Diary of Happy Belly Lady

Hi all!

Back to blogging again!
This time allow me to tell you about the beauty of Indonesian Islands, before I continue my Japan trip post. Yes, indeed Indonesia is my home and for me, only Indonesia who has the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Most of you must have known or been to Bali, the island of villas paradise,
and you probably have visited Bali quite a lot of times until finally you got bored, then wondering which place to go to next. Well, these islands located nearby Bali, are worth to visit, since they are less crowded, have clearer sky and breathtaking sunsets.

Lombok and the Gilis, also Nusa Penida Island (on my next post) might be put in your bucketlist for your next summer holiday.

Now let me introduce you to...

LOMBOK

Selong Belanak Beach

Mawun Beach

Day 1
We spent the first day in Lombok, visiting the Southern beaches once we landed in Lombok Praya Int'l Airport. It took us only around 20 mins by car to reach the beach. There are sooo many breathtaking beaches in the southern of Lombok you should visit, such as Kuta (same name with Bali, but this one is still clean though), Mawun, Selong Belanak, Tanjung Aan. Beach hopping was possible enough on half day, unless you spent more than 2 hours on each beach like we did :( because we really don't want to move once we were there.
It only took around 5 to 10 minutes to move from one beach to another by car, and you might follow this routes:
Selong Belanak beach is a MUST visit if you want to go surfing or learn to surf. If you don't, you can also enjoy the beach by sipping the coconut water with a view or rent someone's surfboard just for taking photos like I did. lol

It's quite heavy, so...

Mawun Beach is the perfect beach to relax and absorb many vitamin sea. The beach was not crowded at all when we went there on Sunday, only a few families swimming and bules are sunbathing. The contour of the beach was like a slope, with quite a lot of tree which somehow makes it not as hot as Selong Belanak beach. Perfect place to thank yourself, after such a never ending work.

Feels like a private beach :3

Kayak(s)

Day 2.
It's finally the day to visit the island of never ending fun, the Gilis. There are 3 infamous small islands located in the North West of Lombok, which are Gili Trawangan (the biggest and most crowded among three Gilis), Gili Meno ("Meno" which means lake and it's the smallest island), and Gili Air (the island of snorkeling and diving spot). "Gili" itself actually means small island in Sasak language. Whether you are a type of person who likes to party all night, seek for a deserted island, or want to explore the underwater. The Gilis are perfect for you!

We took the fastboat to Gili Trawangan  from Teluk Nara Harbour. The harbour can be reached around 30 minutes by car from Senggigi area. Before departing from the harbour, our driver took us to a tourists photo spot in Malimbu Hill and he helped us to took some (decent) photos, and let me share a few to you.

Mother of Buffalo (marked with the bell on its neck) having brunch by the hill

Feels like wanna jump into the blue

There are a lot of stalls offering the snorkeling or diving experience nearby the Gili T Harbour, which took around 4 hours of snorkeling in all Gilis and the package also include the boat rent and google glass. The snorkeling boat departs at 10.00 AM and 01.00 PM.
A few suggestion to snorkel (especially the first timer):
- Use the life vest to prevent exhausting and your own swimming glasses, because sometimes the google glass are not fit, which makes the water come through.
- Bring along some snacks or chocolates, and mineral water with you to prevent seasick and vomit, also not to be missed is to bring underwater camera!
- and Don't be afraid to jump right out from the boat, just don't forget to hold your breath while doing so :)

It's so beautiful down there underwater, that maybe next time I should learn how to dive. The beautiful corals, crystal clear water, and unique fishes are not to be missed when you visit the Gilis.
After we keep swimming and keep swimming, we our boat finally stopped by in Gili Air and we can have lunch there.

A passing by Cidomo (horsecart)

We were too exhausted and roasted, that none of us even have time to take a snap of our lunch, but we totally had the best Marlin fish Steak ever in Gili Air.
It's 3.00 PM, and now it's time to go back to Gili T by boat and we're about to catch the sunset in the famous Villa Ombak Sunset. It took around 1 km to go to Ombak Sunset from the harbour.
Since we found it quite hard to walk after snorkeling, we decided to rent double bicycle trailer nearby Sama-sama Reggae Bar. The other option is you can rent Cidomo (local horse cart) that fits up to 4 people, and costs around IDR 150.000 - 200.000 for one way. We chose the double bicycle trailer, not because it's sweet for couple, but I was too afraid to cycle by my own, after I accidentally fell from bicycle and swam-into-a-drain-instead :( at least it made my friends laughed. lol. In my opinion, it is best to explore Gilis by riding bicycle so that you can enjoy the six-pack bule island view (unless you have to bring along your suitcase).

Villa Ombak Sunset is famous with its Swing by the sea, that most people (in instagram) took photos there when in Gili T. Best time to take photos in the swing is around 5.45 - 6.00 PM during the sunset, and arrived in the villa's beach cafe 1,5 - 2 hours before the sunset, so that you can still choose your own seat, before it's getting crowded.






Dinner time means seafood time! there are a lot of seafood cafes nearby the harbour, such as Scallywags, Ko ko Mo, Beach House cafe or you can have seafood in the night market "Pasar Seni" which located nearby the harbour. The price in Pasar Seni is cheaper than the cafe, but don't expect that it will be cheaper than in Jakarta, because the price is actually the same or even more expensive than in Jakarta for fishes name which we never heard before, around IDR 100.000 - 200.000.

Warteg look-a-like stall

Fresh fishes, I only know the red snapper, no idea for the rest :3

Day 3.
Back to Lombok early morning and it's time to explore the south-east side of Lombok: Pink Beach (Tangsi Beach). It was quite a loooong and lonely way *no kidding* to reach the beach by car from Teluk Nara harbour, and took us around 3,5 - 4 hours to arrive, due to bad condition of the road. However, don't forget to stop by in Mataram for lunch before heading to the south. Actually there is another option to reach the beach by boat, departing from Tanjung Luar Harbour. The road condition to Tanjung Luar harbour is a lot better than directly to the Pink Beach.

Plecing Kangkung-Sup Rembiga (Ribs Soup)-Gurame Bakar-Ayam Taliwang by Resto Nada Alam Nyaman

Pink Beach

the pink sand

You might see from the photo above there are a few islands nearby the beach. Island hopping is one of tourist activities *MUST!* when visiting Tangsi Beach (Pink Beach), other than snorkeling or sunbathing. We rent a boat for around 2 hours island hopping to three deserted islands (Pink Beach 2, Harapan island, and Pasir island) for one way, which means we didn't go back to Tangsi Beach but stopped at Tanjung Luar Harbour, as a result of bargain to Mas-mas who own the boat. We got half the price yaay! Once you arrived to the islands, you will feel literally in a deserted island, or private island(?) because tourists are rarely paid a visit to the area.

Pink Beach 2

Pasir island

3 Days in Lombok budget for 1 person

- Flight ticket from Jakarta to Lombok Praya and return IDR 1,3 million (using budget airlines)
- 3D2N Hotel/Guest House in Senggigi, Gili T, and Praya IDR 439,500
- Car rental for 2 days IDR 225,000
- Boat rental to Gili T and return IDR 200,000
- Bike rental in Gili T IDR 50,000
- Boat rental in Pink Beach IDR 100,000

So approximately the budget for accomodation if you go to Lombok with the other 3 friends of yours is around IDR 2,3 million. The cheaper the airline ticket is the better and don't forget to save some money!

See you on next post!

Konnichiwa!

After exploring Tokyo in 2 days, me and my sister packed our suitcase and move to Osaka.
So in this post, I'd like to share to you my 1st day in Kobe and Osaka ^^

Here's the list of places we visited for in Kobe and Osaka:

• Kobe Steakland 
• Osaka Castle  (can't make it there since it's closed at 6 PM)
• Dotonbori Osaka

There wasn't quite a lot of places we visited in Osaka and Kobe, considering the travelling time from Tokyo by train which took around half a day.
Osaka is about 500 km distance from Tokyo. Yea right. It's almost half of the length of Java Island, but Thanks to the Shinkansen, it only took us around 3 hours to go to Osaka from Tokyo. You can check the train departure in Hyperdia to stop at Shin-Osaka station. If you have purchased the JR Pass, don't forget to reserve seats first. You can check on my previous post on how to reserve the seat. 
FYI, the Shinkansen included in JR Pass is the Hikari Shinkansen. If you want to take Nozomi Shinkansen, you must purchased another ticket which costs around 5,500 Yen. 
What's the difference between Hikari and Nozomi? 
The difference is, Nozomi arrived 20 minutes earlier than Hikari because Nozomi train does not stop at several stations like Hikari. 
The trains are always on time, so be sure to arrived earlier in the station :)

While we're waiting for the train arrived, we bought a bento box for brunch in Shinjuku Station which costs around 600 Yen

It's a hamburg beef and omelet bento box, it's probably not as salty and tasty as the food in indo, but the rice, meat, and omelet are so fresh just like from the kitchen, no MSG added, so it's like you don't feel guilty at all to finish them off.

After 3 hours boarding the train finally we arrived in Osaka!


We only checked in on our apartment and put the baggage there because we want to go to Kobe Steak Land

Kobe Steak Land

It took only around half an hour to reach Kobe by train. Arrived there before dinner time, and the biggest Kobe Steak Land restaurant have not yet open, since it opens at 5 PM and we arrived there around 3.30 PM. Quite dissapointed at first, but we decided to wait and have some fingersnacks in McDonalds located accross the restaurant.
I solemnly swear the Hokkaido Milk Pie is to die for!

Typical Indonesian: can't go without bringing Sambal

While waiting until 5 PM, we strolled around nearby the train station and find out that there is another Kobe Steak Land restaurant open! This one is located accross Namco store. The board said that it opens at 5 PM, but me and my sister can get in there at 4.15 PM...Arrigatou oneesan!

Stage 1: Raw

Stage 2: Medium Rare

Stage 3: Medium well

Stage 4: Oh you look so well

Look at those sizzling medium-well prime Kobe Tenderloin Beef! *drool*
It was so tender, juicy, and the texture is very soft until I feel like I ate chicken meat, probably the best beef I've ever had in my life.
The price for 1 set Meal Kobe Tender Beef costs around 4300 Yen. A bit pricey, eh? But trust me it's sooooo worth it once this package of Fresh Salad + Tomato Soup + White Rice + 200 gr of medium well Kobe Tender Beef comes right in front of you!


With a happy belly, we say goodbye to Kobe and going back to Osaka. 
Here's some pictures I managed to snap in Kobe :)

Red Room spotted

Dotonbori, Osaka

Hello again!

First of all, thank you for reading my previous post(s)!
Hope my tips can help you to arrange your trip to Japan, especially for you first-timer.

Now in this post, I'd like to share my 2nd day itinerary in Tokyo ^^
Here's the list of places we visited in Tokyo Day 2:

• Fujiko F. Fujio Museum
• Shinjuku Gyoen 
• Akihabara
• Harajuku (Takeshita Street)

Fujiko F. Fujio Museum

View of Kawasaki from the museum

How to get there?

Teru-teru Bozu spotted!

How to purchase the ticket?

Pintu ke mana saja (Go-to-everywhere-as-you-wish Door)

P-Man and his monkey

After strolling around the playground, sipping a cup of latte and having some desserts will be a very good idea. So, my sister and I stopped by the cafe and having brunch there. Remember the bread that Nobita ate before final exam?
You should try it too!

The signature Roti Pengingat

Carbonara spaghetti (non-halal)

Mango sponge cake with ice cream and mango sauce

Childhood spirit restored!

Shinjuku Gyoen

Actually going to Shinjuku Gyoen wasn't included in our itinerary, but because we only found a few of full bloom cherry blossom trees in Ueno Park, we decided to stop here as it is only 1.3 km away from Shinjuku Station South Exit. After all, 1.3 km is not that exhausting, but the wind sometimes makes it a little bit hard to walk :)

However, it's so worth it once you see so many beautiful full bloom Cherry blossom trees.

Akihabara

Akihabara area is the right place for fans of Japanese manga, games, latest technology, and also for the fans of AKB48. I got to admit that I'm none of the above though, and so does my sister. So, we decided to visit a cafe with unique concept, Owl Cafe or in Japanese is "Auru no Mori". Unfortunately, we did not get a seat since the cafe has been fully booked and reservation is mandatory when you want to visit this cafe, to hang around and take photos with Owls. Check out their website for the reservation and detail location: Owl Cafe

We were quite disappointed, since it was quite hard to find the cafe location and we were only wasting time on wondering around the area. However, on our way back to Akihabara station, we found this crazy delicious beef and pork yakitori nearby Don Quijote in Akihabara and stopped by in front of AKB48 Cafe to take some snaps.

Mood booster + Happy belly

Heavenly place for Otaku

Last Stop of the day: Takeshita Street at Harajuku

It was quite a tiring day, and cold day especially because of the wind that keep blows, but despite of the wind, we were lucky enough that it wasn't raining as predicted on weather forecast. My suggestion: wear 3 pieces of tops minimum here. I only wore a sweater and a black coat, which made me shiver everytime the wind comes.

And last stop of the day: Shopping at Takeshita street! It is located just right across Harajuku station exit.


See you on next post and Sayonara!