Jakarta Chinese New Year 2020 Trip - Day 3

Day 3 - 春到大地.  No rain this morning and I started the day with a prayer at Vihara Satya Dharma with my father and Lincoln.  That was the first time Lincoln joined me and my father for new year's day prayers.   

Just Right For Spring - RX100 Mk3

Jakarta Chinese New Year 2020 Trip - Day 1

We just came back from Jakarta for Chinese New Year on Sunday.  It was a rather quick 4 days and 3 nights trip.  The most important thing is, we got to see 婆婆 again.  We departed from Changi Airport's Terminal 2 this time.  

Just Some Greenery Near The Eating Area - RX100 Mk3

Bali Holiday 2019 - Day 7

Last day in Bali…  We unwillingly left The Apurva Kempinski.  Unfortunately, responsibilities beckoned and we had to return to reality. 

The Apurva Kempinski's Courtyard Pond - Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Bali Holiday 2019 - Day 6

On Day 6, we didn't do anything much.  We just had a whole lot of good time in The Apurva Kempinski.

The Apurva Kempinski From The Beach - Galaxy Note 9

Bali Holiday 2019 - Day 5

I can safely say that day 5 officially started after we checked-in at The Apurva Kempinski.  By the time we entered our room it was already half past midnight. 

As soon as we opened the door into our 2^nd floor room we were greeted by a sculpture of a Javanese Candi (Hindunese or Buddhist temple).  

A Scultpure of a Javanese Candi Adorned The Entrance Into Our Room - A7R2 + Batis 2/25

Bali Holiday 2019 - Day 4

Day 4 was our last day in Padma Resort Ubud.  We had planned to checkout at 12 pm and transfer to Novotel Benoa near Nusa Dua.  Our package with Padma came with a complimentary transfer which we happily utilized for the transfer to Novotel Benoa.  Unfortunately the Novotel Benoa stay was going to abysmal, which I will elaborate on later.    

Before leaving Padma, the kids had one last chance to visit the Animal Garden which we did right after breakfast.  Lincoln & Lindsay really had a great time feeding the rabbits, guinea pigs, Kimi & Kumi and the pigeons.  

Linc & Lind Feeding Rabbits in Padma Ubud's Animal Garden - A7R2 + Batis 2/25

Bali Holiday 2019 - Day 3

For day 3 of our holiday, we decided that we should go beyond Ubud Centre.  Our morning started with the usual breakfast, followed by the kids enjoying themselves at the pool before we set out for Ubud Centre at noon. 

Lincoln & Lindsay Morning Swim - RX100 Mk3

Bali Holiday 2019 - Day 1

During the March school term break, we set off on a family holiday to Bali.  It’s been 4 years since our last trip to Bali back in 2015 and we were eagerly looking forward to this trip.  For this trip I was fully armed to the teeth, carrying my A7R2, a Batis 2/25, a newly acquired FE16-35mm F2.8 GM and also a newly acquired DJI Osmo Mobile 2.     

Let's Go! - RX100 Mk3

Jakarta Chinese New Year Trip – Day 3

Day 3 was New Year’s Eve.  It was a very relaxed day with plenty of time for us to explore and try out new and interesting places during the day. 

My wife suggested that we should try going to Bakmi Orpa in Jalan Malaka II near Kota Tua.  Bakmi Orpa is very well known as the most expensive noodle house around although most people who’ve been there agree that their signature noodle dish is very good.  So we were very curious to try this “bakmi Horang Kaya” - make sure you pronounce the "H" with a heavy grunt 😁😁.  My sister went along with us.

After following the directions on Google Maps, we finally arrived at Bakmi Orpa.  My sister went on a side dish ordering frenzy and ordered Pangsit Goreng, Baso Goreng & Pangsit Kuah.  We also ordered 5 bowls of noodles. 

Bakmi Orpa Shop Sign - A7RMk2 + Batis 2/25

Jakarta Chinese New Year Trip - Day 2

Day 2 was filled with fun and excitement for the kids, it was a Sunday and traffic was considerably light.  We started with breakfast at Mie Keriting Siantar 19 at the original Muara Karang market outlet.  It was a very tasty and satisfying breakfast.  

Mie Keriting Siantar 19 - A7RMk2 + Batis 2/25

After breakfast we went to nearby Bakpau A1 to get some snacks and then to Central Park in Tanjung Duren as my parents-in-law prepared to return to Purwokerto in the evening.  Lincoln and my wife had their haircut there while Lindsay and I just waited for them.  As Central Park was extremely crowded, we didn't go anywhere else and just waited at the hair salon. 

Jakarta Chinese New Year Trip - Day 1

As per usual practice in the last couple of years, we headed to Jakarta to celebrate Chinese New Year.  This time it was a 5 day trip.  We had the luxury of a longer trip courtesy of the weekend.  Flying by Garuda, we departed from Changi Airport's Terminal 3.  And this time, I had the opportunity to visit the Butterfly Garden with Lincoln prior to boarding the plane.  

Level 2 View of T3 Butterfly Garden @ Changi - A7RMk2 + Batis 2/25

Purwokerto Trip 2018 - Part 2

Day 2 started with breakfast at Soto Jalan Bank.  I can see a pattern here which takes place annually...  it's almost like a ritual every year - somehow we'll always go to Soto Jalan Bank on the following morning after our arrival.  But well..  no complaints....  I'm OK with Soto Jalan Bank.   Just look at that photo, it sure tastes as good as it looks.  

Soto Jalan Bank, a very nice rainy day treat - RX100 Mk3

Purwokerto Trip 2018 - Part 1

Hello December, a week has just passed.  And I couldn't think of a better way to start this month's entry than writing about our family trip to Purwokerto.    

We went on our trip just last Friday by taking a flight to Jakarta from where we'd take the train from Gambir train station to my wife's hometown, Purwokerto.  

Upon arrival in Jakarta we got onto the car and set for Pluit Village Mall for lunch at Bakmi Alok.  Again, I had forgotten to take any photos of the noodles.  😑

Going to Pluit - RX100 Mk3

Another Jakarta Trip 2018

About 2 weeks back in end September, I went to Jakarta for 公公's one year passing anniversary.  Instead of the usual Pullman Central Park, this time I decided to stay in PIK nearer to my grandparents' house as we will be going to the columbarium in Mangga Besar.  It was a 4 days and 3 nights stay, I went with just my wife.  Traveled light too carrying only my RX100 Mk3. 

This time I had the chance to experience the new Terminal 3 in Jakarta.  The new terminal looks fancy although it could do with better traffic flow idea.  I don't like how we were made to walk long distances just to reach the immigration counters.  

Going to baggage carousel in Terminal 3 - Galaxy A8+

Ranoh Island Adventure - Part 1

Last week I just came back from an island trip to Ranoh with Lincoln and a couple of friends.  Ranoh island is a small isle off Galang Baru island (and Batam), which is accessible by the Trans Barelang bridge, followed by a 30 minute ferry ride from a jetty.  For the whole of this first part I just used my Sony RX100 Mk 3.

Screenshot from Google Map, Ranoh Island, there you are

More Batam Trip

This is the 2nd trip to Batam this year, right after last month's trip...  I swear, the more trips I make, the heavier I'll get.  I can't stop eating every time I get to Batam, there's just too many good food around.

Doesn't look as good as my earlier shot, they taste better than they look

Chinese New Year 2018

Another year, another Chinese New Year in Jakarta.  Things are a bit different this time....  公公's absence was deeply felt.

We left on the morning of the new year's eve.

Waiting to board - A7RMk2 + Batis 2/25

November Purwokerto Trip

After I was done with all the business travel in October, it was time for a visit to Purwokerto in November to attend my BIL's wedding.  No fancy airliner, just flying no frills on Jetstar.  Travelled light too so I just had my RX100 Mk 3.

Waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting......

Surabaya Trip 2017

Just came back from a short trip to Surabaya to attend my brother in-law's engagement party.  This time around I only went as far as Tunjungan Plaza and did not venture further due to the function and limited time that we had to spare for the engagement party's preparations.

My parents' house, still looks just like how I left Surabaya more than 20 years ago.  This house is a time machine.

Surabaya Trip - Part 8

This will be the last entry for my Surabaya trip series.  Quite short too....  Day 9 was spent with the kids.  Again, I didn't bring my Sony as I wanted an easy day so I just used my G3.

We started the day by going to Livana to buy some spikoe cakes.  The cake shop is very near, just outside the roundabout in Jln. Mayjend Soengkono.  My wife, myself and the kids absolutely love Spikoe, so we never fail to get some whenever we're in Surabaya.  After that we went to Ciputra World to let the kids play around and just jalan-jalan.

On the way back Lindsay mentioned that she wanted ice cream.  That gave me an idea to try a new cafe in Kupang Indah.  It's a cafe specializing in matcha desserts and some Japanese food.  The place is called The Matcha Cafe (unsurprusingly....) - UPDATE: Matcha Cafe has since been closed.

Nutella parfait, green tea cake parfait, matcha latte - taken with LG G3