Goodie! Goodie! This will be my last post for Bali. Applause! Well, this was one of my favorite destination in Asia. Yet, there’s so much to explore and we have little time to spent on this wonderful intrinsic island. Well, we packed our luggage before the breakfast and went out for a walk at the nearest beach – just a 5 minutes walk behind our resort.

Warm sun & turquoise sea is part of Bali’s wonder that you shouldn’t miss; take a deep breathe and exhale slowly with that gentle ocean breeze & scent of sea salt on our lips, lift up your soul with a tranquil state in mind, drift into the wind and you’re set to go. Paradise – it’s your call!

We had the usual menus for breakfast!

Little Bulldog

Ah never tried kayakin before, but would love to try it one day with bunch of friends.

OMG That’s one big wave! Really a hotspot for surfers.

This is Moon!

This is Darren

This is Shirley

Who else? Me!

They had tattoos on their arms the day before! LOL!

Inspiration from somewhere. This is me inside the glass! Focal~

WOhhooOohooho! 2 Japanese uncle starring at me shooting his wife (either 1). LOL!

We arrived airport before 12pm and had light lunch. This is Bakso (Meat balls with noodle & bean sprout). Noodle portion was dabbed compared to Kuta’s / other hotspots. Hmm.. a bit salty too but overall, it’s just nice!

Shirley had rice with choice of vege and meat. I give it a 2.

 

Alright, time for some re-cap of my Bali Holiday @ July 2008.

Glad to have a few ex-college mates on this trip and we really enjoyed the 5D4N stay. A second trip to Bali? Yes maybe sometimes in the future! A memorable journey never forget and well-wishes for all. Here’s a recap…

We went to Kintamani and enjoyed these stunning views. Late evening, we went UBUD for choices of Spa. [ More ]

Visited Coffee Plantation on the way to Kintamani. [ More ]

 

This is Tanah Lot, Temple By The Sea! Stroll around Kuta in the evening time! [ More ]

Went snorkeling & visited Turtle Island. Lovely hawk by my shoulder. [ More ]

 

This is Dreamland Beach. I’m here for the sunset! We had sumptuous dinner at night.
[ More ]

 

Went parasailing @ Nusa Dua. YahoOoOo! [ More ]

Breakfast Only [ More ]

Checked-In our resort hotel & explore places around Sanur / Jalan Danau Tamblingan [ More ]

Arrived Bali on Day 1. [ More ]

Thanks for reading.

 

We passed by TERGELALA and I was pretty amazed with the crafts sold along the roadside but mostly were displayed in the shophouses which was visible along the glass panels. I was profounded with such scenes and intended to hop down and grab a few but due to our tight schedule, that crazy thought faded.

We arrived KINTAMANI before 1pm and everyone was hungry. We’ll have to look for some food to fill-in but our driver dropped us somewhere – that tourist spot with a bird’s eye view! Amazing & wonderful scenes that’s all I can describe! Not too surprised to see a number of touts approaching us with tons of services range from tattoos to souvenirs. It’s always a distrubed situation where you’d wish them to leave but business was scarce as we witnessed. Moon, Shirley & Darren decided to try out their tattoo (temporary) service instead. Man.. I hardly can breathe with the sudden crowds (touts). I’ll just have to step aside and shoot.

I should have done panorama view here. hmph… beautiful scenic isn’t it? That’s lake Batur!

Look at the touts!!! The one standing on the left was our hotel’s driver.

Shirley & Moon picking a tattoo design

Tattoo on the arm (surface), it’s not permanant but lasts for 2 weeks. Just for fun~

A scorpion on it’s way!

There.. Shirley with her flower tattoo! Happy?

Moon with her flower tattoo as well… Happy?

Darren with an odd looking scorpion. Happy?
Nah… tattoo is not my thing. Even if it’s a temporary art

This is Kintamani Volcano, still active though. Last erupted in the year 1947.

A cloud atop of the volcano

We had our lunch at Batur Sati, one of the restaurant nearby with magnificent view.around. Lunch at Rp.60k per pax and need no elaborate more on the environment as I can tell you it’s below par cause I was irritated with the flies around & food served according to Halyconstudio ratings. Grr…

We have fried noodle, fried squid, sweet & sour meat balls, fried rice, omelette. The squid was freaking flat & not warm enough.

Fried jackfruit. A bit sweet but soft, not crispy enough

Fried spring rolls, wedges, chikie sticks,and chicken sate.

Of all the buffet dish served, I love this the most.
This is cabbage soup although a bit salty but still able to accept it’s ‘wonderful homemade feel’.
I give it a 4.8/5

 

This Lunch :  :

Fruit platter

Here is the gang with the splendor view at rear.

Us again with a group shot outside the restaurant.

Ah that thick cloud and breeze on my face!

Shooting Moon with a cool sullen look!

It was 3pm. We moved on to UBUD which took us an hour plus to reach. UBUD is famous with a number of SPA services which am going to show you later. Price is not an issue as long as you opt for comfy environment, lie down, accompanied with Balinese instrumentals played along the massage session, céleste!

On our way to UBUD, driver stopped by a PADI field for me to capture this wonderful green!

Here’s another one!

An overall view!

We reached UBUD around 4:15pm and glad to see this symbolic icon, a cow statue for hindu celebrations. Final preparation perhaps…

We came across one of the SPA but unfortunately there were queues ahead of us. So we left…
Then, I stumbled upon a few sculptures that attracted my attention. It’s really interesting ^__^;

Another sculpture

A failed attempt on SPA HATI. It should be heavenly massage under that thatched pavilion.

Moon & Shirley went ZEN SPA while me & Darren opt for…
De Ubud Villas & Spas… USD$28 per pax with 1 hour massage service ONLY.

A short pavement to the SPA room

Fresh roses…

This is how it looks like inside the SPA and pretty glad that we don’t have to wait long for this.
TIME FOR SOME SABAI-SABAI MOMENTS!
Comfortable & pleasing environment I’d say…

With the slippers… this is Darren’s room!

This is my room!

You read it!

Now choose your desire oil. I go for Lavander!! The massage session was about an hour and clean ourself up before we proceed to the living room….

I almost fell asleep with the Balinese instruments played and it’s really pleasant to listen to during our massage. Ah~

She’s massaging Darren’s feet with choice of oil and cleaned it with warm water.

And here’s mine! ^_____^;

Ah….. we’re done!!

Now compimentary hot ginger coffee and buscuit. Where can you find such service?

The 2 girls ’servicing’ (massage) us! ^____^||
I give it a 5/5! Thanks for that memorable massage service!

Late evening, we meetup Shirley & Moon at Zen Spa before making our way for dinner – BEBEK BENGEL DINNER!

Now did you spot some error on the signboard?

Ordered my watermelon mint juice! Not bad!

The house dish, BEBEK BENGEL (Dirty Duck Dish)
With baked potatoes, and fresh salads. Rp.63k

Consider not bad after all but portion’s not lavish enough and such lame chickie served. Hmph..

I had my Pasta (Carbonara)
Ingredients we have bacon, real cream & parmesan served with salad. Rp.45k
Oh yeah, it’s creamy alright!

Salad with lettuce, capsicum, and fruits.

Ordered another dish.
This is Balinese Fried Chicken (half) with Bira Rice & fresh salad. Rp.55k

Same comment with the bebek bengel…

Oh yeah!
This is Grilled Pork Chop with mustard sauce, baby potatos &fresh salad. Rp.53k

Also, not forgetting this wonderful moment we had in Bali for the last night…

After dinner, we went Kuta (city) for a stroll before we made our way back to our hotel and had junk foods. hahahah! Gosh..

Stay tune for the Epilogue…

 

 

Day 4 – another day sets for our adventurous journey to the north. As usual, we pay for our petrol at Rp100k and our driver (newly assigned) will lead the way. Neat to say the journey took us 3 hours (stopped in between for art market and coffee farm) to reach Kintamani and witness the breathtaking view of the active volcano & lake. Silence came across our mind as our eyelids were heavy albeit thy long journey to the north but we do enjoyed our naps. Shirley was completely ‘hibernated ‘ that’s for sure.

As usual, we had our breafast before we set off. Omlette, Bacon & Ham. Simple dish & easy to prepare.

 

Balinese fried rice with crackers & pan-fried egg. Larvish potion, good kick!

Again Omlette with Frankfurt sausage. Portion was skimpy.

The Miao Miao (cat) reminds me of Kuching. Meow!

While waiting for our driver to arrive, we had a small portrait photography session.

Behind is a miniature fountain & waterfall.

Oops… I shook. Hope she don’t mind

Hmm.. there’s something on my gold necklace. lolx… It’s the remains of the towel fabric. SWT! -.-;

30 minutes later, we arrived this small town called SUKAWATI PASAR SENI ( Sukawati Art Market ).
Arts, handicrafts & cheap souvenirs can be found here.
In fact, I bought a few paintings back, impressive works I’d say.
Hmm.. maybe I’ll display it in my cozy living room @ my hometown.

Corn & Peanuts. Heavenly!

The hindu god & offerings (every hour) by believers at every corner paying great respect to it.
Noticed the lady on the left with her hand swayed in the air, that’s how they give offerings to god.

Slippers, tees, short pants, crafts, arts etc. All can be found here.

Then we came across this coffee plantation to check out the making of coffee roaster. In this picture, Ama (granny) was roasting coffee while posing in front of my lens. hehe… Sweet!

Here, we have different types of coffee & spices displayed. Smells good! Ah, the coffee aroma really pleased me…

A taste of aroma for free. From the left, coffee powder, sugar, and chocolate (cocoa) powder.
The packet atop of the glass is ginger powder.

From front, fine thick coffee served, followed by ginger drink & hot cocoa drink. Ah, heavenly!
I bought coco powder eventually. Not cheap though. Rp.100k for every KG. ( ‘Memang’ tourist spot, insanely charged )

As promised in POTD, 2 chicken’s looking for food ( earth worms ) somewhere around the plantation.

Anise, a type of ingredients for cooking curry.

Not sure what this fruit was but for sure it’s to lure insects / bird to eat.

An odd looking plant that looks like a sick ostrich. hahahaha.

We arrived Kintamani at noon time.. This is an active volcano and most recent erruption was in th year 2002. Noticed the black soil at the foothill ( solidified lava ), it can be use as fertilizer for plantation purposes.

Stay tune for more!

The snorkeling and turtle island trip was fun though it was not cheap, but we do managed to capture the essentials & wonderful shots around – everyone enjoyed. On our way back to the hotel, our driver dropped us nearby the Art Market (Nusa Dua) where you’re able to buy interesting arts and crafts, stuff like that. I bought a set of crafted wooden plate and a few key chains. Well, I pity those salesperson as some claimed business was scarce which lead me to purchase items from them. How irony!

We had MacD for lunch and head back to our hotel for a short nap before moving forward to Tanah Lot; temple by the seaside, an intriguing view for sunset but well, luck’s not on our side on that very day – it rained.  However, we do enjoyed the breezy weather and also witness the Hindu blessing rituals.

Back in the hotel lobby, I took this picture. It’s a hibiscus alright.

That’s the Janang Sali.

We arrived Tanah Lot late evening. Bought a few short pants here. huhu… Balibong is the name! HAHA! It’s cheap though.

The Crocs shop!

Hindu statue at some corner.

Rocks by the seaside. Care with the slip.

There, locals with Hindu blessing rituals. The Janang Sali were then brought to the temple.

The water is somewhat icy cold!

Temple by the sea.

Glorious shine for a few moments, then it rained.

Moon & Shirley with temple behind. Note there’s rituals going on behind.

Me & Darren doing the slow-mo

Lovely greenish padi feilds at Tanah Lot.

Our driver dropped us at a wholesale shop and that’s where we bought our souvenirs, tee shirts, and dry foods. Well, I spent a few hundred of thousands of RUPIAH here. hehe… After that ‘wild’ shopping of mine, we proceed on to KUTA, the happening town in Bali – which reminds us of Bali bombings back in 2002.

The monument of the 2002 Bali Bombings which claimed 202 innocent lives.

Ground zero field across the street, it was once a bar.

Ah, carriage spotted.

We stopped by in front of Hard Rock Cafe and stroll around, managed to buy a HR tee for souvenir and ow, it’s not cheap! There’s a food center nearby and we had our dinner there. A variety of stalls were available; local dishes, seafoods, satays, pizzas, you named it all.

I had Bakso (Meatballs with bee hoon). It was salty but delicious.

Shirley had fried tomato noodle with fried egg

Darren had black pepper chicken rice

Tried the satay and surprisingly, it’s delicious dipped with sweet soy sauce! hahha!

The pizza was crispy and cheesy too with chicken sausage, pepperoni, tomatoes and thick mozzarella cheeze on it.

That’s the Hard Rock Cafe Shop I mentioned earlier!