Japan Alpine Route

It has been a while since we last traveled overseas due to Covid 19 Movement Control Order for the past two years.  My spouse has been asking me when I am going to arrange for vacation.  Chinese New year is over and I have yet to start planning.  But I need to settle all the income tax return filing before I can start looking.  

Since I do not have time to really search and look for own itinerary to travel on our own, I just looked through Golden Tourworld Travel and saw this Japan Alpine Route, a place that I find interesting instead of the normal Tokyo, Osaka and Kyota the normal cities that usually attracts tourists.

There were 2 itineraries via Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines.  We opted Malaysia Airlines since is 7 hours flight duration. We chosen Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route ~ The Great Wisteria Festival ~ Lake Motosu Shibazakura 8 days 6 nights tour itinerary.

We flew into Osaka Airport and flew home from Narita Airport.

Day 1 - 15 April 2023

Check into KLIA 3 hours before flight depart.

KL/Osaka MH 52 2210/0540 +1

Day 2  - 16 April 2023 Osaka ~ Kyota ~Gifu

Osaka Castle, Busiest street of Shinsaibashi, Proceed to Kyota visited Kiyomizudera Temple (Unesco World Heritage Monument), continue journey overnight in Gifu, Ogaki Forum Hotel.

Day 3 - 17 April 2023 Gifu ~Takayama ~ Shirakawago ~Toyoma/Kanazawa

Takayama San-Machi Suji, Shirakawago Village, overnight Kanazawa Tmark city Hotel

Day 4 - 18 April 2023 Toyama/Kanazawa ~ Alpine Route ~Tateyama ~ Izawa

Whole day visited Tateyama  Kurobe Alpine Route via 6 different type of transportation.  However do note viewing snow corridor is subject to weather condition and opening period by local authority.  We were so lucky that it was opened during our visit. It was snowing!  

We Then proceed to Isawa Hot Spring where we spent a nite at Isawa Kasugai View Hotel.

Day 5 - 19 April 2023 - Isawa ~ Lake Motosu Shibasakura 

Mt Fuji - we viewed from Lake Kawaguchi before travel up to Mt Fuji Izu Hakone National park, Oshino Hakkai (small village at foot of Mt Fuji, Lake Motosu Shibasakura (flowers everywhere with Mt Fuji backdrop). Overnight Yamanakako Sun Plaza Hotel

Day 6 - 20 April 2023 Fuji Five Lakes ~ Tokyo

Shinjuku, Imperial Palace, Shibuya. Overnight Tokyo Dome Hotel

Day 7 - 21 April 2023 Tokyo Fuji Tree ~ Ashikaga Flower Park ~ Narita

Asakuka Kannon Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street, Ashikaga Flower Park, Odaiba Diver City for shopping. Overnight Narita Hotel Mystays Premier

Day 8 - 22 April 2023 - Home Sweet Home

Depart from Narita Airport to KL. MH 89 1020/1645 hrs

Hubby was not feeling well on night of Day 7, so his whole flight duration on Day 8 was torturing.  When we reached home, he did not have appetite at all and slept till next morning and tested positive for Covid 19.   Anyway,  we brought home sweet memories and new experiences from the trip.

Lake Motosu Shibasakura

Shirakawago

Mt Fuji

Alpine Route

KK & Kundasang again!

KK Again? Why? This is because my youngest son and girlfriend wanted to hike Mt KK. So here we go again to Kundasang and KK for 5th time.

But of course this time we visited some places we have never been to.  Son's girlfriend parents were travelling together with us. The last they visited KK was more than 10 years ago!

 


Day 1 - 12 June Mon
Flight to KK
Ak5136 9.15am/11.55am 

Using a private car, a trip that cost RM120 for one way to KLIA2, we reached the airport at 7pm. After drop our luggage, we had breakfast at Din Dai Fung which I dont quite like as they dont serve pork.  We normally travel light and do not like to check in our luggage.  However, due to require hiking stick to be checked in, thus we purchase 20 kgs check in baggage for a couple. 

Upon arrival, we pick up innova from LYL Car Rental KK.  I have liaised with Ms Chong (Contact No 013 5678788) and she sent the car to airport. Thereafter, we have noodles lunch at Fatt Kee Seafood Noodle (Hilltop) before sending son and girlfriend to Homey Seafront Hotel located at Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens.  Whereas, the others proceed to Kundasang, we stopped at Pekan Nabalu for a walk.

Check in Kinabalu Pine Resort Room 2 nights with set dinner and breakfast for 2.  As the rooms are fully booked, we took P1 Twin Bedded and P2 King bed where the mountain view is the best.  On next day our luggage was moved to S3 King bed and S4 twin bed, deluxe room with good mountain view too.

Day 2 - 13 June Tues 

After breakfast, we visited Sosodokon Hill Kinabalu Park, RM5 per adult for entrance fee, Desa Dairy Farm also RM5 per adult for entrance fee and finally Kinabalu Park which is RM10 per adult for entrance fee except senior citizen will be free.

The mountain garden at Kinabalu Park is open from 9.00am to 4.00pm everyday. Visitors can visit the garden and roam by themselves at anytime during the opening hours, however a conducted guided tour through the garden with Sabah Park's interpretation guide are scheduled at 9.00am , 12.00 and 3.00pm. 

We had lunch Mount Borneo Restaurant, good food there.  As it was a weekday, we had the whole restaurant to ourselves.  We visited Kundasang Market for durian feast but since is not in season, the fruit was not too good and expensive than West Malaysia.  We also bought some fruits back to hotel.

We had a good rest before our dinner.  After dinner, we chat till past midnight. 

Day 3 - 14 June Wed 

After breakfast, we checked out, have a stop at Sinalau Bakas for wild boar on the way back to KK.  However after MCO, the ruling was to stop selling wild boar, thus they were selling pork instead.  

Once we reached KK,  we went to Fung Seng Frozen Seafood, Inanam to purchase seafoods and they provide service to send to airport on your departure with minimum purhcase of RM300. We then had lunch at Yii Siang Hainan Ngiu Chap, famous for its beef noodle. They also have curry and soup noodle.

We check in 3 nites at The Loft, Imago, a very convenient location to anywhere we wanted to go or to airport about 15 minutes away.  It was a 3 rooms 3 bath above Imago Shopping Mall.

We have a rest while waited for the other 2 young adult back from hiking Mt KK.  Dinner was at Sasa Restaurant.  I love their Mantis prawn there, 6 large for RM225.  Their signature style is salt and pepper.  We also had various of seafood there.

Day 4 - 15 June Thurs 

We had brunch at Jia Siang Sang Nyuk Mee, Lintas Plaza, we dropped by Filipino market to purchase dried shrimp, anchovies etc before we proceed our 2 hours journey to South Western part of Sabah, Beaufort. After we finished the program, we were driving back to KK but be careful as the roads are dark with no street lights.  Once back to KK, we went to Filipino market for supper.

2pm
Depart towards southwestern part of Sabah, Beaufort for approximately 2 hours of journey.  

Klias River Cruise
Oib Klias Base Camp
Jalan Beaufort - Menumbok, Kampong Kota Klias, 89800

4pm
Arrival to our base camp & proceed to enjoy the evening tea served. (We were served cekodok pisang: banana fritters, kueh pinjaram; traditional kueh by Bajau, Kueh bunga; honeycomb cookies, or flower cookies, or beehive cookies in English, tea and coffee}

4.30pm
Onboard to boat for about 1 hour 45 minutes in search for the wildlife along the river banks. (We saw crocodiles, birds, proboscis monkeys}

6pm
Back to base camp & enjoy Malaysian buffet dinner served before proceed to catch a glimpse of the fireflies. (if weather permits) Transfer back to hotel.

9.30pm
Estimated time arriving Kota Kinabalu

About Klias River Cruise

Journey 112km from Kota Kinabalu City to the pristine Klias wetlands. Cruise your way down Klias River in an open boat in search of the endemic proboscis monkeys, long tailed macaques, the rare silver languor, and other wildlife along the river bank.

Get your cameras and binoculars on stand-by and keep your eyes peeled for the shy creatures chilling on the branches.

As dusk settles in with a sunset, enjoy the sights and sounds in a natural setting as you have a sumptuous village style dinner. The show’s not over yet though, as there is one more trip through the mangrove swamp. This time, it is graced by the secret rhythm of fireflies and their flickering lights

Day 5 - 16 June Fri 

We had breakfast at Kuo Man, selections of fish fillet/paste, beef, pork to goes with handmade noodle.  This was a good choice of place for breakfast and the 5 spices kueh (Ham Chin Peng).  This was so good, crispy on outside and soft inside with fragrant of five spices at RM1.50 each.

We then proceed to Kokol Hill Elf, Menggatal 40 mins jouney from KK.  And then had a massage at KK Times Square.  We proceed to Sasa Seafood for early dinner.  We then went to Gaya Street Night Market for a stroll before back to Imago Mall for dessert.  Thereafter, we went back to Airbnb for good nite sleep.

Day 6 - 17 June Sat

Our flight via Ak5141 1350/1630 hrs.

We checked out from Airbnb, dropped by Filipino market to purchase some local snacks,  went to Sinsuran Sang Nyuk Mee at Lintas Plaza before airport.  Returned the car, after drop luggage, we has a light meal at Old Town Kopitiam before proceed to custom clearance and boarding.

Upon arrival at KLIA2, we proceed to report luggage damage at Air Asia office and were compensated RM120 after negotition from initial propose to compensate of RM80.

Home Sweet Home.  The place that I always wanna be.

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.