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Monday, August 11, 2014

Bangkalan Lighthouse, Madura Island, East Java


Such a fine sunny day off from work would be soooo wasted if spent doing the same daily routine.

Early during the eid mubarak long holiday, me and some friends decided that we wanted to explore the neighbouring island to Surabaya, Madura Island...

With only less than one hour drive from our hometown Surabaya to the town of Bangkalan and then to the outskirt part of the town, there was the getting-more-well-known Bangkalan lighthouse.

The access to the lighthouse is very safe and well paved so nobody needs to worry about bringing his/her car to this place.

The lighthouse that was built by the Dutch a lot of years ago is still standing in a very well kept condition. There is a small fee we need to pay to the lighthouse keeper (more like a villager who lives around the area). I couldn't remember how much but it's not too expensive.

If you want you can also hike up the stairs inside the lighthouse which would need some extra physical workout but it's very doable as long as you are fit. From the top, we can enjoy the scenery and actually see the bridge of Suramadu from afar.

Spend some time at the top to breathe the fresh air and capture some great pictures of the scenery or of yourself and friends.

For a day out just outside of town, this place is worth exploring and I am sure more people would come to this place for a prewedding photo session (we met one coupke doing that) or merely a break from the hustle bustle of Surabaya city.

Somewhere along the way from Bangkalan to the Lighthouse
Don't forget to eat at the famous Bebek Sinjay for a delicious duck dish in Madura

The Very Recommended Rayjin Teppanyaki, Seminyak, Bali

If you happen to be in Seminyak, Bali, Rayjin Teppanyaki could be a great option for a dine out with your family or friends. Please be reminded that reservation may be needed since the place is not that big and it could be crowded a.t times....

The series of teppanyaki dishes are so awesome both in taste and look. Just ask the waiters what the recommendations are and the will be happy to assist you....

I would rate this restaurant an 8 out of 10.....

Below are some of the pictures I captured in the restaurant....












Saturday, August 9, 2014

Hotel Review: Sofitel Nusa Dua Beach Resort, Bali, Indonesia

Hotel Review: Sofitel Nusa Dua Beach Resort, Bali, Indonesia

May I just say the first word that came out of my mouth when I entered the lobby and to the reception area? "WOW"...... I loved the ambiance and the design of the common areas in this hotel. It feels so elegant and luxurious. I also like the fact that Sofitel is a French themed hotel since all hotel staffs always greet us with a "bonjour" instead of "good morning/afternoon/night".

Value For Money: 10/10
For an upscale hotel like Sofitel, the money is well spent since we all get the perfect ambiance, awesome feelings, complete resort facilities, and great hotel room and bathroom.

Price: $$$$$
Like any other upscale hotel in Nusa Dua Bali, the hotel room costs us more than IDR 2 million.

Location: 10/10
It is located in Nusa Dua BTDC (Bali Tourism Development Centre). It's away from the bustling and over crowded Kuta or Legian area of Bali. It's the upscale and more luxurious and quite part of Bali. If you want a quieter time in Bali and got some more money saved in your bank account to afford any hotel in this area, Sofitel is definitely a must try. Sofitel is also located straight by the beach which means you can get to the beach directly from your hotel. It's also very well located and is very accessible from Tanjung Benoa, Uluwatu, Pecatu, or even Jimbaran.

Breakfast: 10/10
The breakfast restaurant is awesome. It's very big with many different chambers of different kind of foods. I think from my two morning breakfasts here, I saw at least Indonesian, Indian, Japanese, English, and French cuisines. The quality of the breakfast is also awesome.

Room Quality: 9/10
Our rooms were on the first floor which gives us direct access into the swimming pool from our balcony. It means we could go directly swimming in the pool right from our hotel room and the come back to our hotel room by swimming back, it's one of the greatest experience or feeling. The room size is also quite great with the awesome quality of beds. However, the bathroom was almost perfect for me except the fact that the water could get out of the shower area into the bedroom area which we withheld with some stacks of towels on the floor.

Staffs: 10/10
Staffs are very courteous, helpful, friendly, informative, respectful, and love to smile. At some point, in my mind I was thinking that they must be given some sort of great training everyday to act and serve that well.

Facilities: 10/10
Like any upscale resport, it has huge and well designed swimming pool, direct access to the beach, great lobby, great hotel room, etc. However, I need to mention that they have absolutely great lounge that feels a lot like a library to me. I was so ecstatic about it since I wanted to spend some of my times there reading great books that they have.

Would I recommend you to stay at this hotel?
Yes, ABSOLUTELY..... Sofitel Nusa Dua Beach Resort is one of the hotels you should save money for :)

For my pictures of Sofitel Nusa Dua Beach Resort, find it here:
http://ferrystraveladventures.blogspot.com/2014/08/photos-of-sofitel-nusa-dua-beach-resort.html

My Overall Rating on This Hotel:
9.8 / 10

For my other reviews on hotels and villas in Bali, click below:

More Photos of W Spa & Retreat, Seminyak, Bali


The swimming Pool at 2 Bedroom Villa at W Spa & Retreat, Seminyak, Bali



The W Sign by the Beach at W Spa & Retreat, Seminyak, Bali



The Driveway from Outside into the Lobby of W Spa & Retreat, Seminyak, Bali



A Part of the Swimming Pool at W Spa & Retreat, Seminyak, Bali



The Lobby Fountain at W Spa & Retreat, Seminyak, Bali



The View from the Lobby of W Spa & Retreat, Seminyak, Bali



An Afternoon Set of Snacks at W Spa & Retreat, Seminyak, Bali



The Recommended Brownies Dessert Dish at W Spa & Retreat, Seminyak, Bali

Thought of the Day

"To Live is To Travel; 
To Travel is to Live; 
Seeing as many things as possible 
during a lifetime of journeys..."


~My Thought of the Day~
~August 9, 2014~

Friday, August 8, 2014

A Question of Life?

Sometimes I wonder.....

"AM I BORDERLINE TRAVEL ADDICT?"

Why do I ask this question? Well, I do travel quite a lot, though I don't think it's enough for me, but I often hear a lot of my friends say to me that I always travel and my traveling adventures would never stop....

How do you define a travel addict? How to quantify the amount of traveling days in a year enough to say that one is a travel addict?

Well, maybe any of you, my traveling fellows coulds help me define it???? :) :) :)

Photos from W Spa & Retreat, Seminyak, Bali


Swimming Pool Area at W Spa & Retreat, Seminyak, Bali



Swimming Pool Area at W Spa & Retreat, Seminyak, Bali