JAKARTA/BANDUNG TRIP 15-19 MAY 2009 FINAL PART

18-19 May 2009 (Monday & Tuesday) - Day 4 & 5

8.00 am, like yesterday, we had our buffet breakfast at the hotel. Pak Yunus took over from Pak Tarmudzi as our driver as he had other matter to attend too. Since we need to exchange our money to Rupiahs, Pak Yunus suggested us to change it at Golden Money Changer (GMC) near Pasar Baru. He informed us that GMC gives the best rate as compared to others. Thinking that GMC will be like a normal money changer i.e. small and no need to queue, we were mistaken. Entering GMC was like entering a big bank with many customers. There, you will be given a number, have a seat and wait for your number to be called. Once called, you need to fill up a form, gave the money (mine RM and USD) and wait again to be called to complete the whole process which in all took about 20 minutes. Pak Yunus was right, do exchange your money in Bandung or Jakarta. The rate is much cheaper. (On that day the rate was RM298 for Rp1million as compared to RM340 for the same amount when I exchanged it in Malaysia).

Later, we went to Pasar Baru, a shopping complex, similar to Tanah Abang in Jakarta but smaller (5 storey building). Pak Yunus parked his MPV at 7th floor parking lot. Here, we spent for about 4 hours and most items that we bought were for our families especially the ladies i.e telekung, clothes, fabrics, Indonesian batiks, etc. I also made an arrangement with a tailor in one of the shops to tailor-made me two pair of trousers with a promise to deliver it at the hotel by 5 am tomorrow morning. Ajib bought lots and lots of laces fabric for his family. According to him, the price was cheap and I was told that the shops in Tanah Abang are the exporters of laces and fabrics to the high class fabric shops like Euro Moda in KL.

Ajib buying lotsa of laces

From Pasar baru, Pak Yunus then brought us to Nasi Padang house called Restoran Simpang Raya, the same concept like the restaurant we went in Jakarta.

Menu in the restaurant...

Afterward we went to Cibaduyut, a place well known for its locally made product of leather goods especially for its shoes. Rows and rows of shops selling from low to high quality leather goods can be found here. For me, I bought shoes, a big travelling bag and a belt.

We then went to Rumah Tas, a shop exclusively for handbags mostly of high class imitation bags. Spoilt for choice, I bought one for my sister, a latest design by Gucci, with less revealing logo as requested by my sister over the phone.

Next, we went to Rumah Mode and shopped again. I bought a few branded T-shirts. We then went to our last FO shop which was the Cascade where I bought more selected T-shirts and a beautiful door-mat.

A day shopping..we need to use the hotel's trolley
to bring all those to our room

Tired, we went back to our hotel and dined in ala-carte at the hotel and as a hotel guest we were given a 25% discount. Even tired, it took A untill 2.00am to pack neatly all the things we bought into 6 big bags.

Tomorrow will be our travelling day, back to KL via Jakarta. We had decided to hire Pak Yunus again for our trip to Jakarta instead of taking a bus after looking at the things we need to carry. Since our flight to KL from Jakarta will be at 8.00pm, we then have ample time to go to Mangga Dua, another shopping place in Jakarta.

19 May 2009 (Tuesday) Part 5.

Our last day in Bandung. Had breakfast at the hotel. Its already 8.00am and no news about the delivery of my trousers. I thought I had been cheated. To make matter worse, I have lost the receipt and I was unable to contact the tailor. I was quite disappointed. I called Pak Yunus and he suggested that we stop by at the shop and enquire about it before going to Jakarta.

We checked out from the hotel at 9.00am and went to Kartika Sari, one of the biggest bakery in Bandung. It offers a wide varieties of cookies, cakes, snacks. I bought a few packets of 'pisang molen' which is a baked pastry filled with banana and cheese. There, I received a call from the tailor saying that the dispatch boy did come to the hotel at 5.00am but cannot find the name listed as the hotel guest. It seemed that, I had given A's name on the receipt instead of mine but I had clearly mentioned the room number together with Ajib's hp number (Indonesian prepaid). Unfortunetely this other info were not given to the boy. We then headed back to the hotel and picked the trousers there.

Afterward, Pak Yunus drove us to Jakarta. We asked him to use the road via Puncak instead of the highway to view the uphill scenery.

View from Puncak..

Another view from Puncak
Yet another view at Puncak

On the route to Jakarta, there was a slight jammed due to an accident. We reached Mangga Dua area where huge blocks of shopping complexes are situated here in Jakarta at 2.00 pm. We entered one of the blocks which sells all sort of things, something like Sungai Wang Plaza but with smaller shops. We had only two hours to eat and shop there since we need to be at the airport not later than 6.00pm. We ate at the A&W inside the complex and then we started shopping using whatever balance left but taking into consideration the air port tax and payment for excess baggage, if any. Here, I bought a few Indonesian pirated music CDs at the cost of Rp6,000 each. I also bought locally made bamboo fans as souveniors for my office mates.

In front of Mangga Dua Shopping Complex

At 4.00pm, we went to the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. During check-in, to avoid paying for excess baggage of about RM100.00, each of us had to take 2 bags as hand luggage and the other 4 bags as check-in baggage.

Last minute repacking after our shopping spree at Mangga Dua

We had dinner in one of the Sudanese restaurant at the Airport. As scheduled, at 8.00pm, we flew from Jakarta and arrived at LCCT airport around 11.00pm (Malaysian time). We then took a bus to KL Sentral. There, A and I took a cab home whereas Ajib had his relative picking him up. By 2.00am, we reached our house.

Since this was our first trip to Jakarta and Bandung, I must say that it was a successful trip. It fulfilled our intention to see these two cities as tourist on our own even if not 100%. Unless and until you really want to come to Bandung to shop, we now know where to go and buy specific things at specific places. God willing, we might come again here next year, ermm a few interested parties have voiced their interest to asked us to bring them there...see how it goes........

JAKARTA- BANDUNG TRIP 15-19 MAY 2009 - PART 3

Day 3 - 17 May 2009 (Sunday)

We had our buffet breakfast at the Kookobura Restaurant in the hotel. The choice of food were aplenty and cover both continental and local foods.

A, enjoying his cereal at the restaurant.

At 8.00 am, Pak Tarmudzi, our driver picked us up with a brand new Suzuki Arena MPV. A chatty guy, he first brought us to our desired destination, the mount Tangkuban Perahu, the most famous tourist volcano just 28 km north of the city. Part of the road especially nearing the place are full of potholes, making the journey a bit uncomfortable. Furthermore, you have to pay an entrance fee of Rp45,000 per person before entering the mountain.

View from the huge dead crater.

With a paying guide named Pak Usa, we hiked downhill through the natural stairs 1.2km to reach Kawah Domas (Domas Crater), an active volcanic crater with sulphuric spring.

Half way to Kawah Domas...

Nope, I can't fit into that.....

enjoying the splendid panoramic view

At last.... reaching the crater, with hot geysers
and hissing sulphur vapor all around us

eggs are sold here so that you can put them into
the boiling water until there are cooked

All of us had a mud massages around the legs
before soaking it into the hot water

Another view at the crater....

We then headed to a less steeply area i.e the car park at Kawah Ratu, where our driver was waiting for us. All in all, it was a tiring walk and I was sweating profusely upon arriving at the car park but nonetheless such adventure was a worthwhile experience for all of us.

We then had our lunch at the infamous Kampung Daun restaurant, a must place to go for anyone who visited Bandung. It is located in a natural surrounding of craftsman village in a deep jungle valley. With fresh air and cool breeze, its the best choice of place to be i.e. to relax your feet after the long walk.

The entrance to Kampung Daun Restaurant

Entering our hut

ermmm from the menu, which buntut to eat? hehehe

Time to hit the Kentongan, to call for services
from the traditional clad waiters

Lunch is served...time to eat....

Time to take a nap...


Inside the village....

Most visitors took their picture here...

The driver then sent us to Rumah Mode, the most talkabout FO in Bandung. Being a Sunday, this beautiful FO inclusive of a cafe and a spa were full of people especially those from Jakarta and many Malaysian too. At the cafe, I bought 2 cups of a delicious 'durian sensation' sundae.

Later, we went to Toko Tiga, the place where they sell original jeans. I bought an original 501 Levi's jeans for about RM100. Our last FO were the Heritage and its adjoining FO, the Cascade. Personally, I love Cascade much better than Rumah Mode and decided to come again tomorrow to shop after I change the balance of my money to Rupiahs.

To tired to eat outside, our driver drove us to the best Bakso Restaurant in town according to him. It was the Baso Malang Karapitan where we ordered a take-away food for our dinner. We then headed back to our hotel, exhausted...

Next day will be our shopping day....

JAKARTA/BANDUNG TRIP 15 - 19 MAY 2009 - PART 2

Day 2 - 16 May 2009 (Saturday)

At 8.30am, from our hotel, we walked out to a Mall in front of Sarinah Mall and had our breakfast at Dunkin Donut there. Later, in Sarinah Mall, Ajib had his hair cut and then highlighted it in a hair saloon. While waiting for him, A and I went to a supermarket inside the same Mall. There, I bought 3 original DVDs (Indonesian movies - Laskar Pelangi, Perempuan Berkalong Serban and Chika). I also bought a nerd looking reading glasses in the supermarket to replace the one I brought which was broken due to a mishap at the airport.

Ajib at the saloon, highlighting his hair

At 11.30 am, after checking out from the hotel, we took a Blue Bird cab to Gambir Train Station. There are two operating trains going to Bandung i.e The Argo Gede and the Parahyangan. Since Parahyangan was the earliest to depart, we bought the last 3 remaining executive tickets. We then had our bento like lunch at a Japanese restaurant at the station.

The Gambir Train Station, the picture was
taken a day before from MONAS Tower

The fully air-conditioned executive coach was not only clean but spacious and the comfortable seat comes together with a small clean pillow. They also served a nice box containing a bun and mineral water. You can also order food and drinks with their set menus from the attending waitress. Your order will be sent to your seat or you can eat at one of the coaches which served as a canteen.

The inside of the executive coach

The smooth three hour journey covers a picturesque route through paddy fields, villages, mountains and tea plantation. It was a thrilling experience for me as I have never been in a train for a long distance journey before.

We reached Bandung Station at 4.30 pm. The weather was nice with the temperature around 24-25C. We were then picked by the Hotel Grand Serela's chauffeur, the hotel that we will be staying for the next 3 nights.

Bandung Train Station

Ajib, posing in front of the Grand Serela Boutique Hotel

Our room

Another picture of our room

Afterward, we took a minibus called 'angkutan' to go to Dago Street, where a few major Factory Outlet (FO) are situated. There, we shopped a bit and then had dinner at Grande's FO. Back at the hotel, A and I had our foot reflexology massages while Ajib did the whole body massage at the hotel spa.

End of day two of our trip and day one for us in Bandung. We had already booked a local driver to drive us around Bandung for two days and he will pick us up tomorrow morning at 8.00 am.

JAKARTA/BANDUNG TRIP 15 - 19 MAY 2009 - PART 1

This trip was planned a few months back....By March, A and I had booked the flight return tickets to Jakarta. Later, my office mate, Ajib and his friend wanted to join in. Due to some matters with the Immigration Dept, Ajib's friend cannot get the passport ready in time and decided not to go. Then, three days before we were to depart, Ajib's father had a heart attack and was admitted to ICU, GH. Fearing the worst, Ajib decided not to go too. The next day, Ajib's father regain consciousness and was transferred to the normal ward. With his blessing, Ajib then decided to join us back.

So this was our story of our trip to Jakarta & Bandung...

Day One - 15 May 2009 (Friday)

At 4.00 am, A and I took a cab from our house to KL Sentral and proceeded to LCCT via Sky Bus. Ajib was already there and after we had done checking-in, we went to Chocolate for breakfast

With Ajib at Chocolate, having our set continental breakfast

At 7.00 am, we flew to Soekarno- Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, arriving at 10.30 am (Indonesian time). I saw this interesting add at the airport and had to take a picture of it.

Do you think its necessary to put the animal pic? Pity Mexico too, hehe

We then took a Blue Bird cab (the only reliable cab in Indonesia) to our hotel, Ibis Arcadia.

Our room in Ibis Arcadia

After check-in, we walked to the nearest nasi padang restaurant for lunch. Here, they served us with many plates of foods. What we choose will be counted and be paid for. The 'ayam dendeng', 'nangka masak lemak' were among my favourites. It tasted good but it will taste better if the food is being served warm. Being hungry we did not care much and its served our purpose to eat fast so that we can have more time to roam. We then walked to Monumen Nasional (MONAS) nearby which is actually the National Monument tower (137 meter high). We bought tickets and took the elevator up to the upper platform to view Medan Merdeka Park, Istiqlal Mosque and the city view.

A, with MONAS at the background

Ajib & A, below the tower.

To enter inside MONAS, you need to use
the tunnel from the park

The view from the Tower

Another view from the Tower,
Istiqlal Mosque, one of the biggest mosque in Southeast Asia.
I read somewhere, President Soekarno choose a Christian architect to built it.

Afterward, the three of us took a ride in a 'Bajaj', a three-wheeled motorised rickshaw to Tanah Abang Market (somewhat like a high rise Wisma Yakin market area but much much more hustling and bustling) where we did a 'little' bit of shopping. Using bajaj is not only cheaper but also faster considering the horrible traffic jam or 'macet' as it is said in Indonesian. But you have to endure the smell of gas, the heat and the fear for your dear life while the driver did the "rempit" action to reach its destination...

The road behind Tanah Abang Market
(14 or so storey building - the green in colour)

We then took another Bajaj and headed back to our hotel. Afterward, we took a cab and went to Grand Indo, a huge and the most exclusive mall in Indonesia. Indeed, the word 'grand' is not an exaggeration. Nothing in KL can compare this richly taste and beautiful mall. The security is also quite tight..not only you will be screened before entering the mall but any vehicles will have to undergo the same inspection. There, I entered a shop selling original CDs and bought an album CD recommended to me by a courteous worker in the shop. The artiste is Joeniar Arief and I love his songs instantly when that guy played it for me during testing. Fall in love with the track 'Rapuh' as you can feel a snappy similar beat of 'Bleeding Love' by Leona Lewis in that song but much much better...a superb album..

One of the many attractive places in the Mall (the Arabian street)

We then had our dinner at the modern and beautiful food court. My only concern in the food court was that the stalls there do not differentiate a halal or non halal section. (Even MBK Mall in Bangkok has a section for muslim food!!!)....There are stalls putting a '100% halal' sign at their premises but his neighbouring stall clearly and proudly stated 'pork' in the menus.

Another one of the mall's magnificent place

Afterward, we took a cab and went to Sarinah Mall, a walking distance to our hotel. There, we went to Inul Vista, a karaoke place owned by Inul Daratista, the same kind of place I went while I was in Bali last year. Not only its was cheap, but the ambiance was nice and the sound system was superb. We then walked back to our hotel to rest.

End of day one - the next post will be day two of our trip which include our journey from Jakarta to Bandung via train.

MOTHER'S DAY 2009

I can't remember when my family first started to celebrate Mother's Day. It was never heard off until the last few years and by then, I was left only with my mother. My father passed away 10 years ago. At that time, all of us i.e my two older brothers, my sister (the eldest) and myself were worried sick that my mother might not take the burden of being alone. The two of them had never been separated for a long time, albeit being the likes of Mr and Mrs Smith, throwing daggers and bullets at each other while my father was still alive. Irregardless, their love life is a story by itself, spanning more than four decades of sharing their life together come what may.......

Surprisingly, my mother is a strong woman and lead her life alone until last year when my brother insisted for her to stay with him and his family in Shah Alam. She is now 74 years old if I calculated her age in my birth certificate but she always said that she was borne much much earlier than that. Those early years, your father will not rush to the registry office to register your birth, the day you were born. Whatever it is, our family has been celebrating mother's day since a few years ago...sometimes in a big scale and sometimes small, but to us that is not important as long as we can get together as one family.

This year, all of us celebrated Mother's Day with a lunch at the Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam (KGPA) in Damansara. After that, my sister with her family, my mother, A and myself went to IKEA. We then had our early dinner at a small Modesto and had our pizzas and pastas there. One thing I like about my mother is that, at her age, she is not choosy when it comes to food. She does not mind walking to a burger stall and ordered one if she feels like it... The other best part about her was that, she insisted in paying half or all of the bill when its that time to pay (well, not all the time we decline her offer anyway).. anytime, anywhere even though at Mother's Day....who could ask for more, the best mum ever......muah....

My smiling mum with her Mother Day's card

BIRTHDAY DINNER & STAR TREK

Wednesday, 6 May 2009

As mentioned from my previous post, I have intended to bring A to dinner for his birthday. I also mentioned that it will be a secret place unknown to him. Actually I did not hide anything, I told him the name of the place outright already....the place I meant was Rahsia Bistro & Bar (here) at Jalan Damai.

First impression of the place has been impressive. As mentioned in the website, it is a 60's bungalow surrounded by greens with chic decoration. You can either dine in open air garden area, 1st floor or 2nd floor terrace, ( outdoors) or the living halls, private rooms or patio (indoors). Such a serene place with nice ambiance indeed. We choose the 1st floor terrace, a compromise between an open air and a full blast fan to cool ourselves from the hot nite.

The garden area

The menu is a mixture of Asian and western food. As stated in the website it is an eclectic mix of contemporary Asian and Nouveau International cuisine...whatever that means...

For starters we ordered, Tomato Soup, Rojak Buah, and Top Hats. We drank Rahsia's speciality drinks i.e "Asmara" by A, a mixed of mango and orange plus soda. I ordered "Cinta", a concoctions comprising of watermelon, lime, mint, soda and other ingredients I can't remember. I was then told by the waitress "Cinta" was invented by the owner of Rahsia himself.

"Asmara", A's drink
"Cinta", my drink

A non pretentious tomato soup, simple and yummy

I love these Pie Tee, its not crispy
but it tastes good nonetheless

For the main course, A ordered Mushroom Fish and I ordered Chicken Roulade. As for dessert, I ordered Black Sweet which was actually a Malay bubur pulut hitam with banana slices and vanilla ice-cream, served in a hot wine glass . A ordered bread butter pudding instead. The restaurant also served us with the traditional malay sago pudding together with coconut gravy and red sugar, complimentary from the chef.

Mushroom Fish, served with onion rings

My chicken roulade, served with mashed potatoes and asparagus

A's dessert, bread butter pudding with a scoop of ice-cream

My dessert

All in all, we really enjoyed the dinner. The food prices are nett i.e. with no service charge and no GST. With a very reasonable price, great ambiance and soft background music, it was a pleasant surprised for me to listen to one of my favourite singer, Brenda Russell belted her distinguished songs such as "Le Restaurant" and "Get Here" (made famous again by Oleta Adam) . These two beautiful songs introduced me to appreciate contemporary jazz singers years ago such as Sheila Majid, Vina Panduwinata, Jerry Butler, Sade and Anita Baker to name a few.

Birthday boy ...

Smiling after a full stomach......

Thursday, 7 May 2009.

I have already booked 2 tickets to watch "Star Trek" at IOI Mall at 9.25 p.m. earlier in the morning. The journey from our house to IOI Mall will normally be not more than 15 minutes but we were shocked to be confronted with a massive traffic jam entering IOI Mall (we have forgotten about Jusco's mega sale on the same day). To find a car park was horrendous and I managed to park at a very dangerous place. We reached the cinema at 9.00 pm. Luckily the seats for the movie were still available. After buying the tickets, we then rushed to the A & W's nearby and grabbed our burgers for a quick bite. The movie had already started by the time we were in.

Having watched a few failed Star Trek movies before, my only hope was that this will be a different movie from its predecessors. Why? Because it is in the hand of J.J Abrams, the same director who gave us the unforgettable "Armageddon", "Mission Impossible", "Cloverfield" and lots of TV series. Again, he did not disappoint. For me, he has done a splendid job of reviving the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members in a much much grandeur scale. As expected in a Star Trek movie, the story of the future co-exist in the present and vice versa was apparent here..confusing? don't bother, you are watching a movie where earth only existed maybe 10 minutes out of this 126 minutes movie. Also, its kinda funny to watch Zachary Quinto as the good old Mr Spock after seeing him as the evil Sylar in Heroes. Whatever it is, go watch and enjoy the movie.

To end this, I quote Mr Spock famous phrase......Live long, and Prosper. ( with the imaginary "V" hand sign.......).