Culinary and Labyrinth

Me and cousins went to Grand Indonesia two weeks ago. How lovely that I met my sisters and brothers, because we were missed each other and a meet-up could heal it! We had dinner at Mr. Curry - attending Jakarta Culinary Festival - and watching Shock Labyrinth (the worst horror movie ever!!).

Mr. Curry @ Grand Indonesia

Best sashimi salad in town!

Colorful nerd me :DHarry, Mia, Mba Yuyun, Mba Vera, Me

Have a greaaat Monday, dear fellas ;)

A Glimpse of Bali (Part 2)

Let us continue the story about unforgettable trip to Bali...

The third day, Sept. 14 2010
Route : Tegalalang, Kintamani, Karangasem

Tegalalang

The first route was going to Lake Batur and Mount Batur in Kintamani. It turned out pretty far away from our home in Gatot Subroto, Denpasar to Kintamani (it takes approximately 1 hour). During the trip, we stopped at Tegalalang Village. We can see rice terraces (sengkedan), a great place to stop off because it gives the most amazing views of rice fields. Subhanallah.

Admission fee : free of charge :D

Kintamani - Mount & Lake Batur

Bali's hot air will change dramatically when we reached Kintamani. You just open the window, and you will feel the cool mountain wind slapping your face :D. It felt cool like in Puncak. Arriving at Kintamani, I saw Mount Batur & Lake Batur.

Mount Batur in an active volcano. This mountain is one of the largest and most beautiful in the world. Beside the mountain, there are crescent-shaped lake which occupies the southeastern part which is called Lake Batur. On the shores of Lake Batur, there is Trunyan Village. I was invited there, but refused it. I imagined seeing a grave where his body was place just above the ground, no thanks.

Admission fee : IDR 30,000/car

Kedisan Floating Restaurant

View from Kedisan Floating Restaurant

We had lunch at Kedisan Floating Restaurant at the mouth of Lake Beratan. The scenery and food were extremely awesome. When we were sitting on the dinner table, we could see Mount & Lake Batur as a natural background. Beautiful, indeed. Oh ya, their special menus is all about Mujahir fish. Compare with Demos Cafe at my previous post, this restaurant is cheaper, we spent only IDR 428,000 (for 8 person).

Pura Besakih

Pura Besakih is located on the slope of Mount Agung. Pura Besakih is a complex of temples and becomes the center of activities for all temples in Bali. Below some pictures that I took about the Bali's people doing ceremony at Pura Besakih.

Admission fee : IDR 75,000 / all
Rent scarf : IDR 10,000 / each

Simak

Baca secara fonetik

At the entrance of the temple, we offered tour guide to accompany a walk in the temple. But, we refused because our driver also has the same knowledge about it. Why should it be a waste of money anyway? Thanks to Bli Padol, our handsome driver :D

The fourth day, Sept. 15 2010
Route : Sarijati Banjar, Bedugul, Tanah Lot

Srijati Banjar

Today, we were invited by our driver, Bli Prima, to attend Ceremony of Cutting Teeth (Upacara Potong Gigi) or Metatah/Mesanggih in Bahasa Bali. This ceremony was hold on his village, Srijati Banjar. Metatah ceremony is one of the most important rituals for each individual who adheres to Balinese Hinduism. This ceremony marks a person enter adulthood. The purpose is to reduce the bad characteristics of the person.

Father, big brother, 2 beautiful younger sister, and Bli Prima

His small happy family : Sawitri, Rio, Bli Prima, missed baby Ivo (sleep at home)

We were very glad to come and be invited to this ceremony. Although this is a closed & family only ceremony, but we were invited, thank you Bli Prima. If you will go to Bali and have not found any driver, I highly recommend Bli Prima. He is a nice, friendly, and knows interesting place in Bali.

Contact him on : 0852-384-77427 or (0361) 8882949. There are various kind of cars and motorcycles, you must reserve in advance. He has a competitive rates, just say my name :D

Bedugul

Bedugul offers the natural beauty of mountains and lakes, just like Batur. Beratan Lake is one of tourist attraction in Bedugul that you shouldn't be missed. The cool weather during the day, make us feel comfortable to enjoy the scenery around lake Beratan. In the middle of the lake, there is Ulun Danu Temple.

Admission fee : IDR 7500 / person

Me and my brother

Tanah Lot

Who does not know Tanah Lot? I think this is the most known tourism site in Bali. There are two temples that situated on a huge rock. One is located in the upper crust and the other located on a cliff similar to the Uluwatu Temple. Pura Tanah Lot is one of the largest sacred temple in Bali.

Tanah Lot is known as the best place to watch sunset in Bali. But unfortunately, the weather was rainy so that we couldn't see sunset. Ahhh.. feeling disappointed and sad.

Admission fee : IDR 8000

The fifth day, Sept. 16 2010
Route : Dreamland

Last day in Bali :( and I hate it. Anyway, we were go to Dreamland. Dreamland beach surrounded by cliffs and fairly large rock around the beach. The location of this beach is within the complex of Pecatu Graha Bali.

Today I planned to tan my skin :D and it works!! :D Although only on the face that become darker, hehehe.

Me and my cousin

So this is it. This is my story traveling to Bali. Do you want to go there? I highly recommend Bali to be you must visit place in Indonesia.

Bye-bye Bali, I'll come back soon. Oh, how I love your nature, culture and people.

A Glimpse of Bali (Part 1)

The day after the Eid, my cousins and I were on holiday to Bali. As usual, we bought plane tickets in advance so it can be cheaper. Vacation must be effective and efficient, it's my motto. :)

Terminal 3 Seokarno Hatta, environmental friendly & modern, one step ahead Indonesia!

Let me introduce my cousins, Mba Vera and Cindy

The first day, Sept. 12, 2010

We should arrive in Bali at 6 pm, but as the flight delayed almost half an hour, so we arrived at 7 pm. Kinda disappointed with that airline. What is the name of the airline?(Hint: low-cost airline). Then we headed to Jimbaran for dinner at Demos Cafe. In my opinion, the price of food in this restaurant is quite expensive (around IDR 650,000 for 8 person), but the taste is super delicious. Must try : barracuda fish. After dinner, we headed to Kuta for a while.

The second day, Sept. 13, 2010
Route : Tanjung Benoa, Garuda Wisnu Kencana, Uluwatu

Tanjung Benoa

Tanjung Benoa is a perfect place for water sport activities such as parasailing, jetski, banana boat, scuba diving, snorkelling, glassbottom view through boat, visiting Pulau Penyu, and flying fish. We tried all the activities except jetski, scuba diving, and snorkelling. My favorite is FLYING FISH, not scary at all because there will be 1 instructor in the middle accompanied us, and you know what? I still mantained good relationship with the instructor, his name is Dicky, what a kind he is.

Mba Vera and Mas Soleh, queued and waited their turn of Parasailing

Mas Soleh looked like Appeton Weight Gain Advertisement, he such a tiny thin man *Ups :DPosed before Flying Fish. Mas Soleh, Cindy, Bli Prima (Our Driver), Mas Dessa, and Me

At Pulau Penyu, hmm... I shouldn't recommend this place, you just see and touch animal such as snake, eagle, and turtle.

List of price :

• Parasailing : IDR 75,000/person
• Banana Boat : IDR 100,000/person
• Flying Fish : IDR 150,000/person
• Glassbottom view : IDR 450,000/boat
• Pulau Penyu : seiklhasnya, donation for the animal
  

Tips : take a half day to try all activities, don't forget bring spare clothes, and use sunblock.

Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

GWK is located in Bukit Unggasan, Jimbaran Bali. This statue is designed and built by I Nyoman Nuarta. GWK is depicting Lord Wisnu riding on the back of the mythical bird Garuda. If construction is finished, this sculpture will become the largest sculpture in the world and beat the Statue of Liberty. Ah.. Don't you love Indonesia? :)

Admission fee to GWK : IDR 25,000

Me & Mba Vera, in front of Wisnu statue
Lovely cousins and auntie :*
Love this pic, fresh, summer breeze :)

Some of performance, free for GWK's visitor

Uluwatu


Uluwatu temple is located in the region Pecatu, Badung, Bali. For me, this is the most must see place in Bali, so romantic *I wish come here again with my loved one*. Perfect place to watch sunset. Also there is Kecak Dance performance that extremely wonderful, beautiful,.... speechless. Highly recommended place.

Admission fee : IDR 3,000
Kecak Dance : IDR 70,000

So, what do you thinking of Bali?? I was being spell by this island to come back soon. Oh, how I love Bali..

I will divide this post into many parts, because there are many more places to visit and to share with you guys. So, wait for the next post ya.

With Love, Wulandari Sofwan

Idul Fitri

This is a very late post about Idul Fitri. But.... there is still a forgiveness even after Idul Fitri, right?

HAPPY IED MUBARAK 1431 H

Please forgive me if I did mistakes intentionally or unintentionally. Please forgive me if I left unproper comment through your blog. Please forgive me if I rarely update this blog. Minal aidzin wal faidzin, mohon maaf lahir dan bathin :)

Oh yaaa,don't forget to join Hijab Scarf quizzes. You just take your best shoot at Ied Mubarak or creat best Ied Mubarak greeting. And you will get Prudence neclaces by Miss Marina if you join the shoot. Or Nuna's Koekjes if you join the greeting. I joined the shoot! And you? Have a great day everyone. Time to sleep :)