As gross as it may sounds, I quite believe in the health benefits they confer. It's not a new form of massage, but more of the masseuse's personal belief of absorbing 'angin' or 'wind' from your body and getting rid of it through her body by means of belching, and I only see this being practised by Malay or Indonesian masseuse.
Initially I was quite skeptical when I heard of this. Like how does the 'angin' pass from one person to the other? Osmosis? Passive diffusion? Sounds pretty bizarre. Until my personal encounter at Mitra Sehat Wijaya. On that occasion, I asked for a strong masseuse (usually I go for medium but that day my backache was particularly bad) and boy was she good or what!
The long strokes that she used for deep tissue massage was applied with firm pressure (I like!) and she really worked those knots that i had at my shoulders and upper back. And of course, the belching that came along with the therapy. I never hear so much *burps* in my life! Every where her fingers touched, there was the proverbial *burp* until the foreign customer at the next stall was politely asking her masseuse "What's that sound?" Her masseuse, with a little giggle, explained "It's the 'angin.'" Thank God I did not bump into that customer after my session ended, because for sure I would die from embarrassment, by the amount of 'angin' my masseuse "released" from my body.
And how do I know whether it worked? Because I was backache free for a few good months, that's why.
Mitra Sehat Wijaya
Jl. Wijaya II
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta
Tel: +62-21 720 2121
These days, I tend to go to their newest branch at Gandaria City because it's nearer to home and I can amuse myself with the various retailers and grocery shopping after the massage. Just that, I haven't found my burping masseuse yet. ;)
p/s: Back in PJ, at where I normally go to for traditional Javanese massage at Lezen Healthcare in Damansara Perdana, the massage therapists here occasionally belch. There's a couple of pretty good therapists at this place and they are Indonesians. PM me if you are interested. :)
Monday, September 12, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Happy Birthday Indonesian-style
While I do not know who the man of the hour is, but I reckon he must be a favourite customer of Ferrari Maserati Indonesia. This was taken just outside one of the main entrances to Pacific Place Mall.
And by the way, these seems to be the standard sizes of congratulatory flower stands I have seen on numerous occasion in Jakarta. Quite a statement eh..!
And by the way, these seems to be the standard sizes of congratulatory flower stands I have seen on numerous occasion in Jakarta. Quite a statement eh..!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Condo renovation - Before and During
This is my work currently - overseeing renovation at our new (well not off-the-developer new, but new as in our new place) condo in Saujana Subang.
These are taken before renovation started about a week ago..
This is what's going on now..
Just one more week to go! :))
These are taken before renovation started about a week ago..
This is what's going on now..
Just one more week to go! :))
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Eats: Cafe Bogor of the legendary Hotel Borobodur Sop Buntut
Ever since Cafe Bogor opened up a branch in Pacific Place, we have been coming here regularly to get Sop Buntut fix, simply because it's nearer to where we stay. Apart from the traditional Sop Buntut served either regular (= oxtail boiled in the soup), grilled or fried, we have since tried their other oxtail dishes.
This is Buntut Penyet. Hubs and me absolutely adore this because of the spicy chilli that accompanies this dish. We tend to order one of this together with a regular oxtail and always end up asking for extra chilli on the side because the chilli that is supposed to go with the regular oxtail just ain't do it for us. Hahaha. So far, the staff here has been very accomodating and not charge us extra. :)
We tried this recently, which is Buntot Rica Rica (pronounced as ri-cha ri-cha, not ri-ka ri-ka). The chilli is slightly different from the penyet chilli, with a hint of tomatoes in it. Definitely less spicy compared to penyet, but nice for a change.
All of Cafe Bogor oxtail dishes comes with a bowl of oxtail soup. As you can see here from the menu, there are price differences from small to legendary. Be warned though. The sizes here indicate the size of the soup bowl, not extra oxtail. ;p
As i'm blogging this, my mouth is watering at the thought of the yummy oxtail. Can't wait till my next fix at Cafe Bogor.
****
Cafe Bogor
Lt. 5 (Fifth Floor)
Pacific Place
This is Buntut Penyet. Hubs and me absolutely adore this because of the spicy chilli that accompanies this dish. We tend to order one of this together with a regular oxtail and always end up asking for extra chilli on the side because the chilli that is supposed to go with the regular oxtail just ain't do it for us. Hahaha. So far, the staff here has been very accomodating and not charge us extra. :)
We tried this recently, which is Buntot Rica Rica (pronounced as ri-cha ri-cha, not ri-ka ri-ka). The chilli is slightly different from the penyet chilli, with a hint of tomatoes in it. Definitely less spicy compared to penyet, but nice for a change.
All of Cafe Bogor oxtail dishes comes with a bowl of oxtail soup. As you can see here from the menu, there are price differences from small to legendary. Be warned though. The sizes here indicate the size of the soup bowl, not extra oxtail. ;p
As i'm blogging this, my mouth is watering at the thought of the yummy oxtail. Can't wait till my next fix at Cafe Bogor.
****
Cafe Bogor
Lt. 5 (Fifth Floor)
Pacific Place
Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 52-53
Jakarta 12190
Monday, September 5, 2011
Travel stories: Of Bandung, Mt. Tangkuban Perahu and Cihideung
We came here three years ago when Hubs first relocated to Jakarta. It was also my first trip, after having delaying it for almost 4 months because Hubs was busy familiarising himself in the new environment - finding new apartment, getting a new car, settling down and etc. At that time, we weren't sure if we could make an overnight trip to Bandung/Mt Tangkuban Perahu, because Hubs wasn't sure if his new car would be available by the time I arrived. Luckily it did and so off we went on Friday.
Our first stop is Bandung, which is a well-known factory outlet haven. The most "reputable" of these outlets is Rumah Mode, which is located along Jl. Setiabudi. With patient digging, one can often find very decently priced rejects. In fact, along Jl. Setiabudi, there are quite a number of these factory outlets, and so far, on both my trips to Bandung, I have pretty much concentrated my shopping efforts around here. Some of the brands that we have bought are CK, Burberry, Prada, Zara, MNG, Esprit and even Baby Phat. Some friends have cautioned that not all these outlets are genuine, which I'm inclined to believe as well. However, I figure that as shoppers, it's really up to each discretion. For me, I tend to be selective and assessed my picks based on quality of material and the tailoring.
The next day, we made our way to Mt Tangkuban Perahu Conservation Park, roughly 30km north of Bandung. Navigating the roads from Bandung to here proved to be another test of patience due to heavy traffic as a lot of Jakartans love to get away from the city on weekends and Bandung is often the default choice due to its proximity to Jakarta. Having reached the foot of the mountain or main entrance, it was another 30 minutes drive on rocky, bumpy road before we finally reach the carpark area. Pity Hubs's car because it was only 3 days old and we have put it to such gruelling journey. ;p
There are three craters that are open to tourists, i.e. Kawah Ratu, Kawah Domas and Kawah Upas. The nearest crater from where we parked is Kawah Domas which is another 30 minutes trek through the jungle. As we were rather short on time, we only went to Kawah Domas because to go to Kawah Ratu, also the biggest crater, is another 1 hour hike uphill.
On our way down, we came upon a local artisan who was carving away on a piece of wood with unique grain marks.
Up close and personal with a tiny geyser. No zoom effect here.
Tourists, us included, literally walking on hot grounds spewing off sulphurous gas.
A markedly different experience when I went to Hokkaido earlier that same year. Admiring Jigokudani or Hell's Valley from a safe distance.
On our way back to Jakarta, we passed through Cihideung which is well-known for its cultivation of all sorts of flowering plants. I mean, literally every household here is a nursery and the drive along the main road is very pleasant and pretty :)
That is until we hit the freeway which is another bumper to bumper traffic all the way back to Jakarta.
Our first stop is Bandung, which is a well-known factory outlet haven. The most "reputable" of these outlets is Rumah Mode, which is located along Jl. Setiabudi. With patient digging, one can often find very decently priced rejects. In fact, along Jl. Setiabudi, there are quite a number of these factory outlets, and so far, on both my trips to Bandung, I have pretty much concentrated my shopping efforts around here. Some of the brands that we have bought are CK, Burberry, Prada, Zara, MNG, Esprit and even Baby Phat. Some friends have cautioned that not all these outlets are genuine, which I'm inclined to believe as well. However, I figure that as shoppers, it's really up to each discretion. For me, I tend to be selective and assessed my picks based on quality of material and the tailoring.
The next day, we made our way to Mt Tangkuban Perahu Conservation Park, roughly 30km north of Bandung. Navigating the roads from Bandung to here proved to be another test of patience due to heavy traffic as a lot of Jakartans love to get away from the city on weekends and Bandung is often the default choice due to its proximity to Jakarta. Having reached the foot of the mountain or main entrance, it was another 30 minutes drive on rocky, bumpy road before we finally reach the carpark area. Pity Hubs's car because it was only 3 days old and we have put it to such gruelling journey. ;p
There are three craters that are open to tourists, i.e. Kawah Ratu, Kawah Domas and Kawah Upas. The nearest crater from where we parked is Kawah Domas which is another 30 minutes trek through the jungle. As we were rather short on time, we only went to Kawah Domas because to go to Kawah Ratu, also the biggest crater, is another 1 hour hike uphill.
That is until we hit the freeway which is another bumper to bumper traffic all the way back to Jakarta.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Help! I need me shades from the highlighter yellow!
WOW! The highlighter-yellow is so striking that it's reflecting off the wet tar road. Spotted near Damansara on Friday afternoon.
Overzealous guards at Perdana View
I have been back in KL for past one month or so to oversee some renovation works that we are doing at another unit that we just bought. At where home is here in Damansara Perdana, there have been a recent spate of break-ins and clearly the new condo management took it very seriously.
For one, when I was driving out of the carpark earlier this week, the automatic barrier failed to lift when i tagged my carpark pass. A guard then came over and requested to inspect my car boot, which is something out of norm because heck I'm not entering a Jakarta mall. BTW, securities in Jakarta malls are pretty tight. Guards are required to inspect the car boots, back seats and also car undercarriage for anything amiss/suspicious before they allow you into the carparks. On further probing, I found out about the break-ins and apparently the suspects were tenants or long-term stayover visitors. Hence the request to inspect car boots in the hope of recovering the stolen items. Later that day, notices were up in the elevator notice boards informing all residents of the break-ins and preventive steps the management have and will be taking to prevent further incidences.
They are also installing CCTV at all floors and have promised to increase frequency of guard patrols. Just this afternoon, when we came back from renovation errands for the new house, I told Hubs not to padlock the gate since we plan to leave again later in the evening for dinner at his aunt's. Thirty minutes later, "ding-dong" went my door bell. When I opened the door, a patrol guard was outside and he gently "reprimanded" us - please lock the gate.Well, I'll be damned.. Oh well at least the management kept to their promise. :)
For one, when I was driving out of the carpark earlier this week, the automatic barrier failed to lift when i tagged my carpark pass. A guard then came over and requested to inspect my car boot, which is something out of norm because heck I'm not entering a Jakarta mall. BTW, securities in Jakarta malls are pretty tight. Guards are required to inspect the car boots, back seats and also car undercarriage for anything amiss/suspicious before they allow you into the carparks. On further probing, I found out about the break-ins and apparently the suspects were tenants or long-term stayover visitors. Hence the request to inspect car boots in the hope of recovering the stolen items. Later that day, notices were up in the elevator notice boards informing all residents of the break-ins and preventive steps the management have and will be taking to prevent further incidences.
They are also installing CCTV at all floors and have promised to increase frequency of guard patrols. Just this afternoon, when we came back from renovation errands for the new house, I told Hubs not to padlock the gate since we plan to leave again later in the evening for dinner at his aunt's. Thirty minutes later, "ding-dong" went my door bell. When I opened the door, a patrol guard was outside and he gently "reprimanded" us - please lock the gate.Well, I'll be damned.. Oh well at least the management kept to their promise. :)
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