Guangzhou-Zuhai-Macau-HK (Oct-2011)
Here are some of my pictures taken during my recent trip from 11th to 19th of Oct. It’s my second visit to Macau and HK. There’s no Zuhai pictures in this set as we only spent a short night there.
All shots were taken using Nikon D90 and Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8. Did not bring my tripod so some night pictures are soft.
BALI (2010.03.27-04.03) – Day 04
Checked out from Saren Indah this day. Ending our two-night stay at Ubud. Had breakfast at the hotel before the driver came to pick us up at 10:30am.
Our itinerary for the day :-
- Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
- Jatiluwih
- Tanah Lot
As you can see, they started to harvest this day.
First stop, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan or simply Pura Bratan. There is nothing much to see and do there. This place needs a bit of walking so be sure to allocate additional 30 mins or so to it. Entrance fee is 10k Rp (RM3.60) per person.
After that, our driver brought us to this forgot-what’s-its-name restaurant for its not-so-delicious buffet lunch located right opposite of Lake Bratan. The only food I remember delicious are banana fritters and spring rolls. Can’t remember how much I paid for the lunch.
Next stop, Jatiluwih. It isn’t what I had in mind though. Our driver just pulled over and pointed out to us that it is at the far end of this picture.
We reached Tanah Lot at around 4pm. Didn’t stop to shop at the market as we were thinking to catch the sunset view of the temple first.
My wife managed to get blessed at the foot of the temple before it started to rain really, really, really heavily.
We managed to find a already crowded shelter at the foot of the temple where my wife was blessed. This picture overlooks at where we came in.
Finally, the rain stopped at around 6pm and I took this picture from one of the cafes at the cliff. There was no nice sunset view. Very disappointed. Well, at least I have reason to come back again. Since it was already too late, we didn’t have time to shop at the Tanah Lot market. What a pity.
On our way to Kuta, it started to rain again.
Checked in Tune Hotel Kuta.
We headed straight to Bamboo Corner cafe after checking in. Finding it can be quite challenging. The food is really cheap and not bad too. We then stopped by at a convenient store before returning to our hotel at around 10:30pm.
BALI (2010.03.27-04.03) – Day 03
BALI (2010.03.27-04.03) – Day 03
2nd day at Saren Indah Hotel. Took some pictures before breakfast. Set breakfast was included in the room rate with a choice of main dish. Free & Easy at Ubud this day so we didn’t engage any driver.
Our itinerary for the day :-
- Lunch at Ibu Oka
- Ubud Palace
- Free & Easy at Monkey Forest Street
- Afternoon tea at Wayan Cafe
- Venezia Day Spa
- Dinner at Bebek Bengil
A big monkey was found outside our room. It left as soon as it finished the banana I gave it. Fortunately, it wasn’t aggressive.
We came at the wrong time. Most of the rice fields around the hotel were golden yellow instead of green as they were ready for harvesting.
One hotel staff was doing the morning offering (Canang Sari).
Breakfast menu is very confusing. It should be, Juice AND Fresh Fruit AND Bread AND Hot Drink AND (Choice of Egg OR French Toast OR Indonesian Favorites). All of them are delicious.
We ordered Ibu Oka’s Babi Guling Special Rice at Rp25.000 (RM9) and Sosro Tea, Rp5.000 (RM1.80). Personally, I don’t think it’s that special.
Ubud Palace is just right across the street from Ibu Oka. There’re still some royal descendants living inside. Entry is free but going in requires a fee. We didn’t go in.
Free & Easy at Monkey Forest Street.
School kids in traditional Balinese dress.
Monkey Forest. Entry is free but we didn’t dare to go in.
Wayan Cafe with its signature cake, Death by Chocolate at Rp26.000 (RM9). Really thick. Cake lovers will definitely love it.
Venezia Day Spa. We both opted for Milk Bath (1h45m) at Rp150.000 (RM53) each. We took a couple room with a rice field view. However, the window is a distance away so we didn’t get a good view. This one’s much better than my previous experience.
Ubud street at night.
Bebek Bengil. Its business is getting good. They were under renovation and expansion on the day we came here. We ordered its signature dish, Crispy Duck at Rp67.000 (RM24) and Chicken Skewer (Satay) Rice. Both are really delicious but I still prefer the satay a little bit more. It’s the best satay I’ve ever had.
Good night!
BALI (2010.03.27-04.03) – Day 02
Breakfast was included in the room rate. Had only one choice that day, which is pastries only. Fruit juices were just syrup. Checked-out and took some more pictures in the hotel before our driver came to pick us up at 9am.
Our itinerary for the day :-
- Sukawati Art Market
- Tegallalang Rice Terrace
- Kintamani (Mt. Batur)
- Tirta Empul Temple
- Check-in Saren Indah Hotel
- Sedona Spa
- Dinner at Naughty Nuri’s Warung & Grill
- Supper by delivery from PIZZA BAGUS
1st stop at Sukawati Art Market. Was told by our driver that you could bargain for up to 75%. We bought quite a few items from there.
Tegallalang Rice Terrace. Only stop by for a while for pictures.
On our way to Kintamani.
This little postcard girl came by our car at Kintamani guard stop. Her big beautiful sparkling eyes caught my attention. Entrance fee is Rp5.000 (RM1.80) per person.
We reached RESTORAN GUNUNG SARI at Kintamani with a view overlooking Mt. Batur around 12:35pm. It’s advisable to be there before 2pm as the cloud usually sets in by then. Lunch buffet is Rp60.000 nett (RM21) per pax. The 21% tax was waived as our driver knows the restaurant owner. There’s nothing to shout about the food there. It was cloudy and started to rain shortly after our arrival. Unfortunately, that’s the best Mt. Batur picture I have before the rain.
Tirta Empul Temple. Entrance fee is Rp6.000 (RM2) per person. Note that menstruating women are not allowed to enter. You’ll be required to wear “sarong”, which can be borrowed for free to cover your legs if you’re wearing anything above knee-length.
Checked in Saren Indah Hotel for a two-night stay. USD69 nett for a Superior View room per night with breakfast and afternoon tea. Free shuttle service within Ubud town is available. We were welcomed by iced drinks and chilled towels upon arrival. Our bed was nicely decorated too.
Our driver waited for us while we were checking-in and took us to Sedona Spa after that. My wife opted for a Javanese Lulur (1h45m) and myself, a Balinese Boreh (1h30m). Both priced at Rp150.000 (RM54) each. We took a couple room with a view overlooking rice field. Unfortunately, there was nothing to see. Personally, I think Javanese Lulur would be a better choice. I just couldn’t stand the chilling sensation of Balinese Boreh. Free shuttle service within Ubud town is available too.
Naughty Nuri’s Warung & Grill. Its signature dish, BBQ pork ribs has gotta be the best I’ve ever tasted. Rp60.000 (RM21) per plate. That’s the only thing we had as we were saving it for supper later.
Had hotel front desk to order from PIZZA BAGUS when we returned. They were so kind to deliver it to our room by room service at no additional charge. The left one is Pizza Bagus priced at Rp35.000 (RM12) and Pizza Salami & Peperoni at Rp33.000 (RM12). Personally, I prefer Pizza Bagus more.
BALI (2010.03.27-04.03) – Day 01
My honeymoon trip to beautiful BALI.
At Kuching International Airport (KIA).
Flying to LCCT from KIA.
Late Lunch at LCCT McD’s before catching our 17:00 flight to BALI.
Surprised to see a whole row of money exchangers at BALI airport. I wonder how they managed to survive like this.
Legian Street. Driver (Ketut Galung) driving us to Tanaya B&B.
Stopped by one of the shops to get a simPATI simcard. Rp20.000 (RM7).
1st night at Tanaya B&B. USD42 nett for a Deluxe Double.
Labuan-KK (Apr-2009)
Sharing with you all some of the scenic pictures I took during the trip with my girlfriend, now wife and friends. We rented cars in Labuan and KK for our trip as we thought it’s much more convenient that way.
HK-Shenzhen-Macau (Sept-2008)
Got myself my very first dSLR just for this trip with my girlfriend, now wife. It was a backpacking trip as we always travel on budget. All pictures were taken using the Landscape Mode on my dSLR and also a PnS.
