Bali accommodation - the worst hotel I've ever stayed

Talking about accommodation, this hotel should be the worst that I've ever stayed! From the brochures or even postings on the internet, you would never expect how big is the difference of the photos from the truth.. The miracles created by photoshop.



They may look clean. But in reality... I didn't even dare to sit for even 1 minute.



Some traditional Balinese design wall. Very dusty and very 'antique'...meaning not maintained at all... Never seen a 3* hotel so old and broken. Photos look ok but in reality is the other way round.



Basically this reception is only for display. Everything that we requested...
"Sorry we don't have.."
"I have to ask my manager, but manager not around...maybe you come back again tomorrow morning?"



The keys to the room of surprises... Surprises neverending...
Broken floor tiles (broken tiles in the bathroom.. first time that I have to wear slippers in the bathtub...), crazy shower (30seconds hot, 30seconds cold, one moment the water pressure was so damn high and the next moment the shower was like totally no water!!), smelly toilet, broken closet (couldn't even hang my clothes!), and the dustbin is even more broken than the public wastebin... arrgghhh!!



The breakfast... 2 toasts with butter and jam, a glass of juice, and coffee or tea...
If that's what you serve your guests for breakfast, it shouldn't be ranked as a 3* hotel. This is even worse than staying in homestay.



Look at my disappointed face.. Duh..first morning in Bali. ><" Starving... Didn't even filled half of my stomach.



The only beautiful thing is the garden in front of the spa room.



In order to make mye happier, he started to do some photoshooting for me..



At first we thought of going for a swim. But the water was icy cold! And there was not even a person or life guard there. The pool is not that shallow though, and I'm easy have muscle cram in swimming pool, that why I didn't go into the pool.



The Balinese style garden. Only good to see in the photos. But at least the photo looks good right?



Black and white. I love this one.



This post sounds very boring and demotivating right? Yea I feel that too, in fact that's my feeling when I am writing. Until today I have only one perception about this hotel -- bl**dy hell.

Tonle Sap Lake - the river of life

This was one of the most touching scene that I've seen during my trip in Siem Reap.






What were you doing when we're 8 years old? Complaining about outdated Gameboy, no KFC for tonight dinner, too much homework to do...

What about him... every single penny earned is for his family's next meal.

Pret A Manger - the all natural sandwich outlet

The first glance at the name "Pret A Manger" on the window glass of the restaurant, I thought it is named "Pret A Manager". I know I sound silly... ><" All because I was too hungry and my sight lost focus...

"Pret A Manger" (meaning ready-to-eat in French) is a made-in-London sandwich retailer. However it's not like any other outlets that franchise their business, every shop is owned by the 2 bosses - Sinclair and Julian. I love their concept of going natural, keeping the products fresh, and doing charity at the same time! Every week they send 12,000 meals to the homeless through charity organizations, not just once but in long term.



Sandwiches and confectionaries they sell are "just made". Everything is wrapped with paper or cardboard instead of plastic. And the most important thing to me is that they smell SO DAMN GOOD!!



Not just breads or sandwiches or rolls, try the LOVE BAR~ Do you feel love? They do spread a lot of love through charity.



I love lots and lots of things in their shop, including the tissue paper. So emphasizing on going gReEn... You know what, not many people choose to use a 100% recycle materials in their business because they are expensive. In fact, with such good business in 150 outlets, will you think a less than 9% profit for an annual turn over of 150 million pounds is good enough for you? But they are very firm on their concept. That's very nice isn't it.



My breakfast! Mozarella and tomato croissant, and a hot latte.



Yummy yummy..



Even the cup is publishing the "Pret Passion Fact". This one is interesting. Click on the photo to enlarge and read about how they control the temperature so that it'll always be lower than 60degC. No wonder it was not that hot when we sipped our beverages...



Noel's sandwich. I think it's Skipjack Tuna Sandwich. Front view of the sandwich box.



And the back view! I would bring back the box as part of my collection if that's the last day of my trip. But unluckily it's only the first day... *sigh* Ok I know you'd think I like to collect rubbish. Yes I do. I have over 500 books and travel brochures collected from everywhere in the world, including those brought back by my friends. So I may just spare a "collectible exhibition room" for my own in future.



Back to take a look at my team mates. Well then, everyone was so hungry...



The shop was full house, and we only manage to squeeze at the seats beside the kitchen. The 'Just Made' kitchen.



My mozarella melting into the tomato~~



I was like doing advertisement for "Pret A Manger" huh... Come come~ Enjoy your breakfast here and spread the love.



You know I just love to take photossss... until sometimes my friends complain "CAN YOU JUST LEAVE MY FOOD ALONE??"



Ok, ok, the last one. I bought this Super Natural Apple Juice before we left the shop. I knew I can't survive without water, especially after long distance flight I was already dehydrated. I forgot to finish all and kept it inside my backpack, ended up being blocked at the airport security check that late afternoon during the security scan. Duh...it's only 100ml left!! So I gulped the remaining 100ml in front of the airport security and got back this cute little tumbler.



Alright, this is really the last one. The final self potret shot in Pret A Manger before continuing our journey to the Tower Bridge. Just another 10 minutes walk.



Till then...to be continue...

London Underground

The most convenient and wisest way to travel in London is through The Tube (London Underground). We reached London at 7am, and upon the immigration stuff and after converting $ into £, it's already 8.30am. Time to transit out out the airport to town!!




There are a few options to go to the town:
(1) by Heathrow Express (15 minutes to the first connecting Underground Station)
(2) by Underground (1 hour to the same connecting Underground Station with Heathrow Express)
(3) by bus (around 30 minutes to 1 hour depends on the traffic condition)



After considering the time and $$, our choice still --> UNDERGROUND - Piccadilly line



With this,



and this,



we covered an 8 hour tour unlimited ride with only one payment.



The travel planner. =)



And her "clients".



Sleepy faces.



Now guess how many stations we had to ride before reaching our first destination...?

The third one.. Hounslow Central.



The fifth one.. Osterley.



Somewhere in between the fifth and tenth station.... Gosh! It's already half an hour!



Were we at Acton Town station...or.... Can't remember.



Hop in hop out. Hopping like a kangaroo in London.



Mind the gap.



Though it's peak hour, but still consider not-so-busy if compare to Singapore or Hong Kong.



Finally at the Green Park station. Changing to Jubilee Line. 4 more stations to go.



Very windy in the tunnel.



If you lost your ticket...£50 only lolz.



I notice that South East Asia people don't read. Almost everywhere I travelled people read. In the bus, in the train, and also while waiting.



So here are the pretenders...



Hurray! London Bridge station! After 23 station.



Way out of London Bridge station. Tower Bridge here we come~



The first friendly English man I met.



Stomach started to sing.



Starbucks Coffee stall. Starbucks for breakfast? Erm...yes? no. yes? Well, NO.



Alright, time for breakfast. Leave the station~ Now we're only steps away from Tower Bridge. =)


Welcome to London. Although we were walking in the rain.