Indian Cuisine in Batam - The Taj

New Indian restaurant in Batam.
I always love to eat Indian cuisine, so good that I can found an Indian Restaurant in Batam, even there is not so many Indian restaurant in Jakarta.
So I definitely won't miss this opportunity to have it for my lunch today.
We can find a lot of Roti Prata (Tamil food which is from South India) but I never see north Indian food in Batam before. This one should be the only one in Batam.

Since we were there for late lunch, there were only 2 group of customer include us, which the another group is Indian. And when i walk through the half open kitchen in the first floor, I saw some Indian inside also.
The chef should be Indian too.
Hmm looking forward for the authentic Indian taste....
The menu quite complete, from chicken curry, mutton curry, seafood curry, vegetable curry, etc.
Also many kinds of Nan you can have here, plain, garlic, cheese, just name it.
Too bad when I ordered spinach curry but they don't have it today.....

Our order today

Chicken Masala (Chicken Curry)  - yummy!
Rp. 35,000

Fish Curry
Rp. 25,000

Tandoori Chicken - the taste a bit sour than the one I always have
Rp. 28,000

We also ordered Plain Nan (Rp. 8,000) and Garlic Nan (Rp. 10,000), both was good.
For the drink, we ordered Sweet Lassi (Rp. 18,000) and Butter Milk (Rp. 10,000), and both also very good (ˆڡˆ)

THE TAJ
Ruko Nagoya Hill Blok J No. 32
Batam
Tel: 0778-7438610

Snowboarding @ Gifu

Again, another snowboarding trip to Gifu last weekend. I was never expected that I would go to snowboard so many times this year (it is very less for a real-snowboarder,though hehe) . I just thought the snowboard trip on early Feb in Nagano would be the first and the end for year 2008 :)

So three of us departed from my apartment very very early morning last saturday. It was 4:30am!! Tak was driving his own car so it took less times compare with those bus trips. Only about 4 hours to Takasu Snow Park. It's almost last season in Gifu and the weather was damned hot! It was a big mistake that I wore the wool-turtleneck sweater... I keep sweating a lot (never imagined would that hot when you are skiing) and really couldn't stand for it so I got changed to thinner clothes. I saw some of snowboarder even didn't wear their snowboard jacket, only T-shirts! Could you imagine the hot weather above the snow?!

Snow in Takasu Snow Park was not bad, but definitely different with the snow powder in Nagano and Niigata (my last 2 trip). Well, couldn't expect much in Gifu area :) Takasu Snow Park is quite famous for snowboarder. You can find more snowboarder than skier in here. I heard there was snowboarding world cup competition in here last month.

We stayed a night at Nancy's house in Takayama city, which is more known as "Mini Kyoto". It is my first time to Takayama. Quite surprised that there were a lot of traveler from abroad around here. Living in Japan for so many years but never heard any about Takayama. Hmm I think I should go to Takayama for sightseeing someday.


view from Takasu Snow Park 　　　　　　　　　　　Nancy took us to this fancy cafe

Next day we were snowboarding at Hida Takayama Ski Area. We were kinda confused when we arrive at here, it just kinda like "Had we get the wrong way and arrive at different ski area?" But no, the name is correct, we just didn't read carefully the details of this ski area (we only saw the picture :p)

A quite small ski area, only 3 lift in here. Not so many peoples skiing in here which made the area more wider (it was a good thing!) Most of time we only took one lift and did same course for many times. It's cheap anyway, only 2000yen (season-off ticket). A great value :)


view from Hida Takayama Ski Area


view of North Alps


Hida Takayama Ski Area　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　the kids are so cute

So this was really my last snowboard trip for this season. Snow have melted, spring have came and this weekend is the time for hanami (sakura-viewing)!! Too bad I can't join my friends for their hanami party next week but I am going to Universal Studio Japan anyway! Looking forward for it! Hopefully will post some pics in USJ next.

Categories: english, japan, my_life, travel

Taiwan : Taichung, Hsinchu, Taipei

23 Nov 2007
An exciting day cause today I am going to Taiwan by Business Class! So I went out from home earlier, so I can relax at the airport lounge before departure. I had nothing to do at home anyway.
But I didn't expect there would be so much ppls in airport today! Oh, I had arrived at airport early, but still, I even didn't have time for shopping the cosmetics in DFS! So don't mention the lounge!

The flight was fabulous. I had a bad experience with Northwest airlines before, but of course, it totally different when you come with the business class. I was surprised that most of the cabin attendants were Asians.
The seat also fabulous which it can recline to any angle, even almost like a bed. They have a massage function on the seat but it didn't works very well. It is the most bad massage chair I ever had haha Of course, it is not the main function of the seat :P


Grilled Fish with Mashed Pumpkin
Yummy!


24 Nov 2007
I joined my friend,YH to her home at Houli this day. There was a family party at her home. It was a party for YH's elder brother cause he was going to introduce her girlfriend and her family to his family. I mean all of his family including his auntie, uncle, etc. So it was a big party with more than 20 ppls. They are not engaged to marry each other anyway. I thought this kind of introduction will be held when you are going to get married? Well, it was interesting to learn this kind of custom in a foreign country ;)

And another interesting thing is I visited a primary school in Houli. You won't list a primary school visiting when you are going to travel, will you? Well, YH's elder sister is a teacher in this school and this day was a sport day so that there were no any class. We even can enter the classroom and seat down on the tiny chair! Haha it was funny but too bad I left my camera in YH's home so I couldn't take the picture.

We were planning to go to DaXueShan (大雪山) but by the recommendation of YH's aunties and uncles, we changed the plan and visited BaXianShan (八仙山). It was funny when they argued to each other for my next destination that I should go here or there. That's is very nice of them.


「八仙山」map　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　The view from parking area


Inside the park


You need 8 hours to the top! No way!　　　　　　　　　　　　　I think this is a hotel?


25 Nov 2007
I stayed at Hsinchu today. There is nothing much about sightseeing. Just eating and shopping a lot hehehe

I took the new bullet train for the first time from Hsinchu to Taipei at night. The Hsinchu station is very new and big. And I supposed the train is a new train either?! But it looks old to me. It is in white color but a bit yellowish. I think I look too many white and clean shinkansen in Japan, so a bit surprised to me to see Taiwan's bullet train look old! The journey took 30 mins and it costs 290 NTD.

I am a bit surprised that Taipei subway ticket is changed to a coin now. It looks like a game center plastic coin. I have never seen such ticket on any country's subway. So you only need to place the coin on the gate when you are enter and throw the coin on the gate when you out. It is interesting!


城隍廟(ChengHuang Temple)　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　My favorite dish, "EACien"

About the Hotel
As I had stayed at Hotel Riviera in last trip and I loved it, so I chose same hotel for this trip. But a bit disappoint when I found the bed sheet pilled up badly. This is my first time to see such things in a hotel. Anyway, I had posted the picture of this hotel on previous post, you can see in here.

Due the return flight will depart on early morning, we moved to City Suites Gateway Hotel (城市商旅航空館(桃園)) which is a nearest hotel to airport. Evergreen Transit Hotel had came in my mind at first but they only serve guest who are passenger of Taiwanese Airline. A very strange system. I wonder is there any merit by setting this kind of rule?

City Suites Gateway Hotel is a business hotel. There is seems like no any bellboy in their hotel. I asked for a LAN cable from my room, but they asked me to get it in lobby by myself!

We found only one buffet restaurant in this hotel so we had no any choice and had our dinner in this restaurant. It was very strange that they show you your seat at first, and after you sit down, they will ask you to pay at the entrance! Haha very funny isn't it? I think they should ask you to pay at first. And another funny thing (but I like this one!), they charge me only 70TWD for a beer, which they charge a foreigner 120TWD for same beer! Haha They thought I am a Taiwanese!


City Suites Gateway Hotel
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Last but not least, I would like to recommend a nice Taiwanese restaurant in Taipei,「欣葉餐廳」。They have Lumpia in here!! The waitress told me they Lumpia is a food eaten in ChingMing Festival. Wow! I never know that! Gotta ask my mom about this hehe And they have very tasty oyster omelette's in here which you can get same things in any food stall. It's superb!

Categories: english, taiwan, travel

Hawaii

Sep 14 - 19 went to Hawaii with my co-workers for celebrating our company 50 years anniversary. Actually our company will go for travel together once a year in Japan domestic and once every 5 year to abroad. This year is more special as we are celebrating this anniversary.

From the schedule, it seems like we were going for 6 days, but actualy we only have 4 days in Hawaii. The rest is on flight. We had prepared this since 3 years ago by deduct our salary every month to accumulate the 35% of trip fee, but we spent it only in 4 DAYS!! Really not enough.....

So we were only visit Oahu Island, the most touristy island, I think. As here is where Honolulu International Airport located, many tourist will come this island for stay or just for pass by to transit to another island. I heard that there are many Japanese tourist in this island, but I didn't know that Japanese is verrrry common in every touristy place. Even when me and my taiwanese friend speak in Chinese or English, the shoptender still asking us in Japanese. I wonder if they assume all asians are japanese.... Now I understand why one of my co-worker is complaining when Oahu island is fixed as our destination, not Big Island. Oahu Island make you feel just like you are in Japan!!

Although this is a company trip, but regretly, we weren't meet each other too much in Hawaii. We were all have our own activities to join, somebody went to shopping, somebody went to parasailing, somebody went to ride horse, somebody went to scubadiving (me actually hehe) etc. I become wondering how is the company trip in another company. Are they same as us? Its kinda no meaning at all as a company trip, although I appreciate the fee had company spent for us for this trip hehehe

The weather in Hawaii is so unpredictable. When I woke up in the morning with a heavy rain, but in short time it start with shiny day but not later it raining again. Very strange. But I think thats why ppls said that why you can see rainbow everyday in some place in Hawaii. It must be because this unpredictable weather.

I got problem in Hawaii with my name!! Not a big problem though, but still it is a problem without the surname. I always the latest one in line while check-in on flight, while making the Duty Free Shop Shopping Card, while place my handphone as deposit when we rent the snorkling things in Hanauma Bay. I don't have surname, so what!! haha

The last problem is tax and the tipping things. As Indonesia n Japan, all price are quoted with tax included, but USA not. I always wrongly assume that the price is cheap enough, but I forgot to add the tax or the tipping things, which made the things become so expensive. You have to give tips 15%~20%, which I think it is too high! Well, can't blame it as this is the country custom.

Hmm 4 days is definitely not enough for Oahu Islands, as I only could visit half of Waikiki, diving one day in Hawaii Kai, half day in Hanauma Bay. Finish. Thats all. Not going to downtown, not going to North Shore, not going to blablabla.... Well despite of the problems, of course I had fun. The relaxing atmosphere in Hawaii, the gentle breeze, the blue sky, the beautiful beach. Will post more picture in here soon :)

Categories: english, hawaii, travel

Bicycle

If you asking me what the most surprised thing in Japan when the first time I came, it would be the things about bicycle. There are sooo many bicyles in Japan, and most of them are mama-chari, that's what the japanese say for a bicycle with basket in front. And the most surprised thing is most of ppls are parking illegaly around the train station. I always had imagined that japanese ppls will very obey the law :P

During this 5 years, I had bought myself 3 mama-chari. The first one I left it to my host-parents in Urayasu city, as I couldn't bring it to Osaka. A new mama-chari will cheaper than the sending cost! The second one.... had dissapeared :( Yeah I had foolishly left my mama-chari unlocked and the key still in it! It just like telling ppls "come and take my mama-chari away".... And now, I have my third mama-chari.

I had lost my bike several times actually, but I always could found it back. I had redeemed it twice when I parked it illegaly :P And there was one time quite funny, when I just came back from my part time job at night and tried to unlock my mama-chari but failed. I found the mama-chari just as same as mine, but it was not mine!! Someone had mistaken my mama-chari. The strange thing is his key could fit to mine, but my key was absolutely not working on his. Quite lucky that I could found back my bike after 1 or 2 days, I had forgot... and the father of culprit gave me department store vouchers for asking his forgiveness LOL

I had my bike parked in a legal area at the station and pay for it monthly till last year. Now I just walk to nearest station. But sometimes when I am in hurry, I will ride my bike to the station and pay the daily parking fee. And it become my troubleness one time when I forgot that I rode my bike to station at the morning, and just walk back to home at the night. And when I realized it, I have to walked back to station to get my bike. And know what?!? I realized it after 3 days LOL

And today, when I parked my bike at supermarket and after back from shopping, again, I walked to home and had forgotten about my bike LOL I realized it after arrived at my apartment .....

I think i have to wash my brain soon .... :P

Categories: my life,english

Similan

Dec 31 . Departed to Phuket from Singapore by Tiger Airways. Everyone told me Tiger Airways will depart from "Budget Terminal" of Changi Airport, but no one told me where the Budget Terminal is. Checked the Changi website and it was stated that Tiger Airways fly from Terminal 1. The fact is you have to take the bus to "Budget Terminal" at the underground. I did went to terminal 1 at first and found a notice board at the stand that Tiger Airways and Cebu Pasific Air fly from Budget Terminal so i walked back and find the terminal. Stupid me didn't read the direction board at first hehe

There are only 2 airlines fly from here so you can imagine that there are not so many passengers, despite on this peak season. Quite lucky that i picked the last flight for going to Phuket on that day. I heard the flight before had been canceled. I got such a trauma for cancel or delay flight hahah

Since I am alone, didn't care much about new year eve party. I was planning to sleep as soon as arrive at the guest house, as I will be picked up for diving on the 6AM next morning. Oh, I stayed at The Little Mermaid Guest House, the only guest house which still available to stay on Dec 31 with short stay and of course with reasonable price, 565 baht per night. And dove with South Siam Divers, arranged by Phuket Happy Tour, a tour operator that run by japanese. They quote an attractive price for 7 dive at Similan Liveaboard for 9000 baht instead of the original price 9900 baht. And no need to pay in advance. A good value!! I asked them to arrange the airport taxi pick up service for me as well. Kinda feel secure if it arranged by a Japanese tour operator.

Didn't expect the fireworks on new year eve will be also held on Kata Beach. Seems like they have the fireworks everywhere, Patong Beach, Karon Beach, Phuket town or everywhere else. I could see the fireworks from my balcony at left, at right, at front, EVERYWHERE!!! It was so awesome! I think it continued till 1 AM or maybe more late, which made me couldn't sleep at all, and know what?! I overslept on the next day! South Siam Divers had came to pick me up meanwhile I still sleeping hahaha Didn't care bout wash my face or brush me teeth, I prepared my things for 5 minutes and ran to the car hahahahha Can be said that I still lucky that I was the first one to be picked-up so no other guests were waiting for me hohohoho

A long journey to Similan. It took 2 hours more to the harbor by car and plus 1,5 hours more to the big boat by speedboat. So here I began my diving journey at Similan on the first day of this year, 1 January 2007!

01 Jan 2007
1st Dive - North Wall - Similan - Phuket - Thailand
Air temp 29C - Water temp 24C - Visibility 10m - Max depth 18.3m - Dive time 23mins
This is the nicest site for me. There were many kind of corals that I never seen before. The site was so different with Kushimoto. But too bad, I had to go back to the boat after about 10 mins, cause my air had finished (well, I still have John's air) but the most problem is the water was too cold!! I was only with the 3mm shortie in this 24degC temperature!! And it was not fun at all to dive by always sticking with John hehehe
We were 5 person + the guide, John. So John is my buddy. One of us found the mask is not fit with her, and she said she want to go back to boat. OMG!!! As the current quite strong, we were floated to somewhere far from the boat. So that John sent the signal to the boat and asked someone to pick her up and her buddy as well by speedboat.
As we were floated far from the site, we joined the speedboat. Don't get wrong, we didn't sit on the speedboat. We were pulled by the speedboat from the back by catching the rope! John said my air might be had flew-up from the octopus when we were pulled.
Saw my first manta when in safety stop! Too bad the visibility was too bad so didn't see it clearly....

01 Jan 2007
2nd Dive - Anita Reef - Similan - Phuket - Thailand
Air temp 29C - Water temp 26C - Visibility 10m - Max depth 17.3m - Dive time 51mins
After get down to the water, as usual, get my Lumix underwater camera to catch some nice picture. But what I found!?!! My battery had runned-out! I was too panic when in the first dive finished, so didn't care too much bout my camera. I didn't turn it off!! So folks, no picture for whole day :(
John were taking his rest for this dive so another girl (sorry forgot her name) was my guide. And Fransisco from Spain was my buddy. We were 3 ppls. Only Espanol for Frans. No English. But it was ok when in the underwater. We have universal language :) It was fun when Frans saying "Mucho Furio" and I replied "Sii!! Sii!!" when we finished the diving. It just look like I understand espanol but I am not. Hahaha forget bout it, it was nothing related to diving :P
OK, this time I got one more shortie to wear. Much better. They don't have full suit for rental. Can you I imagine when the guide is wearing full suite, complete with the hood meanwhile I was only with the shortie? T_T
Saw 2 Bluespotted Stingray (ヤッコエイ)and a lot of Garden Eel (ガーデンイール) for the first time. And also the famous nemo,the Clown Anemonefish (カクレクナノミ）. I always wanted to take picture of them. All i saw were only yellowtail clownfish in Kushimoto. Well, sure I still have the chance in next time :)

01 Jan 2007
3rd Dive - Stonehenge - Similan - Phuket - Thailand
Air temp 29C - Water temp 24C - Visibility 10m - Max depth 16.8m - Dive time 54mins
Sorry!!! Forgot bout this dive hahahah so no story :P

01 Jan 2007
4th Dive - Hideaway - Similan - Phuket - Thailand
Air temp 27C - Water temp 24C - Visibility 10m - Max depth 17.8m - Dive time 33mins
It was the second night dive for me. Most of the ppls chose to stay at the boat and have their beer instead of taking the night dive. So for a whole boat with more that 20 customers, we were only 6 ppls for night dive.
My buddy was Sylvain, a fun guy from France. Spoke a lot with him when on boat. He was also a interpreter for me when talking with Fransisco heheh So no doubt, he can speak espanol as well as english and french.
For the first time saw a crab in the underwater :P It was a red crab, about 15cm. And some small crabs as well.

02 Jan 2007
5th Dive - Elephant Head - Similan - Phuket - Thailand
Air temp 28C - Water temp 23C - Visibility 15m - Max depth 24.8m - Dive time 50mins
7:30 morning. The visibility seems like getting better. My battery also had been charged well :P Took a lot of pics on this day :D For whole day, only 3 ppls in my group. My buddy Frans and the guide John. So love when dive with a small group.
John also had a camera with him today. I didn't know that a guide will take the camera with him, as our guide in Kushimoto won't. Maybe because we were so a small group??
A lot of fishes that I never know before. There were Titan triggerfish (ゴマモンガラ), Yellow　margin　triggerfish (キヘリモンガラ), Coral hind (ユカタハタ), False moorish idol (ムレハタタテダイ) , the nudibranch Pteraeolidia ianthina (ムカデミノウミウシ）, many kind of big groups of fishes, etc.
I forgot that Titan triggerfish is a dangerous fish although been told before. But won't forget anymore. I met it already and know it very well now ^^;

02 Jan 2007
6th Dive - West of Six - Similan - Phuket - Thailand
Air temp 32C - Water temp 24C - Visibility 15m - Max depth 23.1m - Dive time 54mins
The weather is getting hotter but not the water. Still same in 24C :(
Saw 2 nudibranch, Phyllidia coelestis (ソライロイボウミウシ) and one more not sure about its name (if you know it, please tell me). Clown triggerfish ( モンガラカワハギ), Redtooth triggerfish
(アカモンガラ),Black ｔriggerfish (ソロイモンガラ), Blackspotted blowfish (コクテンフグ), Sleek unicornfish ( テングハギモドキ), Spotted unicornfish (ツマリテングハギ), Elengote Surgeonfish (ヒラニザ), Powder blue surgeonfish ( パウダーブルーサージョンフィッシュ), Indo-Pacific sergeant ( オヤビッチャ)....

02 Jan 2007
7th Dive - Three Trees - Similan - Phuket - Thailand
Air temp 32C - Water temp 23C - Visibility 15m - Max depth 22.9m - Dive time 40mins
Last dive in Similan. I was thinking to stop at the 6th dive as I have to fly on the next 17 hours. But after discussing with John, he said it should be ok as my flight is a short flight. And of course, he told me that final decision is all on me. Ppls will encourage you to take flight after 24 hours or at least 18 hours.Well anyway, I decided to join. Didn't want to loose this last opportunity.
Few coral in here so felt the sea was so empty. For the first time could found a tiny fish out from the hole by myself. I guess it was a jawfish. Too bad my skill is too bad so couldn't take the picture.
There were a lot of sting ray in here. More than ten. Then John found the Cleaner shrimp (サラサエビ). Saw Tail-fin batfish (ツバメウオ), Orangespinned unicornfishes (ミヤコテングハギ), jellyfish (クラゲ), many triggerfish, moorish idol and again, a lot of groups of fishes...

Uploaded one of the scene in the underwater. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LLYHzFlig8

The boat was big and the room was comfort. Only me in my room. Yay!!
Liveaboard really fun! I only need to set the equipment only when the first dive and the cruise staff will refill the air while the tank still with the equipment. Meet a lot of ppls from all over the world. Sometimes talked with european/american in english and sometimes with japanese in japanese ^^; Seems like there were more europeans than americans on the boat.
One thing have to warn you if you are going to join a liveaboard. Be sure you keep your shoes as soon as you have your room cause I lost mine!!

Categories: travel, diving, english, thailand