Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Amed Beach - Bali

Last weekend, I went to Bali for company outing.
My first reaction was "Bali"?
I stop counting my visits to Bali since a long time.
Maybe because I've been there more than 5 times, nearly once a year (twice last year, because my flight to Komodo depart from Bali).
What makes difference for this time is the destination.

The destination is Amed.
Located on Karangasem area, on the east of Bali island.
It took 3.5 - 4 hours from Kuta by bus.

On the way to Amed, you can stop at Goa Lawah, Pesinggahan, Tirta Gangga.
The last "city" before Amed is Alampura.
The view between Amlapura into Amed is surely breathtaking.
You can enjoy the view of ricefield across the valley on your side and the blue sea in the horizon for the background.
At another point, you'll see the beach below your way, with several jukung boat laying on the sea-shore.

Unfortunately, because of the flight delay, we didn't have enough time to see the sunset.
I spent the night at Coral View - Hidden Paradise.
I was lucky enough to get the Family Suite to shared with my friends.
It is a two level villa.
The room downstairs provide two single bed, the room upstairs provide one queen bed.
There is one bathroom downstairs , located outdoor (Don't worry, the wall is high enough, unless someone climb the wall, nobody will peek you naked)
Hot water is provided, also the toiletries. (The shampoo and conditioner is well enough. It didn't dry my hair even after I soaked my hair in the pool and the sea. But you can't take it home, because it is stored in a big stone bottle)

Amed is actually a small fishing village.
You can see plenty of jukung boats on the sea-shore during the time when the fisherman are not sailing.
Oh yes...I almost forgot.. Amed is a black sandy beach with sunrise view.
April(e) in May


How about the white sand lovers? Will they be dissapointed?
Of course they won't.
Below the sea-surface, the view is quite beautiful.

Try to snorkeling while you get there.
Or if you are a certified diver, try to dive there. There is a japanase wreck in Amed.
If you don't feel enough, you could arrange a dive trip to Tulamben (30 minutes from Amed). You could find the wreckage of U.S.S.R. Liberty.


You don't like to snorkling or diving?
You can still walk around the village.
It is a quiet village, so if you want to feel a different side of Bali, this is a nice place.
I really enjoy my morning walk there. It is so calm and refreshing.
7:00 AM at Amed village road

You like to enjoy spa? (Balinese massage is quite famous, isn't it?)
From the hotel information, they recommend A-Spa and Puri Wirata Spa.
I didn't have enough time to go to those places, but I was lucky enough that I found a masseuse near the pool.
I paid 150k IDR and I get 60 minutes body massage.
I think the price is reasonable, considering that Amed is only a small village.
(You'll forget about the price once the mbok's hand is in your back, and you could hear the wave sound as the background)

Last, don't forget to eat some fish.
The grilled fish is so awesome. :)

Friday, May 25, 2012

Building my Reading Life with Kobo

I'm a bookworm.
I love the smell of paper. I've already had two large cupboard for my books collection.
That's why it's really hard for me to consider buying e-book.
In the past, reading an e-book was valid for me only if I've already bought the actual copy of the book.

But a few days ago, I made a decision, "Let's try buying an e-book".
50 Shades of Grey is listed in Goodreads, Bookdepository, NY Times Bestseller, etc. Since the original format for this 50 Shades Trilogy is an e-book, so I think, okay then, let's try. 

First of all, I search into the Google Play for some e-book reader app.
After browsing through some apps I decided to try Kobo
I like simplicity, and I could sync between desktop, Android, Apple devices and Blackberry. (I only have the 1st gen iPod Nano and I'll never buy a Blackberry, so it's not really important tough)
It also compatible with some e-book reader. Kobo itself have a product named Kobo-eReader.
The files format supported: Adobe DRM and e-pub.

The other reason why I choose Kobo is ..... I like to collect awards. :D

Kobo has Reading Life features.
It provides some collectible award such as:
  • Reading Life: Your digital Reading Life has just begun
  • I love my Library: You've started to build a digital library with Kobo
  • Once Upon a Time: You started reading a new book
etc....

You could see the default awards are already available in the Reading Life.
Some of the other awards are hidden at the beginning, and it will show up according to your reading habit.
So far I've unlocked Page Turner (2H), Primetime, Better in Bed
You could check the complete list on Reading Life Awards .

Mine?
some of my Reading Life Awards

Other features:
  • sharing into Facebook timeline
  • sharing into Kobo Pulse
  • custom reading setting 
    • appearance: Classic (white background, black text), Sepia (beige background, black text), Night ( black background , white text)
    • font size and font style
Snapshot from my LG L7:

Kobo
Kobo Home
reading a book




Friday, May 18, 2012

IMAX 3D in Gandaria City

Hi hi..... 
just want to share a short update. 
Since two weeks ago (4 May 2012), the IMAX 3D is officially open in Gandaria City XXI. 
The ticket price is mentioned as below: 
  • weekday (Monday-Thursday) : 50k IDR
  • Friday or a day before a holiday : 75k IDR 
  • weekend or holiday: 100k IDR
Update!

Since the end of July 2012 (I didn't know precisely since when, but when i want to watch The Dark Knight Rises), the ticket price is:
  • weekday (Monday-Thursday) : 60k IDR
  • Friday or a day before a holiday : 75k IDR 
  • weekend or holiday: 100k IDR


The good news is that the tickets are available for purchased on M-Tix. 
Just make sure that your account balance is enough before transaction ;) 


Enjoy the movie..
me, my bf and his friend 

oh yes, of course you need the review.
I watched The Avengers.
In my opinion, it's rare to see a nice real action 3D movie.
My best experience with 3D movie was How to Train a Dragon.
I watched Iron Man 2, Captain America, Harry Potter 7 part 2, Avatar, Transformer and so many 3D film and yet, the best 3D movie is How to Train a Dragon.
But my opinion has changed when I saw The Avengers in IMAX 3D.
The effect is nice, you could really feel the pop-up effect in your eyes.
I think, if you want to see a real action 3D movie, IMAX 3D is worth for your money. 
But if you want to see animation 3D movie, Dolby 3D is more than enough.

I forget something.
Do you wear glasses? Unfortunately, IMAX 3D only provide one size. Don't worry, it's wide enough for your glasses, but I would really like to have two option for size like Dolby 3D provide.