was like a company annual dinner .. haha .. I enjoyed it very much... ~


The night end with a lot of joyful. Here I witness her from miss to mrs. And I know a lot of new friends. 




8 November 2010, Saturday
End of my trip, heading to airport back to Singapore. Wonderful trip however it was a short trip~

7D 6N Batam & Singapore Free & Easy

I have been living in Singapore for 7 years. Well, this is not my first time to travel around in Singapore. But this is my first time to travel with mum and sister. Again, I am the "tour guide" for them. It was so good to have such tourist. They were complaining that my itinerary was too pack. So, re-schedule, here our journey;


10 Dec 2010
1pm - Mum & sis reached changi airport, budget terminal. 


Around 2pm, reached home. Rest. 


Around 5pm, dinner at Ju Sing Jung @ East Coast. Yummy & authentic Korean BBQ. For those who love beef, should try. Price range per pax is about $30-$40.


Mummy loves this a lot, and sister too. Mum can finally eat her favorite meat especially beef. hehe... Sister first trial korean cuisine ands she loves that too. So happy~

After heavy dinner, we went for a walk, gossiping... time passing so fast... time home, bed time prepare for the next day, Batam Trip. 

11 Dec 2010

Saturday, usually I really don't like to go out on Saturday especially Orchard or Sentosa. 

Therefore, I brought them to Science Center, a place that fun, can gain knowledge and not that crowded too. 

here we are... science centre

to Omni-theatre

Watched Sea Rex @ Omni-theater.. with the hemisphere screen the movie was to real. 

Where is the body??

Time machine, fast forward to see how your look when old... 

Wanted??!!

At night, we went to Orchard, time to view the Christmas Decor at Orchard Road. Shop around dinner. Back home with Royce!! My favorite. hehe

 

12 Dec 2010

I booked the package for 3 of us from Travel Travel @ Plaza Singapura. The package was so cheap. I upgrade my room to ocean view. Plus surcharge for peak season due to school holiday. My package for 3 is only $358, include breakfast, lunch, dinner, land transfer, one  bus trip to nagoya town, 1 hr massage, 1 bowling game.

We woke up around 8am, reached Harbour Front around 10am. This was my first time to Batam, I had no idea of where is the counter for my ticket, so I need to be there earlier. 

It was quite easy to find the place, follow the address in my receipt, I was able to locate the counter and get our ferry ticket. 

While waiting for boarding, we had our breakfast at Hans. Great breakfast, maybe we all in the great mood. 

Finally, boarding to boat. woohoo... so excited..  it takes around 1 hour to reach batam and the time zone different by an hour too. 

Soon we reached and were fetched by the Harris staff with a mini bus. When we reached the hotel, we were quite surprise with the crowd. There were so many people. Hotel is a bit old too, but very friendly staff and great services. We were welcomed by the GM too. 

During the check-in time, although bit messy there because was too many people at the lobby. Some awaiting for check-in and some for check-out. 

However the staff still calm and friendly. He advised us to take the 10.30am bus to town on the next day and back to Singapore with 4.30pm ferry. So we spent the first night at Harris... ... spa, bowling, swimming, hot bath... hehe so excited. 

Once we reached to our room, OMG, we were so happy, the room so nice, huge room in japanese setting. 

The room was really nice, I love the room so much, can't wait to have a hot bath ... ...

hehe.. hungry, hungry... time for lunch... let's see what we have...

It was a set lunch. Too bad, I found that the cooking here not really nice compare to Bali & Jakarta. Taste is alright but not fantastic. 

After lunch, we went to re-confirm our massage session. 

While waiting, we went for a bowling & table tennis game. hehe... mum and me have no play bowling for a long time and sis were her first time. Well, well, well.... although I was not playing well.. but I was the champion... hehe .. well.. my competitor just too weak...

sis played not bad for her first time, result quite close to mum one. 

After bowling, me and sis had another table tennis... she claimed that she is very good in it... well... through out the game... we were laughing at each other more than play the game... 

Time passing fast, soon the time for massage... we happily and climbed three floor building to reach the place for massage... and .. you know what... I forgot to set the time ... the time zone is different by 1 hour!! So we have to go some where else to rest and back later. 

So, we went for a tea time at the korean/Japanese restaurant. We thought to order some finger food and who knows.. they served with a lot of side dishes.. taste average.. not really yummy but we still finished it as mummy said don't waste food... OMG we were so full... 

Time up, we went for our massage session.... hahha so embarrassing.. we were naked.. well it should not be that embarrassed because we are mother and daughter.. 

1-hour session were passing so fast.... it was so relax... felt good.. after massage the best thing will be the hot bath... steam ourself in the hot hot water... it was really a great time.. we chat.. it was so windy... 

then after, we shower, dinner... end of the day.

13 Dec 2010

Though to board on bus @ 10.30am.. too bad the bus was full. I should booked it earlier. So we took the next bus at 11.30am. It took about 30mins to reach the nagoya town. We shopped in the shopping mall there. 

The shopping mall quite big, but not many people shop around maybe is weekday. Not all items there cheap, and you have to be smart, compare and bargain to get a really good deals. 

We had our lunch at one of the restaurant, it look nice but.. i found that the taste bit too salty for me. Beef bit overcook...

Back to hotel with cab, as we have to go back before 3pm. Spent Rp 120.000 for the cab. 

We reached hotel about 2.30pm, we went for the 30mins foot massage session... seriously I knew is too rush... but was thinking to have the massage before go back...

We finish our massage and rush to the counter... it was about 4pm... and the staff there were so good, they drive us there and rush for us. The reason I dare to do this last minute thing is ... the hotel is really so close to the ferry terminal.. it took only 3-5mins to reach. 

We were able to rush on time.. but guess what.. there are people more late than us...

Reach to Singapore nearly 7pm, we were quite happy but tiring.. we bought some fruits and food back home. Light dinner and rest. 

14 Dec 2010

Finally, Singapore Universal Studio. My second time here. I was unable to book the ticket online. I think was peak period. Lucky I was able to get the ticket from my friend who works in agent and get in cheaper price too. Cheaper a bit better than nothing. 

We took the monorail to there, quite many people too. I was quite worried .. if too many people the Q will be too long.. huh huh~

Enter to the USS, redeemed our voucher which $5 meal and $5 gift voucher. 

Here we go, start our journey... fun and excitement. 

15 Dec 2010

I suppose to bring them to Sentosa. Who know, they complain that my itinerary was too packed. They wanna some rest!!

So morning, resting time at home. Watch DVD and home movie. I was planned maybe we can go out in the evening. Well, sometime planning may not perfect. It was raining.. almost the whole day. Is not a good day to go out. So we have really enough rest at home. 

Maybe we all were too full. So we had very light lunch and dinner. End of the day.

16 Dec 2010

Since we had enough rest on the day before. So today, we went to bugis. We were here to buy some mix nuts for mum's to bring home. 

There was promotion at OG too, we finally found some nice bag, bought it for mum and aunties. 

After that, we went to esplanade and merlion park. A place that must go when come to Singapore. 

Also today, they call me demon... make them walk for a long day... well.. travel has to walk right... they were just too pampered... hahaha

Mummy wanted to eat korean BBQ again, I brought her to the on at Esplanade Mall. This one wasn't that nice compare to East Coast, but not bad too. 

Mummy wanted to go home after this, well since it will be the last day in Singapore... so I brought them to Marina Square, do some shopping and we went for a movie.. we watched Tron Legacy in 3D. It was their first time watch 3D movie. Movie was nice but not much in 3D bit disappointed. 

End of the movie, we went home. End of the day~

17 Dec 2010

Woke up in the early morning. Mum and sis were in the morning flight @ 9.20am. 

Sent them to airport. also the end of our trips~

So happy also look forward for our next outing~ hehe