Day 1
Moi's second trip by budget. This time we took Jetstar instead. Wasn't such a good experience for S for his first budget trip as the flight was delayed by 3 hours. So our 7:15pm flight to Denpasar International Airport, adjoined to 10.05pm and then we had to wait another good 1 hour before the departure. AND the plane was from valueair instead of jetstar. Maybe because of the delay, we were served with a cup of water and muffin on boarding. 
AND GUESS WHAT!! MR FEET decides to join me at my seat in the plane too... ERRRRRRRRRRR... disgusting.
The 2.5 hours flight was rather fast so we reached Bali at around 1:20am in the morning. Bad timing though as the taxi booth inside was already closed and we got to haggle with the taxi driver outside for the taxi fare to the hotel. Well, Moi did my homework and understand that our hotel is less than 20 minutes away from the airport and the hotel and the airport direct charges US$10 or IND 100,000. If going by meter, the fare won't exceed IND 50,000. But nevertheless because of the late hour, we would at the drivers' mercy since we have so little cab to grab. So after haggle the price with one of the driver, we managed to agree at US$15 (from US$20).
The service at the hotel was wonderful. Staff was patient, warm and nice. They explain the charges in details with us and show us the conversion to IND and the difference method of payment. Room was ok (US$90/room/night), within expectation since Moi has checked it out over trip advisor before departure. Despite being a new hotel, it's showing obvious signs of wear and tear like mouldy ceiling, detached lamination from cupboard, wet stains on vanity top, greyish towels with holes, etc.
100 Sunset Boutique Hotel
Jl. Sunset Road no. 100
Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Website : www.100sunset.com
Day 2
Didn't really plan much for this trip just wanted to go for spa and trek Mount Batur (Gunung Batur). Was really surprise when I met LY and her hubby at the hotel's lobby and really fortunate as they changed some Indonesia rupees with us. USD is not convenience to use at Bali as the shop will tend to charge you at a very poor conversion rate when you ask to pay in USD. LY also recommended a good and cheap local massage shop, REBORN less than 10 minutes away from the hotel. REBORN is beside the famous CoZy Spa which unfortunately we didn't have the time to drop in.
REBORN is famous for their Tui Na Therapeutic Massage so S has a try on that while I opted for the Balinese Massage. Moi felt uncomfortable initially as they led us into little rooms partition by only the curtain but surprisingly it was rather quiet and we could enjoy our massage in peace. Moi even heard someone snoring away. Kekeke! We went at 10am so we would able to enjoy their 10am - 2pm 50% promotion. For a 2 hour massage, we only need to pay IND 9,900 (SGD20).
After a good massage, we walked back to hotel and wanted to cross over to a local restaurant for lunch. WOW!! The street was just like HCMC BUT the traffic was damn fast and you just walked across. But the nice security guard outside 100 Sunset, armed with a whistle and a red table tennis racket, "assisted" us across. It's really comical to see.
The restaurant seems rather atas with a great number of foreigners e.g. Japanese, Australian and Koreans dining in it. They also have live music to soothing bali gamelan. Food was quite palatable though nothing too exceptional. S with his limited Malay managed to get us some food. Hahahahha! We wanted to order the fried chicken with indonesia black bean sauce, tahu goreng and lontong but ended up with....
Lontong (IND 3,000), Tahu Goreng, IND 5,000
Indonesia's tahu goreng is just fried beancurd without the peanut sauce and bean sprouts and lontong is really just rice cakes without the vegetable curry soup. Hahahahha! But the hilarious part must be the fried chicken as we got this instead - Chicken gizzards (Ampela) IND 4,000 (SGD 0.60).
Of course, we didn't touch the ampela and so S ordered Soto Ayam (IND 25,000, SGD 4) in place. I found the food too oily for liking and with a bad cough, it doesn't make it any better. S got himself a coconut drink at IND 12,500 (SGD 2), expecting it to be fresh coconut but got the can type instead. Heehee! Total lunch costs us IND 65,450 (SGD 10). 
We went back to hotel to hop on the free shuttle at 2pm to go to Matahari Kuta Square. Didn't really like to shop there cos most of the things just look so touristy and souvenir-like, things that we can get our pasar malan and also art living shop so Moi decided to give it a miss. We at around to look for good USD rates to change our USD to IND. Finally found PT. Central Kuta (Jl. Raya Kuta No.168, Bali 80361) offering IND 9,100 for USD100. So we made the change. It's important to ask and clarify that there is no other additional service charge and commission on top of the change.
We walked around and went to the kuta beach for a stroll. We were lucky to witness the ceremony of burnt offerings to celebrate triumph of the Good (Dharma) upon the bad (Adharma) on Galungan day. The offerings was intricate with many fine details and lovely.
We walked further along the beach and came to Discovery Shopping mall. At there, we bought some bread from breaktalk for tomorrow trekking trip to Mount batur and a wooden tea scoop at IND 15,000 (SGD 2.50). We then proceeded to settle for dinner at the food court while waiting for the sunset. Moi's throat was dried with much coughing so I just had the vegetable stew while S had chicken with rice plus a super sweet frozen cappuccino.
Vegetable stew and rice with chicken
Sunset at Segara beach (outside of Discovery Shopping Mall) was lovely. I wished we could just stand there forever. We made our way back via Blue bird taxi (so-called most trustworthy taxi in bali). The driver readily on the meter and when we were caught in a terrible jam and our taxi fare went up to IND 17,900. He gave us directions to walk back to our hotel instead and let us alight.
Day 3 starts at 1.30am....
Reborn Reflexology & Healthcare
Jalan Sunset Simpang Siur A.1
Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: (62) 361 767171 / 766744
Cozy Spa
Jl. Sunset Block A.3
Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: (62) 361 766762
Pondok Tempo Doelo
Sunset Road,
Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: (62) 361 9196868
Matahari Kuta Square
Jalan Bakung Sari No.1
Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Solaria Restaurant
Discovery Shopping Mall,
Jalan Kartika Plaza,
Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Day 3
To view the sunrise at Mount Batur, it is necessary for us to get to the top by 6am. LY did recommend her agent who quoted us US$75/pax for the trip while our hotel quoted us US$65 instead. Difference is lunch was provided for LY's package and they would be taking the longer route down the mountain towards the hot spring.
Mount Batur is about 1 1/2 hr ride from the hotel. The local agent, MA picked us up first. He was well-prepared with bread and drinks for us should we get too hungry. Moi was a little concerned with this climb since I had coughed continuously throughout the night before and had kept S awake. Both of us wasn't in our best condition and my throat felt extremely dried.
At the foot of Mount Batur, we were greeted by a local guide, KT who specialised in mountain trekking. All the local guides are from the Association of Mount Batur Trekking Guides. The price for short climb up Batur to see the sunrise is fixed at IND 300,000 (USD 35) per guide for a maximum of four people, IND 450,000 (USD 45) for a 5-6 hour trek around the main crater and IND 600,000 (USD 60) for a 7 hour exploration trek.
Moi has thought the trek is quite an easy walking trek but trekking along the brim of the crater can be quite a challenge as the space for footing is small and if one loses balance, you will easily be rolling down either side of the crater and smashed into pieces. S lost his balance at about 3/4 of the trek and nearly fell off the crater. My heart nearly fell out of my mouth. Luckily, KT was fast to grab him by his bag. As the trek got steeper with many loose rocks, I was glad that KT held my hand throughout and guided me. He shared with us many interesting stories about Mount Batur including the recent demise of the swedish guy that fell into the crater.
We were the first team to start trekking up so KT made a point to go slower to allow moi to rest more and also for the rest to catch up. In the quiet night, a stranger with us shared many interesting account of our lives and his dream. This is a little man with big dreams and aspirations for his family. S and I were very happy to make this friend on our trip. Looking up into the night sky, show us vast wide sky of numerous starlets. A rare view, or should I said impossible view in our city island. The view was just so stunning in all directions as we hiked around the sharp rim of the crater, with hot steam rising from the rocky sides of the caldera - a reminder of the forces of nature.
As it was rather cloudy, we would not able to catch a perfect sunrise but still it was lovely and the sense of accomplishment that we made it to the top was just so GREAT.
Despite our aching feet and S's scrapped leg, we continued to proceed to Tegalalang (Ceking) to see the rice paddy field. IT was simply breath-taking and lovely. Moi loves it so much. Couldn't stop snapping away.
Well, it was nearly 10am and we proceed to go for massage at Spa Hati. Spa Hati is in support of Bali Hati, a non-profit foundation established in February 1997 to promote the education and social welfare of the people of Bali. "Hati" means "heart" in Indonesian, and the name suggests that the heart, the beauty, of Bali is its people. We opted for their 1 hour package which costs us about IND 135,000 (USD 16). We requested to pay in USD but was shocked by the exchange rate that was quoted to us. The airport gave the rate at 8,800 IND for 1 USD but they are charging us at the rate of 8,050 IND for 1 USD. A big difference. The massage experience wasn't too good too and the facilities was inadequate. Overall, experience was not good. If not for supporting their mission, it's not a place that Moi will recommend anyone.
MA brought us to a secluded cosy restaurant viewing a nice river for lunch. S got a shock with the pricing. My chicken rice costs IND 25,000 (SGD 4) and S's large sandwich costs IND 15,000 (SGD 2.50). After lunch, our eyes were heavy from getting up early in the morning so we went back to hotel for a short nap before proceeding to tonight's program at Tanah Lot.
Departed for Tanah Lot at 4pm. It was an hour drive from the hotel to Tanah Lot. It was a highly recommended by 2 of Moi's colleagues so even though MA reommended to go Jimbaran for sunset and dinner. Moi insisted to go Tanah Lot. The view was simply awesome. The large cliff housing the temple and the great waves washing up from afar. Really beautiful.... see photos...
Association of Mount Batur Trekking Guides
Tel: (62) 366 52362
Email: volcanotrekk@hotmail.com
Spa Hati
Jln. Raya Andong #14, Peliatan
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: (62) 361 977578
Website: www.spahati.com
Day 4
Today was the last day so we didn't have much time left. We made an appointment to redeem our 15 mins free foot massage from the hotel at 9am and proceeded to REBORN for an hour massage (IND 49,000 SGD 8). The free foot massage was really good at the hotel. Unfortunately it was our last day or I would love to book a session with them to try their massage too.
cont... Day 5
From Izu, we trotted down to Tokyo. it was a long ride and we were very tired when we checked in Sunroute Hotel.
Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku
2-3-1 Yoyogi. Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo, Japan
Tel : (81) 3-3375-3211
Website : http://www.hotelsunrouteplazashinjuku.jp/en/
After checked in, we felt really hungry and went to the "happening" shinjuku to see if we can fish out our dinner and supper. ;-) Yoshinoya was just right at the corner of our hotel so I have to PULL S in to try Japan's Yoshinoya which is SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH Nicer than the Singapore's version. S ordered Gyu-don (beef) at JPY380 while Moi ordered my Buta-don (pork) at JPY330. Yummy yummy!!
But portion was a dah too small so we trotted along crowded shinjuku and landed ourselves licking a bowl of curry Udon at ka no ya. It was a self-service eatery where you go a vending machine to get a ticket for the food you want and then pass that ticket to the kitchen to cook your food. Everything is self-service from taking of cold water, removing the plates after meal etc. It was an interesting experience for S. The Japanese's self-imposed conformation never fails to amuse him.
Yoshinoya
Shinjuku Riyuzu Building 1F-3F
3-23-10 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: (81) 3-5361-8007
Website : http://www.yoshinoya.com/en/index.html
かのや 新宿東南口店 (ka no ya)
新宿駅、新宿三丁目駅、新宿西口駅
Shinjuku-eki, Shinjuku 3-chome eki, Shinjuku nishiguchi eki
Tel : (81) 3-3226-8633
Day 6
We are planning to meet some friends for dinner tonight so we didn't want to pack the morning. We went back to Ka no ya for breakkies and trotted along to Harajuku area - One of the most popular Japanese shopping belt where you will see all kind of fashionable items and clothes on sale. On our agenda, we wanted to look for the tree house cafe (a cafe literally built on a tree) and also Meji jinggu (a traditional shrine).
First stop to fuel ourselves for the long walk, we decided to have our lunch at Kabe no Ana (hole in the wall), the first chain store that started the wafu (Japanese style) spaghetti. The shop was named such from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream where 2 lovers, Pyramus and Thisby converse over a hole in the wall. Thus, Kabe no Ana is only a eating place but a place where people comes to communicate and converse.
若者のアイドル (Youth idol) + ベーコン (Bacon)
We spotted many interesting shops along the way... if I am with G, it will definitely be a shopping spree. S was busy trying to make sure I kept to outer lane and not go into the shops.... GRRRRRR! Here's some interesting shots from the streets...
Moving clothes on display
Though we were not hungry but I chanced upon a Freshness Burger joint and It's a definitely MUST TRY!! SInce we dun have it in Singapore. I love the whole atmosphere of the shop, rustic and homely. It felt like entering someone's home, their kitchen. The burger are grilled and made upon each order. Size is relatively small but nice. Even the stirrers were printed "freshness burger". I am so in love with this place. We had Bacon omelette burger at JPY350.
freshness burger
At Meji Jinguu, we spotted a traditional shinto wedding...
Well, left Harajuku rather unfruitful cause we didn't buy many things and we have a very hard time finding the tree cafe and it was closed for a function... so we decided we will come back another day.
Dinner @ Yamato with peers. Happy Time! it's amazing to see how each of us have grown individually from singles to married, to now parents. How we have known one another for more than 10 over years. The joyful part was how we could click once again like old days despite the long absence.
壁の穴 (Kabe no ana)
東京都渋谷区神宮前6-4-1 八角館 4F
Tokyo, Shibuya, Jinguu mae 6-4-1 Hakkakukan 4F
Tel : (81) 3-3400-9294
Website : http://www.kabenoana.com/
Freshness Burger
東京都渋谷区神宮前6-18-3神宮前Ｓﾋﾞﾙ１Ｆ
Tokyo, shibuya, Jinguu mae 6-18-3 jinguu mae S Building 1 F
Tel : (81) 3-5774-1525
Website : http://www.freshnessburger.co.jp/
活水料理 やまと (Yamato)
東京都新宿区西新宿1-4-18 大和ビル
Tokyo, Shinjuku Nishi-Shinjuku 1-4-18 Yamato Building
Tel : (81) 3-3345-4600
Website : http://yamatoshinjyuku.web.fc2.com/
Day 7
Day 7 is yet another day to catch up with friends. We met up with H and M. M brought us to ramen place for lunch. I can't recall the name and place well since we drove there. It was interesting that M took a year off from work to take good care of her baby. It was so splitting to her personality, the one who love freedom and carefree.
Proceed to stroll along the lovely Inokashira koen where Ghibli Museum resides. Took some lovely pictures before we bladed M goodbye and went to our adventure tour in Ghibli Museum. It was so great fun (unfortunately, no photography allowed). Tickets are hard to get as they set a maximum number of visitors per day. To check out the procedures, please click here. I understand that recently JTB actually assists Singaporeans to get the tickets in advance.
Ghibli Museum
1-1-83 Simorenjaku, Mitaka-shi,
Tokyo 181-0013
Website : http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/
After visit of Ghibli Museum, we proceed to have dinner and walk around Akihabara with K and A. Akihabara has many interesting and latest gadgets but mostly are in Japanese and power conversion is necessary so it's not very interesting for me and S.
Dinner was 刀削麺 (knife cut noodles). It was a traditional chinese noodle place more than a Japanese one. Noodles pricing was quite steep at JPY700 each. After dinner, we went JCO for coffee and cream puff. The cream puff was really soft and tasty.
刀削麺荘 唐家 秋葉原店
東京都千代田区外神田3-8-17
Tel : (81) 3-5294-4888
Day 8
We woke up very early to go visit the Tsukiji market. For those who love sashimi, this is a MUST go place. This is where you get the freshest seafood and at the cheapest possible price. We could feel the sweetness of the meat melting in our mouths. S and I couldn't have enough of this place.
We proceeded next to Shibuya to visit the Electric Power Museum (Denryokukan). This museum is by the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) introduces various aspects of electric energy, such as the process of power generation and the role of electricity in society and everyday life. Information in English is limited. There are little boxes where each box contains different sets of interactive games for both children and adult. Admission is free. it's an educational place to bring children 10 years and above.
Streets of Shibuya
Electric Power Museum (Denryokukan)
1-12-10, Jinnan Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Website : http://www.tokyo-cci.or.jp/sangyokanko/english/007.html
Open daily 10am - 6pm.
Closed on Wed.
A hungry stomach led us to Krispy Kreme. I dunno what's the whole craze over Krispy Kreme donuts but the queue is always so LONG. Nevertheless, we managed to give it a try since we have a little bit of time before we went searching for our tree cafe. Well, I would say it's quite good. The bread was soft and crispy. it wasn't too hard nor too soft from over or under baking. It was just right.
This time round to treehouse cafe, we looked carefully the various landmark as not to get lost again. This is the way to tree cafe... Look out for Harajuku doori (原宿通り), turn into the small lane after you see this shop N044. Dun expect to see a tree with steps to a house. The tree is concealed inside the building so you can't see the tree till you go inside the cafe. The map available on their website was not that useful.
Treehouse Hideaway
#202 3-20-1 Jingu-mae Shibuya-ku
Tokyo Japan
Tel : (81) 3-5410-2343
Website : http://treehouse.jp/hideaway/