Bali: Eat Love Pray

This trip is one of the four trips which I had planned four years ago in 2015, I decided to go Taiwan first mainly because of Chinese New Year and later also went to Ha Long Bay Vietnam last year after I heard about the largest cave and prawn fishing. Frankly speaking I had lost interest on the last trip to Krabi Thailand as I realized that  I am not that much into Beaches and Swimming Pools.



A lot of my trip are happen by chances, I was planning for my St John Island Chalet for End November and Bangkok Thailand trip on Early December. When my friend Dennis told me to join him for Bali Trip I told him I had plan for other activities during that period. We had planned for the Chimelong Safari Zoo trip in Pangyu Guangzhou China before but end up our schedule could not match and he went for other trip instead.



I encounter some issues when I am trying to book for St John Island Chalet mainly because it require a permit for an event and the Chalet I wanted did not appear in the option list after I had gone through so much trouble trying to apply for the permit. So I told Dennis that I will join him as I had change my plan for the St John Island Chalet.



Dennis is very excited when he hear about this, but I could not join him on the first day because I am not so interested in Temple and Cliff. The other reason is that I had encounter some issues during my previous Vietnam Trip and I know I had to plan for my trips with shorter duration of about three to four days.



Dennis had a very good ideas of staying at different hotel on different days to reduce the traveling time require, I had encounter this method during my Jiangnan China Trip in 2012 and Taiwan Trip in 2015 but it was mainly use by Tour Group.



I initially planned to book the same hotel but the hotel which he book in Jimbaran and Ubud are very popular and had no more rooms available. So I book for different hotel nearby and we can visit each other and experience different hotel stay to maximize our resources.






27th November Wednesday Jimbaran



We reach the Airport at 0830 hrs, after check in we decided to visit the Jewel Mall. Dennis had book for very early morning Jetstar Flight which is cheaper and I had choose Scoot TR284 from 1030 hrs to 1320 hrs at S$263 for better timing.



Dennis told me that the beer cost more than we expected and advise me to buy a bottle of Vodka or Gin and bring over. I thought he did not buy before he fly but later I was told by his wife that he always buy a bottle for every trip when we drink at his hotel in Ubud on the third day.



As I don't really like the strong taste of Scott, Vodka and Gin, I had choose the mild taste of either Bourbon, Rum or Tequila. I was planning to buy the Bacardi at S$23 when the sales lady told me that 2 bottle of Jack Daniel at S$96 will get me a nice Free Gift of Leather Bag. As I am really crazy about Leather Bags, I decided to spend more for a chance for the Changi Millionaire Draw.



We arrive late as our flight delay for 30 minutes due to com issues and my original planned schedule had been delayed by an hour. Dennis advice me to get Blue Bird Taxi at Departure Hall which is cheaper, the other transport at Arrival Hall cost from 90 Rupiah (S$9) to 230 Rupiah (S$23). I manage to spend 50 Rupiah (S$5) for the trip.



We arrive at Anja Jimbaran Hotel around 1430 hrs and check in to  Room 314, it cost S$80 on Trip, $113 on Agoda and $120 on Booking. 4 Star 9.3 Rating and Fabulous Breakfast Buffet, I think Breakfast is the most important meal for the day and a Hotel with good breakfast could not be that bad.

Dennis stay at Kubu Kak Dudung Villas near Movenpick Hotel which cost about S$35 and he manage to get it at a price lower than $30 with Agoda Membership, they encounter difficulty accessing the beach as there are too many restaurant and pub fighting for business.



We had High Tea instead of Late Lunch at Cuca Restaurant around 1500 hrs, it is just across the road from our hotel. We had Crispy Fried Chicken 90 Rupiah (S$9), Pork Buns 70 Rupiah (S$7), Scallops 50 Rupiah (S$5), Rosella and Lemongrass Infusion 70 Rupiah (S$7). There is a 11% Tax 31 Rupiah (S$3) and 8% Service 23 Rupiah (S$2.50).



We went back to hotel for a short nap at 1600 hrs and walk along the beach at 1815 hrs to view Sunset and meet Dennis for Dinner. We arrive at 1900 hrs and Dennis say he will reach at 1930 hrs as he went for Massage. He advise me to download the Taxi app for easy booking, the Taxi Drivers hate Private Hire Car like Grab and Gojek.



We had Dinner at Wahaha Pork Rib, Pork Knuckle 188 Rupiah (S$19), Pork Ribs 168 Rupiah (S$17), Roast Pork Belly 78 Rupiah (S$8), Green Booster (Pineapple with Lime) 38 Rupiah (S$4), Avocado 38 Rupiah (S$4). There is 11% Tax 72 Rupiah (S$7.50) and 8% Service 52 Rupiah (S$5.50). Pork Rib is nice but Knuckle a bit salty, Pork Belly taste worst than the usual Roast Pork we had in Singapore.

We brought two bottle of Coke for 35 Rupiah (S$3.50) and took
Taxi 30 Rupiah (S$3) back to my hotel for our drinking session at 2100 hrs. Talk about stars, conspiracy theories, and sailing life until 2300 hrs.






28th November Thursday Safari



We wake up at 0700 hrs and had Breakfast at 0730 hrs, we had Pancake, Bacon and Mushroom, Yogurt, Sausage and Vegetable. We check out at 0800 hrs and went to Safari early as I had no much to do here at the beach. Taxi took 90 minutes Taxi and cost 270 Rupiah (S$27).

We arrive at Mara River Safari Lodge Bali and check in to Room 112 at around 0930 hrs. It cost 2348 Rupiah (S$235) to 2810 Rupiah (S$281) 4 Star 8.5 Rating, Very Good Breakfast with Lion.
It had Welcome Drink, Fruit Basket, Safari Park Entry. We took the Honey Moon Package at 2797 Rupiah (S$280) to 3423 Rupiah (S$343) which had Honeymoon Cake and One Hour Massage and Romantic Dinner with Lion. It had 21% Tax 625 Rupiah (S$63).



I actually planned to stay at Villa L Orange at S$82, and buy the afternoon 1400 hrs Safari Ticket at 540 Rupiah (S$54). But it only allow one Safari Journey and I am afraid that we would not be able to finish the attractions within 3 hours and will miss a lot of performance shows. The full day ticket is 990 Rupiah (S$99) to 1800 Rupiah (S$180) for VIP, so staying inside the Safari seem cheaper as with the same price I get the Honey Moon Package.



As we can only have the room at 1400 hrs, we decided to tour the Safari Zoo and Aquarium first. We saw Meerkat Feeding and Giraffe Feeding at Tsavo Lion Restaurant, we saw Elephant Bathing and Feeding at 1000 hrs at Ganesha Court. Visit the Aquarium first before we went for Animal Show at 1030 hrs at Hanuman Stage.



We proceed for Tiger Show at 1115 hrs in Harimau Amphitheater and Elephant Show at 1200 hrs in Kampung Gajah. We had lunch at 1230 hrs in Warung Gajah, Satay 48 Rupiah (S$5), Noodle 33 Rupiah (S$3.50), Coconut 25 Rupiah (S$2.50), Orange Juice 30 Rupiah (S$3).



We went for Safari Journey at 1300 hrs, to our surprise the hotel guest get unlimited ride instead of one ride as compare to normal ticket entry. I really like the Safari Journey here as the Truck is Air Condition and it stop at every points for a while and let us take photos while they do introduction. We took two ride and went back to lobby to get our room key, book Massage for 1700 hrs.

We went for Romantic Dinner at Tsavo Lion Restaurant at 1830 hrs, we had Sparkling Wine, Salad, Pumpkin Soup, Stuffed Chicken and Tiramisu. We watch Fire Dance at 2000 hrs just outside the restaurant after our dinner.

 

29th November Friday Ubud

We had Breakfast with Lion at Tsavo Lion Restaurant at 0830 hrs, as the attraction is smaller than expected and we had nothing planned we decided to go for two more Safari Journey Ride before we check out at 1200 hrs.

As the Taxi is not allow to pick up at the Safari we ask the hotel to arrange for Transport for 250 Rupiah (S$25) to go to Ubud. We arrive at In Da Garden Home Stay and check in to Room 7 at 1315 hrs, it cost $31 on Trip, $37 on Hotel and $38 on Booking with 2 Star 9.5 Rating and Fabulous Breakfast.

Dennis stay at Yuni House near Ubud Market, it cost about S$37 and he got it for below $30 with Agoda Membership. He was relaxing by the pool while his wife went shopping and ask me to join him for early drinking sessions by the pool.

We had Lunch at Toro Sushi just outside our hotel at 1330 hrs, we had Bento 70 Rupiah (S$7), Salmon Don 68 Rupiah (S$7), Mango 35 Rupiah (S$3.50). It had 10% Tax 19 Rupiah (S$2) and 5% Service 9 Rupiah (S$1). We went to visit Dennis at the Ubud Market after that and they went for their lunch nearby and bring us around Ubud Market for some shopping.

We brought T Shirt 50 Rupiah (S$5), Singlets 100 Rupiah (S$10), Dress 90 Rupiah (S$9), Slippers 300 Rupiah (S$30), Slipper 200 Rupiah (S$20). We had Coconut 25 Rupiah (S$2.50) at 1730 hrs just outside our hotel before we shower and prepare to go for dinner at 1900 hrs.



We meet Dennis at Mamma Mia at 2000 hrs, we walk around while we wait as he went for massage again with his wife. Brought Owl for 20 Rupiah (S$2), Duck for 10 Rupiah (S$1) and Note Books for 50 Rupiah (S$5). We had Pizza 150 Rupiah (S$15), Spaghetti 125 Rupiah (S$12.50), Mango 25 Rupiah (S$2.50), Orange 40 Rupiah (S$4), Ice Tea 20 Rupiah (S$2). We went to his hotel for drinking session after dinner at 2130 hrs and left around 2330 hrs, this time we talk about families.

 

30th November Saturday

We had Breakfast at 0830 hrs, we had Egg Sandwich, Toast and Omelette. We brought Soap 55 Rupiah (S$5.50) and Shot Glass 45 Rupiah (S$4.50). We decided to visit Monkey Sanctuary 160 Rupiah (S$16) as there are nothing much to buy in Ubud Market. We brought Toiletries Pouch 60 Rupiah (S$6), Coconut Snacks 160 Rupiah (S$16).

We check out at 1200 hrs, we planned to have lunch at the hotel but the owner is celebrating anniversary with wife. So we went to for Coconut 25 Rupiah (S$2.50) and Lunch at Toro Restaurant at 1230 hrs. We had Chicken Don 57 Rupiah (S$6), Prawn Don 57 Rupiah (S$6), Fried Dumplings 35 Rupiah (S$3.50), Mango 35 Rupiah (S$3.50), Green Tea 18 Rupiah ($2). It had 10% Tax 21 Rupiah (S$2.5) and 5% Service 10 Rupiah (S$1).

I had try to book for Taxi at 1330 hrs and it got cancel after 15 minutes and the second booking also refuse to come and insist we got to Monkey Sanctuary for pick up. Finally one Taxi Driver was brave enough to enter Dangerous Ground and bring us to Airport at 270 Rupiah (S$27). I give him 300 Rupiah (S$30) instead for his bravery as I did not know about the conflict between the Local Private Hired Taxi Drivers with Official Metered Taxi Blue Bird.



We reach Airport at 1530 hrs and brought some Soaps 450 Rupiah (S$45). We had Dinner at 1730 hrs before we board our flight, we had Sandwich and Coke 110 Rupiah (S$11), Croissant and Tea 100 Rupiah (S$10). Our flight delay for about an hour and we arrive back in Singapore at 2200 hrs.



Bali Eat Love Pray, Eat at Jimbaran, Love at Safari and Pray at Ubud.

An Enchanted Voyage

A dream fulfilled, a fairy tale in the sea. I had spend most of my life working onboard ship, and it had always been my dream to spend a trip onboard a ship without any work involve. The main concern I had is not about the money, but mainly because of the time itself. I had been very busy with my work all these years and never really got a chance to pursuit the kind of life I really wanted. So it had come to a point where enough is enough, and I had to make a drastic decision to get myself away from my work to pursuit a dream which I had never got a chance to fulfill. My management might hate me for my decision as I am suppose to guide the new Assistance Technical Superintendent on the docking repair of the vessel Avon.

I got a very good wife, a wife which a most men could only dream of. She had been very accommodating with me on my work, and had never complaint even I had never bring her on any oversea trip for more than two years. The last trip we had was a family trip to Vietnam when I left my last company. This trip was the only compensation I could make up to her after all these years where we had been married. So I book for the trip on the internet and apply for my annual leave the next working day when I am back at the office. It was exactly one month before my birthday, and everything seem to fall right into place with the Gala Dinner onboard the cruise ship on the exact day of my birthday.

I always wanted a balcony, but my mom had destroy my dream due to her selfishness when we first renovate our new house thirteen years ago. I was very lucky as the tour agency had inform me that there is only one Ocean View State Room with Balcony left when I book for the cruise. It was a chance not to be miss, and I had made the right decision on the spot without much hesitation. I had never regret that harsh decision as both my wife and me actually enjoy the coming voyage which was so enchanting that we forgot everything we left behind back in Singapore.

The whole package cost S$2,218 for two, with Cabin Fare of S$988, Passenger Handling Charge of S$100 and Fuel Surcharge of S$21 per person. We get to enjoy priority embarkation with complimentary drinks, dinning credit of S$200, special access to SPA facilities and exclusive balcony class seat at the Theater.

Day 1 5th Dec 2010 Sunday

We arrival at 1400 hrs on 5th Dec 2010 at Singapore Cruise Center to check in our baggage, proceed to register for our access card and immigration clearance at Level 2 before we board the vessel. We arrival at our new home at about 1530 hrs and was welcome by the staffs with the complementary drinks at the Grand Piazza at Deck 7. I spend S$128 of dinning credit for a Yellow Label Champagne for the Gala Dinner, and proceed to Deck 11 to leave our bags at our Room 11036.

We were a bit late when we arrive at Lido Theater at 1615 hrs for the booking of Restaurant for the Gala Dinner, both Samurai at Deck 8 (Japanese) and Noble House at Deck 7 (Chinese) were already fully book by the queue number 30 and below, and the queue number we get for our booking is 134. So the next better choice we have is the Western Set Dinner at Bella Vista located at Deck 6. The staffs come and pester us to spend our remain dining credit on another bottle of Canalleto Pinot Grigio (Sparking White Wine) which cost S$50 and Chateau Los Boldos Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Wine) which cost S$39. I had over spend S$17 on top of my S$200 dining credit within an hour onboard the vessel, but at least I got two bottle of wine to bring back after the trip.

It was Afternoon Tea at Mediterranean at Deck 12 at 1630 hrs, then it was Carnival Opening Ceremony at Grand Piazza at Deck 7 at 1745 hrs, Sail Away Party at Parthenon Pool at Deck 12 at 1800 hrs and Ship Tour at Deck 12 Activity Center at 1830 hrs. We have our Dinner at Mediterranean at Deck 12 at 1900 hrs and return back to our Room 11036 at Deck 11 at 1945 hrs to wash up for the evening.


Carnival Opening Ceremony at Grand Piazza at Deck 7 at 1745 hrs

I actually planned for the 2015 hrs Juggling Show at Lido Theater at Deck 7 but my wife had took too much time in her shower and I had to change the plan for the evening to Line Dancing at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 2100 hrs instead. Another S$16 was spend on Cocktail Drink while we were at Galaxy Of The Star. We manage to catch the second Juggling Show at Lido Theater at Deck 7 at 2200 hrs before we call it a day at 2245 hrs.

Day 2 6th Dec 2010 Monday

We woke up the next day morning at 0730 hrs and have our Breakfast at Pavilion at Deck 6 at 0800 hrs. It was Line Dancing with Snowman at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 0930 hrs, Latin Groove at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1000 hrs and S$30,000 Bingo at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1100 hrs. I brought two set of Bingo Ticket at S$30 and get a free Bingo Ticket for Bingo Bonanza on Wednesday Morning, I also brought five Instant Win Ticket at S$20 which give one more free Instant Win Ticket. We did not manage to win the Bingo but we did manage to win S$4 from the Instant Win. We have to go all the way to Oasis Casino to claim the prize money for the Instant Win.

We have our Lunch at Pavilion at Deck 6 at 1200 hrs and prepare for our City and Shopping Tour in Penang at 1430 hrs. The vessel arrive at Penang at 1400 hrs and we gather at Lido Theater at Deck 7 at 1415 hrs for the Tour. The Tour cost S$55 per person and include Trishaw Ride, Wat Chayamankalaram Temple Visit and Shopping at Gurney Plaza. We get to buy some Local Delights at Shop and I spend RM 206 for some coffee, biscuit and medicate oil. We have our light dinner at Gurney Drive Hawker, RM 4 for Fried Kway Teow, RM 6 for Satay and RM 4 for Coconut. I brought a Ocean Blue Sapphire Pendant with Platinum Gold Chain for RM 902 at Gold Heart Jewelry at Gurney Plaza for my wife and I was entitled to 9 Lucky Draw Coupon which give me a chance to win a car.


Wat Chayamankalaram Temple at Penang Island

We arrive back at the vessel at 1930 hrs and have our Dinner at Pavilion at Deck 6 at 2000 hrs before we head back to our Room 11036 to wash up for the evening. We went for the Spotlight Crew Show at Lido Theater at Deck 7 at 2145 hrs and call it a day at 2230 hrs.


Day 3 7th Dec 2010 Tuesday

We woke up late the next day morning at 0730 hrs as my mobile phone had adjust its time to an hour later to match the Thailand Time Zone. We decided to skip breakfast and bring along the biscuit we brought yesterday and gather at Lido Theater at Deck 7 at 0745 hrs for the Elephant Riding Adventure Tour. The Tour cost S$85 per person and include visit to Cashew Nut Factory, Elephant Ride at Adventure Safari, Wat Chalong Thai Temple Visit and Thai Buffet Lunch. I spend 650 Baht for the Elephant Ride Photos, 270 Baht on Cashew Nut, 102 Baht on Tiramisu Chocolate and 800 Baht for a dress and two hand bags for wife. We manage to go for Traditional Thai Massage for Two at Grand Merlini SPA at 1500 Baht at Patong Beach and tips the Therapists 100 Baht each for their excellence services.


Cashew Nut Factory at Phuket Island

We arrive back at the vessel at 1630 hrs and wash up for the evening to prepare for the Gala Dinner that night. The evening started with Fashion Show at Grand Piazza at Deck 7 at 1755 hrs, follow by Gala Cocktails at Bellini at Deck 8 at 1815 hrs. The Gala Dinner started at Bella Vista at Deck 6 at 1845 hrs and we have Baked Escargot and Smoked Salmon and Nori for our appetizer, Ox Tail Broth and Cream Of Mushroom for our soup, Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Seafood Thermidor Style Gratin for our main course and finish with Baked Alaska for our dessert. I got a complimentary birthday cake from Blue Lagoon at Deck 7 and it was delivered to our table 55 at Bella Vista with birthday song from all the staffs there.


Gala Dinner at Bella Vista at Deck 6 at 1845 hrs

It was Gala Show Rasputin at Lido Theater at Deck 7 at 2115 hrs, Juggling Lesson with Terry Parade at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 2200 hrs, Game Show with Cruise Director JM at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 2240 hrs. I brought the Terry Parade DVD for S$25 and we call it a day at 2310 hrs and went back to our Room 11036.

Day 4 8th Dec 2010 Wednesday

We had breakfast at Bella Vista at Deck 6 at 0800 hrs the next day morning and Tinikling Traditional Filipino Bamboo Dance at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1000 hrs. I took part in the Game Show The Weakest Link at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1030 hrs and manage to survive until Round Three before I was eliminated. It was Bingo Bonanza at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1115 hrs after that and Lunch at Bella Vista at Deck 6 at 1200 hrs. We spend S$50 on the Slot Machine at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 after Lunch and my wife actually manage to get the winning to S$65 with three lucky hit. But we did not walk away and decided to finish all the credit while we wait for the S$38,000 Bingo at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1400 hrs.

It was Hip Hop Dance at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1500 hrs and we went back to our Room 11036 to wash up for the day at 1545 hrs and check out at Reception Counter at Deck 7 at 1630 hrs. We had our last dinner at Bella Vista at Deck 6 at 1700 hrs and get off the vessel at 1930 hrs.