Saturday, June 20, 2009

B.A.L.I Exploration Day 4 - FinaLe!

Finally it has come to the last day of our trip. 4days trip for Bali might be a little short. I think a 6days trip will be better! (Well, that only if our budget allow us to do so >_< )

Day 4 (26th May)

Our finale day was a FREE & EASY day which means it was a shopping day!! We started our day a little late, approximately about 9am because of the "not enough rest" over the past few days.

Adi Dharma Hotel in the morning.


Artistic picture of Kuta Street by Helmut.


The first splurge is on our fingers and toes! Yeah..we had the BALI manicure and pedicure!! We're approached by a lady on the street and we managed to bargain for IDR 50,000 per person. Cheap?

Karen, Baby Cheng and Shookie in action!


While we shopped for souvenirs for our colleagues and friends, we managed to get ourselves some nice stuffs too! It was sales everywhere in Kuta Street so we just need to find for the best bargain! Shopping in Bali was extremely tempting!

p/s: I heard Bandung is a heaven for shopping. At least, girls shall go to Bandung once in their lifetime? Haha..I shall start saving money now!

Midway during our shopping spree, we went back to our hotel for the free foot massage (it came with the tour package) and later we packed for hotel check-out.

Two person at a time. Baby Cheng and I enjoyed the foot massage!

We continued our shopping after the foot massage, and lunch at Kuta town. One extreme splurge was on the Polo Ralph Lauren polo T-shirts! Did you see the 50% off banner? *wink*

Most of us get ourselves a polo T-shirt.


Lastly, we departed for KL. At the airport, we bought the Indonesia Kuih Lapis. It was USD $8 for one, and it tasted good, so it's worth the money!

The last few photos!


-Shookie-

Friday, June 19, 2009

B.A.L.I Exploration Day 3

Let's continue with our B.A.L.I exploration Day 3!

Day 3 (25th May)

Tanjung Benoa
Our first destination for the day - Tanjung Benoa. It claimed to be a beautiful beach on the southern part of Bali where it offers all kind of adventurous water sports such as jet ski, para sailing, banana boat, glass bottom boat, fly fish and etc.

p/s: I felt it was too commercialized!

Our para sailing attempts!


Soon after, we took the glass bottom boat to another small island (was it an island? i wasn't very sure..haha) located nearby to watch the gigantic turtles.

Heading to the turtle island


Baby Cheng is a daring person! Don't mess with her!


Indonesia KFC lunch
Our next itinerary to Bedegul was cancelled because we spent quite a long time at Tanjung Benoa. We were supposed to proceed to Candi Kuning Market to shop for souvenirs and handicrafts and also to visit Lake Bratan where the holy, Ulundanu Temple was built on the promontory surrounded by lake's water.

It was disappointing! Our tour guide did not guide us properly in our trip!

Our lunch at Bedugul was cancelled, instead the tour guide treated us for KFC.

To Mr.Yong (our tour guide) --> your KFC bribe was not enough to cover the incompetency in you because I'm still complaining here!

Indonesia's KFC


Tanah Lot
The drive to Tanah Lot was a long one. However, we managed to be there early for the sunset. Tanah Lot is famous for it's sunset and the temple built on a small rocky islet surrounded by sea water.

The busy street along the pathway up to the temple. It was nice to shop along this street because we were able to bargain for about 50% off their offered price.


The many views of Tanah Lot - part 1


The many views of Tanah Lot - part 2


Love these shots!


Sunset views by Helmut


Helmut's artistic photos. Nice!


Kuta Town
Later at night, we walked around Kuta town.

The memorial for those whom were sacrificed in Bali bombing.


Hard Rock.


-Shookie-

Monday, June 15, 2009

B.A.L.I Exploration Day 2

Gosh! I was extremely busy recently. Too hectic with work, too little rest. And yup, finally i managed to spare some time sorting out the Bali trip photos. We had thousands of pictures..really great pictures! (thanks to all the DSLR fanatic!). Here is the story of our Day 2, Bali trip

Day 2 (24th May)

Morning breakfast as early as 8.15am. Baby Cheng still looked good in the photo, after all, she was sleepless the whole night, while Shookie was in her soundless sleep. Haha~

Hotel's Breakfast.


Ubud
Our first destination - Kg. Celuk and Kg. MAS, both are the Bali's famous art and craft center. Kg. Celuk is known for its gold and silver works; while Kg. MAS is a wood craving center and Ubud home of Bali's famous painting artists.

Artist working on the silver goods


Balinese architecture. Most of their building are very arty.


Women vs. Men.


We were prohibited from taking photos inside the Wood Craft Center. (These are some cheeky pictures taken Goh's SE phone!)


Group pictures outside the Wood Craft Center.


Kintamani
Before we proceed for buffet lunch at Kintamani, we dropped by the famous Ibu Oka Babi Guling. Babi Guling was not included in our tour, but we believed we could not miss the chance not having the extremely famous Babi Guling. A detour to Ibu Oka Babi Guling was definitely unregrettable!

The interior & exterior of Ibu Oka's Babi Guling Restaurant.


Pigs art.


The arrival of suckling pig at about 11am. Of course, we had the first portion of the pig for the day!

Later at Kintamani, we were able to enjoy the cool climate and the amazing view of the still active volcano of Mt Batur.

Buffet lunch. Great view, unpleasant food. What a waste!


Mt Batur Volcano View.


Snapping memorable pictures.


Shortly after, we proceed to the coffee plantation, somewhere in Kintamani.
p/s: I was not sure where it was exactly (>.<) )

Coffee beans.


Another group picture at the coffee plantation using the wide angle lens.


Spending some time inside the hut trying out Bali's coffee.

Heavy rain started to purr no too long after we had sat inside the hut. Our next plan to Tampaksiring & Titra Empul was cancelled. Despite the disappointment, we could only enjoyed our time waiting for the rain to subside.


Garuda Wisnu Kencana Park (GWK)
It took about 2 hours to GWK. GWK is a private cultural park carved out of the limestone rock. Here, we are able to witness the Wisnu's statue, standing high at 22m with his companion, mount Garuda, a mythical bird.

At the entrance to GWK.


Artistic pictures of GWK!


On our way up to the Wisnu's statue.


We made it up finally.


Dinner at GWK before the cultural performance. Superb environment!


Cultural performance which we did not quite understand. However, we enjoyed the show.


At the end of the show.


Tadaa~ That's all for the story of our Day 2.

-Shookie-