2009-08-22 (6) Palm Beach Hotel and SA Cafe

The traffic is smoother from Uluwatu to Palm Beach Hotel. Palm Beach Hotel is very just opposite of the beach. We stayed for two nights here, by paying USD 45 per room per night.

Here is the room, with balcony.


One interesting thing is the antenna below :D


Frankly, the room is old, the hotelier really need to put some effort to maintain the business. I would not recommend it if it is not renovate/refurbished later.

After that, we walked to SA cafe nearby for dinner. This seems to be quite popular among foreigner and we found the food is quite tasty also. From ice cream, clockwise.

1) Ice cream
2) Grilled seafood brochette
3) Fried vegetable
4) Grilled Chicken Alasa

The dinner costs IDR 188K (~RM 67). We walked back to hotel after dinner. Parent did not feel comfortable to walk on the street at night.

2009-08-22 (5) Uluwatu, Bali

The traffic was terribly jam on our way to Uluwatu. Well, the road in Bali is narrow.

The driver shared about Balinese name with us. Dislike Chinese nor western country, Balinese name doesn't include surname in it. The name is usually in a form of "Name I (or NI) BirthSequence". For example, let say the name is Arya, and if he is the first son, it will be Arya I Gede. The middle alphabet represents sex, 'I' for male, 'NI' for female.

Luckily, we still manage to reach Uluwatu before 5pm. I cannot remember the entrance fee, if not mistaken is either IDR 3K or 5K.

Always good to read notice board at the entrance :)



A funny notice at the bottom of picture above. "Kalau anda bukan orang sembarangan, janganlah buang sampah sembarangan", it means "If you are not a simply human, don't simply throw rubbish'. From the upper part of the notice board, it was mentioned monkey will grab things. Well they really do. There are a lot of monkeys there, look at the entrance below, how many monkey can you spot?

We found out the monkey like to grab 'fling', shining or things that they can easily grab, for example, cap, glasses, necklace and camera strap. Really, watch out when you are here, the monkey movement is very fast. When it is closer to sunset, there are monkey came out and join the crowd. I didn't stay long and quickly keep my camera into bag. I scare of monkey.



Here are the only shots I manage to take.

2009-08-22 (4) Tanah Lot

It took us around 1.5 hours from Bedugut to Tanah Lot.

In these few days, we always saw bus with name Pariwisata and thought it was a company name. After refer to the driver only we know pariwisata means tourism. It is similar to Bas Pelancongan we always see in Malaysia :)

[Click on picture for clearer version]



After paid IDR 10K per person and a car park fee costs IDR 5K, in total IDR 45K (~RM 16), we still need to walk a bit to reach Tanah Lot. Follow the sign board as shown below:



If you lost direction, the hawker is very friendly to answer your question :)

A cliff:


Tanah Lot temple:


Aug is surfing season, look at my 'standing hair' and the strong wave :D


A panaromic view of Tanah Lot. Unfortunately the color settings run when I took the panaromic picture, maybe due to the direction and sunlight.



It will be enjoyable to have a coconut drink there, but we not manage to find any table with good view, thus we give it a pass this time.


I am curious the purpose of the additional 'accessories' at some of the motorbike. Want to take a guess? But I do not have answer though :)


Tanah Lot is famous for sunset too. But we decided to go to Uluwatu for sunset, to save tomorrow time from travelling.

2009-08-22 (3) Strawberry Stop

Not very far from Lake Buyan, we reached Strawberry Stop. There are few strawberry plantation here and the driver brought us to this one.


Very huge strawberry :O Just a joke ;)



Must try: Strawberry juice.


The strawberry juice costs IDR 8K (~RM 3). It is thick, fresh, no sugar (If you would like to have less sugar, mention "sikit gula', if no sugar at all 'tak mahu gula' ). I would say this is the best strawberry juice I have ever had, and especially the price, very good deal. I hope the juice price and quality in Bali remain in the future :D

We took light lunch here, after the brunch at Buyan Lake. It costs only IDR 90K (~RM 32) for 6/7 cups of strawberry juice, one fried noodle, one fried rice and one mixed vegetable.

Have you ever see any red banana? Here you go :D

2009-08-22 (2) Lake Buyan and sight seeing

On our way to Tanah Lot, we passed by few places e.g. Munduk. It is high attitude, fresh air and lower temperature, like that of Cameron Highland of Malaysia :)

We saw few cemetery at the roadside. The driver told us the dead body will be buried for only 5 years, after that the skeleton will be collected and I can't remember what they do with it. The driver made a joke that, if the cemetery is not re-used, Bali will be fulled with only cemetery and no place for alive people to live :p Another joke he also made is, if road in Bali is big, then they will have no space to live already *chuckle*. In fact, there are still quite a lot of forest in Bali, and according to the driver, those are reserved forest to keep Bali green.

At Munduk, there are few 'stair paddy field', as in picture below:

[Click on picture for clearer version]



If I forgot to mention the kids here walked to school everyday, some even need to walk for hours. Here is a picture they walked to school/home, with their school uniform. I remembered in parent old days, they have to cycle for hours to go to school. Well, I felt appreciated that I am able to take bus to school. When I grew up, there is limited toy, clothes, electricity and etc, in short, limited resources, thus I always support recycle concept and don't be wasteful. But look at the youngsters today, they will never able to imagine that, hopefully they will appreciate what they have :)


We reached Puncak Bagus and stop for short break. Here we find view of both Buyan Lake and Tamblingan Lake.


Lake Buyan.


Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan next to each other:


Some snack we ordered from Puncak Bagus Cafe:


Nice ginger tea and cocoa hot drink.


Fried banana with cheese and chocolate syrup on top. The french fries is fresh too :) The brunch costs us IDR 210K (~RM 75).


A decorated pura. These few days seems like a good day for wedding, we saw at least 7 wedding ceremony on our road. The engaged couple need to pray at their house, village pura and also other pura e.g. district pura :)

At Munduk, there are quite a few of homestay style accomodation available, a place to stay connected with the green mother earth.

The driver also share some Balinese culture with us. One of it is Balinese calendar. One year is 12 month, 1 month is 35 days. Their new year is called Silent Day. No light nor electricity is allowed. Thus the whole Bali is in dark. Even if you are staying in the hotel, you will get only few candles to survive for the new year day. Besides, Balinese can only stay home on Silent Day, then of course all the shop are closed :) Visitor is advised to stay inside their room also. It is a really silent Bali on Silent Day :) Be sure to check the date of Silent Day before you plan your visit to Bali :D

Happiness at this moment 幸福在当下

During my last Beijing trip, I bought quite a few Chinese book, the book price is really attractive, at least half of that in Malaysia, and more importantly is might not available in Malaysia bookstore. I like to buy online from dang dang 当当网 or amazon joyo卓越.

About a month ago, I finished read 幸福在当下 Happiness at this moment. Similar to other motivation book, the author uses a lot of story and experience to convey the idea. Until today, a story still in my mind. In short, the author has a very good academic achievement few years ago and she always get a lot of compliments of that. One day her uncle asked her, what is your achievement for this year? The author was shocked and then realized that, those compliments belong to the past, more importantly is Now, This Moment. At this moment, how do you feel, what do you achieve, are you happy, can you sleep, can you eat and etc.

Another idea is, if you live in a country with no war, you can go to school, you can get food easily, then you are very lucky than at least 2/3 of the population in the world (if I remembered the figure correctly), thus, you should feel happy of being lucky :D

A quick glance of the book:

Intro Now This Moment is the most important moment 自序 当下最重要

1st chapter: Let go of the past 第一章 放下过去
1. It is you Now, whose build from the past没有曾经，就没有你的现在
If there is no past 假如没有过去
Hurt by a relationship 受过爱情的伤
Results revealed only the past, not current 成绩只能说明过去
2. Remembered the past, but don't live there记得过去，可别活在那里
Don't pay yesterday bill 不为昨天买单
Release yourself Now 现在就放了自己
Life, begin anywhere anytime 人生可以随时开始
3. Be able to take it up, but also be able to let go拿得起，更要放得下
Clear your burden 清理人生背包
New will come after the old 旧的不去，新的不来
Optimistic is the keypoint 乐观是转机
4. Thanks to all the challenges in the past感谢一路的风风雨雨
Sadness is the salt of life 苦是生命的盐
You may turn but not U-turn 可以转身，但不回头
Forgive others, release yourself 宽怒别人，宽容自己

2nd chapter: Face challenge positively 第二章 正视逆镜
1. Challenge, is a gift from the God磨难，是上天赐予的财富
The positive meaning of Lost “输”的积极意义
Pile up challenges as your wealth 将磨难积累成财富
Be the supporter of yourself 做自己的靠山
2.Treat challenge as a trip 把挫折当作一次旅程
Your altitude decide your life 心态决定人生
Challenge enriched your life 曲折，让生命更精彩
Hope, is the lighthouse of life “希望”是生命的灯
3.Find your road to successful in downturn 逆境中开始成功之路
You will lost if you have no direction in life 没有方向，就会迷失
The beauty of elasticity of life 生命的柔韧美
Dream biggest worry is Wait 梦想害怕等待
4.Let's have bigger challenges 让暴风雨来得更猛烈些吧
Challenge the old you 战胜以往的自己
It is not end of the world 人生没有绝境
Rainbow will come after the rain 彩虹闪耀在风雨之后

3rd chapter: Appreciate this moment 第三章 珍惜现在
1. Something called Appreciate 有一种态度叫珍惜
Happiness is not tomorrow, neither yesterday 幸福不在明天，也不在昨天
Every moment is unique 每一个刹那都是唯一
Seize this moment is better than hoping for tomorrow 把握现在胜过等待未来
2. A good medicine called Forget 有一种良药叫忘记
Give yourself a new start 给自己一个新的开始
Don't put the sadness at your back 不要背负婚姻失败的伤
The philosophy of Forgetting “健忘”的哲学
3. A fortune called Challenge 有一种财富叫磨难
Fell down is just a starting point 跌倒只是开始
Obstacle make us stronger 障碍使我们变得伟大
Leave the failure behind 把失败写在背面
4. There is something good called Hope 有一种美景叫希望
How a caterpillar become a butterfly 化蛹为蝶的蜕变
The details define success/failure 细节决定成败
Everyday is an important day 把握生命中的每一天

4th chapter Enjoy the sunshine 第四章 享受阳光
1. Let's enjoy now 为什么不能享受现在
This moment is the most precious 此刻的时光最珍贵
Is next moment will be better? 下一刻更美好？
Do not withdraw Tomorrow's harass 不要预支明天的烦恼
2. Live normally 以平常心去对待生活
Stop comparing 别再去比较了
Shut the worry outside the door 把烦恼关在门外
What are you waiting for? 你还在等什么？
3. Always appreciate 用感恩的眼睛看世界
Appreciate your belonging now 感激现在的拥有
Your current relationship is precious 无价是眼前的爱人
Let sun shine in your heart 让心中装满阳光
4. Still living, is the best thing in life 活着就是最美的事情
Don't trade money with your health 不用健康换金钱
Life and death 生有时，死有时
Still living, is the best thing in life 活着，就是最美的幸福

5th chapter Search for peacefulness 第五章 寻找安宁
1. A simple life 有一种生活叫简约
What are you rushing for? 你在追赶什么
Use 'subtraction' to live 用减法过生活
A happy marriage is not like roller-coaster 幸福的婚姻是平淡
2. Be satisfied 有一种快乐叫知足
Don't stretch too far 适可而止最高明
The philosophy of 80% 人生的八分哲学
Don't stretch yourself 不要太苛求自己
3. A 'normal' heart thinking 有一种心境叫平常
Nothing we can bring when it is end of the life 我们什么也带不走
Perfectionism, the source of struggle 越完美，越痛苦
Reduce worry 减少烦恼，保持平常心
4. Stay calm 有一种幸福叫安宁
Everyday is a good day 日日是好日
Sleep well with calm mind 枕着心安入眠
Back to simple life 回归简单的生命本质

6th chapter Stay away from desire 第六章 远离欲望
1. How big is your desire? 有多少欲望才能满足
Life cannot be 100% full 生活不能装得太满
Extramarital affairs is high risk gambling 婚外情是危险的赌博
Be satisfied 满足永远在未来
2. Learn to hold 人要学会忍耐
Do not let wealth control you 不要让财富成为负担
Learn to let go 学会放弃，回到当下
It is still a long way to go 有些路还需慢慢走
3. Bring your heart with you 把心放在身边
Sit here 坐在这里，想那里
Appreciate the relationship around you 珍惜身边的爱
Most important thing in life 生命中最重要的事
4. Learn to let go 学会放弃是一种智慧
Let it go when it is time to 该舍弃时就舍弃
Step back, is moving forward 退步原来是向前
Do what is important to 做最重要的事

7th chapter Go for simplicity 第七章 追求简约
1. Be slower, relax 放慢脚步，轻松生活
Enjoy the process 何不享受过程
Find your own pace 找到适合自己的节奏
Yoga exercise for your soul 给心灵做个瑜珈
2. Put down the burden 卸下身上沉重的包袱
Stress is a spice of life 压力是一种调味品
Forget the pain of unsuccessful relationship 放下失恋的痛苦
Enjoy everyday 享受生活的每一天
3. Simple but not dull 简约，但不简单
Live your life 对生活投入“全心全意”
Learn to be less smart 学学.“傻根”许三多
Face gain/lost 安然看待得失
4. You decide your happiness 追寻快乐，全在自己
To be happy, first open your heart 要快乐，先“开”心
Continue journey of life with smile 带着笑容上路
It is happy to share 分享才快乐

8th chapter Plan your tomorrow 第八章 给明天一个规划
1. Your today decide your tomorrow 明天怎样，在于你对今天的把握
Time is not a toy 时间不是奢侈品
Treat every time the first time 把每一次都当作第一次
Set a goal 每天给自己一个目标
2. Live this moment, doesn't meant do not plan for tomorrow 活在当下，不是不计划
Today is the foundation of tomorrow 今天是明天的基石
Everyday a little, it will be a mickle 做小事也可以成就伟大
Goal is 50% of successful 成功的一半是方向
3. Face your life 正视自己的人生
Plan your life 为生命做一个规划
Desire is a double side blade 野心是把双刃剑
Set your soul free 解除心灵的枷锁
4. Future is in your hand 未来在我手中
The size of the world is the size of your heart 心有多大，世界才有多大
I'm possible 每个人都有无限可能
Write your own interesting story of life 精彩生命，自己书写

Ending Life exists at this moment 尾声 生活只存在于现在

I hope the content overview can give you some idea the importance of This Moment. My friend, live today :) not yesterday nor tomorrow. Sun shine on everybody fairly, if you ever go under the sunshine.

2009-08-22 (1) Holy Hot Spring

After checked-out from Aditya Hotel, we went to Holy Hot Spring.

Here is how it looks like:



The water is not as hot we I imagine, it is just a bit warm only.


A spa in the hot spring area.


There are few hot spring, and quite a number of water fall in Bali. For Malaysian like me, I am not very tempted to visit those :p

By the way, the entrance fee is IDR 3K. On the way to the entrance, there are few store selling batik and towel. We bought 4 pcs of batik at IDR 200K (~RM 71), typical batik at IDR 80K, normal beach batik cloth at IDR 20K. After we paid, other batik seller think the price we got is too cheap and scold the seller who sold the batik to us. We were shock that they started to quarrel and quickly leave the store. *whew*.

Searching for Hokkien （福建/闽南) version of 陈慧珊 就系他

If you know Flora Chan 陈慧珊, this is the only song from her that I like. But I preferred the Hokkien version by a male singer better. I heard it once from radio but have no chance to know the Hokkien song title name. If you know, please kindly share with me by leaving your comment. Arigato :)



The lyrics:
内心空空余也,我不想说话
却要给我遇着他 想与我闲话
幸福的丝丝尼亚 笑声不放下
眼里嘴里尽是他 身边一个他
谁听见了心也坠下 停在半空结巴
凝望座于一角 感觉落魄泪向心里洒
还闭上眼睛期待热吻 他不牵也没挂
为了爱他可以一切未悔 但我被遗下
幸福该当何价 衬青春爱吧
盼会找到就像他 恋一生也他
谁死的丝丝尼亚 说不出说话
脑眼闪闪像在讲终等到见他
为了爱他可以一切放下 愿放上一串花
为了爱他可以死去也吧 泪也没流下
（遗留就这一句感到寂寞别带着回家）

2009-08-21 (6) Aditya Hotel, Lovina

Lovina is a famous place to watch dolphin. But due to some reason, I didn't manage to join the tour... The weather is nice in Aug, clear sky. Let's take a look at Lovina during daytime.


Blue sky, blue sea, black but shining sand.

For a night stay at Aditya Hotel, it costs us IDR 656200 (~RM 235) for 2 rooms. The hotel has its own private beach, where it is fenced, thus outsider cannot access the hotel easily. There is also 24 hours security control in the compound.

This is my room balcony:


The room:


The massage gazebo *chuckle*


The swimming pool:


The dinner we took yesterday night. From left to right, top to bottom:


1) Tom Yam Kung - Quite nice, hehe don't tease me for having Thai food in Bali, this is the only oriental soup available :)
2) Fried kangkung, taste okay.
3) Pepes Ikan Laut (Fish cooked in banana leave) - tasted a bit like otak-otak.
4) Babi Kecap (Sauteed pork with soya sauce and rice) - Tasted okay.


1) Ikan Bumbung Bali (Fried fish with homemade sauce) - We got salmon.
2) Rujak segar (Fresh cut fruits with special sauce) - I still prefer Malaysia rojak :p In fact the sauce taste is not so strong, but still the foreigner next to our table cannot accept it.
3) Bintang beer, a local brand beer.

The dinner is IDR 210K (~RM 75).

2009-08-21 (5) Lovina

We headed to the north of Bali after lunch. I didn't realize when we reach there, because I am expecting a more happening town like Kuta. In fact, this is not as that, the street looks like below:



After checked-in to Aditya Hotel, we order the massage service. It costs IDR 90K (~RM 32) for 1.5 hours. The massage was at the hotel beach gazebo, as that in the left of picture below:



When I first reached the gazebo, the massager asked me to take out my clothes, leave only the inner. I was a bit shocked at first, after few second, I realize all other massagee wearing swim suit for massage. Oh okay, I learn the lesson now. Well, the massager immediately asked where are we from. After knowing our country of origin, she immediately put down the bamboo blind. Well, since this is the culture there, I guess I have no choice but just do it, assuming I am wearing swim suit *blush*. I felt a bit awkward still :p Okay, I am convervative, I admit :p

After massage, I quickly go back to my room and take my camera for the sunset. Now you get the answer, the sunset picture was taken at Lovina :)

Smile :)

Life is a lesson, a long lesson.
We lost, but we also gain.
We cry, but we also laugh.
We fall down, but we also stand up.
There is birth, but also death.
After rain, sunshine there will be.
After new moon, full moon there will be.

But when something unpleasant happened, more importantly is how do we feel, what do we do, what did we learn and how do we move on. No matter how, live happily and keep positive thinking will definitely help :) Remember to smile no matter how, my dear readers :)

If you used to listen to mandarin or cantonese song, I would advice you to listen to some english song instead :p If you ever noticed, most of the mandarin/cantonese song are sad/down. If you ever feeling sad, I hope the song below will help you :)



The lyrics:
When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, what will I be
Will I be pretty, will I be rich
Here's what she said to me.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

When I was young, I fell in love
I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead
Will we have rainbows, day after day
Here's what my sweetheart said.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

Now I have children of my own
They ask their mother, what will I be
Will I be handsome, will I be rich
I tell them tenderly.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

2009-08-21 (4) Ayam Bakar Taliwang

When we come out from Botanical Garden entrance, there were few hawker selling strawberry. When we stopped by a market not far from it, the first thing to look for is strawberry :D I just realize I forgot to take picture of the fruits I bought. Anyway, a small pack of strawberry is IDR 5k (~RM 1.80), 2 pieces of corn is at the same price, IDR 5K, around 8 pcs of passion fruit is IDR 10K (~RM 3.60). The best is still the strawberry :D cheap and tasty. We also bought grape, but it is too sour, mainly for wine making.



There are a lot of spices also. I was thinking to bought some vanilla for cooking. But I felt RM 18 for 10 pcs of sounds a bit expensive. I still have no idea what is the best deal now as I cannot find it else where after this. If anyone is going to Bali, please let me know if you can help me to buy some :)

After that we headed to Ayam Bakar Taliwang for lunch, opposite of Buyan Lake entrance. We didn't went to Buyan Lake after that, as the driver said he will show us better view tomorrow :)





This is a muslim store, here is an example of their calendar, so many words :p


Not sure what donation box are those:


Of course, the food :)

1) Ayam bakar taliwang - Very small chicken, according to the driver, this chicken is small in size. Not really surprising taste I personally think. We ordered 4.
2) Tofu - I don't really like this :p
3) I cannot remember the dish name, it is raw egg plant with chili, very spicy :)
4) Satay - I still prefer Malaysia satay :D

Besides, we also ordered fried kangkung which is good taste, fried noodle. We invite the driver to join us for lunch. It costs IDR 179K (~RM 64).

2009-08-21 (3) Botanical Garden

Let's take a look at the car we rented, it's a suzuki, sorry but I can't remember the car model name :p It is quite comfortable for 4 person + 1 driver. It costs IDR 1mil (~ RM 360) for 3 full days.



On our way to Botanical Garden, I saw this, hehe fully utilize transportation system, common in Bali.


If you read my blog 2009-08-20 (3) Sukawati, the plantation is usually focus. Thus the lorry usually carry only one kind of product.

A scene taken on our way. The resort below was just built, but due to some reason the owner was involved in some court cases, and the resort is not in business yet. It must be very relaxing with fresh air if stay in this resort, give our soul a break :)


The botanical garden map:


To enter, IDR 12K per car, IDR 28K for 4 person entrance fee, in total IDR 40K, around RM 14.

Welcome to Bali Botanical Garden (Kebun Raya).





Can't remember this is Patung Rahwana Jatayu (Item 3 in the map) or Patung Kumbakarna Laga (Item 4 in the map). The garden is huge, if you plan to walk, it will probably take a day. We use car to make a tour in the garden :p

Near Item 13 in the map, we can see Lake Buyan as below: