A Little Story of My Life in Bali

Walking my dogs at Canggu Beach

2011-08-27T00:33:00.000+07:00

I choose Canggu Beach to walk my dogs because the beach is the closest to my house and the most important is it's quite, not busy and full of people sunbathing as in Seminyak, Legian or Kuta Beach.

Here my dogs can run as fast as they want. I know it's not good to let your dog running like that in a public beach but they really enjoy it and since I feel guilty not taking them for a walk everyday, therefore I just let them enjoy their freedom as long as they don't bother people.

Visitors at canggu beach are mostly surfer and they surf far in the middle of the sea, sometimes I really enjoy seeing them show off their talents in surfing. Some Japanese girl surfer ussually also love playing with my dogs too. "Kawaii, Kawaii! " they said. It's mean cute. I think they're cute too :-)

Here is some picture of my dogs enjoying their day at Canggu Beach

Balinese Style Hotel around Legian/Seminyak

2011-05-14T11:54:00.002+07:00

There are many hotels now built around Legian and Seminyak, most of the new hotels are new modern building, although they look nice and minimalist, my all time favorite is still a Balinese style hotel which is now rarely found. Some Balinese style hotels are mostly the most expensive hotel. You should pay a huge amount of money when you want to experience Balinese Style hotel in Bali, like The Oberoi Bali that have a unique Balinese villa and Lanai, they also have a huge garden with lots of beautiful old trees.

Here I would like to share some Balinese Style Hotels around Legian and Seminyak that are not too expensive. I don’t know their exact rate so I checked their rate on Agoda.

Puri Dewa Bharata

My boss in London who are about to come to Bali with her children once asked me to find hotel or villa near Seminyak’s busy street. The hotel should be quiet and Balinese style and not so expensive. So I surprise myself when I found this hotel. They have Balinese style villa, a cozy swimming pool and located not far from Jalan Raya Seminyak. The price is around USD 60++ per night and they have a huge open air living room area.

Desa Muda Village

This also located at the main street of Seminyak, but they’re quiet. I used to swim in this villa every Saturday. They open their main pool for outside visitor but still sometimes only I was the only person using the pool, it’s nice and quiet. I guess nobody swim in the main pool because each villa already have their own swimming pool. The price is around USD 150 for one bedroom pool villa, they alo have 2 bedroom pool

Hotel Villa Lumbung

I know this hotel only from review of our hotel guests that said the hotel is very nice Balinese Style. I saw it only from outside and they do look Balinese style. Price start from USD 100

Taman Ayu Cottage

This is a small hotel but very nice and cheap. My friends stayed here before and I visit them and thought this is nice and quiet. They’re not too modern but room amenity is good for USD 40++ per night

Putu Bali Villa

This is also a small nice villa style hotel. Price is about USD 70++/night. They have a small nice and green Balinese Garden. Great location not far from famous restaurants in Jalan Oberoi

So Other hotel Balinese Style I can’t found their rate is:

Tony’s Villa
Melasti hotels

Whenever I know other Balinese Style hotels I’ll update them here ^_^ Or if any of you have some suggestions? you're welcome to comment.

Cheap Hotel in Kuta, Bali below USD 50

2010-01-16T22:49:00.000+07:00

After few years being asked by my friends who wanted to go to Bali and looking for cheap hotel in Kuta, now I am making a list of it so next time whenever my friends asked me again I’ll send them this list

List of Cheap Hotel in Kuta and Legian, Bali below USD 50

These hotel is quite good, clean and comfortable. C’mon if you want to have a five star service, you should stay in a five star hotels where you can complain as much as you can and get complimentary meals or upgrade as a compensation (I met lots of things like this when I worked as a receptionist in a five star hotel).

Please don’t blame me if you stay in one of this hotel and not satisfied. I have no relationship with this hotel and this list is based on my search on Agoda.com and some visit when one of my friends stays here..

Dewi Sri Hotel rate starts from US$ 34. Located in central Legian, close to bars and nightlife.
Melasti Beach Bungalow Price start from US$ 41. Not on the beach but walking distance. Very close to shopping area and have a nice garden ( I thought o)
Green Garden Hotel Price starts from US$ 34. My friends favorite hotel because very close to Discovery Shopping Mall
Legian Village Hotel Price starts from US$ 23. One of my close friend worked here before. Very nice small hotel. Hidden in the busy shopping street and close to nightlife bars.
The Oasis Kuta Price starts from US$ 37. Modern style hotel. Looks clean and have a nice layouts surrounding the main pool
Tune Hotel Kuta Price starts from US$ 23. Very new otel located in close to Kuta Square. Rooms are very small. Suitable for people who only need place to sleep.
Balisani Padma Hotel Price starts from US$ 25. Traditional Balinese room and walking distance to the beach
Adi Dharma Cottages Price starts from US$ 41. Located in Legian Street close to shopping area
Barong Kuta Hotel Price starts from US$ 35. Walking distance to Kuta Beach and lots of cheap restaurant along the poppies lane

Ok. I think thats all I can found but actually there are lots of cheap hotel along poppies lane in Kuta where young people or backpacker ussually stays. Poppies Lane is very famous for its cheap restaurants and walking distance only to Kuta beach.

I'm making another list. Hotel in Kuta and Legian below US$ 100

Happy New Year 2010

2010-01-01T11:00:00.001+07:00

NY Happy New Years Graphic provided by MUDTRAP.COM

Happy New Year to you... May this year bring lots of good luck and exciting life to all of us.

Although my house got robbed and my laptops and camera were stollen, I am still happy this year because I pay my last house bond this December and I move to another chalenging job.

My new year resolution is still the same as last year because I never really achieve my last year resolution, teh fact is I even dont remember, did I have a new year resolution last year?

Ok, so to remind me next year about my new year resolution, here it is I write it here

My 2010 New Year Resolution

Buy a new car
Drink at least 8 glass of water everyday
Do exercise more (now I remember that every year I never achieved this target.. ;p)
Become a foster parents for 100 child allover indonesia
Take a holiday to Bunaken
Open my own business
Read at 1 quality book per month
Have a pomeranian puppy
Get more money (everybody has this resolution)
Buy a new laptop to replace my stollen laptop
Build my own website
Be wise
Ah I think I have no idea for the rest, if you have any more idea, let me know..

A note to remember

2009-11-25T18:22:00.001+07:00

Today is my last day of working, I'm moving to another hotel fo a better career (hopefully). It's really sad leaving my workplace now. Some colleagues is not only colleagues but become my best friends. Too many sweet things happened at this place and too many good memories. I tried hard to keep my eyes dry, not to cry. I hate crying on farewell. Easier for me if on my last day I saw everybody is happy. A good friend of mine wrote me this note in facebook. This note is really a sweet one...

"Not a good bye only see you later"

Mon at 9:03pm

by Indira Maheswari

I can’t really explain what is my feeling today; happy, sad, upset, and lonely. I would then realize it is a recipe of life but I knew something is missing from my life.

At 10.00 a.m. in our French class, Ngakan Cole was very nice, brought me a plastic of ‘Tempe Goreng’ coz he knows I am always hungry in the morning and will eat anything in the class.

At 12:00 p.m. Andy brought me a bar of Toblerone, my favourite, to my office, just becoz I was standby at the hotel when we had staff party at Waterbom yesterday.

I was too happy to notice that tomorrow will be the last working day of my little pinky angel “Utary”. As our lives will always change, I try so hard to accept that you will be part of the other team. Just wanna share how I am so proud to be your friend and having you as one of our vigorous team member.

You were the one I could count on, in good times and bad times. All the times, we had together; rafting, yakiniku, fun walk, thousands times pizza party, it was amazing. Hopefully these memories will stay there in your mind forever and looking forward to share another time again.

It’s not the end. Gotta keep it stronger, come whatever we will still be friends 4ever. I trust we have a better time than most can dream of, better than the best, whatever tears at us, whatever holds us down, “WE WILL MAKE THE BEST OF WHAT’S AROUND"

Congratulations and all the best for your new challenge, my dear Utary.

Christina Aguilera (I Turn to You):

“For a shield from the storm, for a friend, for a love to keep me safe and warm...I turn to you. For the strength to be strong, for the will to carry on...for everything you do, for everything thats true, I turn to you."

more photos here

Rafting to Telaga Waja

2009-11-14T12:10:00.000+07:00

After Rafting at Ayung River, Now I'll try Rafting at Telaga Waja. This time is my department outing and we are in a group of 16 people so I'm sure it'll be lot more fun. Telaga Waja is a class III + rapids and my friends said is a lot more fun than Ayung River. Ayung is more flat but the view is prettier in Ayung.

After one and half hour drive from Seminyak to Karangasem, we arrived in Telaga Waja and as usual the guide gave us the short brief before we hop on to our boat. The water is crystal clear and lots of big rock makes our boat a bit bumpy. The side of the river is a green rice field that looks like a grass in the football field. The guide told me that this river is mostly used to water the rice field.

On the way we found many traditional bamboo bridge that are so low and we have to lay down in our boat to avoid our head hitting the bridge. It's so fun I wish there are more of it on the river. We also hit lots of rock and therefore our guide told us to hang on the safety rope tightly tied in the boat.

Whenever we passed other boat we always spray them with water from the river to get the other boat's passenger wet. They usually spray us back and that makes a water war more fun. There was one boat with 4 young girls that all look like Britney spears on the boat who never spray us back no matter how hard we hit them with water from the river. They just stay calm and don't even have facial expression. I thought maybe they don't like the rafting or maybe they think we're so silly trying to hit them with water. Whatever! they're just so not fun :p

We also passed a waterfall so we stop by to take some picture and to take a rest. The journey after the waterfall is a bit quite, no hard steep banks, no bumpy raft and no bamboo bridge, only a high cliff on both side of the river. After a while the guide told us to hang on tight on the safety rope and lay down inside the boat. I wonder what happened because I saw no bridge nor a big rock but then closer to it I realize it was a 4 meters waterfall that we will pass with our boat. We screamed so loud as the boat fell down with the water and we hit a big rock so hard. After a while of that thrilled moment we laugh so hard seeing how big the rock we hit and the waterfall is quite high, scary but fun!

Nothing too challenging after that and at the finish point we enjoy ourselves bathing in the river and playing like a kids. The water is really fresh and clear, I really don't want to leave. The rafting took about 2,5 hours and we already got tired and hungry so we immediately change our wet clothes and have our buffet lunch served in a high bamboo restaurant with the view to the valley and the rice field.

Se slept in the car all the way from Telaga Waja back to Seminyak...

My First Diving to Nusa Penida

2009-11-03T08:34:00.000+07:00

Allright, I told you all about how I want to go diving after my seawalker experience to the bottom of the sea. I now got another invitation to try diving in Nusa Penida by BIDP. I’ve never been diving before so this will be my introductory diving experience.

I went with my friend, Cole. After a few trouble on the road, his motorbike tyre was broken, and the we try to find a service station and left the motorbike there because we don’t want to be late. We stopped a taxi but then the taxi driver was so impatience he left us after a few minutes waiting, so we have to run behind the taxi and scream to him to stop and wait for us. The taxi finally stopped and the driver told us that he thought we cancel the taxi because he’s been waiting too long, OMG it’s only 2 minutes.

Anyway we thought that we’re late but we’re not. In fact we’re the first persons arrived at BIDP’s office. 10 minutes later a couple from Singapore arrived and then another 3 persons joined. We tried the dive suit, the shoes and the life jackets. Then they drove us to Sanur beach where a very bright yellow BIDP boat wait for us. Let’s go to Nusa Penida

The boat trip took about 1 hour from Sanur to Nusa Penida. Our first dive will be at Manta Point. The singaporean couple told me that I was lucky that my first dive at Nusa Penida. I feel lucky too and really excited to go underwater. When we reach at Manta Point there were several boats from another diving company. Our diving guide said there must be lots of diver down there wanted to see Manta.

All other diver in our boats are experienced diver only me and Ngakan are the beginner, really beginner. So they rolled back to the water one by one while we’re just watched them gone to the deep blue sea. I thought the roll back thing is really cool and I wanted to do it too but my guide told me that he will put my equipment in the water since I am a beginner. So I went down to the water and my guide put the fin, the life jacket and the oxygen tank while I am floating in the water. Not really cool.

My dive master then told me whenever I am ready he will push the button in my jacket to make us sink, then I must equalize my ear to avoid the water pressure.. I was scared, so as Ngakan. We dive slowly until we reach 5 meters deep. I couldn’t let my hand off from my dive master since I was scared that I can’t control myself underwater.

Only 5 minutes down there, I saw nothing but a big ugly corals in the midle of the sea. I thought where’s the manta? The I saw my guide’s hand shaking me and pointed to a dark creature swam closer to us. OMG that was Manta fish. Very big, the size of my garage I think. I thought Manta fish was small and cute but this Manta was far from small but still cute. Other divers swam closer to the Manta and some took the picture. I have no underwater camera so I can’t take any picture. Pity me I really wanted to take picture with Manta so I can post it on Facebook. ;p

After Manta Point, our boat leave for Crystal Bay. Here we stopped and have our lunch in the land. I am glad we eat on the land because being in the boat make me sea sick already.

After lunch, Ngakan said he won’t dive again because he don’t feel good about diving. Poor Ngakan he’s scared of the sea and he told me he’ll never dive again. Whatever, I don’t want to miss this dive again. I know our first experience at Manta Point is not really good but it’s our first dive ever so it’s a bit scary and maybe we’re not get used with the equipment and being underwater yet.

I told my guide that this time I want to do the roll back thing like other professional diver did. So he put all my equipment on the boat the I rolled back to the water. It’s cool really cool. I feel like a pro…

Since Ngakan didn’t dive again the dive master will only took car of me which is better. I dive 11 meters down and I saw these really beautiful corals. It does look like paradise here, the corals are colorfull I even touched a corals and they suddenly popped in to the rocks, really pretty. I ask my guide not to hold me all the time because I want to swam alone. I mean he’ll still be right by my side so I feel safe because the under current here is quite strong. I dive down untill 20 meters depth and more pretty fish I saw, more pretty corals I really love it.

I felt like only 5 minutes down there (it does feel like 5 minutes) when my guide told me that we have to go up. I said I don’t want to with my hand sign to but he insisted that we go up. When we reached the ocean’s surface I told him that I still wanted to be there but he told me that my oxygen can only supply me for maximum 1 hour and we’re already 45 minutes down there. Oh…..

The view that I saw at crystal bay really impressed me. NO wonder people love to dive, the view underwater is really pretty. My guide also told me that sometimes Mola-mola fish can be seen in crystal bay. I feel like I wanted to dive again, maybe next time in another place…

My Sea Walker Experience

2009-10-18T20:22:00.003+07:00

Today I’m going for sea walker in Sanur with Sea Walker Company.
I got too excited last night, I couldn’t sleep well imagining myself dow to Bikini Bottom with helmet to keep me breathing. Just like Sandy, friend’s of Spongebob Squarepants.

When I reach Puri santrian Hotel, where the sea walker will start, my heart pounding in excitement. I can’t believe I’m going under the sea to see fish in their habitat closer. Well I did snorkel sometimes but snorkelling only make you see them not touch them.

I’v ever consider to go diving but I’m too scared doing that. So I thought seawalker is fine. Before started they play a DVD about what to do and what we shouldn’t do underwater. I listened carefully because I don’t want to miss a thing that might cause me in danger. I am a bit scared too doing this seawalker. They said the helmet is very heavy.

We went to the Seawalker pontoon by a small boat. There are 6 of us. 2 japanese girl, one French tourist and 3 of us. When we reach the pontoon, the guide once again told us about the hand sign if any problem occur. He said we can breath just like normal but maybe we will experience some ear problem, then we have to equalize by pinching our nose until it feels normal.

One by one we go down into the water from the side of the pontoon. Once our body sink to the water, they put the helmet into our head and we immediately sink down to the deep blue sea. Well not too deep it’s only 5 meter depth. The seawalker guide with diving gear always stay right next to us.

We walk through the empty sand at the bottom of the sea. I saw nothing but a never ending bluish greenish water. My ear feels the pressure so I pinch my nose again to equalize. The guide asked me with hand sign if I was ok and I told him it’s ok.

After a few 15 or 20 step I started to see fish, litle fish they’re colorfull. The guide gave me a bottle full of fish food and I can squeeze the bottle and the fish food will burst out from the bottle. Fish love it so they gathered around me to eat the fish food. I started to feel excited. I touch the fish one by one but they’re scared of me and always shocked everytime I touched them hehehe…

The guide then show us a bunch of corals with more fishes. We kneel down near the coral and everybody squeeze their bottle and more fish coming to us. I almost can’t see anything but fish all around me. They’re small fish and colorfull. Some bigger fish in flashing blue color also passed by sometimes. I put the fish food on my hand and they eat it directly from my finger. Their teeth is sharp, sometimes hurt my finger too, but I’m too excited to worry about that.

I feel like only a minute with the fish when the guide show me a star fish on the bottom. I can’t bend because the water will come up to my helmet so the guide took the starfish and gave it to me. I took a picture with the starfish I named Patrick.. (^_^)

After a while, the guide took us for another walk. I thought we’ll walk to another corals but now, we went back to the pontoon. I’m a bit dissapointed. I thought they say we’ll be 30 minutes underwater and it’s only like 5 minutes but we’re finished. But I can’t talk down there as they can’t hear me.

When all of us got back to the pontoon safely. I asked the guide why we’re underwater for only 5 minutes and he said “no, we’re there for 30 minutes and show me his watch. I told him it feels like only 5 minutes. He said we could feel like that because we walked very slow underwater. I wonder why can’t we stay for 1 hour then? And he asked me to pay more… owww..

Anyway the experience I got underwater is great and really unforgettable. Now that I know how underwater look and feel like, I think I’ll go for diving. See my story next!

Jimbaran Seafood Experience

2009-07-07T19:21:00.002+07:00

I have been to Jimbaran to eat grilled seafood many times. Still until today the fresh seafood restaurants in Jimbaran thrilled me whenever somebody invite me for dinner there. Yeah I can’t eat there often because the food is quite expensive for me and I can’t afford it to eat there as often as I want. Only on special ocassion and this night is a special occasion because my sister in law from Kalimantan came for visit and we recommend her to try Jimbaran seafood.

We went to this café in Jimbaran, I already forgot the name because there are so many Cafes there and I think they are all the same. All of them serve fresh seafood in the same way. We choose the table in front close to the water so we will have an uninterupted ocean view, eventhough it is already dark and we can’t really see the ocean but the lights from the Fisherman’s boat and from the hotels and restaurant around the shore looked fantastic.

We ordered a package consist of a fish, crab, shrimp, scallop and squid per person. When the food arrived, I really can’t wait to eat the crab but I saved it for the last. All of the seafood is grilled with Balinese spices that makes it smells so tempting. The grilled shrimp is so soft inside with a litle spicy and the fish taste soo good I eat it until only the bones left. Half of my food finished and I already feel full in my stomach but I can’t stop eating because I don’t want to regret that I did not finished this delicious meals so I continue by eating my crab. You know how difficult it is to eat crab but I enjoy every meat of it.

My brother in law ordered more scallops and another 2 lobster for us, which I am not sure if all of us can finish it. But when the lobster arrived nobody want to miss it and it’s gone in second. Everybody said now they’re really full and could not take anymore food. The waiter offered fruits as a dessert but no one wants to eat it.

We went home tired after a full day tour and a big feast in Jimbaran but everybody is asatisfied. My brother in law said that the mood with the beach view and eat on the sand is really fit in the seafoods taste and the songs played by the local musician.

Well I can’t wait for another special occasion to eat in Jimbaran again..

Cycling Trip to Ubud

2009-02-21T19:42:00.007+07:00

I like Ubud and visit it a lot especially during my off day. Visiting Ubud too many times makes me wonder what else can we do beside just walking around. So my freelance guide friend, invite me to go with him for a cycling trip to Ubud and he promised that he will bring us to see the other side of Ubud..

Yeah well, I visited almost all five star hotels in Ubud and knew that they do have the stunning view to the valley, hills or to the river. So what else could be the other side of Ubud?

We started in the morning by rent the bike first. There were 4 of us including the my guide friend. The bike rental normally is Rp. 50.000 per day but we bargain alot and we got Rp. 20.000 per bike for that day. I am so proud of my friend who can bargain that much.

I choose a small yellow bike with a basket in the front to put all my things: water, jackets, camera and one of my friend put his raincoat on my basket (he said just in case it’s rain so he doesn’t want to get wet).

We started from Ubud art market and went along the busy road which is not too busy because it’s still early. A group of elementary school children with Balinese costume walked along the road with us. They went across the street to the temple near the river. We followed them, not to the temple but down to the river. The road is a bit slippery and children running along the narrow lane makes it difficult to control the bike.

After passing all those children we have to take our bike climb up through the step. I already complained for the step because my bike is quite heavy. But as we reach to the top, I was stunned with the spectacular view. We were on the hill where we can see all the hotels along the main road in Ubud. Apparently this hill is the view from that hotels.

This hills was covered with the high grass and some trees. The pathways were already built crossing the hills. My friend said that this is Sobek’s trekking path. So I hope Sobek don’t mind that we were using their path. My friend said it’s ok. It does not belong to them.

We met some expat walked with their dogs and also some others passed by with their bike, just like us. Other than that is just silence and the sound of the wind touching the grass, the sound of the nature…

We cycle very slow in that path until we reach the end of the hills. There were some workers building a new villa. We stopped for a while imagining that the villa will have a stunning view to the hills.

We passed the village and the ricefield. Some farmers were sitting down and have a rest after planting lots of rice. It seems life are simple here, but I don’t know maybe for us who enjoy the view, yes it is seems simple. Maybe for the farmers it is not simple at all. They have to work hard planting rice and took care of the rice, harvest it later and sell it cheap. What if there was a storm that destroys the rice or what if some bugs eat most of their rice. They will have nothing to eat and their family will struggle with the need.. But I am sure the farmer live a happy life and the harvest will bring them lots of rice to sell..

Enough about rice, when we reach the end of the village, we took a shortcut back again to the centre of Ubud. None of us want to take the offer to continue the trip to taro village which is quite far as we are already exhausted.

We met some other people, who use bike for their daily life. Some kids wento to school with their bike. We met a “Bakso” (meatball) seller who had their cart on the back of the bike, I am sure it’s heavy but the seller never give up promoting his “Bakso” with the unique sound of his bell. The smell of the meatball broth rise in the air made me feel hungry.

As we reach Ubud central again, rain suddenly fell. We stopped at the nearest circle K convenience store and bought some drinks and snacks while waiting for the rain to stop.
It’s fun watching all the people passing by through the rain. Some tourist use a colorfull umbrella, some don’t care about the rain and let themselves wet. Some motorbike driver use the raincoat to pick up their kids from school and few people took shelter at the hall.

Rain quickly stopped, so we continue our trip to return the bike. We use motorbike from denpasar to Ubud so we keep our motorbike parked in front of the shops near the bike rental. After returning the bike, my friend got panick as he couldn’t find his motorbike key. The shopkeeper, a young boy came and gave him his motorbike key and explained that he found the key hanging on his motorbike so he took it to save it. After thanking him for his kindness, my guide friend said “ That’s the difference between Ubud and Kuta, here people are still honest. If you hang your key in your motorbike in Kuta and left it, surely your motorbike will be quickly gone”

I thought maybe it’s true…

A Visit To Elephant Safari Park

2008-10-12T20:42:00.004+07:00

Yesterday I got invitation from Bali adventure Tour who managed the Elephant safari Park at Taro Village in Ubud to attend the launching of their new package of Safari Under The Star.

Since I never visited the Elephant Park before, I was so excited to finally see it with my own eyes the real park which I ussualy recommend to my guests to visit. All the information I have before are only from their brochure.

The journey took about one and half hours drive from Seminyak to Taro village. However the view along the way is stunning, The countryside in Ubud reflect the real Balinese life and it seems like untouchable by the busy and touristy life in Kuta and Seminyak. Who would wonder that there are somebody who build heaven for elephants in this beautiful forest.

When we get there, I just cant wait to see more of the park instead of just sitting and waiting for other party to come. So I asked the staff if I can take a short walk along in the park and get closer to the elephants. The friendly staff offered if I would consider ride the elephants to show me around the park. Well off course I said yes.

Off we went for an elephant ride which is quite scary at first because I thought I would fell off to the ground. The elephant, named Tagor are very calm and I happen to know that he was an artist too. I saw his paintings at the souvenir shop inside the park. I saw lots of elephant in the park, eating some grass. They looked happy and friendly. It seems like they are taken care so well here.

Late in the evening, Mr. & Mrs. Mason the founder of the park invited us to see the elephant show and try the Elephant safari under the star. There isn’t stars that night because its rainy. So we use a raincoat and an umbrella to see the jungle at night riding the elephants. This time I ride with Miki, another beautiful elephant who can’t stand to pick some leaves along the way to the jungle.

The experience with the elephants was fantastic and I enjoyed it so much. This time I got more information and experience it myself then with no doubt I can explain it better if my guests asks about Elephant Safari.

Later that night when I already in the comfort of my bed and it is still rain outside, I wondered about Tagor and Miki and the other elephants who plays in the water, aw… I already missed them..

This is our picture with Tagor.. He looked very happy...

The trip to Workplace

2008-09-27T20:13:00.004+07:00

Since my house now is quite far from my workplace, I now can enjoy the journey that took about 20 minutes motorbike riding. I just noticed that there is a shortcut from my house to the road near the hotel I’ve worked. The shortcut is much more quiter than the main road where I ussually pass.

On the main road, I have to pass 5 traffic lights, now I can avoid all the traffic light by using the shortcut.

The other thing that is so special about this shortcut is I have to pass the small road in a village and there are a beautiful view of the ricefield along the way. I saw some beautiful villa build among the ricefield. I enjoy most of my trip to work especially when I have to work in the morning shift, I can see sunrise from the distance... Bali dogs I saw along the way looks happy and I’m sure they have a good life with their master.

Its now summer in Bali, almost all flower are ready to bloom. The bougenville are everywhere. Blooming so colorfull. I can smell the dew from the grass and from the ricefield. Eventhough It is hard for me to wake up early in the morning, thinking about the journey and beautiful things I can see on the way to work could lift up my spirit to wake up.. (Still I need an alarm..)

The only things I don’t enjoy is if I have to work afternoon shift and get back home at 11 pm. The road is dark and there is only minimum lights from houses along the way. Plus the Bali dogs that are nice in the morning loves to bark in the evening when they see someone passing. Therefore my only option is using the main road with all the traffic lights....

Finally, My Own Dream House.

2008-08-30T12:50:00.005+07:00

I wrote in my blog before about the house of my dream which is inspired by my friend’s house near the lake as you can read here. I always wanted a small house in a quiet area not far from the town and have beautiful view of nature.

Well the house is not exactly as I wanted but closer. Me and my husband bought the house half finished and have to refurbish it on our own. It was a terrible days finishing the house. Stessfull because of the rise in price for the material. Finally it is finished and we can move to this house eventhough the garden and the garage is not finished yet..

These days, I am so busy decorating my small house and of course gardening. Now I love shopping for home appliances, decoration and plants for my garden. Yesterday I just finished planting the grass in my front yard..

In my block I only have 4 neighbours and full view to the ricefield. I hope this area will not growing fast as the other area did. People buy the land and build houses and there will be no more ricefield. I like the ricefield just in front of my house, the sound of the chirping birds in the morning and frogs singing at night, so calming..

White Water Rafting

2008-06-02T17:22:00.004+07:00

Recently, I experienced several adventurous activities like Buggy Drive and Surfing Lesson . This week I got invitation for white water Rafting arranged by Sobek. Off course, eventhough I am not an adventure person, I took the invitation excitingly and start counting the day for this exciting adventure on the river.

Sobek is one of the famous company for rafting in Bali and was a pioneer of White Water Rafting in Bali. We recommend Sobek for our guest in the hotel if they would like to go for rafting and now they invited me to know better about their company and experience the thrill of white water rafting.

Well, I am quite nervous and scared of rafting as I thought it is quite dangerous. But Mr. Tiger (our Rafting guide), who was very funny and friendly told us that it is very safe if we are following the rules. I was with one chinese family, a father, a mother and a child approximately 11years old in the rubber boat. Unfortunately they can’t speak english so it is difficult to start a conversation with them. After Mr. Tiger explained about the safety then we hop on to the raft and already my adrenaline rushed for excitement.

I forgot to mentioned that I went for rafting at Ayung River in Ubud. The River is famous for its natural beauty. Many first class hotel are taking the advantage of the river’s view for their selling point. The river is actually flat for those who seek a thrilling rafting, but Sobek also offered rafting at Telaga Waja which is famous for its Class III + rapids.

Anyway after a few meters of paddling on the raft I saw the towering cliffs that was carved from the bottom. The carving tells a story from Ramayana Epic I guess. The relief was so beautiful makes me wonder who did all this carving and how many days it took to finished it? Mr. Tiger told me that it was carved by the local artists that lived around the river.

After several raft in the river banks, we saw another rubber boat that stuck between rocks in the river. We laugh at them and splash them with water by using our oars, they were definetely wet. After few metres we did not realize that they were free from the rock and tried to catch us for a revenge. A very fun water splash war happened then. We laugh so hard. I feel like a child again, playing with water and feel happy.

We stopped at the waterfalls for a few photo shot and a hard shower under the water falls. We also swam in the river. What a view with a fresh air. I feel like I don’t want to leave this river. We continued challenging the river and sometimes saw an interesting trees, or local people along the river. After 2 hours Rafting, I feel tired and thank God it’s finished in front of Sobek restaurant where delicious Indonesian food served near the river. We ate on the terrace river café with buffet lunch while our clothes are still wet. After meals we take a quick shower and change of clothes. Our driver were ready to take us back to Denpasar… Ooowww..I don’t want to leave yet.. It felt like a very short adventure.

Bali Quad and Buggy Drive

2008-03-02T19:12:00.009+07:00

Another adventure invitation from Bali Quad for us. This will be an exciting new adventure for me. I am just so glad that Bali Quad invite us to experience Quad Bike and Buggy in Ubud. They pick us up in the morning to go to Ubud. The place is in Marga Tengah Village, near Kintamani which is abpproximately 1,5 hours drive from Seminyak..phheewww what a long journey to start.

The Buggy and Quad Bike are specially designed Off Road vehicles that cope with all kind of terrain. First they give us a clear instruction and practice both Quad and Buggy before I decided to go with Buggy. Quad bike seems too difficult to handle and I am a litle bit scared in riding quad bike during our practice. Buggy seems more safe and easier to handle. like driving an automatic car.

The tour start to explore the off road amongst rice fields and traditional village. I drive carefully because there are lots of mud and pool of water on the road that makes my clothes get dirty when I pass it over. It is quite exciting to get dirty with the mud. things that I did a lot when I was a child. The track become a litle tricky when there are terrain that we have to pass. I am quite nervous driving this Buggy in a difficult track. Once I even hit the Quad Bike in front of me, which is happen to be our guide.. We laugh a lot. Luckily my Buggy did not turn upside down when I hit the Quad.

The track is passed a very traditional villages, where we meet lots of children waving to us with their smile. One child even gave me flower that she picked from her garden. So sweet.. I feel like this is the real Balinese village with their traditional ways of living. We also passed the rice fields and rain forest and have a short coffe and tea in a traditional hut with a view to the mountain.

The Off Road adventure with Quad Bikes and Buggy started to split because some people drive fast and some people like me drive slowly especially in a chalenging track, but the guide never leave us alone. They also split and keep an eye to us and show us the way. After 2 hours of adventure we went back to the place where we start and delicious lunch is ready to be served..

Surfing Lesson at Surfer Girl Surf S’cool

2008-01-21T20:06:00.002+07:00

I got an invitation for the soft opening of Surfer Girl Surf S’cool to learn to surf. I saw a lot of surfer everyday and arrange lots of surfing lessons for my guests but never think that I want to larn to surf. It look dangerous and look scary. All the negative feeling always come to my mind first. What if the waves are strong, what if I can’t handle the board, etc..etc..

The invitation looks fun, so I call them if learn to surf is dangerous and what will they teach me and how will I do that. They told me that it is safe, fun and there will be professional instructors teach me to stand on the board. So I ask my friend if she want to accompany me to learn to surf, but everybody refuse. Too many negative feeling as I have. When I desperately look for company, the assistant manager pass by and I ask her if she want to learn to surf? And she said she’d love to. Then the next morning off we go.

First they ask us to change with rash suit that already prepared with very girly color available. Off course this school are only for girl. They also ask us to put safety helmet and a high SPF sunblock for our face, arms and legs. The instructors are female too and they are so friendly and 2 male assistant for back up.

The instructor give us the theory to read the waves, paddle to the sea and ride on the waves. Well I cant wait to practice it. When it comes to practice, we practice first on the sand then to the water. Well it is not to difficult, paddle and ride the waves. We are not stand on board yet. Just paddle and ride the waves but I feel it is so much fun that I wont stop.

The second lesson is about how to stand on the board. This one is difficult. We practice it on the sand. And I can’t even stand fast. The sun is already too hot (it is only 10 am) and I feel exhausted because I got too excited on paddling on the waves. When we have to practice it on the water, Oh my god , it is so difficult. The waves keep me down whenever I tried to stand. I even hit my friend while trying to stand on my board. On one occasion I stand…. Oh yes.. I STAND… I can stand on the board while riding the waves.. Yahoo..! It is only like 1 or two second before I fell again because I can’t balance myself on board. But I feel so happy. I can be a surfer girl someday…. Hehehe..

The lesson finished at 11 am. It is already 2 hours we were on the water. All of us look happy and exhausted. All keep telling each other how it feels when they stand on the board.. My friend even ask me to do it again next time so that we can really really stand on board and ride the waves like a pro..

The Surfer Girl Surf S’cool gave each of us a certificate with our name on it mentioned that we have ride waves and stand on board. They even gave us a goody bags full of Surfer Girl Stuff, like Surfer Girl calendar, Surfer Girl Keychain, bags and lots more.

Holiday in Ubud

2008-01-20T12:35:00.000+07:00

One day me and my husband decided to have a one day holiday to run away from our busy life to a quiet and peaceful place. The choice is Ubud. It is only 1 hour drive from Kuta and we thought we should entertain ourselves sometimes, stay in a hotel, eat in the restaurant and enjoy the hotel as a guest. Since we are hotelier we only enjoy our hotel as a staff.

We went to Ubud early in the morning as we have to do some inspection to some hotel near Ubud center to fit our budget before we decided to stay.
The first hotel we went to is Tegal Sari hotel. Their room are nice, large and have a beautiful view of the rice field. The standard bungalow priced Rp. 350.000 per night including breakfast and tax, but unfortunately the hotel is fully booked. L

The next one is Panorama hotel. Their room is nice too, Deluxe room is only US$ 35 and standard room US$ 30. the room have a ricefield view too. I kinda like this hotel but my husband don’t. He don’t like the way some staff look at us like we are coming from outer space. Yes, off course I understand. We are hotelier, we know what they think about us and my husband don’t like it.

So we move to the next hotel, Green field hotel. This is a nice small hotel too. They have a new villa build in the middle of rice field. We saw the villa which is very nice Balinese style villa. The price is US$ 85. In Kuta or Nusa Dua area a villa like this could cost you about US$ 200. So this is villa is cheap with a 5 star facilities inside the room. However it is still too expensive for our budget. The receptionist then offered a standard room on the second floor which is cheaper at only US$ 25. We saw the room which is ok for a standard room and we have the rice field view too from our balcony. The room has aircon, minibar, shower, telephone, tea and coffee maker and a queen size bed. So I think this room is fine. We decided not to waste the time to look for another hotel again so that we can walk around Ubud center or just relax at the pool.

We have lunch at Warung Enak, just next to the hotel. We sat on the second floor to enjoy the view. The service here is like 5 star. They gave us a cool towel upon arrival and complimentary crackers for starter. We ordered our meals and enjoy the crackers. My husband even ask for more because the cracker is good. Eating here is cheap. For two plus drink we spent only Rp. 66.000 (about 7 USD). We decided just to stay in the hotel to relax, my husband have a nap in the room while I went to the pool to enjoy my spa. There were nobody at the pool except the therapist who was waiting for me. The therapy massage I choose is just good (plus cheap, only USD 10), the massage bed is open air and have the view to rice filed which is soooo relaxing.

At night we went for dinner at Bebek Bengil, one of the famous restaurant in Ubud for Balinese food. The restaurant is just perfect, set in a secluded garden and rice field view, plus torch light along pathway, make it look romantic. We sat in a private table and ordered their signature dish, Bebek Bengil. It’s a crispy duck served with rice and vegetables. We eat until we feel so full. The duck is crispy and soft and delicious too.

We don’t eat any dessert because we want to try another restaurant. We have our dessert at Lotus Café at Ubud center. The restaurant is surrounded by Lotus pond, lots of Lotus. The ambience is very nice but I think the food and the service is just so so.. nothing so special.. My husband don’t like it, me too. We wish to have a drink at the bar, but most bar seems empty so we decided to go back to hotel.

The next morning, we have our breakfast served at their restaurant. With a full view to the ricefield that is so calming makes our breakfast special, because we usually eat breakfast in the rush at home with no view. After breakfast we take a walk to Ubud art market before checking out from the hotel. On the way home I thought, what a short vacation. I need to do this more often, beside I don’t have to go to far, we have all we need for holiday here in Bali.

Bali Fashion Week

2007-12-19T21:53:00.000+07:00

Bali is raising on the fashion industry. I saw lately there are so many new boutique around Kuta and Seminyak area. One of my friend is just graduate from Fashion Design school and she is now entitled for the title Fashion Designer. Since she my best friend and often we hang out together, I could understand a little bit about fashion industry.

She design mostly for resort wear or beach wear. Yes, because we are on the beach area and her background is the same with me, tourism industry, therefore she choose to design resort wear.

During Bali Fashion Week, we are participating by watching the show and the exhibition… hehehe… maybe it is not participating only watching..
For my eyes I saw the costume was weird. They make clothes out of garbage, bottles, etc.. I was thinking who’s gonna wear that creepy clothes.. While my friends saw the design based on the detail and the art, she said that this is a free expression of the designer… Well ok, for me it is still weird.

She enjoyed watching the clothes and the design while I enjoy watching the models and my surrounding. The models are young and some of the male models are handsome, this I enjoyed much! LOL… There are lots of people watching. From their style, I understand that most of them are from outside Bali, a local tourist. Maybe they are participating in the fashion industry, maybe they are a fashion schools student from Jakarta or Bandung, or maybe just coming to watch the show. I can see it from the way they dress and put lots of make up in their pretty face. So far I know, Balinese don’t really put complete make up in their face except during ceremony. Balinese loves to keep their face natural or maybe because in Bali are so hot, if they put too much make up, they’ll be sweating and their make up will be melting..

We watched the fashion on the street along the way to Kuta beach. This is about the same as Kuta Karnival but are focusing only on the fashion. Some young street dancer also joined in this carnival and show up their talent. The busy street along Kuta Beach become a catwalk for the models to show up the colorful and attractive costume.

I got a chance to take picture with some of the models with their costume…

Martapura, The City of Diamond.

2007-11-25T13:32:00.000+07:00

All my friends said, when I am about to go to Kalimantan, don’t forget bring a souvenir from there. I asked what they want me to bring. most of them said: Diamond!
Helloo… Excuse me diamond are expensive..

My husband take me to Martapura that day. We went to the central of Diamond and precious stone in this city. My mother going crazy when she saw there are so many shops selling many kinds of precious stone and they’re cheap too. I know nothing about precious stone nor diamond. I thought that they’re just a colorful stone. The one that I saw there looks like fake. But it is not. The truth is the fake stone looks like the real one. That is why, people who knows nothing about precious stone are not aware of the fake or the real one. Just like me..

My mother starting busy choosing and bargaining some precious stone for herself, for my father, for this, for that and for souvenir. The price for one set precious stone is started as low as Rp. 30.000. I think that is cheap. Because, even the fake bracelet with fake stone priced higher than that in Bali. Me and my husband are just looking around while moms busy with the stone. I saw my mother tested all the stone with the testing machine that she borrowed from the seller. Yes that is important, to know if the stones are real one.

My mother asked me if I want to buy a diamond for my pendant, I said no. I already have the fake one for my white gold necklace. She insist to buy me one. After a long bargain and testing and asking for the clarity, carat, etc.. She ended up with one medium sized diamond in a triangle pendant. I kinda like it too.. So when I asked about the price, the seller said he already gave a huge discount plus guarantee certificate to my mother. Well now I know that Diamonds are girl’s best friend. I never have a diamond before, but when I wear it, I feel like it just fits me well. It’s sparkling on my neck. I thank my mother for the diamond and she said ok! She asked me to consider it as my wedding gift..
Oh my glad, I am so delighted!

Floating Market

2007-11-20T17:12:00.000+07:00

I have already put this place on my agenda as a must see! I know that Kalimantan is very famous for its floating market. I saw it a lot on TV. We went very early in the morning because the market only opens in the morning. It’s about 6 am, I woke up in the rush knowing that I am quiet late to visit the market.

We went there by traditional motorboat named “klotok”. It look the same as “ jukung” in Bali. Only different name. The river name is Barito, one of the most famous river in Kalimantan. I know that this river is huge but I don’t know that it is as wide as the sea. I saw lots of big ship taking lots of wood logs. The journey took about 15 minutes to reach to the floating market. It is actually can take only 10 minutes if the motorboat is not having a problem. The motor is stopped, I don’t know, by something in the water. It took five minutes to fix it and the current of the river took us backward.

I saw the floating market full of another smaller and bigger “klotok” The seller yelled offering their goods and the buyer paddle their boat from one seller to another. Me and my mom are excited. We saw a “klotok” full of traditional cakes. Some other “klotok” are surround it while buying cakes and enjoy it with a hot coffee or tea. The seller gave us a stick with a small hook on the other edge. While I am confuse what is it for? He told me that I can use that to pick the cake I like from his boat. Oh..that is interesting.. I pick one cake that looks delicious with that stick and ordered a glass of hot tea to accompany.

I sat in the front of the boat enjoying my tea and my cake. There is no cold wind, eventhough it is early in the morning.. The sun is already risen up but still not hot yet. My mom, my mother in law and my aunty in law sat in the middle of the boat enjoying their cakes and hot tea while chatting. My husband are busy photographing everything he saw

Some local tourist like me passing by and smiled (I know they are tourist, because thay bring camera and their face is just as excited as we are). I smiled back and waive my hand. They waived back to me too. I am glad to know that Indonesian people are still friendly. Smile is a polite manner to say hello.

My eyes catch a small café on the boat. It says” Soto Banjar”. Well that food is also on my list for must eat!. So I told my husband that we have to go to that Café Boat after looking around. The floating market is so busy, just as busy as common traditional market in Bali, except we are on the water not on the ground.. We bought some bananas, my mother in law said it’s for the monkey we will visit on the way back.

We have our breakfast at the Café Boat. I feel dizzy because this Café is keep on rocking. I could not enjoy the food so much because of the boat swinging. I think I got seasick, oh no, it’s riversick. I finished my meal fast and back to our “klotok”. I feel more comfortable here.

As my mother in law said before that we will visit monkeys. I was wondering where is that. We passed a small land in the middle of the river. It is looks like a small island raised above the water. The boat stopped there, and closer… I saw lots of monkeys, maybe hundreds of them. They are occupying the island. We throw the bananas from our boat and immediately they began to catch it. The monkeys are friendly so we step into the ground and gave the bananas to them.

On the way back, it’s about 8 am. The floating market was quiet. Only few boats around. I am wondering how wide is this river. My husband said it’s about one kilometers. He said he will bring me to see the bridge across this river. The name is Barito bridge. The same name as the river itself.

Banjarmasin Traditional Wedding Costumes.

2007-11-17T20:54:00.000+07:00

Well..well..well..
I really have no time to write on my wedding day because I am just too busy with my wedding plus busy exploring the city.. I don’t know what to say. The traditional wedding costumes is just very different from my place. I am wearing so many flowers that have strong scent, from Jasmine, rose, cananga. Plus my head is so heavy with all these flower.
The thing that interest me is the flower bouquet. It is just really different from others. It is made of Jasmine and roses and some leaves, it doesn’t look like a hand bouquet.
I am just too exhausted. The reception start from morning till evening. I changed my dress 3 times and still have to smile to all the guests.

When the time is up. I am so glad that I want to put all the flowers that crown my head. I am glad to be the queen of the day. I just now realize that it is hard to be the queen, especially on the dress, make up and the hair do..

Banjarmasin, Here I come!

2007-11-11T07:31:00.000+07:00

I am going to Kalimantan.. Hooray!!
It’s been so long since the last time I am traveling to visit another new place in Indonesia. This time I am going to Kalimantan, Banjarmasin exactly. Me and my husband are going to have our wedding reception there because most of his family and relatives are there. This is my second reception after the one we did in Lombok, my hometown.

The journey begin with Mandala Airlines from Denpasar to Surabaya. The plane is new and all the interior are still shiny. It only took 35 minutes to reach Surabaya airport. From above I saw Surabaya is full with buildings and factories. The land are red, unlike Bali which is green from the above. We passed Krakatau mountain. It looks so beautiful from the above, I can’t imagine how bad the damage it cause when last time this mountain blow up.

We met my mother at Surabaya Airport. She arrives from Lombok and then together we take Lion Air to go to Banjarmasin. Nothing special with this flight except the plane is old and we sat on the back of the plane and I can hear the sound of the machine which makes me worries, just in case the sound is getting slower then there must be something happen with the machine. Thank God we arrived safely at Banjarmasin Airport.

My first impression of the city is hot, even hotter than Bali, I think. The sun is hot and the wind is hot, plus lack of trees on the road.. There are lots or river I saw on the road and wooden house are everywhere. I can’t wait to explore this place more but I have to wait till the day after tomorrow because tomorrow is my wedding reception..

Shopping at Art Market

2007-11-06T13:32:00.000+07:00

What else would you do when you are on holiday beside of relaxing? according to my inappropriate and random survey to my friends and some of my guests they would say shopping (well, okay most of them are women).

So because I live in a place that Mr. Joger say “ Every Day is Sunday in Bali” that’s mean I am enjoying everyday holiday, it is so unfair that I only recommend my guests to do shopping here and here and there, but me myself only ever pay a visit to that place but not shopping. I know everything about bargain, and morning price but seldom practicing my bargaining skill.

Last night my cousins who lived in Kalimantan asked me to buy some things that she forgot to buy while in Bali. I started my shopping experience with a list longer than my monthly shopping list. I feel a little excited because I can spend money and do shopping without losing my money (off course it’s her money). I went to Sukawati Art market, which is the center of all souvenirs from Bali.

I went there in the morning, because in the morning you can bargain to the very basic price you can get. Most of the seller here are Balinese, and Balinese believe that first customer will bring a good luck for the whole day, never reject the first customer.

My first search is for bags, some colorfull bags made of natural leaf. I started to ask the seller, actually in Indonesian, but I’ll translate it:

Me: Excuse me, Madam how much is this bag?
Seller: Oh that bag is cheap, only Rp. 75.000 (about USD 8)
Me: What, that is not cheap, still expensive. What about Rp. 30.000
Seller: No, Madam, you can bargain but that is too cheap. Have a look for yourself first and pick your favorite one with a reasonable price.
Me: Oh yes, I like this one. And Rp. 30.000 is reasonable price for me
Seller: Allright. I’ll give you the best deal Rp. 50.000. This is morning price already.
Me: Oh That is still expensive. If I can’t get Rp. 30.000 I’ll look for another store. (I started to leave)
Seller: Allright I’ll give you more discount. Rp. 45.000 and this is very cheap price. I cannot go any lower that this and you will not find it anywhere in other store that give you this price.
Me: My budget is only Rp. 30.000 madam. I have no more money.
Seller: Am sorry, Rp. 30.000 is too cheap, allright let’s make Rp. 40.000 and this is final price, please, I don’t take any profit for you
Me: Ok, let’s make it Rp. 35.000 and we make a deal
Seller: No, Rp. 40.000
Me: (Leave the stall)
After 5 meters from the stall
Seller: Ok Madam, I’ll give it to you, This is such a very cheap price and you could not compare to another store, which colour would you take?
Me: (with big smile). Thank you, I’ll take the pink one and it’s Rp. 35.000 right?
Seller: Yes madam, you are very lucky today.

After taking the money from me, she pat the money to all the goods that she display in her store and say “ Garus, Garus, Garus!”

That is the story, Garus means hope the goods will be bought by someone else and there will be lots of people buying in her store.

My Shopping journey continued. I bought lots of colorful beach sandals at Rp. 9.000 each, some bracelet and necklace, beach sarongs and colorful kids clothes.

After 3 hours nonstop, I feel tired and hungry. My car is full of shopping stuff and I think I have bought all that is on the list plus one or two extra cute things that I could not resist to buy. The sun are getting hotter. So I decided to stop and go back home…
Today is a good day!

Life On The Beach

2007-09-26T20:45:00.000+07:00

I saw this beach everyday when I am working. I am just so glad that I’ve work in such a beautiful place in Bali and more lucky, my desk is facing to the beach. I saw many things happen on the beach, beside the big waves and the beautiful sunsets.

When I work in the morning shift, I saw some tourist enjoy the horse riding on the beach, which makes my guests want to try it too, as it looks so enjoyable and romantic. Also there will be some people jogging or walk with their dogs, it just seems like their dogs are so happy playing with water and sands.

In the afternoon there will be surfers who enjoy the waves so much and playing with them, trying some new tricks and new skills of surfing. Some guest lay down on the beach sunbathing, reading, listening music or sleeping.

When I am working in the afternoon shift, I love seeing to the sunsets, sometimes it just sooo… beautiful, the sun sets in the water and spread orange and red colours in the sky, sometimes clouds just blocks the sunsets. I saw many tourist walking on the beach stopping to enjoy the view. I don’t know what are in their mind, while they are stopping, but I’m sure they admire the beauty of the view.

On Sunday, the beach will be very busy. Lots of people play soccer on the beach, they laugh, they fall and they have fun. Families bring their kids to play in the water or build a sand castle which doesnt look like a castle. Colorful frisbees are swinging and flying around. I love to see these activities from my desk. Sometimes I got so jealous and wanted to join the fun in the beach, so if my off day fall on Sunday, I never miss the beach in the afternoon, playing frisbee or just walking around.

At night the beach is more quiet, no people passing by. The beach are dark but I can see the shining light from far away. It’s the lights from the fishermans on their traditional boats, looking for fishes to sell the next day. I know where they come from. I saw some fishing village in Jimbaran area and also in Canggu. The fishermans go fishing at night and come back early morning with fresh fish to sell. One night I saw no lights in the ocean and was wondering are the fishermans don’t go fishing tonight?. My colleagues told me that fishing is forbidden in full moon when the waters are not so friendly and the current and the waves are too strong. I am glad they don’t go. It could be dangerous for them.

Pre Wedding Picture at Dreamland

2007-08-04T14:24:00.000+07:00

Dreamland is another beautiful beach in Bali. This beach is a dream beach for surfers because of it's waves and it is hidden by a high rocks and cliffs. Because of its location, not many people come to this beach but now this beach becomes very popular and started to have many people comes to visit and enjoy the beauty.

Me and my boyfriend decided to make our pre wedding picture in dreamland. the concept is casual, beach style. We choose to take the shoot early in the morning where it is not too hot and still not too many people on the beach. We are not models therefore we are a litle shy in taking pictures....

These are the photos:

My Favorite Road,

2007-01-15T18:44:00.001+07:00

There are a lot of new road now in Kuta area, it is to detour the traffic to avoid traffic jam especially at the main area in Kuta. Well its work. I mostly like to use the sunset road or Marlboro road to go to any main area in Kuta and Denpasar to avoid the traffic. But from most of the road I passed, my favorite is a road to Airport, why that road.. maybe it is because there are so many shady trees, or the road are wide..I don’t know..everytime I passed that road it is always remind me of something. It is like a melancholy feeling of people who are sad to leave and people who are excited to come. There are not too many cars and motorbike passing eventhough airport are always busy. The road are short so you will not have that melancholy feeling for long when you reach again the very busy traffic in By Pass..

Bowling in Kuta Paradiso

2007-01-15T18:42:00.000+07:00

This place should be a good place to hang out plus doing some sport for my lazy muscle. And it is fun because not only it is a place for bowling but also for pool table..They have ladies night too..only Rp. 10.000 and ladies can play till drop (well they close at 2 a.m) I am now practicing a lot..bcoz everytime I bowl the ball doesnt seem to go straight forward to the pin, people keep saying that bowling need patience, well I turn too emotional when my ball didn’t hit the pins.
I will wrote again once I become a good bowler, so that I can tell you how fun it is to bowling..

Waterbom

2006-09-27T19:34:00.000+07:00

Sunday is a great day for family, especially this sunday when we celebrate our hotel's anniversary in Waterbom. Children can't be more happier when they are in Waterbom, splashing, playing, swimming.. We could enjoy more adrenalin games in their new Boomerang games.. well I tried it too many times until I felt so dizzy, going up and down and step on a very very high stair..huuuhh.
Another games is in maccaroni tube.. well this is scary because it is so dark inside the tube but that can make you scream so loud...I like it not because it is dark or high..but because I can scream as loud as I can, and people in the park could hear you like you are so scared...
you'll go home very tired after all the fun..and the next day you can see a darker skin inline with your swimsuit...

Flower Arrangement

2006-09-10T17:24:00.000+07:00

Ever since I was a child, I always have a special interest in flowers. My mom loves roses. She plants so many roses in our garden. Now after years of busy in school, work, play… I miss that flower again.. I am taking a flower arrangement course just because I feel like I always wanted to do it. I can learn the correct technique and improve my imagination. So now I enjoy my day so much in learning to do flower arrangement. Well…not as easy as I thought… See my flower arrangement… it is in pink..my favorite color..

A house of your dream

2006-09-02T19:43:00.001+07:00

Ever dream about having a house of your dream.. Some people loves to have a house on the beach where they can see the ocean and waves everyday.. Some likes to have a luxury apartment in the big city where the biggest mall take place, or maybe in the hill that overlooks to the valley…. My best friend, Resmi never thought about her dream house.. She just wanted a small house with a warm feeling.. Well maybe she never thought one because she already lived in the house of my dream.. A small house surrounded with a view..a huge garden where most of the flowers bloom to the maximum, quiet and cool..Where I can plant some vegetables and trees that will grow bigger and bigger..

I love to come to her house in Bedugul.. her parents are so welcoming and caring in a honest way, They do have a garden.. very big one, because that is her parents job.. selling fresh vegetables from their garden..carrots, lettuce, broccoli, banana, potato.. We always eat fresh vegetables if I stay overnight in her house.. Her mother loves flower..in their huge garden she plants orchids, roses and lots of flower that I don’t even know the name but they are all blooming so beautiful..

The perfect place to eat my Chitato

2006-08-23T20:24:00.000+07:00

Living near to the beach and working in the hotel that are on the beach makes me sometimes feel I need to see something different than beach..My favorite place is Bedugul. Located in the middle of Bali, it is offer a different view and temperature than in Seminyak, where I lived. The valley offer stunning view of the lake and hills. Last Sunday we went there and found so many tourist, local and foreigner and that makes the area around the lake looks crowded. Families bring their kids to play in Kebun Raya, a botanical garden. And also lots of companies bringing their member for outing and play.
We decided to find some place that is more quiet so we can have a view for ourselves. My friend told me that actually in bedugul there are 3 lakes..The biggest one is called Lake Beratan, where it is now become famous tourist destination. We went to the smallest lake and found it is not very interesting but there are lot of strawberry farm around… Then we go up to the hill for a better view.. this is what we found..
… a breathtaking view of the smallest lake… a place where I decided to eat my Chitato that I brought from Denpasar to Bedugul and on the way my friends keep telling me to open it so that we can eat it together but I refused. I said : ‘ not until we found the right place’. Well there is no other place more perfect than this…..

Monster Grass

2006-08-21T20:21:00.000+07:00

I one time ever fell in love with this monster. I saw them first on a night market in Singapore but I just left it, wondering what was that actually. The next time I visited Singapore again I saw it and at that time I am curious…After asking and checking then I knew its only a monster grass… it is some kind of soil that is formed into animal like. They put some grass seed on their head and we have to sprinkle it with water and in about 3 days…grass grows on their head… good for children to learn I guess. I planned to have one..I thought I might buy one before I leave. On my last day in Singapore I realize that I have no time to go back to the place that sells the monster, however still I tried to find the way to went there when I found that night market only opens at night…
My friend Aslina…saw the disappointment on my face but still can’t do anything.
Months later I forgot about that monster grass.
On my birthday, a package come from Aslina…well I knew it’s a birthday present and how surprised I am when I found two cute little monster grasses on the package with a card and a pearl necklace… The pearl even still inside the shell and I have to pull out the shell to find the pearl.. Oh she really understands what I want…. I immediately soak the monster for 1 hour to damp the soil.. I never forget to sprinkle some water to their head 3 times a day… The grass start to grow on…I feel like a little child in innocent face watching the grass grows every day..
The monsters are now dead (I mean the grasses no longer grow on their head, they become dry and the monster start moldy because of the damp) so I put them on the garden where other plants start growing….Still I remember how happy I am when receiving something I have always wanted..but I might forget that I really want it… Thank you, Lin!