Buffet lunch with Mount Batur view~ Sari Restaurant, Kintamani, Bali

Our hired driver bought us to Kintamani for buffet lunch with Mount Batur view. IDR35,000 (about RM10) entrance fee were collected at the toll gate guarded by police or army before our vehicle allow to drive up to a mountain road. Along the way up, there are quite a numbers of restaurants with similar concept can be found. All are built along the edge of the mountain, with outdoor observation deck facing the Mount Batur or rooftop viewing point. We were lucky to get the outdoor veranda bar seating where we could look at the panorama view of Mount Batur and Lake Batur while having our lunch. The weather was cloudy and it was drizzling this morning, we were told by our driver that we might not able to see the whole Mount Batur due to heavy cloud. Guess we were really blessed, we get to see Mount Batur in clear view for more than 5 mins before it cover up by heavy cloud again during our lunch. 

The restaurant offer buffet lunch at IDR120,000 per pax, serves local Balinese dish range from soup, satays, fried rice, fried noodles, chicken dish, veggies dish, cut fruits and drinks (coffee and tea). The Jus Alpukat (Indonesia Avocado Milkshake with chocolate syrup) that I order is not include in the buffet. In total it's IDR139,400 per pax including tax. We do enjoy our meal with the great view of Mont Batur. Mount Batur is an active volcano located at the center of north west of Mount Agung. Last eruption was in year 2000. The mountain is 1,717 meters high (5,633 ft.). The peak offers breathtaking views of Lake Batur, black lava from the last explosion, and surrounding mountains. Many tour company offers "Sunrise hike" where tourist will hike up to the peak with an hired guide before 3-4am; to catch the sunrise while having simple breakfast cooked in the volcanic steam e.g. eggs and hot drinks. I've keep in my next to do list if I revisit Bali again.  

Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park (GWK), Bali

January 2013. Our day 3 in Bali after spending 2 days for my best friend's wedding. Before flying to Bali, we already hired a personal driver for 2 days sightseeing tour after the wedding. We did not make any plan on what to see and only decide when we were here in Bali. After the personal driver pick us up from our hotel at Le Grande, Uluwatu, we make our first stop to visit GWK - Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park which is just 6km away since it is an attraction in Uluwatu. It's a huge park with Giant craved limestone & Statues of Hindu God - Lord Wisnu & his aid - Garuda - a mythical half human half bird. There is an entrance fee of IDR60,000 per pax to pay to visit the park. The Caved Giant Limestone Pillars has a forest on top are quite an amazing view! This huge square with craved limestone pillars lined up alongside is well-known as a place to hold many large event including concerts. 

Further up the staircases is Plaza Garuda where the 18meters tall Garuda statue and the 23 meters high Lord Wisnu is located at the next plaza. Apparently, the statue of Lord Wisnu is suppose to ride on the Statue of Garuda and become a 150 meters tall "Garuda Wisnu Kencana" Statue. However till-to-date it is still under construction, that is why Lord Wisnu Statue & Garuda Statue are now set in separate place. From where the Lord Wisnu statue located at, we could see the wide view of Uluwatu too from far. There's a Balinese dance performance - Kecak perform daily 10am & 3pm, at the Amphitheater with free admission. We decided to give a miss and proceed to our next destination - Tanah Lot.

My best friend's wedding~ Tirtha Uluwatu, Bali

January 2013. My best friend's wedding is one of the most beautiful wedding I ever attended. The wedding was held at Tirtha Uluwatu - a breathtaking place located at a cliff top at Southern Bali. The ceremony was held in the noon at the glass chapel, follow by dinner banquet from evening till night.. Next to the glass chapel, there's this Balinese landscape courtyard and air conditioned guest lounge with a terrace facing the breathtaking seaview, serving cocktails where we can hang around while waiting for the ceremony to begin. Despite it is air-conditioned inside the lounge, it is not cooling as the glass door were widely open. Bali is so hot that we were sweating profusely and I can feel my makeup is melting even before the wedding begin lol.

When the wedding ceremony is about to begin, the staffs invited all guests walk over to the wedding pavilion which resemble a glass chapel, situated on top of a pool, facing the wide open sea and blue sky. Can't take our eyes off the view! Just like most of the wedding ritual, the ceremony starts with greetings, follow with match-in by both parents, best men and bridesmaids, then the Groom and the Bride. After the entrance, a beautiful songs then presented by the house band with angelic voice specially for the Groom and Bride. In front of every guest, the couple read the vows &, exchange rings. The Marriage Registrar make pronouncement of the marriage, follow by signing on the marriage certs and the couple kiss to seal the deal! Then everyone is invited to step out from the pavilion which is facing the sea, and release these colorful balloons to the sky after a count down. The wedding ceremony then come to the end with Groom & Bride shower by flower petals when they make their way out of the wedding pavilion.

Wedding Dinner @ Tirtha Luhur

After the wedding ceremony end, we were transfer to Tirtha Luhur by bus - where the wedding dinner will be held. It's just few miles away, under the same compound in Tirtha Bridal. The dinner ceremony is will start during sunset. After taking some light refreshment, we hang around yard next to the cliff, taking photos with the breathtaking scenery, chit chat and watching sun begins to set. 

When the sun about to set, the resort staff begin to light up the fire towers with gasoline. We were invite to be seated in the dining hall according to our name on the table. A long table has been setup on the stage for bride and groom, and their parents and family, facing at the guest tables. After everyone is seated, MC announced the arrival of groom and bride under the beautiful sunset & mini fireworks. So romantic~ After another greetings by the newly weds and their parents, the dinner begin. It's a buffet dinner, serves Japanese, western and Indonesia food to suits everyone's need. The dinner then went on with cake cutting, thank you speech, blessing words from the guests to the newlyweds. We also entertain by a very stunning traditional Balinese dance performance. 

After the dinner, groom & bride have their first dance outside the dining hall and did the bouquet toss. The bouquet was first throw into the pool haha! Second toss, finally the wet bouquet is received by one of the bridesmaid who is also bride-to-be soon. The ceremony officially finally end with a 5 minutes long fireworks. An unforgettable wedding I ever attended and I am glad that I able to make time to fly to Bali for her wedding.