Coconuts Beach Resort

Our common sense will tell that a Coconuts Beach Resort is located at or surrounding the tropical section of our beloved mother earth, right along the midsection of the earth at an area known as Equatorial band. The Indonesian archipelago is privileged to be resided at such Equatorial band, whenever we go within the archipelago along its coast, there bounds to be a vast amount of Coconuts Beach.

Our Coconut plantation and mostly its pristine Beach area is quite inseparable, we could literary drink Coconut milk on our Beach everyday, and not necessarily during our Leisure time only,  the envy of those who is living along either the Northern or Southern sphere. Every bit of Coconut tree section is not wasted as each has its own advantageous usages. In fact following the strict production standard practice the milk  or rather its liquid content could be processed into a healthy frying oil with min. traces of anti oxidant, furthermore in its purest molecular existent the famous Virgin Coconuts Oil is regarded by many to have healthy herbal healing effects.

 While this has becoming a common knowledge it is also not a strange occurances for a Coconuts Beach Resort to also stimulate the so called healthy healing effects, particularly on heavy stress active executives. Everyone in this globe knows this relevancy to the Bali Island, the island is more popular than the country it resides, the archipelago of Indonesia.

Any top celebrity regardless Bollywood or Holiwood alike has visited the island, and that's including our family, as any tourist alike in the Bali is instantaneously become one. 

We all become famous as those innovative traders will keep chasing us to buy their merchandise, whether the merchandise is an authentic Balinese craft or ornaments or perhaps a fake Chinese made product, and that's why some exclussive resort provides extra security measures to seclude the area from this.

There are now great tendency for foreigner but to some extent the local too, to prefer going to other remote areas where the Coconuts Beach Resort could provide its natural surrounding without the said hassles. One place as such which just recently arise in its popularity amongst the foreigner is Raja Ampat Resort,  its pristine Coconut Beach is just one of the endless attraction lists.

Three out of four such secluded Resort are located at the Eastern part of the archipelago, this is quite a change from our normal diet article of Sam’s at Dago St. the typical family time at leisure in Bandung

Indonesia Trips, North Sulawesi

Principally Indonesia Trips may represent opportunity overlooking huge tourism objects covering vast Indonesian territorial. Tourism trip over the Indonesian five main islands could perhaps require a dozen volumes of manual handbook where as most available trip guidance cover mostly on both Java and Bali islands.

The remaining islands have had less exposure despite of their inherent outstanding natural’s beauty. Hence it is a privilege indeed that in the near future the Leisure Activities readers will have an opportunity to get a glimpse of those hidden and untapped beauty of Indonesia Trips.

The picturesque scene capture the natural beauty of along the northern shoreline of North Bolaang Mongondow Regency conveniently located adjacent to the main Trans Sulawesi Road. Our explorist 600 Magellan GPS registers this “waypoint” to be 183Km down the South from the North Sulawesi Province’s capital of Menado which is approximately almost 3 hours flight from Jakarta.

The newly established regency has its main income mostly from Coconut agriculture as well as deep sea fishing easily reachable within 20 minutes boating from the shoreline. The locals has been boasting that an investment on a small wooden fishing boat known as “Katingting” could be repaid in full for a mere 2 fishing trips during the peak season.

However our Indonesia Trips over this region is solely on neither sea fishing nor agriculture’s viability study alone, but also to look for those untapped tourism activities as well. The untapped beauty of a small region located at Eastern part of the vast Indonesian Archipelago.

As promised earlier the Leisure Activities would not limit itself to merely covering Bandung Trips alone, but could extend to other part of Indonesian Archipelago. Indonesia Trips to North Sulawesi would be one excellent destination as well as other region such as the South Kalimantan and in particular the well known Bali. For now the Cikampek Cipularang toll road may temporarily disappear being replaced by Trans Sulawesi main road.

Bandung Culinary Dishes

For some peculiar reason our kids has gotten the bite of Bandung Culinary Dishes addiction. Whenever we have the opportunity to have a Bandung trip, the food is always their top priority agenda. Though for traffic conveniences we have only gone to those restaurants within the Northern part of the city.

Upon arrival through Cikampek Cipularang Toll road our full packed minivan goes straight to the Sam’s @ Dago St for wonton noodle gourmet accompanied by fresh Strawberry Juice and subsequently ends by a thick delicious cold Coffee they refer as Coffee Blast.

When everyone’s business has been catered for the day in the evening we simply order takeaway grilled chicken and fish accompanied by a subtle “sambal” from the nearby street vendors along the Cisangkuy and Cilaki St. There is a bewildering choice of Dishes from either street vendors or restaurants alike along these streets all the way through Cibeunying, Ciliwung up to the Riau St. And best of all it is free from the nuisance of traffic congestions.

Most of the vendors either operate during the evening or morning where most Hotel occupants often seem to have their breakfast rather than that being offered by the Hotel which only cater two free breakfasts per room. This is convenient for those travelling in a group of family.

Incidentally Leisure Activities has covered other attraction offered at Cisangkuy and Cilaki St. which is quite popular amongst younger kids especially during the school holiday; Horse Riding. Furthermore finding the location is also quite easy, just look for the famous Gedung Sate or Geology Museum Landmarks at Diponegoro St. then you are spot on!

Across Cisangkuy heading to a Gas Station along the Cibeunying Selatan St. there is another favourite restaurant by the name “Roemah Nenek”. They serves excellent local, Chinese and European Dishes, we might have visited this place dozens time and the taste never miss a beat always delicious and tasteful consistently more importantly it is affordable. This recommended Bandung Culinary Dishes has also live music entertainment during evening.

Similarly located at Riau St. but with more upbeat and upper scale restaurant “Roemah Keboen” albeit at higher rate with chic modern interior. Interestingly the interior décor comes with Harley Stand, or rather a Special Built Custom Chopper. Though unfortunately we were kept waiting for our orders for almost two hours during the last New Year’s holiday, but we are hoping it happened to us only then as they seems to be running by highly professional Chef Cook and staff.

Occasionally for special event when our whole twelve family members are completely present we do go a bit further close to downtown at Lengkong St. to the “Atmosphere”. Or alternately to the upper Dago area which is famous for its Look Out Point : The Valley overlooking the Northern part of Bandung.

Technorati Tags: Bandung Culinary Dishes,Sam’s @ Dago St,Roemah Nenek,Roemah Keboen,Atmosphere,The Valley

See our Bandung Trip Map Guide for further info on the above restaurants whereabouts!

Bandung Spa

It is virtually impossible to avoid some trip hurdles during this December peak season. Unless you have made an advanced booking on any of Hotel at Bandung already, the chance of getting your favourite room is pretty much slim!

Likewise it would be similarly “Mission Impossible” to drive from Jakarta without suffering any traffic hold up despite the best of any kind of Tips to Avoid Stand Still Traffic Jams along Cipularang-Purbaleunyi Toll road. Just get along at the available pace and have enough rest, otherwise you might as well book early for a luxurious Bandung Spa treatment prior to any intensive shopping activities.

Typically you could choose the oil and also the scrub that you wish to use, the treatment begins by dipping your feet into a huge "bowls" filled with warm water and salt. As the attendant completely washes your feet we then are escorted to another room that may consist of 2 adjacent beds or more for a thorough massage.

Each spa house has its own unique theme as well as cosy enough with soothing atmosphere to make us feel as though we were somewhere else on the ninth cloud. The body massage covers both from the back and the front - when we are lying down on our backs, they will put some cover on our eyes to get even more relaxing enhancement.

The cloud ninth experience should by now bring a forceful drowsiness and this sleepy feeling will be further heightened by entire bodies scrubbing as well as a very relaxing face massage. The treatment is finalized by new awareness of smoother skin and relaxed muscles where as enhanced inner feeling will be assisted by normally hot shower accompanied by a small cup of hot ginger or mint lavender tea afterward.

Country House Hotel: UK Heritage

Rich Historic Cities: Bandung vs Birmingham

Leisure activities has been around for almost a year by now. It has been mainly catering on family time holiday in a great historic value of Bandung regency. Unique regency which was undergone redesigned town planning back in 1920s due to the then booming agriculture sector and was supposedly planned for future to be capital city. The booming was as such that an oldest Hydropower Plant in the area was already built a decade earlier by tea plantation tycoon; Bosscha.

          Today we still could see the harmonious balanced of                  oldies heritage with modern tourist attractions.

Though no doubt this early 20^th century booming was due to the Industrial Revolution through the invention of Steam engine, which in turn was made possible by improvement to the separate condenser invention. It was the duo of James Watt and Matthew Boulton who shaped much of the successful implementation for Steam engine production out of their workshop at Soho Foundry near Birmingham.

Birmingham today is much like the very existence of Bandung, certainly in much bigger scale at Northern part of hemisphere. It was the center of the Industrial Revolution yet has a mixed attraction of British medieval heritage with modern tourist amenities. Beautiful canal transportation system built in early 1800s (Grand Union Canal and Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line), St Mary's Guildhall (with the famous folklore of Lady Godiva located at Coventry, 30 km east of Birmingham), Warwick Castle and those charming country houses. Where as its modern facilities include amongst other; Cadbury World (Chocolate factory tour), Broomeycroft farm, Sealife Centre, the Big Wheel and Touchwood shopping centre. Furthermore in 2004 the city was ranked as the third best place to shop in the United Kingdom, being described as a "world-class shopping centre".

The St. Johns Country House Hotel

But more importantly for tourist accommodation purposes there are great number of country house hotels being refurbished recently; resembling Bandung’s attraction with Dutch Indies buildings being preserved and converted into such unique, charming and attractive Hotels. The St. Johns Hotel (formerly known as the Renaissance Solihull Hotel) is one of such rare charming heritage occupying an equally attractive historic county house estate. Its mid section consists of a traditional red brick house to which modern blocks have been extended on either side. This iconic city centre hotel is set in the leafy suburbs of Solihull just a short walk from the Birmingham town centre.

The luxury 4 star country house hotel offers a stylish and contemporary setting with extensive car parking whereby the guests could make use of the modern leisure club with indoor swimming pool. Interestingly enough it is within short distance to the Sea Life Centre, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and also Cadbury World. It is four miles from the national exhibition centre (NEC) and international airport as well as within 5 minutes walk from train station. It is also an excellent base from which to visit many of England's best loved tourist attractions, including Warwick Castle, Coventry Cathedral, the Cotswolds and Stratford Upon Avon.

The St. Johns country house Hotel is also very handy for shops; being nearby to the local shopping precincts with lots of choice including large John Lewis, M&S as well as eating places and trendy bars. Highly trained professional staffs are indeed complementary to the great facilities of The St. Johns Hotel which preserves the virtues of dedicated conference, training and quality family time venues. This is consistent with 7 very simple values introduced by its owner Principal Hayley rigorously applying to its other 21 country house Hotels across the UK.

Next Leisure Activities Article is what you have been waiting for: The All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) Saga…. (At White Crater)

 

Technorati Tags: The St. Johns Hotel,country house hotels

Leisure discrepancy between Detroit Vs Bandung

There is a whole discrepancy meaning between leisure activities in Detroit to Bandung city, or should I say difference instead. It has been 6 months period of time since we touch great implication of downturn economy crisis  to world wide globally and in particular both areas Detroit and Bandung. Fascinating stories emanates from the big three in Detroit. The roles and hence powerful UAW, its contribution toward one big party, the Senate hearing for automotive industries seeking bail out and recently the UAW's ownership on Chrysler.

You have heard the background stories and the looming inevitable chapter 11 as well as great reluctance from public opinion to assist crappy quality automobile manufacturing. No need to iterate another story telling except that story as the implication reflects on Bandung. While the diminutive city also suffers from lay off problems well into thousands workers, the city itself has not lost its attraction as urban tourism magnet center.

Thousands of Jakartan city dwellers are still flocking into Bandung every week-end, and it might double the amount during long week-end. If current hotel room capacity is estimated around 7,000 rooms (don't bother to validate this figures as Bandung's own municipality has lost the counts! Ironically as they are more interested into optimizing their coffer rather than maintaining the city's public facilities), at least 20 thousands something Jakartans visit Bandung regularly. Hence every week-end it would be a struggle booking a  decent room and getting into the traffic. Riau, Dago as well as Braga St would pose as a bumper to bumper traffic style.

Apart of those small number of export oriented ventures the remaining industrial sectors are still pumping fresh blood to the local economy, well almost. Since new car registration is dwindling down for most people has postponed purchasing new car. But local food-stall, restaurant as well as retail outlets are as healthy as ever. As it would be difficult to get a seating during every meal time! These occurrences are no exception to low budget nor high pricing restaurants alike. Even the main road to Bandung the Cipularang toll gets traffic jam also!

Harley Stand

A Harley on a mock up stand for the coming Detroit show? It is official now that Nissan, Rolls Royce and Ferrari have withdrawn from the show. But Harley Davidson has not join the withdrawal party yet?

Nay, this Harley is on display at a very cosy and lush restaurant. In Bandung. You read it right, a 100 grand roadster being displayed permanently to enhance the interior decoration.

Available dishes are; Traditional, Japanese and Western meals. Traditional dishes are being displayed half cook. Choose and it is ready to be served immediately, other dishes though take a while to prepare.

Four people having a traditional meal, has cost a mere US $ 12 @ 11,000 exchange rates.

All kind of dishes are equally good and the services is excellent. How do we get there?

See my previous driving guide route and look for :

Roemah Keboen at Riau street, Bandung

For further info on the Harley bike, please pay a visit to this link A Harley (MoGe)

Mighty Detroit succumbs to DC.

Around the globe at leisure, Detroit;

Last night Marten Feldstein a professor at Harvard says it bold: “chapter 11 is the viable solution for the big three automotive companies”. If 3 millions people are out of jobs, then consequently add another 3 millions from their supplier-chains. Who do you think has the time to read our leisure article?

Is there a country with “clear borderline” that is not vulnerable to the downturn crisis? Is there a market that immune to the “borderless” global economy? While most experts could not answer as when the crisis would be over, our logical thoughts could certainly answer these two questions. Well, who reads our leisure article then?

Not so long ago I have proposed the likely people who are on high probability of becoming visitors. This is absurd,:“These people live thousands miles from Detroit, you are out of the scope.” It is beyond your league.

Another part of the globe at leisure;

A 92 years old restaurant in Japan has recently won exclusive awards in two consecutive years. The restaurant employs geisha in a very secluded dining cubicle at a cost of US $ 292 / person. The menu is constantly changing every fortnight. Fancy dining in? There is a five months queue for reservation.

Ordinary folks and news agency alike have been seen to seek out “beyond their league” answers for the crisis.

Another part of the globe that is truly taking things leisurely;

A good decent meal consisting of rice, meat and vegetable is only a dime. Forget about price elasticity. Too spicy? Then head for an assortment of tennis ball sized meatball, a complete set cost you around 2 bucks! You need a direction? The former one is known as yogjakartan traditional food “Gudeg”, the latter one is “bakso”

They are respectively located at Jln.(street) Lap. Supratman and Jln. Cendana on a tiny city called Bandung. By the way on their busy time, 15 minutes are the longest queue!

More civilized place for the more civilized gentlemen. Just right after the “Gudeg” stall take a left turn to Jamuju st. Then, proceed to the right turn at T junction into Anggrek st. You will find a seafood restaurant “Parit 9”. Be there in time, since the place is always packed full during week-end. Our favourite dishes are;

• 
  Asparagus with crab meat thick soup. Ask for less spicy should your stomach not up to it.
  
  
• Broccoli served with mix seafood in soy sauce. There is more than one sauce option available; whichever you pick the vegetable especially broccoli are fresh, sweet and succulent.
  
  
• And order coconut juice with brown sugar syrup to complement your meal.
  
  

A fancier one would be to follow lap. Supratman st (it is one way traffic) from “Gudeg” on the second T junction take left into Cendana st. Follow the road till you drive pass a five junctions with traffic lights, right at the end of a small park to your right take another left.

You are already at The Famous Riau st, where most of the big outlets are located along the street if you take right turn instead. This route is very convenient since you are avoiding both Dago and Riau Street where most of the big cluster of outlets are located at. Try to drive at week-end then you see the kind of bumper to bumper traffic jam style.

As I promised, that is your “less congested route option for you”. Back to Riau st follow the road till you well pass a traffic lighted intersection, you will notice to your left there is baliness type of building. Kafe Bali is based upon old colonial house which was renovated into a modern and inviting cosy meal place. All dishes are available at the counter in a well presented manner, the only thing you do is to point and the lady will have it serve to your plate. Dishes are not only looking good but they are also tasty. Four adults with generous choices of dishes cost us around US $ 14 (at current exchange rate of 11,000).

Feldstein opinion was on air at squawk box, CNBC. Amidst the tough Senate Hearing for the big Detroit car makers asking for $ 25 B each (?) bridging bail out due to low sales and stricter loan market. Travel industry, in the tiny city of Bandung on the Southern part of hemisphere the Java island, goes about pumping its hard cash into surrounding economy at its common pace.

No bail out available, should we fall into the same trap! God Bless us all!

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