A Peek into Karma Royal Kandara Bali 13 Nov 2016

We woke up early this morning, as the designated cab driver would fetched us from our hotel to the Hotel Karma at Jimbaran.

We choose to have our breakfast outside as we saw there were a lot of guests waiting for their breakfast.

We having our breakfast around Jalan Kediri, an eatery shop named Citra Minang Masakan Padang.

After the meal, we walked back to our hotel and we can saw the driver was waiting for us in front of the hotel. He was the same guy passed us the voucher yesterday, and if I am not mistaken, his name is Gus.

He fetched us to the same place, and we were told it was for about one hour presentation. It was almost 9.00am during we reached there, and the customer service directed us to a young Mandarin speaking guy called Freddy. He is an Indonesian Chinese.

Freddy brought us to upstairs where we can see almost at least 30 people were there sitting down at the individual discussion tables and chairs, with a small bar counter at the side and a small computer seating area too.

Freddie starting with the history of the company etc., and asking us a number of questions this time, most of that regarding to our family travelling styles.

He explained to us the concepts of the traveling plans. And, both of us felt that this is quite a good plan to have, of coarse we knew that the membership fees sure enough is not a cheap one. Thus, we asked straight to the point of how much are the fees are like.

Freddie later introduce his manager to us, and his manager insisted that we should take a look or a tour on their hotels nearby to have a view and experience their hotel quality.

Well, we just followed the flows as it is ok for us too, to have a look on their current hotel. At first, we were brought to their first Karma Hotel in Bali – Royal Karma Jimbaran.

It is a private resort adjacent to Jimbaran Bay, one of Bali’s most beautiful beaches. Karma Royal Jimbaran has just 16 luxury apartments, as well as an intimate restaurant and stunning pool. We do agree on the 5 stars of their hotel chains.

Later on, we were brought to their latest in Bali – Royal Karma Kandara at Ungasan. It is so beautiful! Freddie showed us the amenities of the hotel. We were quite excited when seeing that!

We came to their di Mare Restaurant which served the award-winning Mediterranean cuisine and it is located at a stunning cliff-top setting overlooking the Indian Ocean. The view was so breath-taking!

Connect to it a little bit down is the curving around the cliff top, lantern-lit infinity pool appears to flow into the Indian Ocean and horizon beyond.

Later part, there is a private lift took us down from the cliff to the Karma Private Beach, where their another Karma Kandara Beach Restaurant.

The restaurant served freshly cooked pizzas, succulent grilled meats and gastro salads, and barefoot dining at their informal beachside cabana restaurant also a new experience.

The Karma Beach Club is here too. This is a toes-in-the-sand, head-in-the-stars, beat-in-the-heart destination offering music, relaxation, spa treatments, water sports and the unique, hedonistic Karma vibe. Enjoy by day; indulge by night; remember forever.

Set on the rooftop of di Mare, is their Temple Lounge evokes a North African ambience, colourful banquettes & lanterns, create a Kasbah like, setting where guests enjoy custom cocktails and middle east inspired tapas.

Lastly, we came to their famous Karma Spa and Sea Spa where Karma Spa Kandara offers soulful health, beauty and wellbeing.

The open-air platform where soft breezes caress your skin as you indulge in a cleansing ritual in our Infrared Detox Sauna and Himalayan Crystal Salt Pool.

With Traditional Chinese Medicine, massage and wellness therapies, this is a true sanctuary for mind and body. It is truly a beautiful place to be!

We took quite a number of photos during our visit at Karma Royal Kandara. Actually, the whole presentation end up about 3 hours.

During our way back to their office, it was almost 12.30pm and it was jammed too, as there was road closure due to the connection of the pipeline works were going on.

Daddy called Resen, as initially we asked him to meet us at our hotel, but it seems it is better to ask him to fetch us at the Karma Royal Group office instead.

Freddy’s manager sat down again with us, and explained to us the whole membership plan.

It is really quite a shock to us that we have to pay for the whole membership of RM67,000++ and have to compete the instalments within 5 years and not to mention that, there is still yearly maintenance fee of USD1,076. And, the maintenance fee itself still would increase every year.

Then, he counter offer back that, if that is too expensive for us, they could offer a second alternative membership which the 7 days free hotel staying happened in 2 alternate years, by decrease the membership fee to RM37,000++.

First he requested RM25,000 deposit, we said we didn't have it, then he reduced it to 10% of it.

However, both Daddy and I were in the same opinion that we need to consider first before we can able to make such a big financial decision, as we know that next year there would be so much we need to plan about the children education fees.

Then, Freddie’s manager start to sound a bit sarcastic when we mentioned let us consider first. After the presentation, we did explain to Freddie that the initial 10% is not an issue for us, just this is another commitment which we have to consider and we do not have any intention to purchase something like this.

Freddie quite a nice guy and he sent us to the downstairs where we waited for Resen come and fetched us for our afternoon half day tour at Uluwatu.

At the same time, he did help us to redeem the 2 free T-Shirts and the said, free 7 nights stays at one of their hotel. The voucher can be use after 2 months and the validity is 2 years through booking online with additional USD50 for the booking.

Well, it was quite an experience we gained here, but I was a bit feeling like it is really wasting our holiday time here spending the whole morning just to listen to them and it is really not in our plans at all at the very first plan. Just Daddy was so excited about it…

Anyway, it really gave us the opportunity to see, feel the hotel and how the luxury hotels all about.

A Day at Kuta 12 Nov 2016

We woke up early in the morning to start our day at Kuta. We had our breakfast at CT1 Bed and Breakfast our hotel. It was Nasi Jinggo. This is a new thing and experience for us.

Nasi Jinggo is served with a handful of nasi putih together with some mie goreng and egg, with some sambal goreng tempe and ayam suwir.

Really to our surprise their breakfast mostly is rice. I forgot to take the photo of our Nasi Jinggo.

After the breakfast, we walking across the road going over to Jalan Satira and Jalan Kediri.

Daddy have decided that we should spent our day along Kuta and we have our water splash at Waterbom Bali.

Today is Issac’s birthday and Daddy knew that Issac loves to swim and play water.

Along the way, we passed through the Park 23 Entertainment Center.

From the outside we saw the various dining outlets with local and international cuisines and outdoor dining court with street food-style carts. The time is still early and most of the shops still not open yet.

The Park 23 Entertainment Center is just next to Circus Water Park. It is easy to recognised.

We were walking till a junction that we noticed that there is a statue. We took a photo in front of it. Actually it is the Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali welcoming gate.

Further up, we saw there is hawker selling Bubur Kacang at the roadside.

There are a few more nice hotels and shops along the Jalan Kartika Plaza. We passed through the Lippo Mall.

We did not go in as we were walking towards the Waterbom. We came across the huge and nice St. Fransiskus Xaverius Catholic Church.

Almost reaching the Discovery Shopping Mall, we were approached by a friendly guy on the street, carrying out some coupons and given to me and Alvin, and presenting to us some sort like a lucky scratch and win.

Daddy got 2 free T-Shirts and I have got the 3 prices which definitely I can get one of it. It seems ‘nothing to lose’ and it just happens that I am ‘very lucky’ and win!

But to claim the prize, we were told that we must go to the hotel with them, and listen to their presentation, walk around in their hotel before we could actually claim the price. We just followed the cab and they took us to Jimbaran. It was 30 minutes trip.

The driver took us to the luxury hotel areas in Jimbaran.

Once entered to the reception,the customer service recorded our name and contact details.

It was a bit fishy as they just wanted to make sure that both of us can speak, write and read Mandarin. And we mentioned about we are Malaysian Chinese and know Mandarin.

Then, they were asking about our occupations, my guessing is they were trying to find out our annual income.

Later part, the customer service was mentioning because due to a lot of appointments thus it is best that if we are comfortable and ok to come over again to the Karma Jimbaran and attend to the presentation.

Daddy was so excited about that, because either 1 of the 3 prices is good enough for us – Hotel stay, shopping voucher and a Go-Pro.

Then, a driver have arranged to send us back to where we would like to drop. We just informed to the driver that we wanted to go to Waterbom.

Resen, our driver asked us that do we have the ticket, then he drove us to the Kuta Center just next to the Waterbom and purchased our tickets.

The Waterbom tickets cost us about Rp.1,678,900, it was RM556.21 for family package (2 adults + 2 children)! It was expensive compared to Sunway Lagoon!

Well, we just enjoy the day here. Once we entered we straight away went to the kiosk inside to get the ‘Splash Band’ wristband, as they apply cashless payment system inside the park. We purchased Rp.1,000,000 (RM331.29) credit stored in.

We went to the changing room and get ourselves a big locker to put our clothing after changing to our swim suits, by just scanned and the transaction was done.

We went for the Lazy River. We drifted along in the tube raft which we got, along the way there are cascading waterfalls, languid ripples, and luxuriant tropical foliage to screen us from the flurry of excitement.

We aimed for the Super Bowl next, it was a thrilling swoosh down the aqua tube picks up momentum as we get pulled through the enclosed slide at the speeds.

And, emerged from the tunnel into a huge cauldron otherwise known as the Super Bowl. From here we found some difficulties in finding the hole our and got flushed down for a splash into the pool!

Overall, is fun!

After that, both Daddy and Issac went for other rides as Annabelle was so scared of the rides. They went for the Twin Racers, Double Twist, Climax and so much more. I was afraid too as I saw the tubes designs of the rides and the height as well.

Both Annabelle and I were watching people playing the Flow Rider, how they surf the wave at the same time with the choice of a stand up board or a lay-down board.

It was quite fun watching people dropped off from their surf boards!

Most of the time we spent in the pleasure pool and its nearby thatched gazebos are the perfect chill - out haven.

Or if you like to make friends, join in a game of water volleyball. Then share a drink and tell your high adventure tales at the Sunken Pool Bar just a stretch away.

We had our ice-creams at The Shack. We spent almost 3 hours at the Waterbom.

After which, we got showered and changed and walked out to look for our food, as we believe the food and beverages here is expensive.

We looked around for a lunch place nearby to fill our stomach first before we went to the Kuta Art Market.

Most of the restaurants in this area look a bit pricey and touristy. This local looking Warung Cak Kandar looked just the place for us.

Simple, clean, with both locals and a few visitors eating there. All food is freshly prepared to order.

We felt so hot that, we requested to sit inside the air-conditioned restaurant. The interior is quite nice as it gave us a ‘kampong’ feel.

We had the pork rib set Rp.180,000 and the pork curry set Rp.88,000. The pork ribs was in dark soya sauce and it was tender and delicious.

The curry was nice too and I really liked the aroma of the spices they used in the Balinese food. The sets comes with 4 soups, 4 rice, a fried kangkong and 2 soft drinks because we do not drink the complimentary ice tea. We did ordered 1 Banana Juice for Rp.20,000.

The service rendered was good enough, the first waitress had limited English so the boss came and helper her out. And, we conversed in English with the mix of Mandarin.

We got to know that the boss is a local Indonesia Chinese. They are very friendly people.

After the meal, we went to our next destination – Kuta Art Market. The children were so happy being around there, we went in to a larger shop called Wake Bali Art Market. There are a lot of souvenirs which you can get in the shop.

We did our shopping here for souvenirs back home for friends and colleagues. We bought some small purses 11 x Rp.36,000, key chain 2 x Rp.30,000, various designs of botol openers Rp.37,500, Rp.25,000 and Rp50,000, Annabelle’s surfboard hanger Rp.55,000 and small Jepit Bebek Rp.18,000. Issac chose a Owl toy is about Rp.125,000 and peanuts Rp38,000.

We did walk around to the Kuta Art Market behind the shops. There are selling all kinds of Bali items such as Bali surfboard and guitar shaped fridge magnets, key chains, beer holders, placemats, faux leather shoes and sandals, Bali print T-shirts and colourful sarongs and fabrics.

All the ladies were sitting outside and calling us to go in to their shops and have a look or purchase something.

I just feel not comfortable that shopping at this kind of environment. We passed through the small lanes and all the shops are displaying the same items.

We continued to walk to the Kuta Square where all the modern shops and various international brands, mostly surfing clothing and sports apparel such as Quicksilver, Billabong, Rip Curl, Roxy as well as other fashion labels line up.

We saw the Matahari Kuta Square Shopping Mall but we did not feel like going in and shop.

Instead, we were so tired and thirsty and walked in to the McDonald's and ordered 5 pcs chickens Rp.76,000, 2 Medium Coke and Sprite 2 x Rp.9,000.

And it costs us Rp.94,000, much cheaper if we were eating in the warung.

I was pretty amazed I must say, that both Issac and Annabelle too able to walk so far from the Waterbom.

We passed through the Grand Inna Kuta Hotel and officially we came to the Kuta Beach. We noticed there is a Oliver Jamie’s Italian Restaurant across the street. And it is just next to the famous Hard Rock Hotel and Café.

There is a Dekom Bali Surf School where you can just learn how to surf by signing up a coarse with them. It is just at the entrance of the Kuta Beach, so convenient!

We did not play at the beach as it is so crowded with people and stalls. But having a glimpse on the Kuta Beach is great though.

We saw there are tartanilla ride here just in front of Hard Rock Café, we tried that before at Cebu last year. We believe the price is not cheap here especially at Bali.

Finally, we reached the Beachwalk Shopping Mall. We were so tired and looking for drinks inside the mall. The mall itself is big, and is another shopping mall for us. We rested here for awhile and we decided to get a cab back to our hotel.

On the way back, we passed through the other side or tourist busy roads which we do not walk – Jalan Melasti, Jalan Sriwijaya, Jalan Legian.

We passed through the famous Ground Zero Monument which was built to commemorate the first Bali bombing tragedy on October 12th, 2012 that resulted in 202 people killed (mostly Australian tourists). Every year on October 12th, a lot of people from different countries gather at the monument to recall the tragedy.

It was almost 6pm when we reached our hotel. It was a tiring day but still fruitful. Issac and Annabelle straight away went to bed after bath.

Daddy and Mummy walked out to look for our dinner. Daddy wanted to try the taxi driver recommended us this restaurant just nearby our hotel – Restoran Ayam Betutu Khas Gilimanuk. Unfortunately both of us was so hungry that we did not snap the photos of our food.

We ordered 1/4 portion Ayam Betutu Kuah Rp.30,000, 1/4 portion Ayam Betutu Goreng Rp.31,000, 2 Nasi Putih 2 x Rp.6,000 and Cola/Sprite 2 x Rp.10,000 for our dine in. The set is come with the sambal, fried peanut and the blanched kangkong topped with chili sauce.

Both of us agreed that Ayam bertutu goreng is by far the spiciest food we have ever try. It is nothing compare to the  innocent looking colourless tom yam. The spiciness of Ayam Bertutu was so spicy that it made me sweat like a mad cow after the first bite on it. What makes it even harder to tolerate is the fact that the spiciness actually lingers in the mouth for a few good minutes.

And, that was just the ‘normal spicy’ that we have, we have not yet try their famous ‘Super Pedas’! We take away 2 Nasi Putih 2 x Rp.6,000 and 1/2 portion Ayam Betutu Goreng Rp.49,000 for both Issac and Annabelle whom were still sleeping at the hotel. Total with tax we paid Rp.169,400 for our dinner.

We walked pass the small stall which selling the goreng-goreng snacks and we bought some: tofu, pisang goreng, etc.

We went in the Holland Bakery and hoping that we can find a decent birthday cake for Issac. Unfortunately that is not our cup of tea.

I guess Balinese really not fond of bread and pastries as I can see it through the pastries and the breads displayed there.

And, there was even no baker in the shop, as all the breads and cakes look as prepack and deliver to the shop and sell concept.

We went back to hotel and 2 kids already woke up and both were hungry for their dinner.

We get rest early too as tomorrow morning we will have to attend to the Karma Group Presentation.

We Arrived at Bali! 11 Nov 2016

Well, today is the day that we take off for our yearly family trip! We booked our flight tickets from Air Asia during September, so it is not a cheap or sales seasons during we booked the tickets.

Every year it is like a family tradition that we would travel during Issac’s birthday, ever since last year we were at Cebu performing our sealing ordinances at the Cebu Temple, Philippines. This year too, we are thinking the same: make it an annual family trip.

Initially we were looking for Lombok and eyeing on the Mount. Rinjani.

After we found out that the difficulties to climb that mountain with our own ‘stamina’ and bringing the kids together, we shifted our destination to Bali instead.

As we heard from our colleagues that, Bali is a real fun and relax place for family vacation.

We did a little bit of research on the internet on where to sleep, eat, do and see; contact recommended driver and guides and negotiating on the price, thus we have plan out our itinerary for our 8 days vacation there.

Due to budget wise, we took the last flight. Some how there was a cancelled flight from Air Asia, thus we were allow to choose different flight on the same day.

There were earlier flight morning 10am something but only left 4 seats, I was guessing it would be quite difficult for us as a family to be seated together; other than that there is afternoon flight 4.20pm and 6.30pm something.

Both of Daddy and Mummy discussed, we decided to choose for the 4pm something flight, it would be not too late for us to check in to our hotel in Bali for the first night.

Here we were arriving at the Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport. Once we stepped into the Arrival Hall, it does surprise us with the new and modern design of the airport.

We do agreed that this international airport are much much more modern than the Cebu Mactan Island International Airport which we visited last year.

We are a bit worried initially if the immigration would took long queue. We were so lucky that we do not need to wait long and passed through the custom. It was not long for us to pick up for our checked-in luggage.

We took a cab to our hotel which booked through Agoda – CT1 Bed & Breakfast Hotel located at Tuban. It costs us around Rp.125,000.

At first, it was quite a surprise to us to find out that the hotel which we booked is a bit different from the website photos.

Or may be it is because we were all hungry and tired. We check-in to our room and took a shower. We walked out from our Hotel and looking for our dinner.

We stopped by a local warung Coto Makassar at Jalan Raya Kuta that’s looks ok to us and we would like to have some local food.

We looked at the menu not much. We were asking the lady what is their specialty but it seems like she cannot understand our Bahasa Melayu.

We ordered a Soup Saudara (Rp.25,000), Ikan Bakar (Rp.70,000), Mie Kering Makasar (Rp.25,000) with 2 Nasi Putih (2xRp.6,000) just to share among 4 of us.

As for the drinks, we ordered 2 Kelapa Muda (2xRP18,000), Es. Teller (Rp.15,000) and a funny drink called Soda Gembira (Rp.18,000)!

Later that I know that this Coto Makassar is run by a family from Makassar in Sulawesi and they serve the best specialties of Sulawesi traditional dishes. The dishes served are ok and quick service.

After the meal, we walked to the convenient store to buy some mineral waters and bathing shampoo. We returned to our hotel to rest.

After the dinner, Annabelle looked more happier as firstly she saw the condition of the hotel we stayed, I guessed she was hungry that time.

Really a tired day for us, but all of us were so excited to begin our Bali holiday!

Kuala Lumpur District Conference

We have our Kuala Lumpur District Conference today at Wisma MCA as usual. Here are some photos of the presentation of the Primary today.

Primary children were singing during the district conference.

Primary children from all the branches of Kuala Lumpur District: Puchong, Subang Jaya, Cheras, Klang, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur and Melacca.

Issac with Brandon and Miguel.

Issac with Annabelle and Miguel.