Kota Bandung

Ada berani??? the highlight of my recent visit:)

Part of kain from Pasar Baru, these are for my anak2, nieces, adik2, mom, MIL etc...:)

Ever since AirAsia introduced their flight to Bandung, I've never missed my yearly trip there, sometimes I went twice in a year...one trip with girlfriends and one trip with my mom, aunt and cousins. It's a shopping frenzy!!...believe it or not, numerous times I visited Bandung, I've never been to Tangkuban Perahu (the volcano area. Bandung's tourist attraction) never interested plus I didn't have much time, always rushing..normally I would go for 2 nights or 3 nights the most...my agenda would be shopping..shopping until all my Ruppiahs are all gone!!! Just enough to pay the airport Tax..hee..heee.

I just came back few weeks ago,..I just want to share..in case any of you planning to go and never been there...

I've written a note for all the places and spa somehow the draft automatically saved it and lost most of my entry...danggg!!! so here's just part of what I wanted to share earlier:(

Places to stay

There are a lot of hotels and very affordable. I choose to stay at Holiday Inn as the location is exactly at the centre (plus I'm a sucker for points and being a priority club member, I collect points:)). There was one time I stayed at Sukajadi Hotel (which many recommended)...I must say the location wise not very strategic.. it just near to Rumah Mode and Paris Van Java mall..but the rest of the locations are quite far and we had difficulties getting a cab (unless you booked a driver during your stay).

Holiday Inn Bandung

Based on other friends feedback, if you are on budget, you can try basic hotel such as Hotel Karmila (nearby Holiday Inn), Utari Hotel (Dago area, nearby Dago Plaza and surrounded by factory outlets) and Royal Dago (another basic hotel nearby famous Dago Street)

Shopping

You must go to Pasar Baru...you will be crazy with all the kain...cottons like Japanese cotton and Satin Cotton only cost you RM50/piece of 4 meters.I bought lace for my cousin's wedding only RM175 for 4 meters....the telekong all super cheap..but to come here..You need to allocate whole day..the Pasar will be closed by 5pm. In case you need to take a break for lunch please try Ampera , a restaurant across Pasar Baru (the food especially Perut, sooooo yummy!!)

Other than that ; dont miss out these places

• Jalan Riau ( a lot of factory outlets along the road)
  
• Jalan Dago (similar to Jalan Riau)
• Rumah Mode
• Heritage (Jln Riau)
• Bali Heaven (similar to Rumah Mode but cheaper and bigger, newly opened)
  

Makan place

You should experience Kampung Daun, very unique and you need to rent a cab there..around 40 mins - 1hour drive depending on traffic..worth going esp at night..it's on the hill so better be prepared with cardigan or shawl..it's a bit cold up there.
You need to make a reservation esp on weekends..always fully booked

And, if you love pedassss...try Mbah Jinggrak (behind Jalan Riau, in front of Amaroosa Hotel- in case you need to tell the cab driver) try their AYAM Rambut Setan!! damn pedas!!



Spa

Most hotel will provide good spa and affordable compared to here in KL, even Tea tree Spa by Holiday Inn is relatively cheap..:) It's something you have to do in Bandung..pampered yourself is a must ok?

Tea Tree spa @holiday Inn

Things not to be missed

• Besides shopping, eating and Spa...you should bring back the brownies kukus, they have 2 famous brownies kukus, Kartikasari and Amanda. My personal favorite is Amanda, both of their shop can be found along Jalan Dago, but you can also find them at the roadside (getting from their outlet is much fresher)
  

Olympic Day Run

Had another run with hubby last Sunday. This time around a bit tough compared to NTV7 Feel Good Run, we had to run at the Bukit Tunku, the hilly area was really holding me up, I ended running 7 minutes more compared to the previous NTV7 run:(

I guess it also has to do with Powerbar gel which I didnt take this time..it gave me less energy to keep pushing myself at the last miles....so the verdict..never leave my powerbar gel next time.

The next one is Shape night run on the 30th August..that one is just 5KM so I dont think much powerbar is needed:)

Until then..take care peeps!

Running is addictive

I could not believe myself saying this...running is addictive. I was never active in running..I dread running in school..just because I was tall and skinny (a.k.a KEDING) the seniors always forced me to take part representing our Home-team...and I hated it! as I became the clown of the day..never win any medal:(

Few decades later....in my pursuit to lose weight (which i would do anything as long as I can slim down) I fall in love with running!!!

I remembered when I started actively exercise years back...I dont quite like running..I went jogging but didnt quite enjoy it, but at that moment not much choices..joining a gym was considered luxury and it's only available in 5 star hotels... then Fitness First started in KLCC so I was among the first who signed up...from then I go to the gym 7 days a week...
Given choices of exercise, of-course I wont do running..instead joining classes such as Body Combat, Steps and cycling..I could joined classes back to back then, at least 2 hours a day after work and sometimes during lunch hour...(then I was younger and energetic, no kids to entertain at home:))
until my boyfriend then, (hubby now) thought I had someone at the gym that motivated me to go there everyday...as soon as we got married he asked me to stop:(

Few years away from gym was still ok as I walked to LRT station daily but as soon as I stopped walking after I changed job, I gained weight..10 kg to be exact...shocking huh?? then hubby was no longer reluctant letting me to go to the gym..(now you know huh???)

Since gaining my extra 10kg..I've been trying all sort of exercises..then I tried Running after being motivated by a friend, an avid runner...she runs daily before going to work...I was truly inspired by her and signed up for my first run Shape Night Run in 2009...then after that continue with Rat Race that year...in 2010, hubby got inspired by me and started running as well..so now having a companion, running is more fun than ever...!!

When I first started running..I actually walked..or brisk walking sort of...then of late my stamina improved which I can continously running 3 rounds at KLCC park..before, it was only in my dream..1 round continously running pun susah.....but again a friend told me..you will gradually improved...and yesss...after a while (my case, after 2 years) from 1 round..2 rounds and 3 rounds ..you just keep running especially after some times..you just get "high" and not feeling fatigue but to keep running..!

My case ni kira yang paling tak inpiring laa..sebab others can do what I can do now within months..but I took 2 years to reach my current level.

So far, I have joined these runs ;

1. Shape Night Run 2009 - 5KM
   
2. Rat Race 2009 - 4KM
3. Nike Run 2010 - 5KM
   
4. Mizuno Run 2010- 5KM
   
5. Malakoff Run 2010- 7KM
6. Energizer Night Run 2011 -5KM
7. NTV7 Feel Good Run 2011 - 7KM

The next Runs, which I have already registered :

1. Olympic Run McDonald 2011- 7km
2. Shape Night Run 2011 - 5KM
   
3. Siemens Run 2011 - 10Km
4. Adidas King Of The Road - 10KM
   

There are a few more runs, which we are considering, hubby's next run, he aimed for half marathon which is 21KM, for me I'm far off from that yet, I need to overcome my 10KM challenge first..don't know if I will ever have the courage for even half marathon, let alone full marathon:)
For you peeps who are considering running..do it, it's fun..with constant training...definitely can do it! At least for people who know me, they know if I can do it, anyone and anybody on this planet earth surely can run! as I should be the last person on earth who can actually run..hee..hee (that's how bad my reputation)

Mrs Cruise - my idol, she's a marathon addict

Allysha turns 6!

Last sunday was Allysha's birthday, she was all excited and keep telling us she will be King on 3rd of July.. (we told her..King is for a man..so she said ok laa..Queen pun takpe:)) and demanded that we should not scold her for whatever reason for the whole of July:)

she really counting days..I feel so bad that I procrastinated in preparing a birthday party for her..tahu2 aje dah so close and couldnt do much...so that was one of the reason I brought her, her sisters and cousin to join me for my NTV7 run so she felt there was something big going on on her birthday..Mommy promised you a big birthday bash next year ok? I'm feeling guilty sooooo guilty only god knows...:(

We celebrated her birthday among close family members at Chillis and the next day I sent the party packs to her school. Luckily I managed to order her cake which she choose a week earlier. To my surprise she wanted a fish instead of princess which I thought Princess would be her definite choice...very unpredictable

Allysha after getting her birthday gift from Baba:)


Party packs to give away to her classmates and favorite teachers

Feel Good on Sunday morning

I've thing for running... (but I have to confess...I'm such a weak and slow runner...who just have the passion)
I'll sign up for any runs that come my way..both hubby and I love running...somehow last KL run we both signed up very early...I signed up for my first 10KM and hubby signed up for his first half marathon 21KM..

I screwed up as I forgot the date (since we signed up wayyyyyy earlier...and I booked my yearly Bandung trip with my girlfriends on the same date...dannggg!!!) so I was trying to stop hubby from running his first 21KM as I was worried he will push himself so hard and if anything happened I wont be there for him..but Allah knows better he fell sick 2 weeks before the marathon and on antibiotic for 1 whole week and until the last few days before the marathon he's still feeling weak...yeyyyyy!!!!! for me as he decided not to run!

Thank god...I still have NTV7 Feel Good run last weekend sebagai pengubat lara for missing my first 10KM run...but this is only 7KM...but ok la kan? Better than nothing..we brought the kids to Sri Pentas as early as 6.40am, they were all excited to cheer for mommy and Baba.

I finished in 50mins for 7KM while hubby finished his in 35 mins. For me, 50 minutes is my best time for 7KM so far..and I have to thank hubby for giving me Powerbar energy gel...it tasted yucky...extremely sweet that you need to wash it off your throat with large amount of water...:(

This energy gel really pushed me to run non-stop for 50 minutes and I was trully amazed on the energy it gave me:)