Bali Day 2: (Part 1) Batuan Village, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul at Tampak Siring Presidential Palace & Luwak Coffee

Date of Visit: 12th August 2012

On the second day of our Bali trip, Pak Bagus picked us up at 9am of the local time. For your information, not all cities and places in Indonesia has the same time zone. For Jakarta and Bandung, the time differences would be 1 hour later than Malaysia whereas for Bali, there is no time difference between the two these two cities currently. 

Batuan Village
For our first pitstop, Pak Bagus dropped us a village which known as Batuan Village. This village is noted for its artwork and style of painting and has since emerged into a major Balinese artistic style. It is a major painting center and contains a number of art galleries and cooperative art societies which have played a key role in promoting the art of Batuan.

The most notable landmark is the village temple, known as Pura Puseh. This temple is not really that huge and big in size but it was a perfect place for photoshooting as it was filled with blue sky as the background photo.

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#1: The split gate which is the famous type of gate where you can seen in almost all the Balinese temple

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#2: Traditional architecture of the temple

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#3:

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#4: The pillar has a carving of a dancing goddess

Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Next, we stopped at this rice terraces which is designed very beautiful with exquisite hollowing rice field and precisely located on the hill bank. This is a typical scene in Bali and this green terraced rice-field showcases the beauty of the Balinese countryside. In here, we can see that the Balinese farmer do their rice field in oblique area complete with its system irrigation. 

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#5: Beautiful panorama of valley with rice terrace and coconut trees ornament it

Tegalalang Village is well known as the village of handicrafts centre especially for wholesale and export. Along the road, there are plenty of of shops where the villagers sell variety of painted woodcarving with colourful designed. The painted woodcarving products were painted on a very light wood so easy for the buyer to bring back home as a gift and souvenir for family and friends or even to decorate their house. Those painted woodcarving were pretty amazing but unfortunately, I'm not an art lover, hence I didn't bother to ask the price. 

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#6: Hand-painted woodcarving products being displayed along the road

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#7: The souvenirs shops are spread out beside of road

Tegalalang Rice Terrace has become the icon of agriculture tourism for Bali and appointed as a tourist destination visited by both local and foreign tourists every day. It is not free to enter into this by the way and the entrance fee cost is IDR5,000 per person (approx. to RM1.70)

Tirta Empul at Tampak Siring Temple
Tampak Siring Temple, which literally known as Spring Water Temple was built around the springs and it is a special bathing-pools. This place is well-known and popular among the visitors because it was built and structured by the first Indonesian president, Sukarno. 

In the inner courtyard, there is clear slate-blue spring water bubbling up into its own enclosed rectangular pool through a sedimentary layer of black sand. This legendary bathing pools inside the inner courtyard at Tirta Empul temple is said to have magical healing powers.
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#8: The local is doing the bath special ritual which known as Balinese melukat

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#9: To the local, the waters from this clear pools are believed to have magic curative powers.

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#10: Fish pond with many colourful kois

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#11:

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#12: Some rituals were going on when we were there.

There are few rules need to be aware when visit this temple:
  • Prohibited to enter without decent wear
  • Do no wear short pants. And if you did like we were, you can rent a sarong inside the temple.
  • Especially for the ladies, if your period is coming during the visit, it is better to stay away from the temple.
This temple is open daily to the public and the admission fee to enter into this temple is IDR15,000 (approx. to RM5). 

Luwak Coffee
Before move on the next destination, Pak Bagus asked us whether we would like to stop for the famous Luwak Coffee or not and we agreed for him to do so since I ever came across of Luwak Coffee which is well-known for its excellent coffee especially in Bali and I would love to buy a pack for my family. 

If you never heard of Luwak Coffee and wondering what it was, it refers to the bean of coffee berries once they have been eaten and excreted by the local Asian civet cat and then processed to be the highest grade of coffee. It believed to be the most expensive coffee in the world. 

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#13: Sleeping Asian civet cats. This is where Luwak coffees from

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#14: Free samples were given for testing - like vanilla coffee, coconut coffee, lemongrass tea and etc but not Luwak Coffee. If you want to test Luwak Coffee, you need to pay. 

I split my second day travelogue into two posts cause I don't want cramp everything into one post as it will make it like a very super duper long. So stay tune for the part two of my second day adventures of Bali.

[Credit To: Bali Fun Driver,]

Another Adventurous Autumn Japan Trip 2013 (Sneak Peek)

There's once I posted #throwback photo of my Japan trip and I told my friend that I wish to go back again someday, I never thought after three years later, here I am again going back to the "Land of the Rising Sun".

I found out there is direct flight from Kota Kinabalu to Osaka via Malaysia Airlines. Hassle-free from transit to Kuala Lumpur and the airfare is really affordable, so I bought for my mommy as her this year birthday present. 

My initial plan was to do the same route like I did for my maiden trip; Osaka, Kyoto & Tokyo but at the end, I changed the plan which was just solely focus on Kansai area as it was one of my travel wishlist.

Japan - Osaka 01
#1: Long haul flight with Malaysia Airlines to Kansai-Osaka

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#2: After 3 years, I never thought I will seeing this signboard again.

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#3: Dotonbori for second time just to take photo of this huge & colourful Glico running man in Osaka.

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#4: Deer - the messengers of the gods in Nara Park. One of my travel wishlist accomplished.

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#5: Whenever I travel, I always love to visit theme park. No exemption for this one as well - Universal Studio Japan.

Japan Himeji
#6: Himeji Castle - Although it is currently undergoing renovation, but this castle is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture.

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#7: I never seen a real cherry blossom aka sakura in my life but it's hard for me to believe that I able to see it eventhough it is autumn in Japan now.(It's so beautiful I'm gonna die)

Japan Kobe
#8: Another wishlist accomplished but Kobe seems like nothing for me.

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#9: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the biggest aquariums in the world. Again, another wishlist accomplished. 

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#10: Once I reach my most favourite city in Japan which is Kyoto, immediately I went Fushimi Inari Shine.

Although I went Japan twice but I still love to come back again and again. This beautiful and amazing country never fail to impress and amaze me in every single little thing - the local was so friendly and helpful, and when come to the foods, my goodness, my saliva almost dripped eventhough but just looking at the display model.

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#11: Even Japanese manhole covers are individual masterpieces of the street art. Seriously so beautiful & decorative.

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#12: What we had throughout our trip in Japan - ramen, sushi (inari & maki, my favourite), donburi and bento. Oishii!

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#13: Even Japanese desserts were so detailed in each and every design - so refreshing kawaii!

If compare between Southeast Asia and East Asia countries, somehow I still prefer to travel the latter one - to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, etc. I would love to return back to Japan again and this time, my next aim would be Tokyo (for second visit) and Hokkaido! Sayonara!

Stay in Bali: Jocs Boutique Hotel & Spa

Choosing the right accommodation is the most crucial part when planning for a trip, especially if you are very particular about certain aspects - like location, price, convenient, cleanliness and so on. Sames goes for our Bali trip where we need to pick the accommodation that suits our needs and preferences.

As usual, I will always volunteer myself to browse through and list down all the accommodations and let my friends to pick where they wanna stay and at the end, their favourite pick was this hotel - Jocs Boutique Hotel & Spa.

Jocs Boutique Hotel & Spa
#1: This boutique hotel located ideally in the heart of Kuta

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#2: Upon check-in, each of us were given a warm towel and welcome drink

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#3: We booked two standard rooms and it was very spacious and well-decorated with minimalist furniture.

Facilities Inside The Room
  • Television LCD or plasma screen with complete subscription channels
  • Mini fridge 
  • Complimentary coffee & tea making facilities
  • In-room safe deposit box
  • Air-conditioning 
  • Free WiFi connection
  • Hairdryer 
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#4: Elegant and stylish bathroom

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#5: Complimentary two sparkling water bottles were provided daily

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#6: Swimming pool at the ground floor seems to be tiny and small. Not suitable for large group of people

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#7: Roof top jacuzzi

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#8: Rooftop bar/lounge where the guests can chill and relax

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#9: Love the chic and modern design of the rooftop pool

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#10: Breakfast buffet located on the ground floor

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#11:  The buffet spread for breakfast caters both local and western foods

Location wise, it is so strategic and very convenient. Lots of small shops all around the corner where you can bargain for goods and souvenirs. A 5-10 minutes walking distance to the famous and legendary Kuta Beach and an easy access to multi-cuisine restaurants, pubs, night clubs, café and shopping centers in the Legian Street just as Starbucks, McDonalds are located nearby.

Absolutely an excellent budget boutique hotel and it is worth for every value of money we paid. Highly recommended for those who has no problem with budget.

Jocs Boutique Hotel & Spa
Address: Jl. Melasti No. 3, Legian Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

Phone : +62 (361) 751 752
Fax : +62 (361) 751 785
Email : reservation@jocshotel.com
Website : www.jocshotel.com 

P/S: This is another scheduled post cause I'm currently away for another getaway - an oriental country which I'd been before 3 years ago.

If you wanna know where I am travelling, follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

Bali Day 1: Arrived Bali, Warung Mak Jo, Garuda Wisnu Kencana, Uluwatu Temple & Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran Beach

Date of Visit: 11th August 2012

Initially, this Bali trip of mine was supposed to be a reunion trip with my collegemates but at the end, I went with my university's housemate and my friend's sister instead. This is because my collegemates didn't manage to purchase the great deal during AirAsia's promotion whereas I managed to book it.  Despite only 3 of us going to Bali, I still continue with my flashpacking trip around this "Island of the Gods" together with my new toy - lil Santorini, my newly bought Sony Nex 5N at that moment.

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#1: Arrived Denpasar International Airport, which commonly known as Ngurah Rai International Airport at 11:45 am local time.

We hired a personal driver/local tour guide beforehand through email and by the time we came out from the arrival hall, Mr Bagus who is our personal driver waited patiently for us. Before going to our actual hotel, we went to Tune Hotel to pick-up one of my friend who arrived Bali one day earlier before us. I found out Tune Hotel is another best option to stay in you plan to visit Bali, especially for those in tight budget.   

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#2: Welcome drink and towel given by our hotel

Since we were too early to check-in and our room hadn't ready yet, we told Mr Bagus that we wanna have lunch before move on to the next destination. Instead of bringing us to those famous eateries in Bali, Mr Bagus proposed to bring us to a local eatery which mostly patronised by the local.  

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#3: Warung Mak Jo located at Jalan Raya Uluwatu

Mak Jo Bali Meals
#4: Our late lunch - Grill boneless chicken, mixed vegetables and fried beancurd

This small cozy warung serves not only Indonesian meals, but also Chinese and Western dishes as well. It may looks like a high-end restaurant from outside, but the price of each and every of it dishes is pretty reasonable and affordable. It's totally suitable for those budget travellers who looking for authentic Indonesia cuisine without hurting the wallet. The total damages for 4 of us, including drink cost IDR125,400 (approx. to RM43).


Garuda Wisnu Kencana
Garuda Wisnu Kencana is a private culture park situated at the southern end of the island of Bali. This park is devoted to the Hindu God Vishnu (or Dewa Wisnu, as he is known by the Balinese) with his winged mount, Garuda, the mythical bird who is his companion. 

Bali Day 1 - Garuda Wisnu Kencana 01
#5: We managed to watch the beautiful traditional Balinese performance by the time we arrived.

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#6: Standing 150 meters tall is the Hindu god statue, Vishnu

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#7: Garuda, King of Birds and Lord Vishnu's winged mount

To be frank, besides the two huge statues - Vishnu and Garuda, nothing much to sight around here and we're surrounding by quiet environment. It was less crowded and not many tourists. There are one or two souvenirs shop around but we didn't bother to browse through. Open from 8 am to 8 pm, the admission fee of this park is IDR60,000 per person (approx. to RM21) which seems to be relatively expensive and not worth the price of visiting this place.

Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple, or officially known as Pura Luhur Uluwatu is a Balinese sea temple located at the south district of Kuta. According to the research, "Luhur" means something of divine origin while "Uluwatu" can be divided into "ulu" which means land's end" whereas for "watu" means rock in the old time language. This is one of the famous and popular attractions among the foreign visitors and it is highly recommended to visit here especially to witness the spectacular sunset view. Entrance fee to this place is IDR20,000 (approx. to RM7).

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#8: The majestic cliff setting of Uluwatu Temple

Few things need to take note before visiting this temple. Firstly, it is advisable to dress properly before enter. Sarongs are available for free at the entrance. Secondly, keep a very close grip on all your belongings especially sunglasses, hair accessories, keychains and those easily being snatched and if possible, place all those belongings inside bag and zip tightly. This is because the temple is inhabited by large number of aggressive and ruthless monkeys, who are being trained to snatch visitors' belonging.

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#9: Viewing sunset at Uluwatu is one of the things must-do in Bali 

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#10: Kecak dance performance

Kecak dance (monkey dance) performances are held daily at Uluwatu temple between 6 pm until 7 pm where tourists can watch the performance with a spectacular and gorgeous sunset view served as a background. To watch this visually spectacular performance, you need to pay extra of IDR70,000 (approx. to RM24) as it is not included in the entrance fee for the temple.

Jimbaran Beach
We ended our night by having seafood dinner at Jimbaran Beach. This beach is located not far away from Uluwatu Temple. Eating seafood on the beach in Jimbaran is a quintessential part of many a visitor's itinerary when coming to Bali. There are abundantly of seafood restaurants set along the beach and most serve essentially the same menu with one basic dining format.

Jimbaran Beach 01
#11: Dining on Jimbaran Beach with cool sea breeze atmosphere

Besides ordered from the menu, we also went to the seafood tanks and choose the type of the seafood we wanna eat and then, the price was according to the weight of that particular seafood we chosen.

Bumbu Bali Jimbaran Bay 01
#12: Our dinner for the night - chicken satay, fried noodle, fried rice, veggies and grilled prawns

One of the biggest mistakes done by me was didn't inform our driver earlier on which particular restaurant that I wanna visit and turned out, the bill that we paid was really cutting our throat. Our total bill for that night was IDR560,000 (approx. to RM190) and frankly speaking, the food was so-so only and wondering why it was recommended by many tourists to have dinner here. Maybe it was famous mainly for its atmosphere.

In case any of you wanna go Jimbaran Beach for seafood dinner, I would recommend to go for Lia Cafe which received plenty of positive reviews especially by the bloggers.

And that capped my first day in the Island of the Gods. Stay tune for my second day adventures.