Hotel Tentrem

Hotel Tentrem is one of many popular choice amongst the travelers for those who intent to visit Yogyakarta, and particularly to watch spectacular art performance at The Prambanan Temple. From traditional to the latest live musical performances.

While traditional art performance is regularly held not so on the Jazz live musical performance, it is exactly over a year ago we fly to Yogyakarta and stay at Hotel Tentrem  for Kenny G rare appearance here next to the exotic Prambanan Temple.

We recommend a decent culinary meal at Abhayagiri prior to the long awaiting event, apparently there is ample of time between dinner and show event starts off. As darkness completely falls it follows attractive laser and its supporting lighting extravaganzas. Unlike our favorite restaurant in Bandung Roemah Nenek, the Abhayagiri is conveniently located at a nearby foothill where the temple is.

You have got to be present there to appreciate the heighten nuance of exotic Prambanan Temple as the background. The contrasting digital as compare to stone era is perfectly melted, man made technology as well as cultural aspects blend to a delicious mouthwatering artistic craftsmanship. The local performer and finally Kenny G is the climax rarity, mystical illusion combines harmoniously to the melancholy rhythm of his Saxophone.   

This is not without any hitch though, it is marred by chaotic long line up which eventually leads to disappointing seat numbering allocation. We're told this is due to inexperienced event organization, nevertheless the spectacular performance is able to compensate for....It is a worthwhile exciting trip package to go.

In fact it is the perfect birthday gift ideas for our anniversary, not necessarily a surprise gift anymore than a long due romantic second honeymoon.

Turtle Sanctuary

Turtle Sanctuary

Turtle Sanctuary at Serangan Island is a popular tourist attracting island located just 250 meters off the South East coast of Bali, in fact it is conveniently very close to the famous Sanur beachfront.  It is evidently also a home to Sea Temple or locally known to Balinese as Pura Sakenan, a highly visited temple for the local religious people.

The Turtle Island as it is to many has been referring to, has various sizes of turtle which are kept in special pens, it is where the used to be endangered species is being protected. 

Kurma Asih, the 'turtle lovers' group has been conducting such noble conservation program activities, which supposedly aim to save newly born turtle nests from predators including poachers. The group has successfully achieved progress that during the 2008 nesting season brought a record of one hundred turtle nests - containing nearly 10,000 eggs - to safety in the Turtle Sanctuary’s hatchery.

Today especially during the season there is an opportunity for tourist alike to release a baby turtle on the sand and watch her flapping away, often with hesitate gesture and finally reach towards the sea for her maiden voyage. 

The conservation program was initiated by an International NGO in early 2000s, and by the time we were last visiting Bali in mid 2004, just a year after the infamous "Denpasar Tragedy Attack", there were some noticeable achievements being attained; not only dozens of turtles were saved but the Turtle Sanctuary were also able to provide some educative entertainments for our children.

We were flocking in a 52 seats Bus with not less than five toddlers in a special family trip. Read our family version story on Bali Vacation . It was indeed and still is the most favorite for us and the Kids as a family trip, a memorable family trip that these kids are still being talked about among themselves to these days. Except of course that for a nicely home cooking meal-like to have when you're away, it is hard to beat one of our favorable restaurant in Bandung, the Roemah Nenek.

Kurma Asih has no longer received the aids, yet it has sustained the conservation program on itself up to these days! The endangered species is now up a notch as a protected species, no longer under natural threat.

Decent Barrack

Those folks who are looking for cheap accommodation stay, Backpackers style trip might be highly desire-able. Typically such accommodation offers room as well as bathroom to share with other Backpackers in a rather slightly large room known as Barrack.

The best way to find out a suitable room to stay is via close friend or relative's references. Acceptable guidance might not be sufficient, but you also need "Tips To Carry Along" to ensure a well planned trip. Warm clothes or possibly lighter wear for warmer climate destination.

Bandung Leisure may provide just that for those seeking a rather adventure trip. It could be not as popular as other destinations such as Bali or Yogja, yet Bandung has enjoyed consistent high rank of Tourist Visit.

Evidently every long weekend ends up huge flock of Tourists crowding the cool weather city, local or foreigner. Nature attraction either at Northern or Eastern part of greater Bandung or perhaps culinary and shopping destinations within the city itself.

Ready for memorable Bandung Trip, let's find out a Decent Barrack stay!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving as a cultural norm has been around on particularly Northern America but was originated primarily as religious activity ever since late 16th century. Let's Read more »

Mount Bromo Off Road

I  have been wanting to travel to Mount Bromo, Probolinggo, East Java for quite a while despite of having traveled there more than twice. The last travel was twenty years ago, my memory is still full of vivid greenery along the whole foothill scattering around a hotel we were staying.

On the contrary my main objective is not mountain views, sunrise nor sunset scenery, but merely to see and look at those local farmer planting their veges crop at the steepest part of such hilly Bromo Mountainaries. I am about to be disappointed.

In favour of Hotel Property development the farm areas has shifted away from visitor common view scenery. Yes those farmers are still better off than any other region's and to the relieve of such disappointment the Tourism Places has extended since then. An additional with much more spectacular sunrise spot lookout has recently been developed and it is also located further away requiring four wheeling adventures.


It takes a decent fully functions Toyota Land Cruiser fj40 to appreciate the adventure. So after a good cold rest, I mean a really cold weather (so prepare for such steep temperature drop by arming yourself with Tips To Carry Along) at the 2nd day before dawn it begins...

Mesa Stila

Mesa Stila sounds like a Latin name to some of us, yet strangely enough it is a Coffee plantation mixed with colonial style resort combination about half an hour drive from Semarang Central Java. Arm yourself with traveling Tips To Carry Along as we look at this exotic one of a kind Tourism Places. 

You'll be greeted by this ancient looking train station as you enter this magnificent place, it was indeed as such in early 19th century.  It is brought here intact and now being used as a reception foyer, and as you walk through whether you wish for a stay the night or spending the time for either a meal, a cup of coffee or Coffee plantation tour. 

As we opt for the latter we're directed toward the plantation itself.

Series of pictures will drive your thought upon the place, it is a must visit one of a kind Tourism Places.......

Tourism Places

Bali is the right place for abundant Tourism Places, but above all the magic attractions are indeed local culture; Traditional Dances, Religious Ceremony and many other Leisure Activities. Continuing the saga of Bali Vacation, as soon as we arrived at a small Cottage we found ourselves strolling down the busy Kuta Beach; where as the kids had found their amusements by swimming nearby.

Kids being kids despite of abundance Tourist Attractions their only interest is Kuta beach swimming. Half portion of our Bali holiday activities is mostly spent on the beach.

And likewise their food intake instead of local famous culinary dishes is none other than typical fast food menu. This is really subjected to debatable healthy habit, contrary to our typical Bandung’s Trip whereby we are always dropping by at Roemah Nenek or Sam’s at Dago St. to name a few.

Part of the reason is unstopping Grand Ma’s attentions but the real culprit is that by taking the 52 seater Bus the choice is at best very limited to the available parking space as well while the kids refusal to stop swimming for healthier dishes is entirely another hard case. Our choice is to save a bit of our energy for late evening window shopping while the kids able to recover theirs at the motel and hence getting fast food meal is indeed a viable solution as it is located within a handy short walking distance.

Eventually we manage to bring the kids to other Bali’s own attractive Tourism Places. The turtle sanctuary about half an hour boat from Sanur beach where children can interact with some endangered species in a well protected island habitat. 

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

Bali Vacation

Exactly six years ago we decided to make a special kind of Family Quality time for a packaged Bali Vacation tour; the eldest being our Grandma where as the youngest was our then 3 years old nephew. We could go by plane straight to Denpasar or train to Surabaya and continue the trip by Java-Bali Ferry, but we did not. Instead we opted to rent a 52 seats Bus for the whole family, and since we were much less than the capacity we ordered two rows of seats on each side in the middle to be removed.

The extra space gained was being used for all Grandkids and their cousins as a play ground with double function for sleeping zone. There were five toddlers, one kid, one teenage and nine adults accompanied by two bus drivers and one crew. Taking a toddler could in itself bring a truck load of amenities for the five days Bali Vacation trip, but that was the reason for taking the bus instead.

Furthermore we could save time and energy by not carrying our baggage from one port to another. Our logistics stayed in the bus the whole time. It seems like a good idea does it?

Unlike our recent Post Exam Trip, it was an excellent one in a life time Bali Trip experience to the whole family indeed. It was our third trip to Bali but during the first two being only five members of family as we were not married yet back then. The fourth trip if we take into account the fact that I and my wife spent our honey moon there with those memorable two nights at the famous Amandari Resort in Ubud.

The late Lady Diana was once spotted staying at this lush greenery and serene Amandari Resort. Yes, it was expensive but not for our honey moon. Bali Vacation continues….next!

Technorati Tags: Bali Vacation,Family Quality time,Bali Trip,Amandari Resort

Bandung Travel

Technorati Tags: Bandung Travel.Paris Van Java,Bandung

Bandung Travel may not sound exotic at all, but it has its own element of charm to satisfy the whole family quality time. Bandung has it all; even to meet three generations of family requirements into a single trip purpose. Furthermore there are plenty of choices for those looking for educative aspect into their family trips, one good example would be Leisure Activities version of post-exam trip.

Our quality time version on Bandung Travel may also depict; Ciwidey Volcano Trip and its All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) facility, Bosscha Leisure, The Little Farm and many more. Both Ciwidey and Bosscha represent historical portion of Bandung. White Crater, Ciwidey at the turn of 20^th century was a Sulphuric Acid factory and thus the oldest one in Indonesia perhaps in Asia. Where as Bosscha is also the oldest within most Southern Hemisphere Observatory in similar period.

While ATV at Ciwidey speaks for itself, the Little Farm offers a glimpse of farm learning activities for children education purposes. The children could learn how to grow and harvest a few vegetable species. And by the end of farming activities their unleashed energy could be released into outdoor action type of activities such as Jumping Fox.

To some, Bandung’s attraction may also represent itself through its Heritage Buildings. There are certain areas which still preserve the era of 1960s for example. The recent film making of Barack Obama when he was attending a primary school in Menteng, Jakarta; it is in fact being conducted around Lapangan Supratman St. as well as Cimahi for outdoor and indoor shooting backgrounds.

It is due to such preserved Heritage that today we could think of Bandung as it was named the Paris Van Java. By the same token the name is also used for an open space mall. Paris Van Java Mall attracts Bandung’s visitors and the place is full packed of crowd on every week-end. Though the mall has “One Stop Shopping” including restaurant mostly fast food retails but the famous city’s Culinary Cooking are available elsewhere scattering the whole region.

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 New Year’s Eve

Would you share your unique Bandung New Year’s Eve with others? You betch ya do! After all those bumper to bumper traffic jam at the punishing Cikampek Cipularang toll road to arrive at Bandung, the story must have been worthwhile to tell.

As Bandung has many Look Out Points being surrounded by a ring of mountains, it is easy to get the magnificent view of firecracker fierce battle from a high vantage point. Leisure Activities was a bit reluctant to drive across the town during the New Year evening considering such high concentration of traffic jam along some or perhaps most of popular main streets, but we had a birthday party invitation as well.

An invitation from our own in-laws, there was no way we could have refused. The venue was held at "The Valley". Sure enough it took us almost two hours from Saskava Guest House, just 5 minutes drive from Gedung sate at normal time. Getting to the Gedung Sate alone took almost an hour, the street was full packed with any vehicles mostly motorbikes. Though eventually we could have a good vantage point overlooking the Northern part of the city, and exactly at the midnight the exhilarating rewards came forward.

People visiting the place were scrambling to the front edges of The Valley's terrace just prior to the big time, eager to watch 2010 fire cracker war above the sky. It was simply amazing and wonderful scenery to watch with the loved one and together with our family. All those stresses due to chronic traffic jam were fully paid off period.

And exactly at midnight the birthday lady our in-laws was having a great moment as well, every family members was busy wishing for her. The atmosphere was accentuated by two of teenagers both wearing the theme masks.

  These two teens would probably soon spend the next New Year's Eve on their own with their mates not with us the parent, so this was the moment worthwhile to share. Some last action from adjacent building ended the festival, and soon back into another traffic jam returning to the Guest House. This time it was full two hours standstill!

Bandung Holyday Inn

Thrashing in at Bandung Holyday Inn for the coming New Year’s Eve Vacation will definitely enhance your trip, particularly for the thrilling shopping experiences at the surrounding Dago St...Like many retailers around the Globe shoppers will be lured with the deepest and attractive discount end of the year sales.

If you insist on knowing what sort of shopping paradise the Dago has, perhaps the link could enlighten your shopping’s quest. And this outlet lists is suggested by a dedicated shopper from the neighbouring country.

This 150 rooms modern Hotel is located amidst those attractive Factory Outlets, though it is not the only Hotel along Dago St, it offers great convenient access to some interesting places. But most definitely the Hotel’s strategic location has met my best guidance toward the Tips to Avoid Stand Still Traffic Jams along the busy and crowded Dago’s shopping paradise.

The street is one of the busiest with traffic jams along the whole of its length during every weekend night and in particular on long public holiday. As such that taking a stroll along instead of driving is the best way to explore considering its interesting night life vividly “bling-bling” activities.

The Dago area in my recollection is one of the best district shall we say offering classy complete attraction places with Jalan Riau Bandung as the second best. Furthermore getting closer to the down town at lower part is as busy as interesting as well as driving up North, though the Northern part as nicknamed the upper Dago provides a number of Look Out Points.

Along this upper section as the name indicates higher elevation is predominantly consisted of mid to higher class restaurants, with the remaining locations are popular amongst the younger generation for a bit of "Hanky panky". Whichever places interest you at the end of the day as your muscles are aching the Hotel also offers one of the best there is of Bandung Spa Treatment.

Santika Bandung

Following the previous article on Jalan Riau Bandung the Hotel Santika Bandung is an excellent choice for modern 3 stars accommodation within the famous shopping district. It is located next to a high class Yogya Department Store and just few hundreds meter to the Dago, Merdeka and Riau Streets cross section.

As mentioned in the previous article as well on the issue of handling the Group travelling hurdle; staying at this Hotel did solve our travelling hindrances. A few years back we travelled to Bandung in not less than 5 families group on 4 separate vehicles, there were 2 families with toddlers. The Hotel’s swimming pool facility helped to fulfil our toddler needs, though it was not heated and being tiny, it was sufficient to distract them from gaming gadgetry.

The rest of the group was essentially divided into two main distinct sub groups with different shopping targets, one to find bargain toddler clothing where as the other one for adult clothing and accessories. Then it was further divided into fancy, branded or just plain ordinary merchandise. Accordingly the group simply dispersed and subsequently disappeared into the nearby corresponding Factory Outlets.

Furthermore we could just walk to those outlets on Riau, Dago or Merdeka Street in a convenient manner. And when the kids got enough of swimming in cold, we then brought them to the Cisangkuy Street in less than 5 minutes drive away for Horse Riding; it was actually very close to the former Dutch Indies government office the Gedung Sate.

Incidentally when you Travel to Bandung Inroad via Cipularang Toll road and exits through Pasteur gate you would end up from the fly over bridge at the Northern side of the Gedung Sate. Though be aware that driving during the peak season would take in multiple of 5 minutes duration, perhaps up to four times more!

Hot Spring Ciater

Ciater is one of many Bandoeng’s natural Hot Spring, not only it is one of long established and integrated resort compound complex but also better equipped close to international standard with many decent amenities if not superior than others. It was the last location that our kids enjoy immensely during the last school holiday.

If the time permits make schedule for Hot Spring Ciater a bit late in the afternoon. There is an opportunity for some sight seeing just prior the dark night falls and a good hot spring dip after the dark, the cool breeze air in combination with warm or hot dip bath is quite sensational. In fact our late auntie who had been resided in Holland for decades used to love the place and visit very late night well into 10 o’clock pm.

We’re just finished strolling within the biggest observatory in Southern Hemisphere the Bosscha by 5 pm and subsequently continued the trip to Ciater, we arrived there just as the dark set in. There are many pools available but instead we choose to stretch our leg and dip part of them in smaller one, it is not as crowded and we only interest in dipping ourselves not to swim. Incidentally the swimming pool cost a bit in addition to the entry fee, but it is very affordable and worthwhile to go.

The boys who had been reluctant to be photographed earlier in Bosscha is now appear eager and enthusiastic to immediately throw away their clothing and jump to the small but naturally built pool with slightly amber lighting. Later on we move to the nearby hot spring waterfall and experience a bit of massage simulation.

There are two alternative ways to get to Ciater Hot Spring; one through the Bandoeng city itself where you could stop by on the way to Bosscha Observatory, Lembang Traditional Market as well as the Tangkuban Perahu crater. Or else through the Cipularang Toll road and exit at either Cikampek or and the one that head straight to Subang. Make yourself fresh and fully alert by also stopping by at any rest area there, though it is advisable to stop at Cipularang Rest Area Km 57 or Km 43 or Km 19.

Technorati Tags: Hot Spring Ciater,Bandoeng's Trip,Kids holiday,Bosscha Observatory,Cipularang Rest Area Km 57,Tangkuban Perahu crater

Bosscha Leisure

The last day of our kids school holiday would be the trip for Bosscha Leisure. An old Dutch Indies Heritage of Observatory, built in late 1920s by the then famous tea planter tycoon Karel Albert Rudolf Bosscha who also happened to be one of great philanthropist of the era perhaps might had been close to that of Bill Gates of today. Read more on him at; Frontrunner Science Research #3; Bosscha Observatory, where we could learn a bit history of him and the heyday of our tea plantation at its height of tea commodity pricing due to its unsurpassed Malabar Tea quality as well as the background story on the observatory itself.

The Bosscha Observatory as we have known today was not as effective as it used to be, when the facility was built the nearest population was outside of the ideal 30 km radius perimeter from the facility. It was preserved to be as such until late 1970s prior to the real estate property development booming.

The facility today is fully dedicated for academic purposes and consequently getting inside to look at the huge telescope could only be done under well advanced appointment in group of 30 visitors per admittance. Nevertheless the kids could learn something from the onset of science in early century and admire the physical observatory with surrounding beautiful landscape as well as some photographic session.

There are two alternative ways to get to Bosscha Observatory; one through the Bandoeng city itself where you could stop by on the way to do a bit of shopping and culinary tasting. Or else through the Ci[pularang Toll road and exit at either Cikampek or and the one that head straight to Subang. Make yourself fresh and fully alert by also stopping by at any rest area there, though it is advisable to stop at Cipularang Rest Area Km 57 or Km 43 or Km 19.

Insofar we have managed to bring the kids to enjoyable as well as educative trip as well some interesting leather bag shopping for the Mom of course and not last but least the tasty and freshness of Bandoeng’s own culinary dishes.

Technorati Tags: Cipularang Rest Area Km 57,Bandoeng's Trip,Bosscha Observatory,Karel Albert Rudolf Bosscha,leather bag shopping,culinary cooking