Sunset Hill Villa Room, Unit 1

This is a 1 bedroom villa unit, with a King size bed, separate shower room, toilet and washing area.  The Villa is spacious, clean and modern.  Coffee & tea facilities are provide and there is a small mini fridge.

Travel Note:

The bed that Sunset Hill provided is very comfortable; the linen is clean and soft.

All shower room and toilet is open concept, so it might not suitable for some people.

My daughter fell down twice in the shower room.  So be aware of this when staying with kids or old folks.

No phone line or intercom in the room, so to get room service is a hassle.  Need to walk to the main lobby/breakfast area to press the bell for assistance.

Villa entrance to the room area

This is the villa entrance to the room area.  I enjoyed very much here, drinking tea and reading book.  The air is fresh, the view is stunning and you can hear and see all kind of insects and creepy crawlies.

Travel Note:

Ensure the villa door is always closed to avoid insects, creepy crawlies and mosquitoes entering.

At times you will find a lot of ants at the villa pathway, so check your shoe or your flip flop before wearing it.

View from the 1 bedroom villa

This is villa have the same view with those 5 star resorts in Ubud, yet we pay at a very reasonable rate, USD75/night.  Sunset Hill Villa is located in a village that is surrounded by padi fields. Pretty scenery!!

Travel Note:

…because of the nature and peaceful surrounding, the villa owner decided not to install TV or Internet line. NO TV and NO INTERNET in the villa.
Not an entertaining villa for kids and family group.

Sunset Hill Swimming Pool

As a family with a young daughter, we enjoyed much at the pool with great view overlooking the Wos River.  The calmness and bird chirping all the way make it much relaxing.

Travel Note:

Pathway leading to the pool from breakfast area is slippery when it is wet. BEWARE.

There are is padding for the chair by the pool or towel at the poolside area, so before going to the pool, get the room service attendance prepare it for you.

Daily Breakfast at Sunset Hill Villa

I enjoyed every morning breakfast with, greenery fresh air, overlooking the river and poolside.  Daily breakfast comes with Coffee or Tea, varieties of healthy bread and pastries, homemade jam and mixture of fruits.

Travel Note:

It is not a buffet style breakfast and no kids menu breakfast.  But the owner of the villa is kind enough to prepare special breakfast request for your child.

Address: Bangkiang Siden, Bali, Indonesia.

Personally I only recommended Sunset Hill Villa, for honeymoon couple or retirees that just want to do nothing but to relax and read books. (NO TV & NO INTERNET)

For those that do not like to walk much, this place is too far in although it was said about 30mins walking distance to/from Ubud central.

As for us, we rented a car for 5 days, so distance is still OK for us but for food, we will have to drive out all the time.

Distance from Ngurah Rai International Airport to Sunset Hill Villa – 1 1/2 hours.

If you are planning to drive, suggest that you rent a GPS from the car rental company, this will make it easier to find the Villa.

Driving to Sunset Hill, following the Elephant Safari Park signage will lead to well to the Villa.

Click here to get more information about Sunset Hill Villa Ubud or to make a reservation

You can get to Bali by Air, international flights arrive directly to Ngurah Rai International Airport.  Some countries do not have direct flight to Bali but to Jakarta so will need to transfer to a domestic flight.  The journey will take about 90minutes.

When to Visit?

If we do not want to pay the PEAK period rate, the best time will be April-May and September.  The accommodation and car rental is at cheaper rate.  Peak Season will be June-August and December-January.

Visas and Passports:

Malaysian do not need Visa to travel to Indonesia.  As for other Nationality, you will need to check with your local travel agent.

Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure and you must have a confirmed ticket out.

Vaccinations:

It is advisable to get vaccination for Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B.

Clothing:

Casual clothing, lightweight fabric for comfort in the heat.  If visiting temples (Pura), it is advisable to wear below knee length skirt/pants and sleeved blouse/shirt.

Electricity:

Indonesia uses 220volt system and 2 round pin electrical socket.

You will need this…

Religion in Bali:

Most Balinese follow a kind of Hinduism mixed with Buddhism and ancestor worship.  Religious ritual take place everyday.

Currency:

Indonesian monetary is in Rupiah.  Foreign currency and travellers’ cheques can be exchanged at the airport, banks and money-changers counter.

When comes to food we are very particular and choosy especially travelling with a child.  No choice we will have to skip street hawker food and only restaurants or cafes.

Well, this particular BBQ Pork Ribs at Naughty Nuri’s Warung (cafe) is famous and introduced by many people even the famous Chef Anthony Bourdain.  So we just can’t wait to try the BEST BBQ Pork Ribs in Bali…

…after trying it the verdict-EXCELLENT!

It is tender, juicy and tasty but we found out that it is only nice when eat it hot.  Once it is cold, the pork taste and the porky-pork smell is strong.  REMEMBER EAT IT WHILE It’s HOT!

At Naughty Nuri’s Warung, the place crowded and always busy during dinner time.  You will see locals and foreigners grouping together for chatting, eating and drinking.  But the place is a bit stuffy and the air circulation is bad, which mean after your delicious meal, you will also bring home BBQ odour on your clothing and hair. *yulks*

BBQ Pork Spare Ribs at Naughty Nuri's Warung

COST 70,000 rupiah.

Naughty Nuri’s Warung, JL Sanggingan, Ubud. Opposite Neka Museum, Up the road from Nacho Mama’s.

Open: 8am-10pm.

Travel Note:

If planning for dinner, try to go half hour earlier to find available space.

If you bring kids or Naughty Nuri’s is over crowded, I would suggest you don’t wait but walk down towards Nacho Mama Restaurant.  It is about few shop lot down the street.  Naughty Nuri’s and Nacho Mama belong to the same owner, you still get the SAME FOOD, SAME PRICE & SAME TASTE.

Always wash your hands before you eat because you will need to finger lickin’!

You MUST also try their specialty SATE.

The lighting at Naughty Nuri’s is very dim plus there are no street lights in Ubud, therefore it is very dark.  Be careful with your belonging while eating.

Bali is a land that is full of mythical, volcanic lakes, amazing rice terraces, ancient temples and palaces, and rich in cultures and people.  It is also famous for its traditional architecture, dances and festivals.  Balinese culture is lively and constantly practices in old or new innovative way.

Discovering Bali, some traveller will choose to stay at the popular beach area or in Ubud, the cultural heartland of Bali.  Where ever you stay, budget of luxury accommodation you will surely not miss out the places of interest, local food and shopping!

If you want to find genuine generosity and friendliness, you will never miss the experiences in Bali!

Here are a brief description about Bali:-

• The island of Bali is part of Republic of Indonesia.
• City Name: Denpasar.
• Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport.
• Languages: Bahasa Indonesia.
• Official Currency: Indonesian Rupee (IDR)

Important simple Bahasa that you need to know before you travel.

Thank You – Terima Kasih

Yes – Bisa

No – Tak Bisa

Toilet – Kamar Kecil

Petrol Station – Pertamina

Airport Terminal – Bandara

Temple – Pura

Car – Mobil

Click on the MAP for a larger view.

When choosing a good and affordable hotel it is always not easy, especially travelling with a child.  We want a clean bed (no bed bugs), comfortable, modern and centralize hotel.  After a long search and list down plenty of hotels, we finally chose Holiday Inn Express Luohu Shenzhen.  We never regret making that decision.

Indeed, Holiday Inn Express Luohu Shenzhen is a affordable and comfortable hotel for individual and family travellers.  Easy to access for food and just across the street which is less than 5 minutes walk you will see McDonald fast food, a mini market and some small shops.

At time of our reservation, we managed book at a very low rate and it is guaranteed the lowest internet rate!  It’s an international chain hotel, a 3 star hotel and during our stay we only pay USD45/night!  Holiday Inn Express Luohu Shenzhen is affordable, even the lower category hotel in Shenzhen cost around USD36.  So why not pay a little more to have a better stay.

Overall, Holiday Inn Express Luohu Shenzhen is a very affordable accommodation for everyone.  If we ever return to Shenzhen for a visit, we surely will stay there again.

Holiday Inn Express Luohu Shenzhen

Non-Smoking Room with Shower

The shower room

Travel tip:

At Holiday Inn Express Luohu Shenzhen, there are no concierge or bell boys to help us on our luggage but there is enough trolley for the hotel guest to push their luggage to the room.

There are no room service provided, so if we really need to dine in the room, we can call to order but will have to go to the restaurant to pick up the food ourselves.  Afterall, it is an express hotel.

The reception personnel are very helpful and can speak English well, so remember to get your destinations name written in Chinese before you start your journey.  Most of the taxi driver could not speak English.

Well, since I was travelling with a baby, I do not want to argue and I just pay to the driver. Later that day, I have a little chat with the hotel staff and found out that the earlier taxi that we board is an illegal taxi. No wonder the so called “taxi” looks like a private car!

Anyway, we all learn from it and during our holiday in Shenzhen we board on a legal taxi and have no problem with the rate at all.

Below is a photo of a legal taxi.  This is how it looks like, with Chinese words on the side doors and the local taxi is red in colour. So, make sure you only board on this kind of taxi (refer to the photo).

Legal Taxi In Shenzhen

Travel Note:

Always get the destination written in Chinese because most of the taxi driver can’t speak English.  You can get the help of the hotel reception to write in Chinese for you before you go any where.  Most importantly is your hotel name in Chinese.  (Before you travel, it is possible to email the hotel to request the hotel name and address in Chinese.)  Trust me, you need it!

The red taxi starting rate is 12.50yuan for the first 3km and then 2.40yuan for every additional km.

The yellow taxi has the same fee schedule as the red one. The yellow taxi only operates within the Special Economic Zone of Shenzhen while the red taxi operates within and out of the zone.

Beware of fake money; ensure you have loose change when travelling in a taxi.

The drivers in Shenzhen do drive like a “F1 driver”, they drive with no safety measure in their mind and they speed all the times.  Be sure to seat tight, hold on tight and if travelling with baby, for safety purpose please seat behind.

Dong Men Pedestrian Street is a shopping place for everyone. Most of the gathering is at this street and shopping also starts from here and leads to the other side of  the road.  At Dong Men, there are different building selling different kind of things.  Building with little stall selling things like electronic stuff, adult and children clothes, fashion accessories, toys, shoes and more.  Basically you can find all your shopping needs in Dong Men.

Dong Men Pedestrian Street

Travel Note:

Dong Men nearest Metro station is called “Laojie”, exit A to reach Dong Men.

Be careful with pick pockets while shopping.If possible, make sure you have a lot of small notes and BEWARE of FAKE MONEY especially 100 Yuan.  Also look at them when they preparing change for you, they might mix with fake money and Taiwan notes.

Not everything is worth buying at Dong Men.  Quality can be really lousy but not all.  Some shop sells good quality things.  So shop wisely and be selective.

Shuttle Bus to pick up Air Asia passenger upon arrival or departure

Travelling by Air Asia-The Arrival Hall

As for departure, you are not allow to bring in any fluid.  So if your are bringing your water bottle, you need to discard the water.  No worry, when you enter the waiting hall, there is a water dispenser ready for you to refill your drinking water.

Water Dispenser at departure waiting hall

Travel Note:

Make sure your know which building ( A B C D) at Shenzhen Bao An International Airport for your departure or arrival, so you will able to let the taxi driver know and drop you at the right entrance.  If not it will be a distance walk, some area is not trolley friendly.

At arrival and departure hall, if you are looking for a taxi, make sure you get your taxi at the TAXI STAND, if not there are some illegal taxi that is there to cheat your money.

If your mobile phone is low in battery, you can get it charged at the departure waiting hall.

Comparing Shenzhen International Airport with our LCCT Airport, thumbs up to Shenzhen International Airport.  The airport area is clean and I was shocked to see Shenzhen Airport toilet…it is super clean.  The toilet cleaner always ensure no litter and the toilet floor is always dry and of course there are toilet rolls!.

The next trip I am hoping to go is in July.  The sale will only ends on 26 July, so definitely I still can SHOP!

During the Singapore Great Sales, most of the hotels are giving special rate and therefore it is better to book early to secure the discount, of course to have a comfortable place to sleep.

Fat Mum Restaurant serves local Chinese home cooked food.  It is the wife that cooks and the husband taking order.

Location:

Fat Mum address:

Fat Mum Seafood Restaurant – PANTAI TENGAH
734, Jln Teluk Baru, Kg Tasik Anak,
07000 Langkawi

Contact: Raymond Chong – 012-489 1923

Sotong Goreng or Fried Calamari

Fat Mum Seafood Restaurant

You must also try their famous homemade tofu and also quench thirst with Pandan Coconut drink.  The coconut juice is fragrant and juicy, even my little daughter like it.