Eat, Pray, Love Bali Here I come

With Movement Control Order (MCO) due to Covid 19 pandemic over for quite some time, and with the new domestic helper on board,  my husband has been numerous times telling me to arrange travel and I have been procrastinating!

Since RCI has this unit in Avani Seminyak, here we go again to Bali for 2nd time for 4 nights stay.  The last was most more than 10 years ago when my two boys are still studying in primary or high school.

Bali Itinerary 22- 26 May 2023

Day 1 22 May Mon

5.30am leave fr home

6.15am Reach Putrajaya Sentral Park & Ride 

6.22am 20 mins KLIA Transit journey depart to KLIA2

8.30am Boarding time

9.00am Via Air Asia X D7 798 ETA 1200 hrs

I have arranged via whatapps for 1 pm Bluebird Group Meter Taxi +6281994999123 pick up estimate IDR75k - IDR100k at Denpasar Airport Departure Hall level 2/parking area. Estimate about 30mins to Seminyak. If I book private car, it will cost IDR200 - 250K. I have paid IDR100k for this transfer to hotel. Basically saving of IDR100k. The driver Bambang Hermawan is from Jawa working in Bali.  Bluebird taxi uses meter all times.  He can be reached at +62 813 3813 3488 though he is not good in English, we have no problem as we can converse in Bahasa Indonesia.

Taxi tips

Take the elevator, located on the left after the first convenience store past the telecom booths to the 3rd floor where departures are dropping off other tourists.

You can often wave down a Bluebird Taxi (the only kind you should ever use) and get him to take you to your destination using the meter.

5pm Bluebird taxi pick from hotel to kedonganan traditional fish market/jimbaran fish market and for Jimbaran Sunset View Seafood dinner, approximately 45 mins away.  We had dinner at Kampoeng Seafood Restaurant accompanied by beautiful sunset view.

Day 2 23 May Tues 

We took hotel shuttle to Seminyak beach, approximately 5 mins away, had a stroll and breakfast there.  This beach is suitable for surfing.  We then slowly walk back to hotel, about 15 minutes walk. In the afternoon, we went for light meal at Hibiscus about 5 minutes walk from hotel.  

At 4 pm our Bluebird taxi driver came to pick us  as we intend to be at Bali Safari and Marine Park, Gianyar by 5 pm to exchange our ticket which I have purchased online prior to the trip. If you walk in, it will be IDR1m for night safari whereas we paid IDR880K per person, a 12% discount.

 

It was a satisfying unforgettable experience of a night time adventure in the wilderness.

A specially designed caged tram will take you on a journey where you will get to witness and hand-feed animals at a close range!  Then indulge in BBQ buffet dinner, follow by Fire Show. By time you finish will be around 8.30 - 9pm. Program details:

Walking Safari

Welcome Drink

Night Safari Journey (1x)

Dinner

The Rhythm of African Fire Dance Show

Animal Encounter

 For the Night Safari Program:

The counter is open from 5pm

Activities start at 6pm

Last walking safari program at 7.15pm

The counter closes at 8pm

The program ends around 9pm

 

Then we whatapps our Bluebird taxi driver to fetch us back to hotel.  His home is nearby about 15 minutes away.

Day 3 24 May Wed 

Pre-arranged via whatapps with Nyoman Go Wisata Nusa Penida +62 822-9854-8647 at agreed price of IDR1.9m for 2 pax for Package D.

6am pick up from hotel 30 - 40 mins journey

Speed boat at Sanur port to Nusa Penida, approximate 45 mins. Last boat back 4.30pm. 

 

Package D 

Tree hse (we didnt manage this as the way down is too long and with lots uneven steps)

Diamond beach

Thousand island

Kelingking

Paluang Cliff (if got time) - we skipped this

Angel bilabong

Broken beach

The weather was hot, lots of walking to the beautiful sceneries.

Inclusions 🏖️🏖️

▪️Return Hotel transfers with private car

▪️Return Fastboat ( Go and Return )

▪️Mineral water on Arrival

▪️Lunch ( Indonesian food)

▪️Private Car for the Tour

▪️Entrances ticket 

▪️Parking fee

▪️Retribution to Goverment

 

We reached Sanur Port earlier than we thought and the driver who picked us this morning came to fetch us back to hotel.  We had a good rest and late dinner at Hibiscus Restaurant since is just walking distance.

Day 4 25 May Thurs 

Pre arranged with Made Bedu, D'Bali Private Driver +62 812-3767-4240 at agreed price of IDR1.6m for 2 pax

3am pick up. Journey 2 hrs

Jeep Mt Batur Sunrise Tour

+Tengalalang Rice Terrace include IDR50k x 2 entrance fee

Mount Batur Jeep Sunrise:

Price IDR 1.6 Million All included, 1 Jeep fit up to 3 people.

* Hotel transfer (Private) Seminyak

* Mineral Water on the Car

* Jeep Sunrise

* Small breakfast

* Insurance 

* Black Lava after Jeep Sunrise

On the way back to hotel visit Tengalalang Rice Terrace (inclusive entrance fee for 2).  Then we have our own lunch at Resto Teba Sari not far from Tengalalang Rice Terrace.  We were then transferred back to hotel.

 
Our driver, Made is always cheerful, something that I admired even though the journey is long. 

For Dinner, we walked to Resto Kendi Kuning, about 5 minutes from hotel.  Glad we found this place for our last night in Bali. The lady boss from Melbourne is a friendly person, she is married to Balinese. We loved the food served here.

Day 5 26 May Fri

D7 799 1335/1650 hrs

Be at airport 11.30am

Leave from Avani 10.30am with Bluebird Taxi.

We relaxed at hotel till check out and transfer to airport. We had instant noodle for breakfast as we still can get some meal before boarding at the airport. 

 

For this trip we did something that we have not done before during our first trip.  Love the Jeep Sunrise, experienced the animals close encounter, seeing the undisturbed island of Nusa Penida. A good though short trip to rejuvenate, bringing home lasting memories.

Jimbaran Beach Sunset

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  Seminyak Beach
  

  
  

  

  Say No to Plastic
  

  
  

  

  Nusa Penida Diamond Beach
  

  
  

  

  Jeep Sunrise Tour at Mt Batur
  

  
  

  

  Lake Batur
  

  
  

  

  Night Safari Park
  

Simple Recipe - Pumpkin Sweet Dessert

With so many pumpkins from the farm, I have tried to make pumpkin dessert.  It was not bad and my hubby and sons request even for more...

 

Ingredients

500g pumpkin

75ml evaporated milk

100ml fresh coconut cream (or box coconut cream e.g Kara)

50g Sago

150g Castor Sugar (optional brown sugar or gula melaka 

2 knot pandan leaves

Method

Remove skin of pumpkin, cut into wedges, steam 15 minutes

Once cooked, mash with spoon into puree

Use a pot boil1250 ml water, add in pandan leaves and castor sugar

Soak sago with water, rinse

Once water boiled, remove pandan leaves, add sago, keep stiring

Add in evaporated milk, santan

Finally add pumpkin puree, mix well

 

If you have more pumpkin, adjust the ingredients accordingly.

Easy peasy...enjoy!

One Pot Meal - Pumpkin Rice in Rice Cooker

Pumpkin Rice is so easy ya when you just dump every ingredient into the rice cooker to cook a meal.

Recipe for 5-6 pax

Pumpkin - 250g - cut and diced

Dried Mushroom 3 pcs soaked and diced

Dried Shrimps - 30g soaked

Dried Oyster 8 pcs soaked and cut

Rice - 3 cups - washed

Oil - 2 tbsp

Minced Garlic

Seasonings

Oyster Sauce 1 tbsp

Soy Sauce 2 tbsp

Dark Soy Sauce 1 tsp

Sesame Oil - 1 tbsp

Salt - 1 tsp or to taste

Sugar 1/2 tsp

White Pepper - 1/4 tsp

Firstly, heat up wok, pour in oil

Fry garlic, dried mushroom, dried shrimp, dried oyster, pumpkin follow by rice

Add in seasonings

Then scoop all into rice cooker

Add water to cook

Is so delicious even kept overnight.

KK Trip with Friends

Our friend Gan has invited us to join his group of friends to KK, our 1st flight after MCO for a trip from 3 -8 September 2022, a group size of 30 pax. All arrangement was arranged through Confidence Travel and Tour Sdn Bhd.

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  DAY 1

  03/09/22 

   

  Arrival/ Pick up at KK airport/ Proceed to

  Jesselton Point Jetty (Gaya Island jetty) 

   

  Upon arrival, we were transferred to  40 seaters coach, we went for Fatt Kee fish noodle located at Suria Mall for breakfast and then proceed to Jesselton Point Jetty. After check in, we had late lunch. Free and easy till dinner time. Some went swimming and one of the them was stung by jelly fish.
  

  
  

  DAY 2

  04/09/22

   

  After breakfast, we went for interesting guided nature walk led by Resident Naturalist Justin Juhun.

  
  

  After lunch, we left for Gaya Island Resort Marine Centre for a talk on turtle rescue, coral  reef restoration.

  
  

  
  

  DAY 3

  05/09/22 

  After breakfast, we check out and left on 11 am boat back to KK.

   

  We we picked up at Jesselton Point Jetty at 1pm followed by Sang Nyuk Noodle Lunch before we proceed to Kundasang, a 2 hours journey.

   
  

  We visited Rumah Terbalik, Tamparuli bridge, Pekan Nabalu.  Rumah Terbalik is not worth visiting.
  

  
  

  Our accommodation at Zen Garden Resort with steamboat dinner.
  

  
  

  DAY 4

  06/09/22

   

  After breakfast, we checked out and continue to Desa Farm, Lunch at Cottage Restaurant, BW bus restaurant and Sabah Tea Garden. It was a waste of time at Sabah Tea Garden as the tea leaves plantation was not well maintain at that time, could be due to MCO.

   

  As everyone was too tired, we skipped the Sinalau Bakas and transfer back to KK. We had Seafood Dinner at Welcome Restaurant then Check in Grandis hotel which is next to Suria Shopping Mall.
  

   

  
  

  DAY 5

  07/09/22 

   

  After breakfast, 0830am pick up at hotel. Proceed to Dreamer’s island snorkeling day trip and other water activities at own cost.. Simple buffet lunch at Dreamer's Island.

  
  

  2pm boat out to mainland follow by City tour:

  Sabah State Mosque/ Atkinson clock tower (under renovation-pass by only)/ Tun

  Mustapha building / Poh Tou Temple / Filipino market/ Dry seafood market/ Fruit market.

   

  Dinner at Imperial Seafood Restaurant and then proceed back to Grandis Hotel

   

  2 pax free and easy till transfer to airport for late afternoon flight

   

   

  DAY 6

  08/09/22
  

   

  After breakfast/ Proceed to Mari-mari Cultural Village. Entrance ticket included lunch. After that went to Fung Seng Frozen Seafood and straight to Airport.

  
  

  Home Sweet Home.
  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

Studying Overseas During Pandemic Covid-19

19th June 2021 was when son received the notice from KDU or now known as UOWMKDU's Program Leader that his name will be included in the admission to Alma La Scoula Internationale di Cucina, Italiana in their next and final intake of the year 6 September 2021.  

He was suppose to finish off his degree in Italy in 2020 and was delayed till 2021.  Finally he is able to graduate soon.

Information given but much later was changed again to arrival in Milan on 23 August 2021. Flying off on 22 August 2021 instead. The earlier scheduled was as follows:

Arrival: 26^th August 2021

Isolation: 26^th August – 5^th September 2021

In-school-phase: 6^th September – 16^th December 2021

Traineeship: 17^th December 2021– 3^rd May 2022

Final exams: 4^th May  – 6^th May 2022

 

 

THINGS TO DO

Student abroad insurance - I looked at AIG or MSIG, finally purchased with AIG.  You cant buy direct with AIG or online or any counter since Movement Control Order (MCO) their office is closed.  The only way is search for an agent on their website and deal with agent to issue to policy. However, even though you bought optional add on for medical, anything related to Covid 19 is not covered.

Student Visa

Documents and Appointment needed for Student Visa application with Embassy of Italy 

- Form D application form, Letter from KDU, acceptance letter from Alma Italy, student abroad insurance, 1 passport size photo, letter of financial support with IC, birth certificate, bank account statement, proof of accommodation, flight reservation, passport with validity should exceed visa expiry date by 3 months.

 Appointment for student visa was given on 5 Aug and was approved 2 working days later.
 

Mytravelpass (MTP) - it was an hassle since Malaysia border in closed and you need the necessary document to apply for this pass in order to exit Malaysia. We applied immediately once Alma letter of acceptance received on 16 July 2021.  The approval was obtained after 10 days later.

Air ticket - Qatar at first but since the date of flying has been brought forward and the requirement to reach in the morning at Milan, we were told to look at Turkish airline. Turkish airline is a little tiring since the flight from KL to Istanbul 10 hours or more, before 2.5 hours transit time.

Fees to Alma

Transfer of fees to Alma where bank information given on 30 June 2021. However, in order to book a single room which is very limited, we have to pay extra Euro500.  Even we paid immediately, unfortunately son was not able to get a single room and shared room with 2 other course mate.  Thus they refunded the extra Euro 500 but it was mentioned they have extra Euro 400 to refund.

EU digital passenger locator form - suppose to fill up once you have check in online.  However, due to some reasons, online check in not allow on 24 hours before departure.  So it was an hassle to fill up only once you check in at airport counter and obtain your seat number. Once you completed the form online, you will receive an email which the check in counter will require.

Covid-19 Vaccine - though son has registered but no news of any appointment.   And finally there is a helpdesk in Mysejahtera to register as studying abroad.  So finally all 2 doses of Pfizer was administered a week before he left to Milan.

PCR test 72 hours before arrival in Italy.  You can actually do it at BP Pathlab, having their online promotion and same day result. Son done his at Klinik Menjalara RM230 and result was emailed the next morning to him.

Police Permit - permit form approved by police officer required to travel to KLIA. Document required: Mytravelpass approval, IC copy, KDU letter, PCR test. Can be applied a day or 2 before travel to KLIA.

Self isolate - Upon arrival for 10 days as initially told by ended up 14 days quarantine is required.To carry out molecular or antigenic test on the 10th day.  By 12th day the batch of students were finally given their freedom.On day 14th was their study commencement date.

Residence Permit - besides student abroad insurance, you need submit medical fitness letter which we went to clinic on 23 July 2021 as letter validity should be a month prior to arrival I believe because Program leader required the letter from doctor dated after 23 July

Documents required by Alma Italy for residence permit application besides student abroad insurance, they also need a medical report certify by your doctor.

All these were like so rush as we could not apply MTP  till we receive letter stating acceptance to Alma Italy. It takes minimum 10 working days to have the MTP approved.  Meanwhile you need to book ticket and travel agent could only hold for 48 hours.  To issue or not before Student Visa approval is totally up to you. 

 

Simple Recipe - Pork Trotter in Spicy Sour Sauce

This is a dish that I do not know how to appreciate but is one late mom in law style of cooking.  I have not been cooking this for a very long time but is not that difficult to cook anyway.

We call it Tur Kar Chor Zhar Suen in hokkien.

Ingredients

To Blend 

Fresh red chillies 6

Dried chillies 8

Small onion 10

Garlic 5

Cooking Oil

Pounded bean paste - 3 tablespoon

Rice Vinegar - 2 tablespoon

Big Onion quartered - 1

Water

Pork Trotter - blanched in boiling water first

 

Method

Heat up work, pour in cooking oil, follow by 6 tablespoon of blend, bean paste, rice vinegar,  sugar, pork trotter and water. Simmer till pork trotter is soft.

 

Relax in Cameron Highlands

Short and sweet trip to Cameron Highlands with my two sisters and niece.  Vacation has been put on hold for a real long time since pandemic, lock down, no interstate travel and without a domestic helper, all work and no play really makes me a dull person!

Since I have points to clear using my Leisure Holiday membership before expiry on August 2022, so I have booked my favorite place, a cooling and relax place to be.  It was only 3 days 2 nights stay, but my sisters and niece only stayed for a night.

My husband and I arrived first and checked into Green Hill Resort, a walk up apartment with 3 rooms good for 6 pax.  Noticed that the unit has been refurbished.  We arrived about 2 hours earlier than my sisters.  When they arrived, they went straight to Lord's Cafe for the best scone. We joined them there and right after that we went to Cameron Organic Steamboat for early dinner and then Mr Asu for ice cream! You can have vegetarian or chicken soup and 3 sets to choose from. Trying to go night market but the traffic was long,  so we did not manage to go.  Finally my sisters checked into the apartment after a long day.

Next day we went to a shop nearby Cameron Square for a simple breakfast and then visited Walk-up to Siar, a new hostel belong to my sister's friend at Brinchang.  Lunch was at Excellent Food Centre in Tanah Rate Food Court which is opposite Tealive.  The chicken chop was real good.  After lunch my sisters and niece bid us farewell as they need to head back home.  As for me and husband, we had a good nap follow by a very good dinner at Singh Chapati located at Tanah Rata.  We tried try butter chicken masala and potatoes with cauliflower, recommended North Indian cuisine that you must try when you visit Cameron Highland.

Next morning about 9 am we checked out, drove down to the stalls opposite Lakehouse bought some vegetables and sweet corns and then off we drove down to Ringlet for breakfast at Fang Xiang Restaurant before heading to Home Sweet Home.

Simple Recipe - Lady Finger

 A very simple dish and quick to prepare, It is one of hubby's favourite

Ingredient

Lady's Finger - 10

Bean paste - 1/2 tablespoon

1 or 1/2  Lime (depends on size) or 5 Calamansi

Bird eye chilies -  5 (add more if you prefer spicy)

Sugar - 2 teaspoon

Method

Just blanch the lady's finger. Mix bean paste with lime or calamansi juice, sugar and bird eye chilies. Then pout onto lady finger.

There you are a simple dish to go with rice.