nasi padang and makan2 in Jakarta

Another thing i heart about Indonesia is their food. Indonesian cuisine like Sundanese, Nasi Padang and such is definitely a must try. Being a big eater myself, i've been to plenty of these Indonesian cuisine dine-out here in KL and i can say that i love them. Puti Bungsu in Jalan Yap Kwan Seng,Wong Solo in Kampung Baru, Sari Ratu ....just to name a few.

My happy stomach was filled with good food during the trip. It was however aisyah and farid's first try on nasi padang. and they love it too although they were both keeping quiet with their jaw wide open, when the waiters brought in the dishes and presented them on the table. Well, thats how they do it in a nasi padang restaurant. So-called their food presentation.:p

So basically if you're wondering, this nasi padang is really not much of a difference as compared to our local nasi campur ( also served with steamed rice). Just that the dishes ( lauk-pauk) is a bit different. Things like Dendeng Balado, Ayam pop, Ayam penyet, Sambal Hijau are among the favorites. Why not give it a try? Really..a.must.try!:)

Besides nasi padang, i also tried this very interesting dishes called Nasi Ambel. The rice is stuffed in that green banana leave and served with beef and some salad ( ulam with air asam). Absolutely delicious.

In case if you're wondering, what's for dessert or ' budak kecik ni makan tak tahu nak minum air ke?' ( doesn't this little fella knows how to drink instead of stuffing herself with food?)..

Try Es-Teller! Indonesian most famous air-batu-campur ( ABC). Shaved ice served with jackfruit and colorful syrups.

Why wait?Find your way to the nearest nasi padang restaurant in town!:)

Taman Sari Spa, Jakarta.

A visit to an Indonesian Spa was actually my MAIN point of coming to Jakarta. Apart from shopping for great kebaya materials that is. After some surfing and browsing the internet, getting reviews and suggestions from fellow friends, i decided to try Taman Sari Spa, located along Jln.Sudirman ( just a short 5 minute drive from Plaza Indonesia).

Definitely a 5 star Spa.

I insisted on trying out their 2-hours Javanese traditional Spa Package. For just 400,000 Rp, it was trully worth it! It was actually my first time trying out a full body treatment like this and i surely will come back again.Surely.Definitely. Started with a full body massage, then the body scrub and body mask. One thing for sure, you're entitled to use their jacuzzi and swimming pool for free! Sorry guys, i should've snapped Farid's picture swimming in a javanese batik short pants! :O


I then had my hair cut there at the Spa by a local hairdresser. She made me look like a westernized-Indonesian lady and i think i look quite decent in that.hahaha.


I obviously recommend this place for you who'll be visiting Jakarta. Appointment is advisable especially if you're running out of time/just for a short visit in the city. You might have to wait for some time till you'll be called in, but overall service is good. They have the jacuzzi for you to kill the time after all.


Oh yes, in case you're wondering, they're using Mustika Ratu products in all their services here including their shampoo. I even had my hair smell like those typical 'jamu' *herbs* till the day i arrived back in KL ! :)

Jakarta for the weekend.

It was a super long planned-ahead weekend vacation. Simply because of that Air Asia Promo..RM 25 for a round trip to Jakarta! Yes..its RM25!! Initially it was only us 3- me, farid and aisyah on the trip but as expected, mom and dad booked theirs as well.

Arrived Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Friday morning. Since dad decided to just hit-and-crash the hotel booth at the arrival hall, no reservation was done before hand. Was hoping to get one unit in the Ascott, turned out to be there was no room available!Apparently there was a 'pameran' in town hence the fully booked. Ascott N/A, Nikko Hotel N/A, Le Meridien N/A. Finally we settled for Aston Rasuna Serviced Apartment.

My personal review for this place:

• Service: slow!
• Cleanliness: lousy to satisfactory
• Breakfast: good
• Location: 10-15 minutes from town if no 'macet' ( bad traffic)
• Room: 3 star.

So if you're planning to stay in Aston Rasuna,i suggest you to book their online rate. Way cheaper than walk in rate and it is meant for their 3 star condition. Anyhow it was just a short stay, so i wouldn't want to complain much ( mom went koo-koo with this place!haha).

Basically, it was just a short shopping trip! Thanks so much Ratih and k.Tasha for the travel guides! We went to Mayestik for great kebaya materials ( need them for Raya and my graduation) and i love them to bits! If only we have enough time, i would've made my way to Ratih's family tailor, Tante Nana. But then again, i managed to get a wonderful indonesian kebaya sketch from one of their designer in Mayestic itself. Now what i need is a tailor in KL that can made my kebaya with the bustier together. Do share with me if you guys know any!:)

Will continue my 'coretan' for this weekend breakaway soon. the internet is being a pest now!

till then:)

You might wanna bring your cat/kitten back home?here goes!

I received a note from aidanarina.blogspot.com/ ( hello Aida!:))..asking for the procedures on bringing Luvie, my cat to Malaysia recently. Really its kinda easy, provided you have all the documents and time sorted out.

Step 1. Thorough medical check up and Rabies vaccination. This vaccination is valid for a year from the day the cat got it done. You will get the international passport with this step 1.

Step 2. Compulsory to get it microchip-ed. It does not cost a bomb, probably around RM100 the most.

Step 3. With all the documents documented in the passport, get it scanned and please download a FORM A from the jabatan haiwan malaysia website. Fill in the form. Email all these details to your relative/friend in Malaysia, the one who will be going on your behalf to the jabatan haiwan to obtain the Import Permit.

Now, the import permit part is quite tricky. My first application was rejected by the jabatan haiwan in Wisma Tani Putrajaya. Reason being: They need a HEALTH CERTIFICATE from an authorized government veterinary clinic, to state that the so and so cat is healthy and fit to travel.

( this is Step 4 in case you don't have a health cert for your cat. )

As of Russia, the health cert needed for Step 3 will only be issued 3 days before you arrival date in KLIA. In my case, i had to call the veterinary doctor in Putrajaya, followed by few emails to convince them that that's the Russian regulation for animal exportation.

Finally they agreed and with the help of one kind doctor in Jab.Haiwan Putrajaya, she released my Import Permit just on time.

Step 5. Make sure you email all the details- the passport with all its content being scanned clearly to your chosen airline company. They normally need at least 72 hours to confirm your booking for your cat. The cat can either go in as a hand carry (into the cabin with you) or into the cargo. As for now, the only airline that i know which is able to carry pets on board is Thai Airways.

Also, email them about the breed of your cat together with the weight (INCLUDING the carrier and the cat itself). They will charge according to the excess luggage tariff.

Step 6. Please make sure that you have the very last document ready- the health certificate that is valid for only 3 days upon arrival.

Step 7. Be ready at the airport earlier than usual. You need to go to the airport veterinary counter for them to do some last minute check up on your cat. ( was very easy in Moscow,Domodedovo Airport).

As for the quarantine, some countries might need them, some might not. Please email me if you have any further question and i can help you to get in touch with the nice lady vet in Putrajaya main office.

Well, hope this helps.:)

A night in Impiana and Ratih's wedding reception.

1. Checked-in Impiana KLCC Hotel & Spa for a night, with darling sister. Yes, its 10 minutes away from home:). Cuti-cuti Kuala Lumpur! Had my first high tea the very next day (today). Another food heaven! I bet you can't get that one anywhere else. Malaysia, i love you!

2. Attended a blogger friend, Ratih Sulastri's( butterscotch85.blogspot.com/) wedding reception in PJ Hilton. Oh my, she was beautifully dressed and groomed by Lynda Rahim the designer. I met few other bloggers whom i managed to recognize- snowiffy.blogspot.com/ and dryaya.blogspot.com/. Beautiful ladies, such a pleasure meeting you both. K. Yanie, we should've snap a picture together. Well, maybe next time.:)

More pictures like always..in my FB album.

To Ratih and Haimi...Have a wonderful life ahead and be happy always!!:)

""_""

Food galore!Picture taken by Anne. Yup after 3 years Anneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee OMGGGGGGG.reunited!!!!Eh Anne..u forgot to take your own picture lah! nemind.tomorrow k!

I like your new Honda Jazz. Pick me up more often babe!:)

It is sooooooooooo good to be back home!Family Friends Food. The 3F.

Like always, Jalan Damai is my favorite hang out place, well this time in Andalus.Another middle eastern restaurant. Lamb kebab and mango juice... pleasurable!And yes..the Barbican drink.

Another thing about being back here is that, i get to finally meet up with my friends!I've a lot of meeting up to do with family and friends. Did i mention food as well??lol.

Most important is the surroundings. I don't have to face those hatred around. Life is so much wonderful and meaningful. No dengki here..dengki there. Dendam here and there.

Oh yes..did i tell you little brother can now (safely) drive me around? No more valet parking!

:)

Green green grass of home!

I am finally HOME!

1. roti pisang upon arrival @ Pelita Nasi Kandar Jln Ampang - c.h.e.c.k

2. teh tarik with ice in OLDTOWN - c.h.e.c.k

3. Nasi Lemak Kg.Baru - c.h.e.c.k

Life is great for now!:)

Hello UAE

Yes..yes..i'm finally in Dubai, waiting for my flight to Kuala Lumpur. Oh so good to be saying it out loud...Kuala Lumpur!

Had a miserable day in Moscow Airport ( Domodedovo) during the check in.

1. The line was terribly long, filled with students dari negara yg macam2 warna ( get it?get it?) with weird behavior! They made EK looks so much worst than Air Asia or any other budget airline one would've known.

2. Ground staff is another thing. Seriously EK has got to do something about their ground stewardess in Moscow. Definitely does not represent the world first star airline ( or whatever you wanna call it).

Anyhow, flight was on time. Food was great. I sat next to 2 Russian men who'd been treating me like a 5 year old kiddo travelling alone like that. hehe:).

As for now, i'm waiting (again,patiently) for my flight to Kuala Lumpur! Another 7 more hours to go till i'm back in the motherland. Yipee!

oh yes, did i tell you that this entire Blogger thing changed into JAWI the moment i had my lappy switched on? I don't even know which one is the log in button and end up pressing whatever there is on top there. hahaha.

ermmm...i actually failed my Arab paper during my primary years. Oh well...

but this Arab women...Gorgeous!

:)

Hello from Moscow!

Was indeed a very long journey! I am now waiting patiently till the check in desk is open.3 more hours to go!pheuuuw. In case you're asking whether i'm alone, unaccompanied? Partially. Farid is sleeping on the bench nearby. Oh my..poor guy had to carry my heavy bags from the start!

takpe..tomorrow nasi lemak kg.baru!:)

So far the journey was smooth,alhamdulillah. I'm now munching on packs of Wanner Nougat Wafer i had left from my winter trip to Vienna, Austria. Had our brunch- stir fried macaroni in the train. We're good till now, and for the fact that i really hated having to go to to the toilets during the long haul flight.

I'll update once i'm in Dubai perhaps. Have some shopping to do there. Please.I need SALE!

:)

leaving on a jet plane

Well, that's me shortly after taking my visa to go back home!weeeeeeeee...

View from our famous Chkalov staircase in Minina.

My pineapple ice cream was nice!

My flight back home is gonna be like t.o.m.o.r.r.o.w! Guessed this will be my last post before i depart home.

oh la la la...

nasi lemak kg.baru...i can sense you right from where i'm sitting now!! ngehehehe.....

happy holidays everybody!:)