Lippo Cikarang Mall, Bekasi, Indonesia

Once our stomach filled up, we continue our journey to the nearest shopping mall : Lippo Cikarang Mall (S6°20.039' E107°08.186'), trying to buy some souvenirs for my wife and daughter. (The information about the mall was given by the Hotel staffs)

'Angkot' (Angkotan Kotaraya) - The public transportation of Cikarang, and maybe the whole of Indonesia.

We were waiting across the street of the Hotel for cab, suddenly there was a kind of 'Van without the side door' approaching us and ask : "Where are you going?" (in Indonesia language). We reply : "Lippo Cikarang Shopping Mall". The driver said he will take us there ans ask us to jump in to his 'Van'! Kind of curious, we just hop-in...
Along the road (Jalan Cikarang-Cibarusah), we saw many villages and also many small stalls, I mean 'many'!

The pictures I took on 'Angkot'

After 5 minutes drive, the 'Van' was full of Indonesian passengers. We enjoyed the view along the way, 15 minutes later....we reached the Mall. The driver was kind enough to inform us! The journey is about 4.5km and the fares was IDR3,000.00 = MYR0.90. It's cheap!

The time was about 9pm (Indonesia time) when we arrived at the mall. I started to look around, and hoping to see any unique souvenirs....
This shop "Batik Keris" caught our attention of the local batik product. I think Quachee will love it very much! I bought a small unique purse made by coconut shell and a small cute little batik bag. Beside that, there are some other stuffs I grap too! Haha!
The damages of all the souvenirs I bought : IDR57,000.00 = MYR17.80

Lippo Cikarang Shopping Mall

We meet a friendly & helpful guy on the 'Angkot' while on the way back to hotel. His name is Sunarto, working as a Project Enginner of Muitistrada. He speaks very good English! And help us to communicate with the driver of the hotel location. (We having problem in communicate the local language) It's nice to meet the locals....

Peoples here are 'friendly'. I was so surprised. Because from the news on TV and newspaper we read before about the perception, actually it's totally different here! The security along the road will definitely wave their hand to you with a courtesy smile while you walk pass!!

I had a chat with my client who migrated from Malaysia to Indonesia (10 years ago) about the surrounding. The words from her was really a shock to me! She said she is not even hear a single robbery case within a year! She felt more secure living in Indonesia than Malaysia!
I feel more positive towards the country...

Many small stall like this along the Jalan Cikarang-Cibarusah (Local Culture)

As usual, the second night end with few bottles of Bintang local beer....

Related posts :-
* My First Impression of Jakarta, Indonesia
* Pesona Hotel at Lippo Cikarang, Indonesia
* Roas Rasa Makanan Sunda Restaurant at Cikarang - Bekasi, Indonesia
* Cikarang, Indonesia
* Jakarta International Airport, Indonesia
* My Indonesia Trip on March 2009

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Roas Rasa Makanan Sunda Restaurant at Cikarang - Bekasi, Indonesia

After I finished all my tasks, that was about 5pm Indonesia time. I went back to hotel and meet my friend. Take a rest in the hotel, then we start looking for dinner...

We decided this restaurant which is just beside the hotel :
Roas Rasa
Rumah Makan Khas Sunda
Ruko Cikarang Commercial Centre
Blok B No. 17, 18, 19
Jalan Raya Cikarang Cibarusah,
Pintu Tol Cikarang Barat,
Cikarang Bekasi,
Indonesia.
Tel : +62 21 89835731/2

Roas Rasa Makanan Sunda Restaurant

The environment inside...

The restaurant seems like serving the authentic local foods that we were looking for...

Our order as below :-
1) Gepuk (x3) (Fried Beef)
2) Udang Goreng Tusuk (x2) (Deep Fried Shrimps)
3) Lalap+Sambal (x1) (Vegetables)
4) Rice (x2)
5) Pepes Jamur (x1) (Vegetables)
6) Pepes Oncom (x1) (Vegetables)
7) Classic Chocolate Milkshake (x2)

The sambal was good!

The meal was excellent!! I love the Beef and the Shrimps very much!!

The damage was :-
1) Beef - IDR31,500.00 for 3
2) Shrimps - IDR23,000.00 for 2 (total 10)
3) Vegetables - IDR15,500.00 for 3
4) Rice - IDR8,000.00 for 2
5) Chocolate Milkshake - IDR29,000.00 for 2

All total : IDR112,200.00 (Included tax) (MYR35.00)
I rated the foods : 4/5

The astray on every table

Even in the restaurant is air-conditional, but everyone were smoking....no wonder I read some articles of Indonesia before said that Indonesia is the Heaven for Smokers!
It was so lucky the restaurant have the water features beside to chase all the smoke away....

The water feature of the Restaurant

Related posts :-
* My First Impression of Jakarta, Indonesia
* Pesona Hotel at Lippo Cikarang, Indonesia
* Lippo Cikarang Mall, Bekasi, Indonesia
* Cikarang, Indonesia
* Jakarta International Airport, Indonesia
* My Indonesia Trip on March 2009

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Pesona Hotel at Lippo Cikarang, Indonesia.

Pesona Hotel (S6°18.677' E107°08.521')
The hotel located not far away after the Toll of Cikarang from the exit of the Jakarta - Cikampek Highway. And it's convenience because Carrefour Hypermarket just about 300 meters away...
Provided Shuttle Bus from Hotel to Soekarno Hatta International Airport.

The Pesona Boutique Hotel

The lobby of the hotel.

The Toll Plaza of Cikarang

The hotel was just started merely 1 year ago, and it's clean. The room had been arranged for me was the Deluxe room (with 2 buffet breakfast) and the rate was IDR375,000.00 (About MYR116.00 after conversion). This was the corporate rate booked by my client.

The room with queen size bed

The Bathroom

I had my buffet breakfast at the 1st Floor Restaurant on the next morning. The foods were normal and simple...
The restaurant environment was clean and neat.

The 24 hour restaurant

The simple buffet breakfast had been served since 6am to 10am

Beside the indoor air-conditional area, you also can chose the outdoor session...

The hotel was having their expansion renovation during my visit. They are expanding from 70 rooms to more than 100 rooms.

Hotel Pesona
Jalan Industri Komersial No.1,
Cikarang Selatan - Bekasi 17550
Indonesia.
Tel : (021)8984-1111
Fax : (021)8984-2108

Room rates :-
1) Superior - IDR484,000.00
2) Deluxe - IDR544,000.00
3) Deluxe Extra - IDR605,000.00
4) Junior Suite - IDR726,000.00
5) Executive Suite - IDR1,028,000.00
6) Suite - IDR1,149,000.00

The above rates are include 21% of tax & service, and buffet breakfast for two persons.

After I finished my breakfast, the driver (from my client) picked me up to my client office which located nearby Jalan Damar of the Industries Area...

Related posts :-
* My First Impression of Jakarta, Indonesia
* Roas Rasa Makanan Sunda Restaurant at Cikarang - Bekasi, Indonesia
* Lippo Cikarang Mall, Bekasi, Indonesia
* Cikarang, Indonesia
* Jakarta International Airport, Indonesia
* My Indonesia Trip on March 2009

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My First Impression of Jakarta, Indonesia

I went to Jakarta for 2 days business trip and back on Friday night. It was a totally new environment and experience for me, and it's also my first time in Jakarta.

The cost of the return flight for Airasia is MYR440.00 included tax, this is a direct flight from Senai to Jakarta.

The plane touched down around 2255hrs Indonesia time (2355hrs Malaysia time). I was picked up by the driver arranged by the client from the Airport. He will sent me to the Hotel which been arranged. The journey from airport to Hotel was total 1 hour 30 minutes!
I told myself....this is not Jakarta anymore! I'm curious and ask the driver : "Where am I?" He replied : "This is Lippo Cikarang".
Oh! Great! I never expect that I can experience my trip out of Jakarta. (But maybe it's still under the Jakarta District).

Along the way, I saw cars & trucks everywhere. The traffic here is really heavy and congested! There were motorist riding their motorcycle without "Helmet", I believe this is common over here.
The Highway looks clean and wide (4 lanes & 1 emergency lane), and the Toll fees are cheap (compare to Malaysia). The driving style here is danger, they cut in to your lane without any prior signal! I think I can't drive over here...Haha!
The popular cars here are Toyota. It capture almost 70% of the local market! Beside that, "Kijang" also easily seen...it's also a Toyota car.

When we passed by Jakarta town, high rise buildings are everywhere and there were many tall buildings still under construction...

Another situation I noticed over here is....there's no restriction for smoking even in a Air-Conditional area, especially restaurants. I think it's bad for non-smoker....

The driver brought me to a Chinese restaurant for supper before the hotel, that was my first meal after touched down! The owner of the restaurant is from Singapore and he's a friendly guy!
I ordered the Singapore Mee-hun (Vermicelli), and the taste was not bad. It cost IDR17,800, which is similar to MYR5.50. I felt it's cheap because of the size...

Sin Ma Restaurant & Cafeteria
Jalan Galeria Singaraja,
Blok E 28K,
Lippo Cikarang - Bekasi 17550
Tel : (021) 8990-6838

This is the Only Chinese Restaurant I saw along the way from airport to Hotel. After the supper, it was almost 2am (Indo time) in the morning. I quickly check-in the hotel with one bottle of Bintang (local beer) and that end my first day at Jakarta.

Related posts :-
* Pesona Hotel at Lippo Cikarang, Indonesia.
* Roas Rasa Makanan Sunda Restaurant at Cikarang - Bekasi, Indonesia
* Lippo Cikarang Mall, Bekasi, Indonesia
* Cikarang, Indonesia
* Jakarta International Airport, Indonesia
* My Indonesia Trip on March 2009

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Restuarant U (Thai food) at Batu Pahat, Johor

(N1°51.587' E103°00.322')
Visited one of my buddy (Lee) who operating a minimart at Batu Pahat which is opposite of Sharp Roxy Factory.
We been invited by him to one of the Restaurant nearby for dinner. This is a Authentic Thai Restaurant operated by a Siamese.

All order made by Lee. He did a very good recommendation!!

Our order :-
1) Vegetables
2) Thai Style Fried chicken (for kids, cause they can't take spicy)
3) Omelette
4) Sweet sour Squid
5) Thai Style Steam Fish
6) Authentic Thai Tomyam

Vegetables

Thai Style Fried Chicken

Omelette

Sweet Sour Squid

Thai Style Steam Fish

Authentic Thai Tomyam

We really enjoyed the dinner very much!
The Tomyam was not the normal type that we can have it everywhere. It was Excellent! Same goes with the Squid and the Steam Fish!
If you happen here and you can take spicy, these are the dishes that you MUST try! Cannot miss!

The total damage : MYR120.00 (For 4 adults and 2 children)
The cost was reasonable!
I rated : 4.6/5

I called this is a 'Hidden' Thai Food Restaurant!

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Gunung Ledang Resort (Mount Ophir), Johor

Gunung Ledang Resort located at the foothill of Gunung Ledang (Mount Ophir) (N2°20.956' E102°38.166').

It seems like the whole resort refurnished. It's looks nice and clean! I cannot remember my last visit....

The Reception of the Resort

I love this place very much! Especially the nature! It's actually a nice place for breakaway!
Let me show you some pictures of the Resort...

The first signboard you see once you enter the Resort territory...

On your left, there are ATV for rent...

Further in, you reach the Resort Reception (The first picture above), the swimming pool on the right once you enter the lobby...

I just parked my car right on the front of the Chalet.

Chalet of the Gunung Ledang Resort

There are total of 4 rows of the chalet, I believe this the standard chalet which is MYR150.00 per day.

Beautiful landscape and clean...

The room rate :-
Deluxe Room - MYR200.00
Standard Room - MYR150.00
Jungle Cabin - MYR50.00

Contact info :-
Bt 28, Jalan Segamat,
84020 Sagil,
Tangkak.
Tel : 06-9772888
Fax : 06-9773555

As you walk towards the waterfall, you will pass by a row of souvenir shop and the last unit is the Ranger Office.

The Ranger Office.

I had been looking at the Ranger office for more information of the hike of Gunung Ledang (Mount Ophir), but too bad there was nobody around after 30 minutes waiting....

Very bad for tourist....the office was empty!

But there was a notice on the wall stated :
1) Only day trip climbing (hiking) activities by booking are acceptable.
2) All climbing (hiking) activities must use Entrance B due to the safety of the Climbers (hikers).
3) Walk-in climbers (hikers) will not be served. The booking can be made by lettering to Johor National Park or calling at 019-7772057. Thank you.

Poor english....

Opposite of the souvenir shop, there's a mini food court.

You can have your Teh Tarik and relax over the wonderful nature!

After this row of shops, that is the area where everyone can soak in the cold water during the hot day!

The jungle trekking trail...

We will stay one night over here on 21st March 2009. That will be the Mega GG (Gathering) of Malfreemaps.
I will blog more detail after this holiday at Gunung Ledang (Mount Ophir) Resort.

Related post :-
* Camping on Mount Ophir (Gunung Ledang), Johor
* Hike on Mount. Ophir (Gunung Ledang), Johor
* Malfreemaps.com Mega GG (Gathering) at Gunung Ledang 2009

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International Kite Festival 2009 - Pasir Gudang, Johor.

This year the International Kite Festival fall on 17th FEB - 22nd FEB 2009.
There are total 26 countries participate and more than 200 contestants.

I visited the Bukit Layang-Layang (Kite Hill) (N1°28.552' E103°54.254') on the forth day, to avoid the crowded situation at the weekend.

Quite lucky that, the place were not the pack! Many parking lots available. That time was 5pm.


There were many stalls selling souvenirs and also 'Kite'. The price for one kite (MYR2.00) was rather cheap!

Dry Flowers Stall

Kite Stall. That guy was promoting his kite...

The Kite Museum and the unique roof top design.

Beside that, all those famous fast food stall also heavily promoting their foods! Like KFC, Pizza Hut and others...

The Chick happily walking around...

There's also the kid ATV and Pocket bike for rental. MYR10.00 for 15 minutes.

So, let's see what we have here!

Sky Actions
It was a windy day!
This is the only time where all the Fishes and others sea creatures are allow to Fly on the sky, not swimming anymore!

Beautiful Stingray and friend...

Giant Octopus

This is Group Performance.

This Tiger (I think so...) is about to raise....

Even the Fast food also on the sky?!

Kites were everywhere...

The Poor Crocodile stuck on the lamp pole...

Giant Frog

Cheese cake? Or Ice Cream?

Giant Dragonfly??!!

The owner of the Dragonfly and the pros beside...

If there's a up, there's a down...

Ground Actions

The little girl and her little kite...

MMHE's Kite spotted!

Is this a 'Kite'??

Seems like my kite doesn't listen to me anymore...

All the Lady birds are waiting for performance!

Photos under the tent

The Japan Team

The German Team

The Korea Team

The Tailand, Singapore, Malaysia and German Team

Let me have a nap, hopefully my kite is still there when I wake up...

No matter how....I gonna make my baby fly!

The China Team and the Tianjin Power Kite Club

During that time, I manage to watch the Performance from Mr Ron of America.
Once the music started, Mr Ron and his kite dance together at the middle of the field.

Mr Ron dancing on the field

The purple kite from Mr Ron disturb by the monster...

Others photos

The temporary Toilet

Flags of all the countries

Too bad the ladies team from China start to perform after I left the Kite Hill....I miss the show...

The Ladies Team from China. The 13 states of Malaysia Kite at the back...

Related post :-
* International Kite Festival 2008

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