MY: Aqiqah and Aidil-adha

Warning: Some photos may not be suitable for some people

My brother decided to have an aqiqah for his daughter in our hometown. The aqiqah for his son was done in KayEl at his in-laws and for his daughter, all agreed to have it done in Kelant4n. The event took place two days before the Eid-ul-Adha, which Malaysia celebrate on Sunday (although the wukuf was declared by Saudi government to take place on Friday). It was great to see most of my relatives from my father side in one day. Normally, I only manage to meet them during the Aidilfitri - ini pun if we bumped into each other during balik kampung to my dad's place. If not, tak de chance to meet them.

In fact, any events and Hari raya have been a venue to meet relatives. And I feel that you will meet more of your relatives during a family event rather than Hari raya. Since my family settled down in my mum's village, I have less interaction or rather know less of my relatives from my dad's side. The relatives from my dad side are 'bigger' than my mum's, and they are scattered all over the country.

For Aidil Adha this year, my younger brother is doing a "korban" - satu bahagian dari tujuh bahagian lembu. I did mine last year in Mecca during my Hajj. I brought my 1+ year old nephew to the area (near the river) and he was so ecstatic. Ye lah... budak bandar, tak pernah tengok ayam kampung, kambing, lembu betul-betul depan mata. :-))











~ M T @ Malaysi4
~~ K0ta Bh4ru, Kelant4n

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

ID: Goodbye Island....

WARNING: The photo may not suitable for some readers. I will not beheld responsible should anything happen to the readers after reading this entry


Last day of our vacation. The flight to K U L was at 13:55. It was a full flight and we bumped into BH's friend who happen to be on teh same flight back to K U L. She and her family stayed at Alam Kvl Kvl. According to her, this resort is owned by a Malaysian.

After breakfast, spent my time enjoying the pool. Checked out at 11.45 and bid farewell to Ibu Lia, the marketing person in charge of Uma Sapna. Thanks Ibu Lia...

Goodbye B4li.......

VERDICT:
1) Overall, it was a wonderful trip. Uma Sapna is great. B4li itself is full of adventure from beach, city life, jungle and mountains.


p/s: scroll down for your present........


~ M T @ Ind0nesia
~~ Seminy4k, B4li

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

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ID: Jalan-jalan Island (3)

Our day started at 8.30am for a pick up to watch Bar0ng dance. From my observation, more audience for Bar0ng as compared to Kec4k. I guess one of the reasons is the timing. Bar0ng is only performed in the morning while Kec4k in the evening, close to dinner time for some.










After Bar0ng, we proceed to the one of the Balinese family house for a cremation. There were two cremation ceremonies that day. Since we were a bit early (before noon), the ceremony not yet started. It was an experience to be part of it. The family members were nice and trying their best to explain the cremation process and their beliefs.











Cremations ended before 2pm in which we moved to Tegallalang. En route, we stopped by few local shops for handicrafts. I would recommend to see the rice field terrace. It is wonderful. In fact there are cafe overlooking the terrace. Good place to wind down. And lucky for us, the rain just stopped and the weather was nice. And for the handicrafts, since the owners are selling them from their own home, you can bargain directly.

We stopped and bargained at few shops before realising that it was into late afternoon already. Tegalallang to Tanah Lot is not near and with narrow roads across the island, we needed to rush. But our driver is good. All the short cuts (to avoid traffic jam) and within an hour, we reached Tanah Lot. And guess what??? It was raining at Tanah Lot!!! aaarrrgghhhhhh.........

We had no choice to rent two umbrellas (which cost us Rph10,000) -> which not doing any good since it was a heavy rain! Braced ourselves in the rain and decided to stop by at one restaurant a hot drink - hoping that the rain would stop.

The rain did stop after 30mins and we missed our sunset -> the cloud blanketed the sky and we just too tired to wait until sunset.... but we did watch the sunset on the way back to the villa, in the van :-))

VERDICT:
1) Personally, Bar0ng is more entertaining. If you have plenty of time to spend, go for both Kec4k and Bar0ng. If you have to choose, I would recommend Bar0ng.
2) Try to slot a time to go to Tegallang - and dont forget to stop by the shops/local homes along the route. As usual, bargain like crazy. :-) There is also another place to see the rice terrace. Quite nice too. I can't remember the name.
3) Good to experience the cremation ceremony if you have a chance to watch it. Do check with the driver the actual time the procession to take place. Normally, it is done after 12 noon (before or at noon, it is not favourable according to B4linese belief). If you reached there too early before noon, you will die of waiting! The tour operator regards the cremation ceremony as an event to get more money. I think they are charging around USD19 per head -> for us, we made a deal earlier to include the cremation into our itinerary for the day.
4) Do pay a visit to Tanah Lot whether it is for sunset or not. It is nice.

~ M T @ Ind0nesia
~~ Seminy4k, B4li

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

ID: Jalan-jalan Island (2)

Merry Christmas for those celebrating Christmas. It's a warm Christmas in B4li. :-)

Today, decided to walk around the area i.e., Seminy4k, Legi4n and Kvta. After breakfast, walked to "Bar/Pub Street" in Seminy4k (Dhyana Pura street I think). It was so hot and humid. Walked from our villa via the short cut route to Dhyana Pura - along the rice field and few construction areas.

Since it was a day time, the area was quiet and not as happening as night time. Moved towards the beach and walked to Ober0i area. Wow, Ober0i is so nice. Those who can afford should try this nice resort. Saw few locals playing football in their underwears on the beach...hahahaha.......

In the afternoon, went to Legi4n and Kvta area. Got my lovely Starbvcks city mugs (yes, I am a collector ot Starbvcks city mugs) adn did a little shopping. This is where I found the handicrafts price are the same or cheaper than Sukaw4ti.

Later, we had a spa at this spa.

Quite far away, however, they provide pick up from your hotel. Only they don't provide transport back. You need to call a cab (they will call for you). I had a massage and green tea body scrub. Unfortunately, I was not aware that I am allergic to some ingredients they used during scrubbing (I think). I got rashes all over my legs. I took the photos of the rashes, but I guess it is just too s3xy to put it on the blog... ahaks.. [perasan kejap...]

After the massage, we went to Jimbar4n for seafood dinner. The food was bad... the cumi-cumi was like plastic and I don't feel it is worth to try seafood in B4li -> this is purely my own conclusion after two visits to Jimbar4n for seafood at two different warongs. Before, I was in B4li in 2001.

Generally, this day is just a rest day. For tomorrow, we had made a deal with our driver for another tour. We used the same driver and for Rph350,000 (if I am not mistaken or was it Rph300,000??) we get unlimited hours starting at 8.30am. Our plan was Bar0ng dance, Cremation ceremony, Ubvd, Tegallalang for rice fields terrace and Tanah Lot for the sunset.

VERDICT:
1) Put spa in your itinerary. It is worth to try. Cheap compare to KayEll. On our way the airport, we saw this one spa center at the shop house perpendicular (across from traffic light round-a-bout) from Planet Hollywo0d. What more, the halal restaurant is just next to the spa center.
2) No regret if you dont have time to experience seafood at Jimbar4n.

~ M T @ Ind0nesia
~~ Seminy4k, B4li

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

ID: Jalan-jalan Island (1)

A night before, I made a call to one tour operator in B4li. From the pamphlet, it provides a car/van rental inlcuding driver for Rph250,000 for 8 hours. At first, the tour operator quoted me Rph300,000 for 8 hrs, but when I mentioned the pamphlet suggests different rate, he agreed with me. Agreed for a pick up at 11am, however, there was a miscommunication between him and the driver, our pick up arrived at 10am.

Our original plan is Ubvd - Kintam4ni - Sukaw4ti - Kec4k Dance. Discussed with the driver, he suggested we reached Kintam4ni before noon (due to raining season) and had lunch there. We will stop by areas along the way to Kintam4ni such as Celuk and another place I can't remember. Then after Kintam4ni, we should move to Sukaw4ti and later be at Kec4k dance by 6pm. Since the driver is a native B4linese, we just agreed with him. Instead of 8 hrs as planned, we ended up paying him for 10 hours.

On the way to Kintam4ni, we stopped by the usual tourist places i.e., batik painting and silver craft. The price here is exorbitant. We just cuci mata checking out the prices and handicraft only.










Reached Kintam4ni around 1 pm after the rain. The view is beautiful. Need to pay to get into the area. Our driver drove us directly to the restaurant by the valley. The view is amazing from the restaurant. You can have your lunch on the cliff overlooking the mountain, lake and valley. However, for the very very low quality food and cost Rph60,000 per head is just not worth it. You can still take the photos without having lunch there. The restaurant just took advantage on the tourists. Well, who will not do this? This is money. In fact, the waitress kept on asking me the cologne I am using (??). She kept praising how lovely the smell is and asking what brand it was.











After Kintam4ni, we moved down to go back to the south area (towards Kut4). On the way, the driver stopped by at the coffee plantation. Had a small cup of B4li chocolate and B4li coffee. Surprisingly, you will find C N I 3-1 coffee on sale there too :-)











The Kec4k performance will not be staged until 6pm, so we went to Sukaw4ti for handicrafts. Although there are abundant of choices there, the prices are not that cheap. Some are actually more expensive than Kut4/Legi4n. It is good if you already walk around Kut4 checking out the prices before coming to Sukaw4ti. At least you know what is cheap and where - an advantage for you. As for the paintings, better not to buy from here. They are imitation and you will see the same paintings at the gallery/studio in Ubvd signed by the original artists. If you want to get the paintings, go to the studio, not the gallery. You can deal directly with the artists and get the cheaper price. My friend bought six huge paintings (with two small paitings free) for nearly Rph3,000,000 - I think it is a good bargain.

I have watched Kec4k dances during my first visit to B4li in 2001. So, nothing great for me. Personally, I'd rather watching Bar0ng show as opposed to Kec4k. Leg0ng dance may be worthwhile as well.












VERDICT:
1) To get a transport with the driver, shop around or try to get contact via friends who have been to B4li before. Negotiate.
2) At Kintam4ni, tell the driver that you want to have lunch somewhere else, not the 'pre-arranged" restaurant. Or better still, pack your own lunch :-)
3) When buying paintings, start the bargain with at max 50% of the quote prices. If you dare to go lower, go ahead. The paintings we bought originally quoted around Rph5,000,000.
4) No regret if you can skip Sukaw4ti. Nearlyof the handicrafts on sale there are available in Kvta/Legi4n area at the same price or even lesser.

~ M T @ Ind0nesia
~~ Seminy4k, B4li

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

ID: Upgrading to real "Indah"

Early morning, woke up for breakfast. Body aching.. thanks to the lousy bed with lousy pillow. And to our "friends" the mosquitoes, thank you very much for the company. At the restaurant, just me, my friend and another "kwailo". Asked for omelette and was given omelette PLUS bacon. I was shocked and looked at the waiter. He asked me.. "Tak makan daging b*b1?"... Me: err... no....

He took my plate and went to the corner, took out daging b*b1 and brought back the plate to me. Ouch..... Luckily I am checking out from this not so Indah hotel today.

Around 11.30am, checked out and waited for the transfer to Uma Sapna in Seminy4k. Based on the photos and reviews in one website, this suppose to be a wonderful villa with private swimming pool or spa pool. We got upgraded to the villa with swimming pool for the next four nights. Cool...... (but I tak pandai berenang, macam mana tu?... ahaks...)










The villa is nice. Exactly as per review. However, according to B4linese belief, the nice/good things must always have the opposite as well - to balance it out. The two major issues with this villa -> privacy and distance. Privacy: The main door to the villa compound is not fully covered. Anybody from outside (if one really peeks through the door and bamboo curtain), one can see the compound and the swimming pool. So, for those who enjoy "birthday suit" sunbathing/swimming, be careful. Distance: The villa is situated around 300 meters (I think) from the main road (Laksamana Road) and not properly lit up at night. Also, few dogs around (for the record, I don't like dogs). A bit noisy and scarry as well if you were walking late night.



The nearby Jalan raya Seminyak (towards Legian and Kuta) has nothing to offer at night. The shops along this road up to Legian close around 8pm daily. And the Laksamana Road has more restaurants than other shops. These restaurants situated towards the Oberoi beach - a bit further from the villa.

Had nasi padang for dinner and made a mistake by asking to "hidang". Next time, go for individual, dont ask for hidang. I should have known this since it is the same in KayEl.

VERDICT:
1) Uma Sapna is a good villa. Contact Ibu Lia (marketing person for Uma Sapna), and tell her I sent you there. She knows this blog :-) [well, she should :-))]. I would recommend the place for a romantic gateway. Singles, errr.. strike this place out from your list. In fact, don't bother to stay at a villa if you a single traveller.
2) If you want to be in the vicinity of night life (shops, restaurants, to see people or being seen), stay somewhere in Legian or Kuta. Avoid Seminyak. Heard Alam Kvl Kvl is nice.
3) If you want to stay in villa, shop around. Uma Sapna was our choice since this is the cheapest we can find for the peak season (Chirstmas). Can try this and this.

~ M T @ Ind0nesia
~~ Seminy4k, B4li

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

ID: Terbang Tinggi MY ID

First day of vacation. I mean the starting of the trip to B4li. Took a cab from Dsara to KayEl Sentral to catch the SkyBvs to the first ever L C C T in S E A. This was also my first time at L C C T. Never being there. The SkyBvs costs RM9 per head. Not bad considering the buses used are new and the journey took less than an hour.

Reached the terminal around 2pm - what a surprise! I kept on thinking the suitable word to describe what I saw, but the word just didn't come to my mind. It is like a deja vu. I never being there before - but I felt I have been there.... macam mana tu... punye le susah nak think that one word. Hold and behold, while having my lunch at MekD, my friend suddenly uttered the magic word... yes! that was it..... this is "PUDURAYA"... instead of buses emitting the black fume, this PUDURAYA is full with white/red AIRbvses... cleaner I guess... but, this is not my cup of tea, I mean, to start off my vacation in this kind of place is just not right :-)

The flight supposed to be at 1640hrs but it was delayed..oppps (never use the word "delay" with A K)... the flight to D P S was retimed to 1820hrs... due to the technical problem. We were told to disembark and go back to the stuffy terminal. Reached the terminal after the long walk and 10 minutes later, we were called back for the second embarkation. What's the point of asking the passengers to disembark just for 10 minutes plus the loooong walk and called again for another loooong walk? Luckily the captain understood the situation and offer all the passengers the first drink. Yes, the first soya bean drink is on the house. :-)
Finally the AIRbvs took off and we reached B4li around 10pm. Took a (coupon) cab from Band4ra Ngvrah Rai to Kut4 - a bit expensive (arnd Rph45,000), but since the hotel that we are going to stay for the first night does not provide transfer, we have no choice. Moreover, it was already late night and I don't want to risk hailing the taxi outside the terminal.

Checked in at Ind4h Beach H0tel (P0ppies L4ne II). Bak kata pepatah, indah khabar dari rupa - and this is exactly Ind4h Beach H0tel. The word "Indah" is meaningless. Same goes to "Beach". Dah lah tak "Indah" langsung, beach punye le jauh. For a merely RM97 including breakfast and just for one night stand.. ooppss... transit je, I should have not complaint too much.

At night, stroll along infamous Kuta beach and surrounding. Had MekD (again) for supper. Hmm... nice view at MekD too..... [:-P

VERDICT:
1) If you can get other airlines with reasonable fare, go for it. I took A K coz the difference is 50% from our national Wau Kucing airline.
2) Find a better hotel along Jalan Pantai Kuta even if you just need a room for a night. Legian area is also good. By all means, avoid this tak seberapa Indah hotel.

~ M T @ Ind0nesia
~~ Kvta, B4li

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Off...

Wishing all the readers Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha and Happy New Year....

Am off to B4li tomorrow for holiday....

Take care everyone....

~ M T @ Malays1a
~~ Ampg, Selang0r

~To Travel Is To Discover Oneself~

SG: Hurry Up!!

mLanded safely at Chang1 at 1355hrs, 15 minutes late than scheduled. Upon stepping out the beautiful Airbus 330 (this is one of the latest additions to the Q R fleet - with new livery), to my surprised, I found the airport staff holding a place card with my name on it. I was panicked because I was not expecting it and my connection flight will be in 75 minutes - so, in my opinion, I still have lot of time.

She made it as if that I was late and we rushed to Terminal 2 for check in - killing all my plan to stroll around the duty free before boarding. Even nak kencing pun tak sempat!!!!

She apologized for not addressing me correctly i.e., on the place card, there is no salutation (Mr.) before my name. I told her I don't care. Apparently, somebody from Q R have notified S I N that I only have minimum time for transfer. Hmmm..... this Q R must know me very well - I will not be in the departure lounge unless the screen shows my flight boarding status "Last Call"....

Ok.. need to board now... see you in the next entry....

~ M T @ Singap0re
~~ Gate F34, S I N Airport

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself~

QA: Premium Terminal

Am at the world's only airport Premium Terminal dedicated for Q R First and Business class passengers. From my observation, M H Golden Lounge at K L I A is bigger and have more varieties of food. Service wise, Q R is more professional compare to those Residence Hotel staff that manage the lounge. I have heard that Wings at H K I A is the world best lounge, but since I am yet to experience the lounge, I was not able to comment about it.

This premium terminal is specifically for Q R passengers departing and transiting in DOH. For other carriers, they still have to use the sardine-packed existing terminal. Looking at tonight's crowd, I think Q R underestimate the utilization. Even now, at midnight, peak time for Q R heavies, the seats are insufficient. Luckily I have checked in earlier and booked the best seat at the lounge. :-) okay..okay.. not the best seat, but good one :-p

At midnight, the lights are deemed.... nak suruh tido ka? nanti terlepas flight baru tahu.. :-p

Facilities are great. They have Cloak Room, Games Room, Nursery, Clinic, Business Center, Duty Free area and separate First & Business Class lounges. Unlike M H Golden Lounge, there is no way for passengers from one lounge to sneak to another lounge. In the Golden Lounge, you can sneak via the Business Center and a link door at the end of the lounge.

Enjoy some photos..












~ M T @ Q4t4r
~~ DOH Premium Terminal, D0ha

~To Travel Is To Discover Oneself~