Taxi uncle picked us around 5.30am from home. Ye had sleepless night due to high excitement. KLIA2 exceeded my expectation and we had western breakfast before checking in. It is first flight for Tong and kids ordered some food onboard.
Plan touched Bali’s refurbished airport at Denpasar around 1 noon. Bali time and M’sia time are the same thus saving us the headache of converting the time. Putu , our guide for next few days was already there waiting for us.
We immediately headed for lunch at a nearby restaurant. We had the famous flying fish, fried duck, taufu telur and tauge. I liked the taufu and tauge and am glad that for the next few days there, can maintain no meat diet despite all those temptations, haha, I guess it no longer looks so tempted after all. Initially Putu didn’t join us for meal despite our requests and only later he joined us twice for a meal at McD and Babi Guling during the trip. Found him to be a good and professional experienced guide,and not being pushy.
Our hotel known as Fave Hotel at Seminyak is neat and tidy and kids love the pool and free wifi with a paddy field nearby.
At some nights, kids even swam at night. Putu fetched us to Tanah Lot to catch sun set around 3.30pm. he informed us that the paddy fields are shrinking as more and more land owners sell their land as the price has increased in value over the years. Guess soon, tough to find paddy fields in prime areas. Roads are narrow and many tourists around. Bali has changed since our first visit almost 8 years ago.
Tanah Lot is a rock formation off the Indonesian island of Bali. It is home of a pilgrimage temple, the Pura Tanah Lot (literally "Tanah Lot temple"), and a popular tourist and cultural icon for photography and general exoticism.
At the base of the rocky island, poisonous sea snakes are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders. A giant snake purportedly protects the temple, which was created from Nirartha's towel when he established the island.
The area leading to Tanah Lot is highly commercialized and people are required to pay to enter the area. To reach the temple, visitors must walk through a set of Balinese market-format souvenir shops which cover each side of the path down to the sea. On the mainland clifftops, restaurants have also been provided for tourists.
Caught the magnificent sun set at Tanah Lot. Tong fell to the ground and wet her pant. Bought a set of orange Barong shirt and pant for her.
We had nasi padang for dinner. The kids didn’t enjoy it much but as Sean was so famished by then, he managed to finish 2 plate of rice, haha.
1 June 2014 (Bali)
After breakfast at hotel, we departed for barong dance which was not too far away. There were many tourists at the show aside from us. The version we watched today is quite different from the version we watch 8 years ago which was more traditional.
We stopped by Guo Gajah (elephant Cave) which is located in west side of Bedulu countryside, Blah Batuh Sub district and Gianyar Regency. It is about 27 km from Denpasar town. This cave is built at crevasse edge from the federation of 2 rills that is called Pangkung River , where the irrigation is mixed with Petanu River flow. The federation area of two rivers is called Campuhan/Mixture. It owns the magical energy on the basis of Rwabineda Concept/two different matters on this basic concept hence Gua Gajah (Elephant Cave) is intentionally built among two rivers There is a relief which is almost looking like the form of mountain on the entrance of this cave. It was carved many designed on the relief like grove with the stick, close leaf, animal for example forest pig, tortoise and specters. The cave mouth is decorated by the bas-relief with the eye turn around to the right or west side. There is an article letter of Kediri type from the early of 11 century was written on the wall left side or east side. There is a pool (Patirthaan) as a place to take the holy Tirtha water for Hindu ceremony which is located in the middle of the cave courtyard. This Holy Pool is previously piled up by land and it has been found on 1954 by Krijgsman from the Ancient Department. The Holy pool is equipped by the statue douche which is parallel arranged in two groups
Next destination was Ubud. We stopped at various centre to see art pieces, silver, crafts. Putu dropped us at a coffee plantation where we tried different types of coffee as well as the famous kopi luwak. It was a great insight for us to saviour different types of coffee and felt so good to enjoy coffee amidst coffee plantations.
We had buffet lunch with Mount Batur as backdrop. The volcanic caldera with its deep crater lake offers majestic view while we were enjoying meal.
The mountainous region around Kintamani, centering on the spectacular volcanic caldera of Mt Batur with its deep crater lake and bubbling hot springs, is rugged with a high and wild beauty.
Wonderful mountain air and dizzying views in all directions, as well as several important temples, are what makes Kintamani one of the most memorable stops on the Bali tourist itinerary.
We proceeded to view Tegal lalang rice field nearby. Most of the fields are harvested by then as such, we do not really get to see golden field.
Putu dropped us at the famous Naughty Nuri for dinner. We were fortunate to get a seat as there was long queue soon after that.
Kids had a great time swimming at the kids pool.
2 June 2014 (Bali)
We visited Ulu watu temple also known as Pura Luhur Uluwatu. It is a Balinese sea temple in Bali. Built in the 11th century, it is one of nine directional temples meant to protect Bali from evil spirits. It is located in Pecatu village, Kuta South District of Badung Regency of Bali. As we departed from hotel quite late, it was quite hot by the time we reached Ulu Watu.
We had local noodle (bakso) and some coconut drinks at Ulu Watu. Next we went to Kuta beach where Kwee Yap and the boys tried various types of water sports such as banana boat and paragliding. Finally Kwee Yap tried paragliding.
Tong and I did some ladies stuff while waiting for the guys. I had mani and pedicure while Tong had her hair braided. Everyone had fun at the beach.
We proceeded to Legian beach as it is more suitable for kids to play compared to Jimbaran beach. Sun set was great and kids had a great time at the beach. After that we had McD with Putu for dinner. Fortunately there is a good nasi padang nearby and I packed some vege food for dinner.
3 June 2014 (Bali (Gilimanuk) – East Java (Ketapang Harbour)
We woke up early morning and had breakfast packed so we could have it in the car on our way to Gilimanuk Harbour. Bye Bali after 3 nights.
There are many paddy fields on the way to harbour and the scenery was quite pleasant.
The distance between Gilimanuk and Ketapang are not far i.e 3 km but it will take 45 min for the ferry to cross the sea. I noticed we were the only tourists on the ferry. I observed that the toilets here are clean unlike M’sia.
Lian our lady guide and Henry the driver met us at Ketapang Harbour. It would take us 8 hour journey to reach Ancala Inn at Bromo. We stopped at local restaurant which is nearby a beach for lunch. Food was not bad and price quite reasonable.
Towards our destination, temperature started to drop and the sky was dark by the time we reached the inn. As there was no F&B outlet at the inn, we had to walk out for food. We were most fortunate as the rain almost stopped when we were about to walk out for dinner. As it was freezing, we did not take bath but put on extra coat to warm our bodies. Its was a most humbling dinner but it was sort of an experience for us to eat next to simple burner in a local hut. We had fried noodle and rice that night. Bought some instant noodles and gloves as we heard it should be freezing at the peak.
There was no wifi and we played our first family board games in our room. What a warm night. We tried to sleep early as we had to wake up at 3.30am the next morning to catch sun rise and view the sky.
4 June 2014 ( Mount Bromo)
We were much awoke by 3.30am, hurdled up in the jeep getting ready for Mt. Pananjakan (the highest viewpoint) to see the spectacular process of sunrise, also the beautiful scenery of Mt. Bromo, Mt. Batok and Mt. SemeruIt. It took us around 30 min to reach our destination. There were quite a number of jeeps and according to our guide, it looked like it has yet to reach peak. It was freezing cold by then and we have to rent another 2 jackets. Tong was not comfortable and I ended up holding her most of the time. Fortunately there are many benches for us to sit. For the adventurous ones there could venture nearer to the gate to view the amazing sight. The sky is full of stars and what a sight. A truly memorable sight. Mount Bromo is beneath us and it is lower.
. After we see the process of sunrise, we continue our trip to the crater of Bromo via sea of sand. The distance from the parking area of the jeep and Bromo Crater is 800m. To reach the top of the mountain, you can walk for 30 minutes or ride the horse back. After we arrive on the slope of Bromo we should climb the stair and there are 249 steps to see the Bromo active crater
After watching sun rise, we had bbq sweet corns and banana fritters. We stopped at road side to capture more photos before heading to Mount Bromo.
We reached a vast desert like place surrounded by live volcanos. There we engaged horse rides services to reach the bottom of Mount Bromo. Tong managed to climb the 200 odd staircases by herself. I didn’t really spend much time at the peak and preferred to stay at the foothill while Sean and Kwee Yap spent longer times to capture photos.
There was a temple (pura) at the foothill but we didn’t really go near. Soon, we went back to Inn to have our breakfast. It was really refreshing to have the simple breakfast facing the nice sight of hills.
After that we headed for Batu. It takes around 3 hours drive from Tosari to Batu. On the way to Batu, we can visit Singosari and Dwarapala Statue. In Batu we will visit Coban Rondo Waterfall, a beautiful waterfall which is surrounded by natural forest. The water was really cool and we enjoyed the water for some time before leaving for the hotel.
Before we were driven to the hotel, we stopped by a leather shop to buy bags, wallet and leather jacket. I was delighted as I managed to get the bag I was looking for. Never imagine I could get it from East Java as I was hoping to buy from Bali but there was no suitable bag.
We had lunch with the guides at a local restaurant. Most of the restaurants we’ve been are quite posh and nice and the price is quite reasonable. We stayed at Regent Park Hotel which is quite decent with wifi but the downside is that there is no swimming pool.
5 June 2014 – Malang City TOUR – SAFARI PARK – LAPINDO - SURABAYA
After having breakfast, we visited Safari Park. Apparently it is the biggest in Asia. I guess the park has exceeded my expectation. We bought carrots to feed the animals. This tourism object is located at Jatiarjo village Prigen district. This natural preserve is the branch of Cisarua - Bogor natural preserve. As the natural wild life, preserve Taman Safari Indonesia collects various wild animals. This wildlife preserve is 295 hectares, the wild animal such as : lion tiger, wild buffalo, komodo, rhinaceros, bison that live in open area. Lies at the slope of Mt. Arjuno 800 – 1.500-meter sea level cover 340 ha and divided three zones. Wild life zone, place for visitor observing a natural wild life.
We met and took photos with some youngest animals like young Orang Utans, white and the endangered Sumatran tigers,.
Ye and I visited the House of Horror while Sean and Kwee Yap went for paint ball. Tong took some kiddie rides. In short all had a fun time. We also watched a few shows by tigers and dolphins. This visit is really worth considering the activities they have. We ended up spending most our time there and missed Lapindo Mud lake in Sidoarjo.
6 June 2014 – Back to KL
We visited Tugu Monument and submarine museum before heading for Surabaya airport.
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