BALI TRIP: Overview Trip Day 2

We woke up at 7.15am then prepared ourselves for the hotel breakfast. We are get set and go! At 8.00am in the morning, we went down to our hotel to enjoy our hot buffet breakfast. There were very little choice of food to choose from and the food meanwhile were not too dissapointed as well. We have to start out journey at 8.45am on Wednesday morning and of course after our quick breakfast which is about 8.30am, we manage to spend some time taking photos on the hotel compound.

Our tour guide Gusti arrived on time and very punctual as well. Our first destination to visit is the Batubulan Village : Barong and Kris Dance. Then we continue to visit more villages such as Tohpati Village : Bali batik painting processing, Celuk Village : gold and silver smith, Batuan Village : Bali traditional painting of arts & Mas Village : talent wood carver. After our village tour which is pretty boring, we have our early lunch about 12 noon. We have decided to have lunch at I Made Joni Restaurant in Ubud to try out the crispy duck. Then we continue our journey to the Tirta Empul Temple and then head straight up to the Mount Batur in Kintamani to catch the glimpse of the beautiful mount with still has active volcano. Then we continue our journey to the Tegalalang Village whereby we can see beautiful rice terrace skipping the Kayuamba Village where coffee processing is being shown because we are running out of time. Then we travel back to Kuta where my tour guide dropped both of us at Kuta Square for shopping before we took a teksi back to the hotel.

END OF DAY 2

BALI TRIP: Day 1 Places Of Interest

Itinerary Day 1:

Dreamland Beach : The beach with beautiful scenery.
Uluwatu Temple : Cliff temple in south of Bali with nice sunset panorama.

Kecak dance : Kecak & fire dance backgrounded by sunset view
Jimbaran Bay : Seafront Seafood restaurant to enjoy the fresh grilled seafood dinner

After we reach the hotel, we begin our journey to a half day tour to visit some places of interest in Bali. We begin our journey to the Dreamland Beach which is situated in South of Bali. The place is some sort like a resort which is named KLAPA NEW KUTA BEACH. This is a new area because it's still under development but this beach club already finished and it's ready for people to use it's facility. It was a nice place to go especially if you want to relax and swim over there because it's one of the most beautiful beaches in Bali. I was totally amazed with the beach and the sea which is super best in relaxing (please see pictures). Besides, the club also caters lots of facilities such as massage, private swimming pool etc. The entrance fees is IDR 15.000 per car.

After that we visited the Uluwatu Temple which is also situated on the south side of Bali. The entrance fees is IDR 6.000 per person. It was yet another amazing view of the Uluwatu temple, which is situated in front of the beautiful Indian Ocean. Unfortunately you can't enter the peak of the temple because it's restricted for prayers only but you visit from it's outside temple. BEWARE of monkeys there because there are almost everywhere and they will take away your things (eg. spectacles, food). Another thing that need to share with you when you enter the temple where you need to wear a ribbon because it's a sign of respect to their holy temple. We did not catch the Kecak Dance which is also presented there because it's pretty expensive (IDR 75.000 per person) so instead we went to Jimbaran to catch the glimpse of sunset.

Finally, we went to Jimbaran or Kedonganan Beach to catch a glimpse of sunset and in the same time to enjoy the beautiful view of beaches and the sea while enjoying the seafood. It was a totally new experience for me as I had never tried before. I was totally amazed by the scenes there and I vow to go back again if there's a chance. Catch the photos on my blog and for the FULL PHOTOS, please check my Facebook. Add me if you have not! :)

BALI TRIP: Day 1 Food Hunt

On Day 1, our driver Gusti Ngurah Jelantik had brought as to 2 places to enjoy our lunch and dinner respectively. For lunch, we had Indonesian @ Bali Food. I was enjoying my lunch after I arrived from the Ngurah Rai International Airport.

The place that we went to have our Indonesian Food is at Pawon Pasundan Restaurant at Kuta. We sat down and we've ordered Paket Kediri Ayam Baka (IDR 24.545) and Sate Ayam (IDR 15.000) as well as 2 glasses of water (see pictures). The price is not expensive though and the food was very delicious too. Kimmy said it's just nice but for ME, I would love it because of the taste. Maybe the difference is Kimmy seldom eat Malay food while for ME, I always eat it. If you are in Bali, you may come and try out this restaurant as the food is good. The bill came and the price is about IDR 39.150 (RM10.00) only. It's really value for money. MY RATING: 5/5 ; KIMMY RATING: 3/5

Address:

Jln Kediri

No.2 Tuban, Kuta, Bali

Telephone: (+62361) 755833

Then in the evening, Gusti brought us to Jimbaran Seafood where you can enjoy the beautiful view of the sunset beside the beaches there. It was a magnificent view of the sea while you are enjoying the seafood there. The food there I have to admit that it's not cheap and quite expensive too. As you know because you pay for what you get. You get to enjoy the sunset and seaview while enjoying the food. We went to Fortuin Cafe as brought by our driver Gusti. Kimmy & Me ordered a grilled garupa fish, black pepper squid and a sweet & sour king prawns which comes with a steam rice (IDR 3000 each) and a free Kangkung vegetable as well as a corn soup (see pics). Kimmy ordered FANTA meanwhile I ordered Diet Coke for our drinks. The price is almost RM100 (IDR 300.000) and the portion is not so big as expected and suitable for 2 persons to dine in. The food overall was nice especially the grilled fish. If you are there, remember to ordered every single dish in grilled because their grilled is recommended over there. For the sweet & sour king prawns, black pepper squid, kangkung & the corn soup also very nice. A recommended seafood restaurant for you to try while enjoying the sunset too. MY RATING: 5/5 ; KIMMY RATING: 5/5

Address:

Jl Pantai Kedonganan, Jimbaran Bay, Kuta-Bali

Telephone: (+62361) 709034

Website: http://www.fortuincafe.com/

BALI TRIP: Overview Trip Day 1

Selamat Kita Berjumpa Lagi,

Welcome back again and thanks for patience as I am back again for yet another update on my blog. My blog had been closed for 4 days because I am on a short trip to the island of paradise, BALI. Today, I am going to share with you all the extensive coverage of my BALI trip. Firstly, I would like to conclude my first day of arrival and my first day of trip in BALI. The DO and DON'T as well as the GOOD and BAD while in Bali.

We arrvied at the Low Cost Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang about 6.45am waiting for the 10.25am flight. This is my 2nd time sitting on the flight and I am so glad that this is also my first time travelling overseas in Airsia. The BAD thing that I experience in the flight is that the flight attendant is aren't that friendly as I have ask for a pen but they had rejected my service instead I have to borrow from other passengers.

I reach Bali and arrvied at Ngurah Rai International Airport about 1.25pm and as I walk out from the airport to claim my luggage, I was being charged. The BAD thing is that DO NOT leave your external baggae on the floor while you are waiting for the flight baggage because some people will take opportunity to take the luggage from you and then carry for you and asked for TIPS. I paid the IDR20,000 each (2 persons). But if you are willing to pay, then it's OK.

I was then picked up by my car tour guide driver Gusti Ngurah Jelantik and head towards my lunch where he brought me to Pawon Pasundan Restaurant where we get to enjoy the Balinese and Indonesian Food. Then we checked in hotel about 2.45pm and then at about 3.15pm, we are into our first destination. We head towards Dreamland Beach and then after that we head towards the Uluwatu Temple to enjoy the beautiful scenery over there. We had skipped the Kecak Dance because it's too expensive for us and it's not so attactive as it seems. At night, we head towards the Jimbaran beach to enjoy the beautiful view of the sea together while enjoy the seafood there. After that, we were brought back to Hotel for rest.

END OF DAY 1

Cinema Movie: 72 Tenants Of Prosperity (72家租客)

Release Date: 11 February 2010

Language: Cantonese

Genre: Comedy

Running Time: 1 hour 38 minutes

Director: Eric Tsang

Cast: Eric Tsang, Jacky Cheung, Anita Yuen, Bosco Wong, Stepfy Tang, Linda Chung, Wong Cho Lam, Charmaine Sheh, Lam Ka Tung.

Synopsis:

Past and present survival of the common man in the big city – ups and downs, laughters and tears...

In 1970s Hong Kong, rapacious landlords try to evict 72 tenants but sworn brothers Ha Kung (Eric Tsang) and Shek Kin (Jacky Cheung) help the group of 72 defeat the landlord (Lam Ka Tung) and landlady (Charmaine Sheh) and coincidentally rescue Pinky (Anita Yuen) from a planned forced marriage. When both sworn brothers fall for Pinky and propose to her, she flips a coin and Ha wins her hand in marriage.

The sworn brothers become sworn enemies and Shek’s hatred fuels intense rivalry against Ha in business dealings. Even after 40 years they continue to clash in Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mongkok, but when the street is hit by acid-attacks and rents raised to triple the cost, the 72 tenants unite and pledge to safeguard their home.

Against a background of fear and turmoil, with the old love triangle between Ha and Pinky and Shek still festering, the next generation of the Ha and Shek families embarks on their own heroic love affairs.

_______________________________________________________

My Comments: Today is Sunday and on Monday, ME and Kimmy are not working. So we have planned to go and catch another movie on GSC Tropicana City. This movie is a Chinese New Year movie and both of us haven't watch yet. So without any hesitation, both of us watched the show at 9.15pm at night. This is the 2nd night in a row that we watch the movie together as yesterday we had watch the Hot Summer Days movie. The cinema is not full and not packed either as this movie is an old movie where many of the movie goers already watch it. For me, I would not expect much from this movie because from the preview I saw, it's very boring and just nice. But, everything is just an imagination from me as I watch this movie, I can witness it was very good indeed. It was very funny throughout the movie and there is no chance for you to catch asleep with this movie. The TVB actors did a very good job and nevertheless I would really admire a few people who did well in this movie including Jacky Cheung, Eric Tsang, Kate Chui, Bosco Wong & Wong Cho Lam. They are really good in this movie and very funny and entertaining as well. I was really amazed by this movie and thumbs up to this one as I would like to say sorry for the critics that I have given previously to my friends and I would totally recommend you to watch this movie. If you like laughter and a family movie, this would be a preferrable choice and will laugh out loud in cinemas! Enjoy! MY RATING: 5/5 ; KIMMY RATING: 5/5

Leisure: Trip to BALI

Hello folks,

Welcome back to my blog and finally the time has arrived for me to go yet my first ever international trip travelling outside Malaysia. I am very happy as I wrote the blog today because I can't wait for my trip already.

Currently on what I have done and prepared on my trip including changing the currency into Indonesia Rupiah. Both ME & Kimmy had exchange about RM1000 per person and we are ready for the most awaiting trip for both of us. Many ask us, are we going for a honeymoon? My answer is nope but just for our couple leisure trip ya! Hehe! :) Also, I already packed my things including shirts, trousers, pants, t-shirts and etc. My Panasonic Camera also in the list and this would be the most important one as ME & Kimmy plan to snap more photos to be inserted into our blog. Overall, I have spend about RM500 to prepare my trip to Bali (excluded air ticket & hotel room) to buy some things to be brought for my trip.

I can't wait for it. Just have to wait until Tuesday (2 days left from the date I wrote this post) and I'm off to Bali, Indonesia. My blog might not be updated from Tuesday till Friday (9th - 12th March 2009) unless I have an internet connection over at Bali Hotel as I would update you with the trip updates from Day 1 till Day 3. Attached is the Itinerary of MY DAY 1 to DAY 3 in Bali for your reference. Enjoy! :)

Here is my Itinerary Day 1 to Day 3: Driver & Tour Guide: Mr. Gusti Ngurah Jelantik

1st day: Pick up at the airport and Uluwatu and Kecak Fire Dance Tour
Itinerary:
Dreamland Beach : The beach with beautiful scenery.
Uluwatu Temple : Cliff temple in south of Bali with nice sunset panorama. (Y)
Kecak dance : Kecak & fire dance backgrounded by sunset view
Jimbaran Bay : Seafront Seafood restaurant to enjoy the fresh grilled
seafood dinner
Duration : 6 Hours
Tour cost (1-3 person) : IDR. 300.000 per-car
(4-6 person) : IDR. 350.000 per-car

2nd day: Kintamani Volcano Tour
Itinerary:
Batubulan Village : Barong and Kris Dance,
Tohpati Village : Bali batik painting processing,
Celuk Village : gold and silver smith,

Batuan Village : Bali traditional painting of arts
Mas Village : talent wood carver
Tirta Empul Temple : Holy Spring Water.
Temple Kintamani : fantastic view of Batur volcano and lake while enjoy the
buffet lunch,
Kayuamba Village : traditional Bali coffeeprocessing and plantation,
Tegalalang Village : very beautiful rice terrace,
Duration : 9 Hours

Tour Cost (1-3 person): IDR. 350.000 per-car

(4-6 person): IDR. 400.000 per-car

3rd Day: Bedugul - Tanah Lot Tour

Itinerary:

Taman Ayun Temple : Royal Family Temple surrounded by big pond

Candi Kuning : Fruit ad flower Market

Bedugul : Ulun Danu Temple and lake Beratan

Botanical Garden

Tanah Lot Temple : beautiful ocean temple with fantastic sunset panorama Duration : 9 Hours

Tour cost (1-3 person) : IDR. 350.000 per-car
(4-6 person) : IDR. 400.000 per-car

Cinema Movie: Hot Summer Days (全城熱戀熱辣辣)

Release Date: 25 February 2010

Language: Mandarin

Genre: Comedy

Running Time: 1 hour 34 minutes

Director: Tony Chan, Wing Shya.

Cast: Rene Liu, Jacky Cheung, Nicholas Tse, Zhou Xun, Angela Yang, Jing Boran, Daniel Wu, Vivian Hsu, Duan Yihong, Fu Xinbo, Gordon Liu.

Synopsis:

6 heart-warming stories during a summer when the heat ignites emotions and changes lives forever.

Foot masseuse Li Yen (Rene Liu) and chauffeur Wah (Jacky Cheung) lands up in the hospital, she in Shenzhen and he in HK. Their romance begins when Wah sends a text message and a wrong number sends it to Li Yen. Both invent a fantasy life to connect to the other - he a race car driver and she a concert pianist. Can their summer romance survive their lies and deceit?

Will (Nicholas Tse) is a slacker running an air-conditioning repair shop. He sees Maggie (Zhou Xun) always on a motorcycle, always on her way to doing something inexplicable. Will goes on a chase to win her heart, and when he catches her, learns the secret she is keeping, and her mission of fulfilling the dreams of others. But will he be able to help fulfil hers?

A pretty young factory worker Kay (Angela Yang) catches the eye of a deli/grocery store assistant, Fong (Jing Boran). Spurred on by a bet to win a watch if he gets her to be his girlfriend, Fong sets out to impress her by standing outside her factory, at the hottest time of day for 100 days. At the same time, she has a wealthy suitor. Who will she choose?

He, Master Chef (Daniel Wu) runs a fancy sushi restaurant. She, Wasabi (Vivian Hsu) is a food critic who comes home after spending the year travelling the world to find the perfect dinner to finish her cookbook. He wants to make this for her so that she will stay. Will he be able to cook his way into her heart?

An acclaimed photographer Leslie (Duan Yihong) fires a model, ruining her career. He suddenly goes blind and his long-suffering apprentice Da Foo (Fu Xinbo) tricks him into believing this model who he himself has a crush on, has put a curse on him. They go on a journey to find her to lift the curse. Will they find more than a cure for Leslie's blindness?

Business is booming for the man who rents an umbrella on the beach (Gordon Liu). In the day he is happy telling flirty with his young pretty customers. At night, he thinks about his wife who passed away a long time ago. The ancient bulb on her shrine blows out. Will his quest for a bulb that is no longer in production bring lights to a new relationship?
_____________________________________________________

My Comments: It was a wonderful Saturday for ME & Kimmy once again as we visited TGV Kepong once again to catch a glimpse of a movie before we fly over to Bali for our exclusive holidays. We watch this movie at 9.20pm and the cinema is packed with audiences as well. It was an overall comedy cum romance movie and it was something special that I never watch before. Featuring many stars such as Jacky Cheung, Rene Liu, Nicholas Tse, Vivian Hsu, Daniel Wu and many more, this movie promises the audience somethinf special about the love during the extremely hot summer days. The temperature in this movie rises up to 42 Degress which makes everyone in this movie sweat and their love story begins there. There were 5 love scenerios which every one of the storyline is very meaningful indeed and you can have some laughs out of those scenes. The combination of Hong Kong, Taiwan and China artists proved to be the right track for Director Tony Chan & Wing Shya which I would say something new feel in this movie. Couples should go for this one as it will be very touching as well. I can accept it and label this movie as fresh and never seen before. Perhaps, a good recommendation for you too. MY RATING: 4.5 /5 ; KIMMY RATING: 5/5

World News: Massive earthquake hits Chile, over a few hundred thousands feared dead

CONCEPCION, Chile (Reuters) - One of the world's most powerful earthquakes in a century pounded Chile on Saturday, killing more than 300 people as it toppled buildings and triggered tsunamis that ravaged a port town and threatened Pacific coastlines as far away as Japan. Buildings caught fire, others crumbled and bridges collapsed across swathes of central Chile, but the initial death toll was relatively low from a quake many times stronger than the one that devastated Haiti last month. An apartment block with up to 200 people inside collapsed in Concepcion, the closest major city to the epicentre, and rescue officials said they were unsure how many escaped. Overturned cars lay scattered below a fallen overpass in the capital Santiago and telephone and power lines went down across the narrow country, making it difficult to assess the full extent of the damage and loss of life.

Chile's government said more than 300 people were killed in the 8.8-magnitude quake, which struck at 3:34 a.m. (0634 GMT), sending people rushing from their beds and onto the streets in fear, hugging each other and crying. "It came in waves and lasted so long. Three minutes is an eternity. We kept worrying that it was getting stronger, like a terrifying Hollywood movie," said Santiago housewife Dolores Cuevas. It was the fifth-largest earthquake since 1900 and dealt a serious blow to the economy and infrastructure of the world's No. 1 copper producer and one of Latin America's most developed and stable countries. The quake halted operations at two oil refineries and two major copper mines and Chile's government said an estimated half a million homes were severely damaged.

In Concepcion, a city of 670,000 people, some residents whose homes were wrecked pushed their belongings in shopping carts on the streets. Water and electrical services were down and many residents camped outdoors, fearful after a series of big aftershocks. "I've been told I lost all of my furniture, my TV, my refrigerator, but it doesn't matter to me. I'm just happy my family is safe," said Francisco Luna, a 42-year-old air-conditioner repairman. Chilean officials said the number of deaths was unlikely to increase dramatically, and a U.S. Geological Survey researcher attributed the low toll to Chile's solid building standards.

TSUNAMI

A tsunami swept into the port town of Talcahuano, causing serious damage to port facilities and lifting fishing boats out of the water. Television pictures showed shipping containers strewn around and flooded streets in the port, one of the most important in southern Chile. President Michelle Bachelet said a huge wave hit the Juan Fernandez islands, an archipelago where Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk was marooned in the 18th century, inspiring the novel Robinson Crusoe. "There was a series of waves that got bigger and bigger, which gave people time to save themselves," pilot Fernando Avaria told TVN television by telephone from the main island. But at least four people were killed and 13 others were missing on the island, a local official said. Fifteen hours after the quake struck Chile, the tsunami reached Hawaii's Big Island, where residents and tourists were evacuated from low-lying coastal areas. The tsunami warning was later lifted for Hawaii, but Japanese officials said a wave up to 3 meters (10 feet) high could hit the country's Pacific coast and warned residents to evacuate coastal areas. The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake struck 70 miles (115 km) northeast of Concepcion at a depth of 22 miles (35 km). It said an earthquake of magnitude 8 or over can cause "tremendous damage." The Jan. 12 quake that devastated Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince and killed well over 200,000 people was measured as magnitude 7.0.

CAPITAL DAMAGED, MINES SHUT

Chile's capital of Santiago, about 200 miles (320 km) north of the epicentre, was also badly hit. The international airport was closed for at least 24 hours as the quake destroyed passenger walkways and shook glass out of doors and windows. Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, suspended operations at its El Teniente and Andina mines, but reported no major damage and said it expected the mines to be up and running in the "coming hours." Production was halted at the Los Bronces and El Soldado copper mines, owned by Anglo American Plc, but Chile's biggest copper mine, Escondida, was operating normally. Chile produces about 34 percent of world supply of copper, which is used in electronics, cars and refrigerators. In Concepcion, at least 12 buildings caught fire and rescue workers pulled 22 people from the rubble of the 15-storey apartment block that pancaked onto itself. Some residents looted pharmacies and a collapsed grains silo, hauling off bags of wheat, television images showed. At least 269 prisoners took advantage of the quake to escape from a prison about 250 miles (450 km) south of Santiago, police said. Twenty-eight of the inmates were captured and three shot.

"It was like we were being shaken around in a box," said Claudia Rosario, a 27-year-old receptionist in Temuco, 175 miles (280 km) south of Concepcion. She said residents there were without water and electricity. An eight-year-old boy and a man were killed in the northern Argentine city of Salta when a powerful aftershock caused walls to collapse, officials said. In 1960, Chile was hit by a 9.5-magnitude earthquake, one of the biggest ever recorded. It devastated the city of Valdivia, killed 1,655 people and spawned a tsunami that engulfed the Pacific Ocean, taking another 200 lives in Japan, Hawaii and the Philippines. President Barack Obama called Bachelet on Saturday and said the United States stood ready to help Chile. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was due to visit Chile on Tuesday on a Latin America tour. (Additional reporting by Helen Popper, Kevin Gray, Guido Nejamkis and Juliana Castilla in Buenos Aires; Alonso Soto in Santiago; Editing by Stuart Grudgings and Kieran Murray)

Copyright © 2008 Reuters