The truth and the myths (happy father's day to me)

Being a dad is not easy ---> myth

The truth ----> kid do have pattern (baby also). They have exact time when they need to be fed, sleep and sometime poo. The most difficult (for me at least) is putting them to sleep - on time.

Being a husband is easy ---> so so myth

The truth ---> A husband need to be fit even with less sleep at night. A husband cannot fall sick as others are dependent on him. A husband need to be smart (clever in this sense) answering wife's questions. When the going get tough, a husband need to find ways, to ease the situation. When wife's need a break, its the husband who is going to pay for the holiday. When wife's is emotionally unstable, its the husband who is to be blame.

A husband do all this, without single complaint, because he loves his wife, kids and his family.

Happy father's day to me.

Bandung (lagi - this one actual)

ok folks, we finally made our second trip to Bandung last April. The ticket that we held, have been with us for almost 10 months and finally, this is the trip. Our plane was scheduled at 940am, we entered the boarding hall at around 915am just to hear an announcement that there will be a slight delay from the scheduled departure time. Thankfully, the delay is just 5 mins and our plane takes off at 10am sharp. As usual, flight to Bandung is not an easy one, a lot of bumpy ride probably due to the thick cloud all the way to BDO. Our baby slept all the way to BDO, and woke up a moment before the plane landed. Landing was a rough (truly!!) one, they should do something towards the runway. The tarmac is ruined is guess, they should do something.

The terminal is just the same as when we arrived few years back. They open two immigration counters and there are like 120 people squashing just to pass through. It took a while before our turn finally arrived. After the screening and smiling at the immigration counter, we took our luggage and yet another security screening. Know what, they done everything there, in that small space, the thing that separate the arrival hall and the immigration spaces is just a small screen right before the exit.

Well, minus the airport, everything goes well with us. We just love the hectic of BDO and of course, the weather. Do not expect chilling weather as in Genting or Cameroon H., it's just nice. The first place we went on the day was Resto Karamba. We purposely asked the driver to bring us here as we really craved their Gurame with sweet and sour sauce.

BDO is about shopping and feel the trills of finding the best bargain. We went to the must-go place ie pasar baru (few floors only - as we have planned what we wanted to find). On this trip, we were actually looking for places with good bargain for baby apparels and stuffs. We went to Levie near Jl. Imam Bonjol and wife said this place is truly the place. I'm not sure whether they sold cheaper baby bottle or what, but my wife took a few of it. The only thing I asked wife to bought, was a baby sling to carry our daughter, rather than to stroll her inside the stroller. Wife spent quite a lot here, probably because they have many items in one place, and all seems a bargain. Our next stop was toko anak kecil which specialize more in toddler and teens. This place sold great apparel and of course a bit pricey. Something here in BDO, there are so many shops and somehow, they sell almost the same thing. Surely, when we first came in 2009, we just scour every shops, but now, we went only those we felt gave the best in terms of selection and price.

The Warong, Mid Valley Megamall

Got no pics for this place, but truly the food was awesome!! We actually didn't plan to have a breakfast here, but since my wife wants to be 'the first' customer at the FOS kids and teens (just in front of it), we gave this place a try. Not that cheap though, but it worth every penny. I tried their mee rebus that morning and that is truly awaking. Wife tried their roti canai (great kuah she said), and we also had 3 pieces of karipap which cost a ringgit each.

Asmila Boutique Hotel, Jl Setiabudhi, BDO

We were stunned! We should stay here for the whole 3 nights of our trip. This is truly a bargain, well rate per night is somehow expensive, IDR 720k or close to RM260 per night, but, the location is just too awesome. Yup, the famous Rumah Mode is just in front of our very own eyes. We were told by our hired driver that Rumah Mode is just in front of this hotel. We were a bit skeptical, it can't be that close we guess, but it is truly there! right, smack in front of this hotel. It just a matter of time waiting the door of rumah mode to be open before we begin our scouring for clothing. My wife even spare and used up all our IDR balance here (me got few t-shirts also hehe).

The hotel is just perfect. The provide airport shuttle plus hearty breakfast the following morning. I remember their tasty sausages and many food selection available at the coffee house. Our room is a perfect one and a retreat. They provide a standard king size bed and a big couch that double as extra bed. I slept here that night, giving way to my daughter and wife to enjoy the space hehe. Our room during our stay is a deluxe (they don't have standard) that comes with complimentary fruit platter (waited for this, unfortunately it failed to arrive :( ), mini bar (2 drinks, oreo and a packet of lays) and another thing, they give us free hi-tea that afternoon. What else we should asked for hehe. We don't notice much their facilities since we are busy enjoying the room and rumah mode. However, we did notice that they have a small swimming pool somewhere near the washroom. Nobody swim there is guess. Their staff is very friendly while attending to guest, they are prompt and plus, they provide free room service when I asked for porridge for my daughter. We end up paying RM 340 for that night and that comes with a good laundry service. My conclusion: Great place, a bit pricey but worth every penny. Chances to stay again: Absolutely!, Plus point: Rumah Mode, FOs, McD nearby.

Our room. That window is facing directly to rumah mode.

Amaris Hotel (by Santika), Cimanuk

Stayed here on 23rd April 2011 and booked a room through Agoda. First I thought Agoda works as Booking.com (pay when check out), however they actually remit the payment once booking was made. I then received a voucher which need to be shown upon check in. Experience wise, this hotel adopt minimalist concept in their deco. We were given a room at the ground floor which is located near to the check in counter, water dispenser and 1 public wash room. The room is very simple, small LCD though, but our room comes with a huge bathroom. No bath tub, the bathroom is just as big beyond the normal attached bathroom. They have a 'tiny' swimming pool in front of the check in counter and directly facing the common eating area (no restaurant). I doubt who is gonna swim there as it just 2 feet deep. However, I saw a child took a dip while we were busy having out breakfast the following morning. As we do not own a transport to go for dinner nor they offer a room service, we resorted of calling Pizza delivery for dinner. Service is so minimal here even they don't provide direct dial for us to order our pizza. As far I can remember, we check out so early the following morning since it is a bit difficult for us staying there. I remember paying RM 170 for the room and I am sure, i can get better deal elsewhere. One plus point of this hotel is the breakfast. They provide quite a hearty meal the following morning. Some photos in Amaris:

Conclusion: Very quiet near to Gedung Satay, food - good, Service minimal - no room service, Swimming pool - very small and shallow (convert to fish pond, it will be better), chances to stay again - will consider other option. Plus factor - food ok, near to Jalan Riau - Heritage, Cascade few other FOs, Toko Coklat, 5 a Sec (Laundry) and Gedung Satay.

Photo 1 - The breakfast, hearty yumm..
Photo 2 - Bathroom - very 'roomy' can double as extra place to sleep.
Photo 3 - Our room - love the feature wall paint colour.

Taman Sutera (progress as at 8/5/2011)

Hari Sabtu lepas kami ke Kajang nak tengok apa dah jadi dengan projek taman Sutera tu. Dah 2 bulan tak tengok, kalau balik ke Johor pun dah malam, gelap, bila otw ke KL pun dah malam, so sabtu lepas, lepas bersesak kat Midvalley pegi 'Mom's and baby fair', kami pun bertolak ke Kajang dari Midvalley ikut Plus. Tol dari Sg Besi ke Kajang RM 1.80, kalau lalu Besraya cuma RM1.30 ikut exit mines, tapi selalunya ramp naik ke mines jam, org nak ke Seri Kembangan, jadi ikut je la PLUS. Kalau ikut PLUS kena tambah tol RM1 lagi kat tol Sg Balak, boleh skip tol ikut bukit angkat, jade hills, tapi jalan nya sangat la berliku, banyak lori kuar masuk ikut kilang2 kat Bukit Angkat tu, jadi labur je la RM1 tu kat SILK, cepat pun cepat.

Kami terkejut juga dari jauh progress dah lebih dari expectation. Tong penghadang jalan pun dah dibuka, jadi tak perlu ikut Nusantara yang ada guard tu (guard ok, cuma nak pusing2 dalam tu jauh sikit). Hoarding kat few areas pun dah buka, mungkin sekarang dah nak buat jalan luar dan landscape. Row kami nampaknya, dah nampak siapnya. Rata2 unit tinggal buat tiling, cat (finishing coats) dan pasang pintu tingkap, sanitary fittings. Kami tak boleh masuk ke depan unit kami tu, jadi cuma pusing tengok unit depan Nusantara/Zen 1, bajet sama la design-nya. Ni gambar unit yang kitorang riki. (minta izin empunya unit, ambil gambar):

Ni counter top kat belakang, ada column keluar pulak, sempit sikit
Ni dapur dari wet kitchen/counter top


View bilik yang kat bawah - cadang nak buat guest room untuk mak/ayah/abah kami kalau ke rumah kami. Tak perlu panjat ke atas


Ni master bedroom

Alamak, empunya unit ni sila ambil perhatian, ada air leaking ke living hall. Box up tu kena ganti. Atas tu sebenarnya toilet master bedroom, so nak tutup soil/waste pipe, dorg guna box up. Mesti air leaking dari lantai atas masa dorg buat ponding test.

Setakat ni je dulu, bulan depan kalau melawat lagi, aku taruk gambar lagi.

Marvella Hotel, Jl. Sinargalih, BDO

We stayed here for 1 night on our recent trip to bandung. The hotel was booked by our hired driver. Originally we plan to stay in Guntur for our day 1, however, due to their long weekend which started on 22-24 April 2011, no room was available as per our request. We arrived at the hotel late and room price was paid during check in. Our deluxe room rate was IDR 310k and that I consider a bargain. They have standard which cost less than IDR 300 per night. Breakfast is serve/deliver to our room and the standard fried rice and tea is quite satisfying. Room service is available 24 hrs. The hotel is located close to Jl. Setiabudi which the famous FO is located, however, public cab (during my stay) was not spotted during my stay (perhaps the hotel may arrange).

At first I thought the hotel name is 'Marsela' so I google around and found no hit for it. The actual name is actually "marvella'. It is a new hotel, they have 2 separate sections, most of the standard are in the new block while deluxe rooms are located facing the yards. There is an open area fronting our deluxe room and cars are allowed to park at the area. This hotel is a champion in term of its pricing and perhaps location, but those who look for more service, space and amenities, this may not be the place. Overall, chances to stay again = moderate, food = fried rice and tea - satisfying, others = ok.