Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Fruit Stall around Kintamani area, Bali

There were many fruit stall like this along the road to Kintamani. So we decided to stop at one of the stall. I was attracted by the way they display the fruits...unique and nice!
The Fruit Stall (S8 17.458 E115 21.612) was located along the way while we drove back to Ubud, Bali.

There was not much different from the food stall at Johor Bahru, except this...rarely can see it around JB area...

Do you know what is the name of the fruit above and below?


The tomatoes of Kintamani, Bali

We did bought some fruits to enjoy along the journey back to Ubud...

Is this mandarin? Or orange?

Bali 5 days 4 nights trip :-
* My Bali Trip on June 2010 (D1)
* Harris Resort at Kuta, Bali (D1)
* Made's Warung at Kuta Beach Road (Jalan Pantai Kuta), Kuta - Bali (D1)
* Babi Guling (Suckling pig) of Warung Ibu Oka at Ubud town, Bali (D2)
* Palace opposite Warung Ibu Oka at Ubud, Bali (D2)
* Tegallalang Rice Terrace at North Ubud Town, Bali (D2)
* Kintamani and Mount Batur at North Bali, Indonesia (D2)
* BAS Coffee Farm at Bali, Indonesia (D2) 
* TJ's Mexican Bar and Restaurant at Kuta, Bali (D2) 
* The Kuta Beach of Bali, Indonesia (D3)
* Pura Taman Ayun (Temple) at Mengwi, Bali - Indonesia (D3) 
* Strawberry Park at Candikuning beside Beratan Lake - Bali, Indonesia (D3) 
* Pura Ulun Danau (Temple) at Bratan Lake, Bali (D3)
* Pacung Indah Hotel And Restaurant at Bali (D3)
* One of the Famous Balinese Seven Sea Temples - Tanah Lot Temple of Bali (D3) 
* Bebek Bengil - The Dirty Duck Diner at Ubud, Bali (D3) 
* The Legian Street (Jalan) at Kuta, Bali (D3) 
* Bali Collection at Nusa Dua, Bali (D4) 
* Garuda Wisnu Kencana at Bukit Peninsula of Bali, Indonesia (D4) 
* Pura Luhur Uluwatu (Temple) at South Bali, Indonesia (D4) 
* Lia Cafe Seafood Restaurant at Jimbaran Bay, Bali (D4) 

*  Our Bali Humble Driver - Mr Agoes (D4)
*  Farewell Bali Island! (D5)

The location of the Fruit Stall we visited at Kintamani area


Monday, June 28, 2010

Poland Backlog

 Photo (c) Ruth Ellen Gruber


I'm in Poland, and I have a lot to post about Jewish heritage in the little (rather depressed and depressing) town of Piotrkow Trybunalski -- and also my impressions from Krakow, where I am attending the latest edition -- the 20th --  of the Festival of Jewish Culture.

I doubt if anyone out there is holding their breath for these reports..... but I'll get to them! Meanwhile a photo or two from the wonderful Jewish cemetery in Piotrkow....

Photo (c) Ruth Ellen Gruber

Kintamani and Mount Batur at North Bali, Indonesia

"Kintamani is the most favorite tourist destinations in Bali with the active volcano of mount Batur and beautiful lake. Kintamani is surrounded by the captivating nature and there are six ancient villages around cauldron of Batur Lake which is often conceived by Bali Age Village. The local people from these Bali Age villages own the unique cultures, houses and life style. Kintamani Area is consisted of some Villages those are Kedisan Village , Buahan, Abang, Trunyan, Songan, South Batur, Middle Batur, North Batur, Sukawana and Kintamani Village . The total of resident in these area are about 15 thousand who are mostly working as farmer, merchant, or work at industrial tourism." Source from here.

Kintamani (S8 16.614 E115 21.051) is located at the north of the Bali Island. The entrance fee was rp22,000.00 for the 6 adults and 2 children. We decided to view the Volcano Mount Batur at one of the restaurant named 'Grand Puncak Sari' (S8 16.352 E115 20.839).

"Mount Batur (Gunung Batur) is an active volcano located at the center of two concentric calderas north west of Mount Agung, Bali, Indonesia. The south east side of the larger 10×13 km caldera contains a caldera lake. The inner 7.5-kilometer-wide caldera, which was formed during emplacement of the Bali (or Ubud) ignimbrite, has been dated at about 23,670 and 28,500 years ago." Source from Wiki.

Grand Puncak Sari Hotel and Restaurant

The Grand Puncak Sari Restaurant is located about 700 meter from the entrance of Kintamani. The restaurant dining area are divided into indoor and outdoor 2 session. They are serving buffet lunch while we arrived, but we already had our lunch at Warung Ibu Oka and we just intend for a drink. So we ONLY allow to sit indoor where the outdoor session (better view of Mount Batur) is for customers who order the food! That's normal, don't worry! :)

The outdoor session of Grand Puncak Sari Restaurant

The indoor area of Grand Puncak Sari Restaurant

This was the first time I tasted the Bali Coffee! Hmm...taste nice!

The Bali Coffee - rp.6,500.00 (MYR2.50 / USD0.75)

I did check the altitude of the restaurant was 1360 meter from Garmin etrex HCX GPS device.

The GPS device shows altitude at 1360meter

Some photos of the Breathtaking view of Mount Batur and the Batur Lake...

The Mount (Gunung) Batur Volcano of Bali

You can see the Lava clearly from this photo above

Lake Batur from far away...

Too bad the summit of Mount Batur was covered with thick clouds...
The weather at Kintamani is cooling, temperature was around 23C-26C. I can imagine how nice if we put a night at the Hotel here...but beside enjoy the cool air at night, there might not have other activity. Quite boring...

We were off from the restaurant after 30 minutes rest, and still looking for a better viewing area for the Volcano...and we found this! About 2.5km East from the restaurant (S8 16.972 E115 21.867). The view was much better! And the area we stand were closer to the Lake Batur.




The local women selling drinks to visitors

Many peoples gather around here to witnesses the Beauty of Mount Batur! I like it very much!

Mount Batur from another angle

And more closer to Lake Batur

After all photos were taken...we continue our journey to the next tourist hotspot and bye-bye to the Beautiful Nature!

Bali 5 days 4 nights trip :-
* My Bali Trip on June 2010 (D1)
* Harris Resort at Kuta, Bali (D1)
* Made's Warung at Kuta Beach Road (Jalan Pantai Kuta), Kuta - Bali (D1)
* Babi Guling (Suckling pig) of Warung Ibu Oka at Ubud town, Bali (D2)
* Palace opposite Warung Ibu Oka at Ubud, Bali (D2)
* Tegallalang Rice Terrace at North Ubud Town, Bali (D2) 
* Fruit Stall around Kintamani area, Bali (D2)
* BAS Coffee Farm at Bali, Indonesia (D2)
* TJ's Mexican Bar and Restaurant at Kuta, Bali (D2) 
* The Kuta Beach of Bali, Indonesia (D3) 
* Pura Taman Ayun (Temple) at Mengwi, Bali - Indonesia (D3) 
* Strawberry Park at Candikuning beside Beratan Lake - Bali, Indonesia (D3)
* Pura Ulun Danau (Temple) at Bratan Lake, Bali (D3)
* Pacung Indah Hotel And Restaurant at Bali (D3) 
* One of the Famous Balinese Seven Sea Temples - Tanah Lot Temple of Bali (D3) 
* Bebek Bengil - The Dirty Duck Diner at Ubud, Bali (D3) 
* The Legian Street (Jalan) at Kuta, Bali (D3) 
* Garuda Wisnu Kencana at Bukit Peninsula of Bali, Indonesia (D4) 
* Pura Luhur Uluwatu (Temple) at South Bali, Indonesia (D4) 
* Lia Cafe Seafood Restaurant at Jimbaran Bay, Bali (D4) 
*  Our Bali Humble Driver - Mr Agoes (D4)
*  Farewell Bali Island! (D5)

Location map of Kintamani at Bali Island


Sunday, June 27, 2010

Tegallalang Rice Terrace at North Ubud Town, Bali

"Tegallalang is a well known area to the north of Ubud in the centre of Bali.  It is the major area for handicraft production in Bali, but also has a surprising amount of other businesses, often not visible to the passing tourist. 
Tegallalang has just about every form of handicraft made in Bali.  This site showcases those shops and businesses creating these products." Source from here.

Tegallalang Rice Terrace at Bali

We tooks 30 minutes (about 10km) from the Warung Ibu Oka Ubud town to this Tegallalang Rice Terrace (S8 25.984 E115 16.715). Even the distance was not far but because of the narrow street and slow traffic.
This is one of the A Must stop area while on the way to Kintamani, it's just because of the Stunning Rice Terrace!

Another view of the Rice Terrace

This area has many Wood carving, souvenir shops & cafes. We took our sweet time to shop around...Please remember, bargain is necessary!!

Souvenir shops are everywhere...

I found out the wood carving souvenir here were really interesting! There were many shape and item that I haven't see it before! :)

Below photos are 18X! :) If you are children reading beside you, please temporary close their eyes...Haha!

The shop told me that...THIS IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN BALI! Interesting!

Beside the woodcraft, you also can find some other carving like below...




There are many peoples selling the souvenir around without proper shop unit. They will approach all the visitors, if you interested what they are selling, Bargain is A Must! Please take note, once you bought anything from them...another BIG group of peoples will come towards you! (I almost push into the drain) Haha! Anyway, I don't blame them, that's the way they make for living...

I called them 'The Postcard Boys'. They were aggressive!

Please notice if there's something look like the photo below along the way or in front of their shop, Don't step on it! This is one of the Hinduism praying...(correct me if I'm wrong)

After your shopping around the shops, you can have a cup of Bali Coffee at most of the cafe in this area...relax and enjoy yourself beside this beautiful Rice Terrace...


The Cafe by the side of the Rice Terrace

Too bad we don't have much time that day, because it was cloudy and we afraid to miss the spectacular view of Mount Batur. So we had to move on by skipping the coffee over here...anyway, I will be Back! :)
You can view the Rice Terrace from the top at Google Earth too.

After about an hour at Tegallalang Rice Terrace, we continue our journey to Kintamani...


Bali 5 days 4 nights trip :-
* My Bali Trip on June 2010 (D1)
* Harris Resort at Kuta, Bali (D1)
* Made's Warung at Kuta Beach Road (Jalan Pantai Kuta), Kuta - Bali (D1)
* Babi Guling (Suckling pig) of Warung Ibu Oka at Ubud town, Bali (D2)
* Palace opposite Warung Ibu Oka at Ubud, Bali (D2)
* Kintamani and Mount Batur at North Bali, Indonesia (D2)
* Fruit Stall around Kintamani area, Bali (D2)
* BAS Coffee Farm at Bali, Indonesia (D2) 
* TJ's Mexican Bar and Restaurant at Kuta, Bali (D2) 
* The Kuta Beach of Bali, Indonesia (D3) 
* Pura Taman Ayun (Temple) at Mengwi, Bali - Indonesia (D3) 
* Strawberry Park at Candikuning beside Beratan Lake - Bali, Indonesia (D3) 
* Pura Ulun Danau (Temple) at Bratan Lake, Bali (D3) 
* Pacung Indah Hotel And Restaurant at Bali (D3) 
* One of the Famous Balinese Seven Sea Temples - Tanah Lot Temple of Bali (D3)
* Bebek Bengil - The Dirty Duck Diner at Ubud, Bali (D3)
* The Legian Street (Jalan) at Kuta, Bali (D3) 
* Garuda Wisnu Kencana at Bukit Peninsula of Bali, Indonesia (D4) 
* Pura Luhur Uluwatu (Temple) at South Bali, Indonesia (D4) 
* Lia Cafe Seafood Restaurant at Jimbaran Bay, Bali (D4) 
*  Our Bali Humble Driver - Mr Agoes (D4)
*  Farewell Bali Island! (D5)

Location map of Tegallalang Rice Terrace


Thursday, June 24, 2010

Palace opposite Warung Ibu Oka at Ubud, Bali

After our early lunch at Warung Ibu Oka, we were definitely TOO full! Once we stepped out from the restaurant, I noticed there is a Palace across the road...I suggested to have a walk in Palace, because I can't sit in the car for travel another 1 hour more...
The entrance of the Palace

I have no idea what's the name of the Palace, but I felt very peaceful once I stepped in. It calm and beautiful. I just found a small area to sit down and enjoy the peaceful surrounding...
Quite a number of visitors that moment...after about 5 minutes of relax, I continue to Snap!
Sharing the photos below...

Another door which is not allow to enter

As I mention before, most of the roof of the Pagoda and temple are made from palm tree...

The roof made of Palm Tree

I can see the there was at least a foot thickness of the roof...

Stone carving were every corner...

Stone Carving

The above looks like Barong (correct me if I'm wrong)

I also found some musical instruments within the Palace...

Musical Instruments of the Palace

The Palace was Unique!
After about 30 minutes walk, I called the driver to continue our journey to Kintamani of Bali...

Bali 5 days 4 nights trip :-
* My Bali Trip on June 2010 (D1)
* Harris Resort at Kuta, Bali (D1)
* Made's Warung at Kuta Beach Road (Jalan Pantai Kuta), Kuta - Bali (D1)
* Babi Guling (Suckling pig) of Warung Ibu Oka at Ubud town, Bali (D2)
* Tegallalang Rice Terrace at North Ubud Town, Bali (D2)
* Kintamani and Mount Batur at North Bali, Indonesia (D2)
* Fruit Stall around Kintamani area, Bali (D2) 
* BAS Coffee Farm at Bali, Indonesia (D2) 
* TJ's Mexican Bar and Restaurant at Kuta, Bali (D2) 
* The Kuta Beach of Bali, Indonesia (D3) 
* Pura Taman Ayun (Temple) at Mengwi, Bali - Indonesia (D3) 
* Strawberry Park at Candikuning beside Beratan Lake - Bali, Indonesia (D3) 
* Pura Ulun Danau (Temple) at Bratan Lake, Bali (D3)
* Pacung Indah Hotel And Restaurant at Bali (D3)
* One of the Famous Balinese Seven Sea Temples - Tanah Lot Temple of Bali (D3) 
* Bebek Bengil - The Dirty Duck Diner at Ubud, Bali (D3) 
* The Legian Street (Jalan) at Kuta, Bali (D3) 
* Garuda Wisnu Kencana at Bukit Peninsula of Bali, Indonesia (D4) 
* Pura Luhur Uluwatu (Temple) at South Bali, Indonesia (D4) 
* Lia Cafe Seafood Restaurant at Jimbaran Bay, Bali (D4) 

*  Our Bali Humble Driver - Mr Agoes (D4)
*  Farewell Bali Island! (D5)

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Babi Guling (Suckling pig) of Warung Ibu Oka at Ubud town, Bali


The Babi Guling Warung Ibu Oka at Ubud, Bali

After a cup of coffee in Harris Resort, we heading to Kintamani for our 2nd day traveling in Bali. Along the way, we dropped by the Ubud town for our early lunch at the Famous Babi Guling (Suckling Pig) Warung Ibu Oka (S8 30.391 E115 15.747). (The Bali map from Navigasi.net had a huge offset on this restaurant)

The Babi Guling Ibu Oka restaurant is located at Jalan Sweta, Ubud Gianyar, Bali. Babi Guling is one of the Traditional Balinese dishes.
It was full during our visit! That was about 11am, we took about 20 minutes for our table. There are 2 area where you can dine indoor where you have to sit on the floor and outdoor with shading...

The indoor area where customers are sitting on the floor with low table. It's kind of similar with Japanese restaurant...

The outdoor area only have 3 tables and under the shaded by huge umbrella...

While waiting...I taken some photos where they prepared the foods. They were extremely busy serving the customers at the 'warung'.

Basically, it's similar with the roasted pork in Malaysia, it just roasted in Bali special recipe...

Employees were uniformed and prepare the foods seriously...


The above roasted pig was left about less than 10% before we leave the restaurant...

Some of my friend told me that, "You MUST try this suckling pig of Bali if you are visiting Bali! There are Plenty of restaurant selling 'Babi Guling', but you cannot miss the Babi Guling from Warung Ibu Oka!"

After about 10 minutes, the Delicious dishes were serve on our table! We did ordered a non-spicy for the children.

Quite a large portion was serve by the restaurant. Rp 25,000.00 (MYR9.00/USD2.50)

There were vegetables, intestines, crispy pork skin, roasted pork, spicy special sauce and rice in the package. The pork was roasted in the different way and special taste of it! Beside the pork, the great aroma of the rice made the food perfect! I Love it! But I felt slightly dry on the pork.
We took more than an hour to slowly enjoyed the delicious food!

Advised to have a coconut for the hot weather of Bali

The left over in the table...

“The family has been making babi guling for almost 60 years. Two generations of us. Originally, the business started at the market. I ran it there for the first five years after my parents-in-law died, and then moved the warung to Jl. Suweta 20 years ago,” she said of the business that now involves her whole family.

I noticed the customers come and leave Non-stop in this restaurant while we were enjoy the food, majority are tourist from all over the world and small portion of locals...Very GOOD business!

Rated : 4.5/5

Crowded dining area


Cute little girl with her parent

So if you are visit Bali, PLEASE give try on this Traditional Balinese Dishes!

Bali 5 days 4 nights trip :-
* My Bali Trip on June 2010 (D1)
* Harris Resort at Kuta, Bali (D1)
* Made's Warung at Kuta Beach Road (Jalan Pantai Kuta), Kuta - Bali (D1)
* Palace opposite Warung Ibu Oka at Ubud, Bali (D2)
* Tegallalang Rice Terrace at North Ubud Town, Bali (D2)
* Kintamani and Mount Batur at North Bali, Indonesia (D2) 
* Fruit Stall around Kintamani area, Bali (D2) 
* BAS Coffee Farm at Bali, Indonesia (D2) 
* TJ's Mexican Bar and Restaurant at Kuta, Bali (D2) 
* The Kuta Beach of Bali, Indonesia (D3)
* Pura Taman Ayun (Temple) at Mengwi, Bali - Indonesia (D3) 
* Strawberry Park at Candikuning beside Beratan Lake - Bali, Indonesia (D3) 
* Pura Ulun Danau (Temple) at Bratan Lake, Bali (D3) 
* Pacung Indah Hotel And Restaurant at Bali (D3) 
* One of the Famous Balinese Seven Sea Temples - Tanah Lot Temple of Bali (D3)
* Bebek Bengil - The Dirty Duck Diner at Ubud, Bali (D3)
* The Legian Street (Jalan) at Kuta, Bali (D3) 
* Garuda Wisnu Kencana at Bukit Peninsula of Bali, Indonesia (D4) 
* Pura Luhur Uluwatu (Temple) at South Bali, Indonesia (D4) 
* Lia Cafe Seafood Restaurant at Jimbaran Bay, Bali (D4) 

*  Our Bali Humble Driver - Mr Agoes (D4)
*  Farewell Bali Island! (D5)

Location map of Babi Guling Warung Ibu Oka at Ubud, Bali