:-)
Monday, July 28, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
To Stay Places in Bali
Just got 2 recommendations from a friend who's going to get married in Bali, on a couple of seriously gorgeous villas.
The first one's Ombak Luwung in Canggu, with 5 bedrooms. This friend's wedding is going to be here.
The other one's The Khayangan, at Uluwatu. Luxurious spaces... The only problem is that as it is next to another resort, there is a 10pm curfew of sorts, so it's NOT a late night party place.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tokidoki Onitsuka Tiger
I'm certainly late on this, but a few models of the Tokidoki Onitsuka Tiger sneakers are available at Tangs, along Orchard Road in Singapore. They retail at SG$269.00 per pair.
The other place in Singapore was/is the Star ThreeSixty store at the Paragon Shopping Center, also along Orchard Road.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Subjective...
I'm super snap happy when it comes to taking photos. I'm no fancy photographer, I just like to grab that moment! Every moment! hahaha... But lately it's been getting mixed reactions, I think I'm going to keep it to myself more. Can't please everyone...
On a happier note, I like this KOK brand digital echo AV amplifier. Can't even find it online!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Night Festival
We went for the National Museum of Singapore's Night Festival on it's first evening yesterday.It featured the Italian Festivi group, known for their dancing in the sky.
The road in front of the museum was closed 'cos it was used as a stage for a dancer in a big plastic ball, super all dancers in huge white dresses. The SMU grounds just opposite also featured a gorgeous dance by a lady a bowl of water
Some of the best performances were the 2 huge balloons, each suspended a dancer. The balloons flew high and low over the audience's heads.
Glad Fata and I had decided to stay for all the performances which ended past 1:30am!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Your total opposite? On the bad side...
I'm sure everyone has someone who rubs them the WRONG way, and there's NOTHING you can do about it!
Be glad if you can, 'cos not being able to is way worse!
:-(
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
What makes Bali, Bali?
These religious decorations are pretty, and they can get rather elaborate and very tall.
Kijang runs with Casettes!
Haven't seen an audio cassette for ages!
This kijang we got on one of the days had one! It brings back fond memories on mix tapes back in school...
Monday, July 14, 2008
Villa Sankara - upstairs reading room
The view from the upstairs reading room, directly above the living room.
There is a long strip of mirror along 2 lengths of the walls, so wherever you are in this room, there's always view of the Indian Ocean.
Villa Sankara - the 5th bathroom
This is the 5th bathroom at Villa Sankara. Next to the TV room.The sink's a dug out stone!
Villa Sankara - NO direct access to the beach - yet?
Contrary to some of the websites advertising Villa Sankara, Canggu-Bali, there is NO direct access to the beach. (at least not between 26June and 01July 2008).
You can see the half built bridge from the back garden towards the beach.
And it is NOT a private beach. It is a local beach, with snack sellers, soccer players, cyclists, kite flyers and strollers.
I think there was another website which stated that all the bedrooms had DVD players and TVs... there are NONE in the bedrooms. Though the bathrooms are entertainment enough.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Villa Sankara - The Gekko gets 'jiggy-jiggy'
The 3 guys found themselves in a cab after golf one day, and the cabbie asked them if they wanted 'jiggy-jiggy'... 3 guys in a cab... what else could it be.
Villa Sankara - The Gekko needs a drink...
First need to figure out what to have, then savour it with a good cigar and local crisps...
In our wake...
These were just some of the drinks that we went through. Like the Lemon-C bottles, I know we bought at least 48 bottles. And there's at least another 2 or 3 bottles of alcohol...
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Villa Sankara - The Gekko needs a beat!
The Gekko probably has the in-house Bose system worked out better than we did!
We couldn't even work out how to change the speakers around!
Then again we didn't try either!
Villa Sankara - Around The Pool
There's an outdoor shower with a flower shaped shower head.
Villa Sankara Spa
This was how the villa turned into a spa... whenever we wanted. Except I heard of a few cases of 'towel-face'...
Villa Sankara's Permanent Resident - The Gekko
Found him on our first day sitting quietly on the table next to the middle living room's cabinets.
Herein begins The Gekko's adventures...
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Breakfast is served...
Another yummy breakfast at Villa Sankara with Fata playing head chef! :-) Thank you!Do we really have to?
1st July 2008.
We are going home today... in 3 batches...
Long lingering stares at everything...
Our last night at Villa Sankara - 30th June 2008
Our last evening at the villa, for this trip at least.Some of us tried to stay up for as long as we could, in hope that tomorrow will not descend so quickly. We finished up the cigars, and the drinks we brought and bought. Everything from C1000 Vitamin drink, to the rose champagne, to chocolate milk, to Bintang beer...
Trying to make it last just a little longer...
Villa Sankara residents
Here is one of the long-term residents at Villa Sankara.
There are also a few insects, like the inch-long water beetles which visit around dinner time. Plus the nets around your bed are very useful in keeping the mosquitoes out.
Ultimo, Seminyak, Bali
Ok, we didn't make any dinner bookings. Ku De Ta & La Lucciola were both full. And the few places which looked interesting along the beach were also full. So the advance party went ahead and found Ultimo, who could fit the 13 of us without a dinner reservation at 7:30pm on a Sunday.
The Fiorentina Alla Griglia (pictured directly below) Fata had was quite good. 450 grams of grilled Australian T-Bone steak, served with shallot salad, fries and green pepper sauce.
On the whole, the meats and fish (non-pasta) fared better than the pasta dishes.
And a pizza-eating friend said her pizza was 'ok'.
The Ultimo Rossi (^pictured above^) I had, grilled veal topped with goose liver was great! Though the portions were not consistent, a friend's portion of veal was half mine.
My dessert (^pictured above^) was the Variazione do Cioccolato - masquise, two valhorna chocolate, mousse white was yummy and gone in minutes! You can pass on the lemon sorbet with seasonal fruit. The panna cotta with raspberries was so-so.
Long Walk from Berawa Beach to Seminyak Beach
Shopping in Seminyak, Bali
Spent another hot afternoon shopping in Seminyak. It's fun just window shopping too. Stores and cafes share the streets with beautiful temples.
This lady held up traffic making a u-turn. Motorists are quite patient in Bali, especially when they see silly tourists like us trying to cross the street from one store to the next!
Villa Sankara - more pool time!
Soaking up whatever time we had left this round at Villa Sankara, Canggu (Berawa Beach), Bali.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Villa Sankara - Lazy...
It was another lazy evening at Villa Sankara. A little past half this trip, we were looking back at the superb few days we'd had, none of us wanted to go home. Another couple of weeks would have be great! We will be back super soon!
Jimabaran Bay Dinner
We got lost again looking for the Jimbaran Bay dine-on-the-beach dinner place. To think that we got lost back in 1997 looking for Balinese feast was when we'd stumbled onto Balinese fish!!!
After passing the really pricey individual restaurant / building section. Again it was to that middle section where the carpark is opposite the food places.
Almost an hour had passed, from Canggu, and braving the traffic along the highway. Fata was afraid some may be getting too hungry. But our kijang was filled with a would-be choir. Everything we could croon to in the iPods were attempted, at least once! I thought the driver would've had plenty reason to drive us much quicker to dinner!
Still one of our favorite dinner places in Bali.
We had the usual lobster, fish, clams, squid and prawns.
All super fresh and smelling / tasting great off the coconut husk BBQ pits.
The lobsters we had were so big, even the feeler thing had meat in it!
Next time we had for Jimbaran Bay, MUST remember to tell the driver to head for Jimbaran Tengah! Right turn after Four Seasons.
Tanah Lot, Bali
There was a separate queue for local Indonesians and tourists.
As tourists we paid 10,000rp per person.
I wonder how much locals pay...
Tanah Lot temple.
Just soaking in the atmosphere.
Tanah Lot was super-duper crowded when we were there.
Our driver said that buses full of Indonesian tourists head for Bali from Java on ferries.
We spotted an 'M' license plate on a bus from Jakarta.
When the tide is low, you can walk to a fresh water spring at the foot of the Tanah Lot temple.
We'd lined up to wash our face and limbs before being sprinkled with holy water and blessed with rice.
Waiting and looking for that perfect shot...
Lots of bats...
Locals were holding prayers within this little restricted area near the entrance of the Tanal Lot.
Cafe Wayan Lunch
We are back at one of our favorite tables at Cafe Wayan, Ubud, Bali.
Fata had reminded me that it was Chuan Soon who had introduced us to Cafe Wayan back in 1997.
And 11 years later, we still come here every time we are in Ubud.
It is still a beautiful garden, with tables under larger and littler gazebos scattered around the lush green grounds.
Ristefel (forgive the spelling...) also one of our favorite dishes from Cafe Wayan. It's a collection of local Balinese dishes. Includes bebek betutu, satay, chicken curry, coconut vegetables, fried coconut shreds with soya beans... hungry...
I once had a chicken cordon bleu here and it was yummy!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Our quick walk in Ubud, Bali
Ubud is filled with beautiful art, gorgeous culture and enchanting people.
The street we walked down was lined with art galleries, souvenir stores, bright kites, wind chimes, happy pictures, together with traditional Balinese archi- tecture.
The middle of the afternoon may not be the best time to take a stroll, but there are drinks readily available with cafes and restaurants almost everywhere you turn.
Ibu Oka, Ubud, Bali
The famous Ibu Oka babi guling in Ubud, Bali! This is our first time there.
The food is super delicious but super spicy, so chocolate milk to the rescue!The lady decimating the pig knew what she was doing. Next to her was a stash of crispy skin which the other ladies distributed deftly to all the pending orders.
We were first time lucky. After us, there was just rice and sauce left.
Each take-away pack was 25,000rp.
Ubud Temple Preparations
It's off to Ubud we go!
On our merry way to Bali's cultural center - Ubud! We rented a 2nd Kijang cos the first one was busy with the golfers and the triathletes.We came across this lady with a basket on her head, carrying a kite. She looked like a pixie or wood fairy! Kites are flown over fields to mimic large birds of prey so that the little birds will not dare to enter the fields. Just like aerial scarecrows.
The Ubud market, just opposite the main temple was fun, as usual. Great place to get all your local stuff, like sarongs, bir bintang t-shirts and all manner of tourist goodies.
Dinner at Warung Made - Seminyak
This young performer senyum so sweetly as she prepares for her turn on the Warung Made stage, on Saturday night 28th June '08.
'Senyum' is Bahasa Indonesia for 'smile'.
3 half-smoked ciagrs...
sitting patiently for their owners to return... with chocolate milk!after the brandy, the wine and the beer, chocolate milk was also a good partner to the cigars.
Guess who...
Guess who's tucked in oh-so-comfortably on one of the lounge room day beds for an afternoon nap?
Villa Sankara - Pool
We have been back for 6 days and it's still quite surreal.
Like I'm away right now but I'll be home soon... hahahaha...
Fata's Catch Of The Day!
Fata's Catch Of The Day!The fresh parrot fish and red snapper. Lots of large plump prawns and juicy squid!
Thank you!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Fata's Catch - Lunch Prep
Lunch preparation for Fata's Catch. All the fish, squid and prawns we got from the Jimbaran Bay Market earlier in the morning.Check out the parrot fish head!
The choicest parts were steamed, and the rest were double-battered and deep fried.
The guy in blue checks was our cook while we were there. And the lady battering the fish was 1 of the 4 ladies who had help us with the kitchen and the house.
Ku De Ta Menu (29th June 2008)
For those who want a peak at what Ku De Ta, Seminyak, Bali has to offer...
the breakfast and dinner menus on the 29th of June 2008.
(prices are quoted in '000 rp, before tax)
Ku De Ta Breakfast
After a security post off the main road, this is the drive up to Ku De Ta, Seminyak, Bali. It came highly recommended by many, but mainly for breakfast and pre-dinner drinks. Figured a hearty breakfast for the triathletes before race day was the way to go.There are great deck chairs for pre-dinner drinks.
I had a colleague who was at Ku De Ta over the same weekend, for their friend's pre-wedding drinks. Great place with a great view.
Breakfast was good, the drinks were good too. Go for the breakfast set, it's a lot more worthwhile than the a la carte portions. If there's a juice you want not in the set, order the juice separately.
By the way, the loos are very dark. The lady's room for sure, and a friend said the same for the guy's side. hahaha...
Will be back the next time for pre-dinner drinks :-) the sunset should be quite gorgeous here, seeing that the rising sun is smack behind us.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Jimbaran Bay Fish Market
This is the Jimbaran Bay fish market, filled with the freshest catch, right off the boats just out back.
We were lucky that our driver (Nyoman) had helped us talk with the sellers so I believe we managed to get our stash at local prices. Fata had also said that the both of us could pass of as Indonesians, good thing we don't look like tourists despite the big camera in my hands.
We bought that parrot fish (bottom picture), the top row, second from the left. Super fresh!
Jimbaran Bay - Morning
Got to Jimbaran Beach just before 7am.
The fishing boats were offloading their catch, to be weighed and taken to market.
Our driver had recommended the "hygenic" market,
a building away from the beach.
The fishes in here were a lot larger
but it didn't feel like
we were going to get our lunch here.
Villa Sankara - Common Rooms
These are the common rooms in Villa Sankara.From the top:
the lounge area (my bedroom's right above this room) filled with 2 generous daybeds, comfy cushions, saw many naps, drinks and cigars.
All meals were served at the dining area, comfortable enough for even 13 of us (when we had friend visiting from a nearby villa).
The kitchen was left open to us, through the day. We stocked the refrigerator, played executive chef for some of our meals. The staff were very helpful.
The upstairs living room which had such mahjong potential. Sadly that potential was never tapped while we were there. The pool was just too inviting...
Friday, July 4, 2008
Villa Sankara - Middle Garden
This is an area I will call the Middle Garden of Villa Sankara. It is a generous area between the 2 private villas and the main house.We didn't use it much, though occasionally it was a putting / chipping area for the golfers.
Villa Sankara - Beach
Here is the view of Villa Sankara from the beach (note that there is NO direct access to the beach right now). We had to navigate a rickety make shift plank bridge to get across the swampy moat.
It is a public beach, lots of locals hang out here. There was also a BBQ corn-on-the-cob stand there in the late afternoon half the time we were there.
This lumpia (frind spring roll) sold on the beach was yummy. But be sure to not include the pedas if you are not up for spicy food! Plus I know I paid at least double the local price :P
Villa Sankara - Dawn 28th June '08
Today's inspiration:
Taken before 6am on 28th July 2008, from the back wall of the shower.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Villa Sankara - Natrabu Lunch 27Jun'08
We headed out this morning to the Matahari in Kuta to get groceries for the villa. Carrefour would've been a better choice. :-)
On the way back, we detoured to Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai (towards Sanur) to get Natrabu for lunch.
From the spread at the restaurant to our modest buffet at the villa. Silakan...
Villa Sankara Pool & Jacuzzi
Vila Sankara, Bali - Today's Inspiration 03Jul08
Today's inspiration.
The view from our bedroom on the first morning at Villa Sankara.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Villa Sankara Bathrooms
These are the bathrooms of Villa Sankara.
From the top - this bathroom is with the bedroom above the dinning area.
2nd - This was our bathroom, the smallest of the lot. Our bedroom was the one on top of the lounge area.
3rd - The square tub is in the private villa with the private jacuzzi.
Bottom - The round tub is in the other private villa.
Our First Look at Villa Sankara
Our flight got into Bali past 8pm, by the time we got to Villa Sankara, the sun had set and dinner we waiting for us.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Bali - 1st July 2008
Going to make the most of today! TS & WG left really late last night and the rest of us are heading out in 3 separate batches starting with the 1pm flight.
Fata & I headed to Warung Made to meet PY & WL for lunch, and to buy back for the others who wanted to enjoy the villa more.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in the pool and taking lots of pictures.
Bali Post Script:
Some pointers for those visiting Villa Snakara anytime soon:
- there is NO direct access to the beach. (yet...?)
- there is nothing you can do with the bugs here, they have been here longer than you will be, so live and let live.
- you can get your groceries from Carrefour.
- the driver is available with the car only for 10 hours per day. Plan your usage, otherwise the driver's overtime is 30,000 rp her hour. He turned up at 6am everyday, but most of the time we didn't need him 'til after breakfast.
Bali - 30th June 2008
The golfers headed off to Nirwana again at about 9am. The rest of us went to Carrefour to get groceries for more food.
Seminyak's shopping strip is fun though the heat took a little getting used to. Warung Made's lunch was better than dinner early as there were way less people. The ribs tasted like Chinese BBQ pork! hahaha...
Some of decided to take the 2 rental motorcycles out of a spin. I tried that a-la-photographer-at-the-back-of-a-motorcycle thing, but my pilot slipped on sand while trying to avoid a pot hold, and oops! Scratched on the right elbow (had to protect the camera!), left knee and right outer shin. hahaha... silliness...
We'd attacked the pool again in the late afternoon. yippee!
Then someone suggested that we walk along the beach to Ku De Ta. Cos that someone said it should only take about 35 minutes from Berawa beach. Well... after almost 60 minutes we finally reached Resor Sminyak.
Ku De Ta & La Lucciola were fully booked :-( fortunately Ultimo had room for 13 of us. Yummy! I had the lobster salad (could have been crayfish though it was called aragosta), and the Rossi Ultimo (veal with goose liver). With wine, drinks, 3 courses each, it was only about a quarter million rupiah per person.
On the whole of Ultimo, our table had a fairly good meal of meat and fish. But the other table who had primarily pasta dishes, didn't have a great dinner. So many, give the pasta dishes a miss should you ever find yourself at Ultimo, Seminyak, Bali?
Spent the rest of the evening chatting, drinking chocolate milk while smoking cigars, Lemon 100, pink champagne... whatever we had :-)
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