Going Older????

No no no,... 23... Ya ya, today I am 23.
First, Thank you to Almighty God for His blessing. Hohoho,... I am happy, but I am one year older again and again. Fufufu...

When I opened up my eyes, I checked my cell phone (as usual) and found few messages from my sweet friends. Thank you, let's go for party.

-to be continued... see you at 7 pm-

Details of the day...

It was July 17th, 2009. My birth date 23 years ago. I was born in a small peaceful village, namely Batungsel Village, part of Pupuan sub-district in Tabanan regency (2 hours drive from Denpasar). I have to thank God for the life He has given to me; these 23 years mean a lot for my day.

He was the first to say Happy Birthday to me but I am not going to talk about him any further. Last year, the best birthday present I got is my graduation day. I passed the final exam on July 5^th, 2008 and I got my degree on August 1^st, 2008. I feel blessed for the things I had. And, this year,… I did not have a special celebration for my birthday; but the people around made my day so special. I treated my colleagues in the fast food restaurant (as requested – it was cheap and fun…. Hahahaha…). We had fun, so much fun actually and I got my own birthday cake – the yummy black forest from one of my favourite bakery shop in town. Ough,… I had my own cake again; what a blessing day it was.

In the evening, I met my college friends. We made an arrangement to celebrate my birthday in fast food restaurant (again… with different brand of course). We got a lotta fun; it has been missing from my life for several months. I could not remember last time laughed that free. No birthday cake for this time, but they gave me some beautiful stuff that I am wearing one. We talked; we laughed; we shared some missing things that have not been shared yet due to our different working time and place. All gathered together; it was my second time to meet them. Ow ow ow… Miss this moment again. Should we have another gathering on August 16^th??

Those were some spicy moments I got on my birthday. OMG… I am 23; I am growing old and my time become shorter and shorter. Ouch, I do not one to remember the thing. I just want everything will run smoothly as the time passes by, I am sure I will get what I need in my life.

There are not many people know about my birthday since I made it. I do not want to be burdened by such date should be remembered each times. I just thank to all people who care about me; especially my mom, my brother and sister - I am blessed to be a part of our family. Nothing I can give yet, but I will do my best.

I have a wish; I have a dreams that I am going to make it comes true. I will fight for everything should be fought; I will never give up reaching the top. God, please show me the way; please keep me walk on the path you made so everything will be in place.

Over Night in Bunutan

What an amazing place I've visited last June. Bunutan Village and Padang Bai... I used to hear and visit Padang Bai, but neither Bunutan Village. After 2,5 hours ride, finally we reached the village. Bunutan Village is located in the south east part of Bali, close to Amed. Nothing very special actually all along the way, except the beaches view as I seen in some other places. Nice, natural and beautiful but there's one thing that surprised me. The food they eat...

When I came to Bunutan Village with couples of friends, I visited Pak Tumben, local person who helped us with the accommodation and treat us like a king. As other local people, his house is very simple and far from lux; but the way he treated us, served us showed the innocence of the villagers. I did not see that he served us for money, but he did it because he appreciated us who please to come and visit him. When we asked how many should we pay for his services; he only asked some cigarettes to accompany him fishing in the next day. Ya, fishing... they fish to provide all their needs. I amazed the way he served us,... purely, without asking anything.

After he took us to find the cheap place to stay, he invited us to have dinner at his home. Rejecting his invitation was not a good idea after all of his kindness. But it was hard for to accept but I did not want to make him dissappointed... so, I came. The menu was ikan bakar (grill fish) and sambal ala pak tumben (totally hot n spicy sambal), traditional pop corn (he called it Jagung Empuk) and ofcourse nasi jagung. At the first time, I thought it was nasi (rice) mixed with jagung (corn) as I've known but when he and his wife served it,.... Surprise!!!!! It was not nasi mixed with jagung, but totally jagung... I couldn't eat it since made me full in the second spoon. So, I ate all the grill fish served and left the nasi jagung. I asked how to make nasi jagung; do all people have the same nasi in Bunutan, and many more. He explained patiently; answered one by one so, I felt to the ambience.

After dinner, I tried to find cool place to chat with my friends. Unfortunately, there was no night life available. Only one cafe I could find, it was in Bella Vienna Hotel's area (right in front of the hotel I stayed). They served hot and cold drink only, and we chat 'till mid night, played guitar and sang. What a peacefull place I visited; so different with Kuta which has so many night life spot.

Nasi Jagung,... I never imagine how it looked like since the one I knew is nasi mixed with jagung. Hhhh,... Let's leave the nasi jagung and also the peacefull night... Bunutan does not have many swimming spot. But, the one I know is the swimming spot right in front of the hotel we stayed. Nice, almost no local people I found... that's why I wore my bikini and enjoyed the sun burned my skin. ^___^

That was my real vacation after all busy days I got. I planned to go there again, but it needs an extra time and extra cost. Let's save some money to have another peacefull holiday.

My New Blog

Ok, let's start the first writing of my blog.

It's been so long a never write something on my blog even on my manual journal. There're a lot of things should be shared to others. My experiences; my daily life; my activities; tourist sites I've visited; and many more.

Well, the first I would like to share is my experience in Amed (the eastern part of Bali) and Padang Bay beach.

Amed

It is located in the south east corner of Bali Island, takes around 2,5 - 3 hours ride from Denpasar. The landscape is a series of headlands overlooking bays, lined with fishing boats. The local economy is supported by farming cattle and corn, fishing, diving and the hotel trade. The hole area is connected by one narrow road. And there are few villages along the way, Bunutan Village (where I stayed for two days), Lipah and Selang Village.

Amed is a right place to visit for those need a quiet place to relaxing body and mind or getting out from rush routines. There's no night lifes here, but there're some tradional dances held by the hotel around in certain days. For those love snorkeling and diving; welcome to one of the best snorkeling and diving site in Bali. For this, Amed is well known by European visitors.

How to go there??
From Denpasar, heading to By Pass Sanur and then its split in two and you may take the one going right which which will turn into the coastal highway heading east. You can make Candi Dasa in 1,5 hours and after going through Tirtaganga, reach Amed proper in about 2 hours or less depending on how fast you go, how many times you stop etc. Distances are deceptive out here, so allow yourself 4 hours and you’ll be good. ^___^

Places to Over Night??
Well, there're several places to stay along the area. But, when I was there, I stayed in Bunutan Village in a small hotel that only cost IDR 150.000 per night. The room consists of one master bed, TV, refridge, bath tub and the rate is included breakfast (you may choose the menu you want to have for breakfast), very standard but nice to stay in. In front of the hotel I stayed (Gee, I forgot the name of the hotel), there is another hotel (Bella Vienna Hotel) that has higher rate but has a better view rather than the one I stayed. It is right in front of the beach (beach view), the room rate is from IDR 450.000 per night and sure, you will feel comfort here. The other hotels along this area (Amed - Bunutan Village) are varies in rate, but the lowest rate would be IDR 100.000 - IDR 150.000.

Activities you can do in Amed??
As I stated above, Amed is well known as one of the best diving and snorkeling site in Bali. You may go swimming (there's swmming spot in the beach area of Bella Vienna Hotel), diving, and sure snorkeling. There're several diving companies that would love to serve you and enjoy your snorkeling/diving experience.

Here are some diving centres for your reference:

Amed Cafe Divers
(0363)23473
At Amed Cafe (Pondok Kebun Wayan)

Amed Dive Center
(0363)23462
At Hotel Ayah.

Eco-Dive
(0363)23482

Euro Dive
(0363)23469
In Congkang

Stingray
(0363)23479
At Diver’s Cafe & Bungalows

Wirata Dive School
(0363)23523
At Puri Wirata in Bunutan

Padang Bai

Well well, here's the heaven of diving, snorkeling, and swimming spot. I did not go for diving here but I did snorkeling and swimming here. For your information, this area is located in the Padang Bai Harbour and close to this harbour there are some diving spot such as Blue Lagoon that very well known for the varies fish found. But, close to the diving spot there will be fishing spot that seems decreasing the varies or quantity of the fish. In the other part of the harbour (unfortunately, I forgot to ask the name of the area, but I am going to find out), there is swimming spot that has a natural environtment since there are not people come, but this area seems will be closed for public right after the building process of one hotel/resort above the area agreed by the local government. Bad news??? For me, YES!!

Padang Bai, can be reached in 1,5 - 2 hours ride (again, it depends on how fast you ride or drive). A lot of bungalows and small hotel can be found in this area and they are right before the harbour. They have a very low rate accomodation, around IDR 80.000 for local per night or IDR 150.000 for tourist, and ofcourse there also another big hotel that has higher rate.

I found the cheap one, but last time I went there, I did not stay since I got to get back to work. Fufuffu, next time will be!!!