I am bubbling over with excitement even though it is 11.24pm and I am usually in bed at this time. Reason being, NJ has gone to shower and I thought I would see if I can get into my multiply site (inaccessible for months now). And suddenly - ta dah!!!!! I wonder how long before Beijing cuts me off again and I have to resort to facebook again. Which is great for time wasting but not the best place to blog and tell my old grandmother stories.
woooo hoooo. Maybe my Mac is clean... and the only bugs the government have planted are in NJ's laptop... haven't read Kenny Sia's blog in a while but saw a link to it via Jason's gmail status thing today and clicked on it and started browsing through his entries since i last logged on. Found something very close to my heart : http://www.kennysia.com/archives/2005/12/everiday_shangh.php See if that doesn't make you want to laugh hysterically. I am going to have to acquire a new digital camera soon and take pics of some of the signs here in Beijing because they may soon be a thing of the past - one of the things they are doing for the 2008 Olympics apart from the No Spitting campaign (which clearly has passed my aiyi by) is revising all the English signs on public amenities and shops. So a great source of amusement may soon be gone. There is a car accessory shop near Beijing Riviera which does car dressing. How intriguing. Will attempt to take a shot of that asap. We are going camera shopping this weekend.  Penn was on camera duty at PJ Hilton on 12th April 2007 (thanks Penn!) so if you want to check out the photos go to bluebeesbuzz.multiply.com
I think she was slightly obsessed by the kids there... though for some reason Haley churme evaded her camera. Why???   Like all my good fashion tips, this one came from Hooi Ping who must spend a lot of time in hair salons judging by the number of fashion mags she gets through.
Plaza Damas now has more and more interesting shops - went to Little Treasure Box a while ago, and yesterday managed to insinuate my sweaty post-yoga self into Rockin' Reptile before they shut at 8pm.
The shop itself is the kind that makes you want to SHOP. Designed like some indulgent boudouir, with chandeliers hanging from the ceilings and jewel toned shoes of all shapes and sizes just asking to be tried on. They even have a couch for the fed up boyfriend/husband to sit on and wait.
According to the salesgirl, the shoes are designed locally but made in Hong Kong. The older stuff (on the flat platform in the middle of the shop) only go up to size 39 (which sucks as apparently i am a 40). But the good news is that the new stuff goes up to 41. I was there for the glittery stuff because let's face it when everyday is a chore, trying to decide what you can stuff your walrusing self into, it's nice to have pretty things you can still fit into.
Bad news, the glittery stuff is last season so there's not many left, especially as they only make a certain number of each design and they don't repeat them. Still, I managed to find 2 pairs that I convinced myself I needed.
There were also some very yummy looking pink and brown pony haired mules but they didn't come in my size. Tried some brown leather wedges but the soles curve upwards at the front (like most wedges) and I was convinced by Suats that I would be falling on my face in them, especially when the walrus gets bigger.
New stock comes in in 2 weeks - lots of reds this time apparently so that would be a good time to go back for a repeat visit. Also they are opening up in Mid valley soon - though i was told that the targetted market is the 18-35 yr olds. In other words, funkier stuff like sequined sport shoes.
So next time you are in Plaza Damas (or even if not) check out Rockin reptile - it is on the row opposite Yoga Zone (same row as Jushi), further down on the right if you are coming from the direction of the escalator. I should be posting these under Links but for some reason Multiply now doesn't allow me to illustrate each link with a photo which means it looks boring and people probably won't check out the link.
When I surf in between doing work (which has become a habit - I now can't work without the option of switching to a more interesting page) I find such interesting things that I think have to be shared.
Consider the PLANK yoga mats designed by Doreen Hing - how cool to practise on a yoga mat which looks like a solid piece of wood but with a half eaten muffin in the corner to spur you on. Or a shag pile with your palm prints imbedded in it. They are only about USD120 each (ULP). I think someone here needs to pirate this idea.Otherwise check them out at www.plankdesigns.com
PS. PLANK has bags and other yoga related stuff as well but they aren't as exciting as the yoga mats.    Next time you are in Hanoi, go check out Ipa Nima at 17, Nha Tho. SOME of her bags are sold by Quintessential in Parkson KLCC and Carmen Z in Lot 10 but they are sold for a fraction of the price in her Hanoi shops.
I found her boutique in Hanoi the first time i was there in the late 90s then revisited it when I was back in 2004. She has 2, one called Ipa Nima and housed in a stand alone building decorated as some decadent boudoir and one called Twinkle Toes or something equally chi chi in the old quarter of Hanoi (59G Hai Ba Trung)
To drool over what is available check out www.ipa-nima-boutique.com
    Was reading Australian Vogue Living (I think there is only an Australian Vogue Living, not a UK or US one, strangely enough).. anyway was reading it and saw these rather funky lamps on one of the pages and went to check the website out. www.mixxo.com.au
How cool are they??? Apparently they are made from high quality digital prints of original artworks by Ainslie Fletcher. The website is all flash so I can't lift any photos of it but it's worth a look.
For a more accessible option, I found this Singaporean designer who makes fairly cool lampshades too - but from fabric, and though they aren't really a cheaper option, going at S$229 or thereabouts, they are really rather desirable as well.... www.halfbaked-ideas.com
Contrary to what a lot of you think, the photos in the Singapore trip album were not all taken at Sunita and Mun Yew's apartment (though I am sure they will be very chuffed to realise people thought they lived in a house with a staircase like the one in New Majestic Hotel's). It IS Singapore after all, where space is limited - NOBODY i know lives like that, come on.
Anyway in order of appearance of photos, these were the places Sunita and I went to:
- Lorgan's Retro Shop, Pasir Panjang - funky furniture and fittings from the 50's till 70's www.lorgans.com
- Sia Huat, 7-11 Temple Street - a veritable treasure trove of kitchen ware. You can practically anything here relating to cooking, baking, catering, and serving.
- Hotel 1929, No. 50, Keong Saik Road - tiny boutique hotel with funky designer chairs www.hotel1929.com (wanted to check out Ember, the restaurant attached to it but it was shut. Open Mon-Fridays, and just dinner on Sats. Closed all Sun)
- Whatever Shop 18,20 Keong Saik Road (and also across the road) - nice cafe/shop with a very new agey vibe - across the road they have yoga studios. Was tempted to have tea and cake there as it smelt amazing, but we thought we'd have tea at New Majestic and slowly appreciate the furnishings - that idea bombed as New Majestic DON'T do tea in the lobby. www.whatever.com.sg
- Hotel New Majestic, 31-37 Bukit Pasoh Road - sister hotel of 1929; also has funky designer chairs, slightly larger rooms (with higher price tag) and unfinished lobby ceilings www.newmajestichotel.com
- Scarlet Hotel, 33 Erksine Road - very lush red and opulent boudoir looking boutique hotel with a restaurant called Desire. Just don't try the wagyu beef burger. www.thescarlethotel.com
- Eggthree - this was not in the photos but is a gift shop on the same road as Scarlet Hotel which deserves a look. Sunita bought the appetiser bowls and saucers (holding the sun dried tomatoes and olives in the photos) there and I bought some funky melamine salad spoons - made in Vietnam but designed in New York apparently. www.eggthree.com
- Galerie Cho Lon, 43, Jalan Merah Saga, Holland Village - amazing shop full of curios, kitsch, inhouse painted china and small furniture. Unfortunately, rather expensive.
- The Turquoise Room, 7 Lock Road (Gillman Village) [2nd photo] - located amongst lush greenery with a rustic paint-peeling beach cafe feel, and serving very good starters (which is all we had) and bellinis.
- PS Cafe, 28B Harding Road (Dempsey Road area) [1st photo] - just too trendy cafe where you have to make reservations for dinner weeks in advance. Just go for the brunch from 9.30am - we didn't have to queue! Located in square glass enclosed bunker type building, surrounded by green. Chockfull of ang mohs.
- Rouge boutique, Block 16, Dempsey Road [3rd photo]- mainly clothes by French Cambodian designer Romyda Keth, with some cool plexiglass lamps by Catherine Denoual. Bought a suede bag there with interesting embroidered circles on it for S$65. www.rouge.com.sg
   1. Don't bother.
2. Hooi Ping already bought anything of worth there.  Something I learnt over the weekend: You absolutely CANNOT microwave frozen puff pastry to help the thawing process along.
The fats in the pastry melt and it gets soggy and... don't even think of adding flour to it in an attempt to save it. (Like I did).
Only place for it is the trashcan. Sigh. This was after I spent 1/2 an hour making lovely soffrito (caramelized onions to you non-cooking plebs). So in the end i put it in pita bread with brie and made Nai Jit eat it for his World Cup supper (roughly about midnight).
PS Can you tell I am reading an Italian cookbook.. it is called "Dear Francesca" by Mary Contini and is written like a long letter from a mother to daughter, and has bits of social history, cooking advice (her wedding list of cooking utensil must-haves for her daughter is very useful) and recipies. Very interesting. Available at the British Council (which I now actually am a member of!!)
Another useful thing I learnt over the weekend - you absolutely CANNOT whisk egg whites into any semblance of stiffness if there are specks of egg yolk in the whites. I learnt this after trying to whisk it for 1/2 an hour (Not whisked egg whites in ages, forgotten it is actually supposed to only take a couple of minutes) Actually, i whisked it for about 10 mins, made Nai Jit do it the rest of the time. He now has a sore shoulder. Men are wusses. Bluebird is the best taxi company in Bali. Originating in Jakarta, Bluebird has been around for over 30 years. They also have a car rental service, offering new, clean cars.
Passenger vans for rent include Luxury Van Mazda E2000, and the Kijang LGX. Toyota Soluna, and Toyota Alphard. Mercedes are also available.
The car rental arm of Bluebird is called Golden Bird, and in Bali there are outlets at Grand Hyatt Bali, Bali Hyatt Resort, Sheraton Nusa Indah Resort & Bali International Convention Center, Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua, Nikko Bali Resort & Spa, Ramada Bintang Bali, Bali Cliff Resort, The Ritz Carlton Bali and Hard Rock Hotel Bali.
You can rent by the hour, day, long term rental, or with driver. If you are in need of a car call the Bluebird number (0361) 701111.
Taken from www.baliblog.com which has lots of useful information gathered by this mat salleh living there. 
OK Guys this is the map you have been waiting for.
Villa Mari Dadi is on the next road on from Villa Sungai Tinggi (i.e to the left of it)
Those of you in Bolare Beach Villas - you can see you aren't that far away but there's no road running along the beach to connect so you need to go up and over to Canggu. Same for Villa Seri (in Batu Belig).
From Seminyak it is along fairly major roads so will not be a problem. Same goes for Mia Villa people - you are in Umalas, so up and along the main roads to get to Villa Mari Dadi.
Those in Nusa Dua - just prepare for a LONGGGG drive. VISA REGULATIONS
The government of Indonesia has changed its visa policy for foreign tourists effective February 1st., 2004. Visiting Indonesia Without Any Visa
Entering Indonesia without any visa is possible now only for nationals of the following 11 countries and territories: Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Citizens of the above countries will be issued on arrival a stay permit for 30 days free of charge upon presentation of a passport which is valid at least for another 6 months. This stay permit cannot be extended or converted into another type of visa. VISA on ARRIVAL (VoA)
This facility is available for nationals of the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Citizens of these countries will be able to apply for a VoA valid for either 3 or 30 days upon arrival by air in Bali, Jakarta and a few other international airports or by ship at a limited number of Indonesian sea ports. A 3-day visa costs US$10 and a 30-day visa costs US$25.
The VoA cannot be extended or converted into any other kind of visa. Also be aware that Immigration officials calculate the 30-day period as follows: your arrival day is counted as your first day, and you must leave the country on the 30th. day!
| 14 More Countries to Receive VoA Facilities from August 1st, 2005
Quoted in the Bali Post, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin told the press on Friday, July 8th, 2005, that he had now issued a formal decision (No. M-05.IZ.01.10 2005) addressing changes in the VOA policy and setting the implementation date for August 1, 2005.
14 new countries will be added to the existing list of 21 countries eligible to purchase a visa upon arrival in Indonesia. The validity of short term visa costing US$10 will be extended from three to seven days; the validity of the US$25 thirty-day visa remains unchanged.
According to the Bali Post, the 14 new countries eligible to obtain visas on arrival include Austria, Belgium, China, Egypt, India, Ireland, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Maldives, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Spain. | How to Obtain the "VISA on ARRIVAL" (VoA)
Travelers from the above countries must be in posession of a passport which is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival and the completed embarkation/disembarkation card they received from their airline. They must also be able to prove they have sufficient funds for their stay in Indonesia.
Arriving travelers with Visa-On-Arrival status have to go first to one of the 'VoA Counters' to pay the appropriate fee and have their passports stamped with the VoA before proceeding to the Immigration Clearance Desk. An official bank is part of the VoA service counters. Payment of visa fees can only be made in US dollar bank notes, Indonesian Rupiah equivalent or by VISA or MASTERCARD.
Requirement of a Visa Before Arrival
Citizens of countries neither on the VoA nor Visa-Free lists are required to apply for a visa overseas before travelling to Indonesia. Nationals of ALL countries planning to stay for more than 30 days in Indonesia also have to apply for the appropriate visa (tourist, business, social-cultural, etc.) at an overseas Indonesian Consulate or Foreign Mission before departing for Indonesia. In case you guys were wondering where the heck Seminyak, Legian and Canggu are...
These are hotels I found on the net, some through recommendations on blogs. They sound pretty good plus they are a whole lot cheaper than the earlier batch recommended by the Indonesian planner. Actually I have found that if you just call them up direct and negotiate with them, you can get a much better rate than if you use agents.. also bear in mind 25 March 2006 is low season, at the tail end of the monsoon.
BALI AGUNG VILLAGE SEMINYAK
Jalan Abimanyu, Seminyak, Bali
www.bali-islandhotels.net/seminyak/bali-agung-village/index.php3
Twin rooms start from USD30 nett per night
This hotel was reviewed on this site: www.baliblog.com/hotels/articles/001001.shtml
SUBALIKU RESORT HOTEL
Kerobokan
www.balidiscovery.com/white/hotels/printhotel.asp?Id=137
Studio (double) starts from USD50.00 nett (i.e. inclusive of tax/service and breakfast)
THIS IS NEARER CANGGU THAN EVEN SEMINYAK SO GOOD CHOICE..
COURTYARD HOTELS AND APARTMENTS
Boutique hotel in Legian
http://www.bali-travelnet.com/hotels/courtyard_bali/index.html
Superior room at USD52.00 nett (i.e. inclusive of tax/service and breakfast)
GREEN GARDEN BEACH RESORT & SPA
Tuban, South Kuta Beach
Go to http://www.bali-travelnet.com/hotels/greengarden-resort/index.html
USD42.00 nett for a standard room (inclusive tax/service and breakfast)
LIKE HARRIS THIS MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT OF A TREK TO CANGGU..
HARRIS HOTEL
Tuban
Go to http://www.bali-travelnet.com/hotels/harris_tuban/index.html
435,000 Rp nett (that is about RM170) for a standard room (inclusive of service/tax and breakfast)
Vic has walked past this place and says it looks very nice!!!
WE DROVE PAST THIS ON THE WAY TO THE LEGIAN PARADISO AND IT DID LOOK VERY NICE.. THE ONLY THING IS, IT IS VERY FAR FROM CANGGU SO YOU WOULD HAVE A HIKE AND A HALF TO GET FROM HERE TO THE VILLA..
HOTEL BARONG
Kuta
http://www.bali-travelnet.com/hotels/barong_cottages/index.html
USD31.00 for standard double room (including tax/service and breakfast)
PURI CENDANA RESORT
Seminyak
http://www.bali-travelnet.com/hotels/puri_cendana/index.html
USD30.00 for superior double room (including tax/service and breakfast)
POPPIES COTTAGE
Legian
http://www.bali-travelnet.com/hotels/poppies_bali/index.html
USD65.00 for standard double room (including tax/service but no breakfast)
This place has been around for ages: the first time i went to Bali, it was THE place to stay - it is really pretty and despite being in a rather busy part of town, manages to seem secluded.
SAW THE TINY LANE LEADING TO THE POPPIES COTTAGES AND RESTAURANT..AND ALSO PICKED UP A LEAFLET OFFERING RATES LOWER THAN WHAT I HAVE HERE - AND THEY SAY IF YOU CALL THEM DIRECTLY THEY WILL GIVE YOU 50% OFF. WILL POST THE INFO UP SOON. ONLY THING IS IT IS LOCATED QUITE FAR DOWN SOUTH TOO, SO AGAIN A BIT OF A DISTANCE TO TRAVEL.
And these 2 are used by MAS and Airasia packages:
SAPHIR MABISA INN
Legian
http://www.bali-travelnet.com/hotels/mabisa_inn/index.html
USD32.00 for a double deluxe room (inclusive tax and service charges)
LEGIAN PARADISO HOTEL
Legian
http://www.bali-travelnet.com/hotels/legian_paradiso/index.html
USD40.00 for a standard garden (double) room (inclusive of tax/service and breakfast)
This is where NJ and I are staying this weekend - on the MAS golden holidays package - so will let you guys know if it is ok or whether you should run screaming in the opposite direction (after first writing a nasty letter to MAS).
ALL I CAN SAY IS.. RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!! EITHER THAT OR NEGOTIATE FOR A MUCH LOWER RATE AND ASK FOR THE ROOMS ROUND THE POOL AS THEY LOOK WAY NICER AND NEWER. | |
