Pia Legong from Bali

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Alist

A box on top of dining table looks not inviting. As I am not a huge fan of such snacks called ‘pia’ (something like dry cake) because bad taste brought by my friend from Semarang or Yogyakarta, so the box would not be touched by me unless told by my lovely wife.

She said that to buy this Pia Legong, you have to order 3 weeks prior pickup!! The producer is unable to catch huge demand of their product so the waiting list now is 3 weeks time. wow, this is quite a story to tell in my blog then.

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Visiting Ancient Gajah Mada Plaza

Posted on July 19, 2010 by Alist

One of the happening place in Jakarta during 1980s is Gajah Mada Plaza. Traveling to Jakarta without visiting it would be shameful to tell your relatives. It was big and well-known at that time, 7 storeys, many stores, and not to forget the famous Rimo Department Store. Visiting this place during my childhood would take 2-3 hours completed with meal at Kentucky Fried Chicken or MacD.

Those golden ages had gone. New shopping malls with much bigger space spring in Jakarta, and people’s changed too. Although located at Central Jakarta, it is not the main spot of gathering place anymore. Rimo has closed its business, now replaced with Matahari Dept Store, what left is MacD (now Tony Jack), Optik Seis, and the ‘as always’ GM 21 Cineplex.
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Hotel Review: Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta

Posted on July 3, 2010 by Alist

As I had a work matter in Yogyakarta on last March, got a chance to stay in one of Accor Hotels group, named Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta.

Located just short walk from Simpang Tugu, a landmark on the north of Yogya Sultan Palace, it is very convenient and walkable to the famous Malioboro shopping street. Whenever I got tired of walking, just hailed a becak to take me back to the hotel.

Categorized under Galery Mercure brand, means that this hotel has something special, not just a hotel. Phoenix Hotel brings out a sense of authentic javanese touch in ornaments and details. The building itself is classic, the one that erected before 20th century. Yep, it was built in 1819 by a Chinese businessman named Mr. Kwik Djoen Eng. If you have time and money, try to book suite room 221, it is called The Kwik Djoen Eng Suite, I believe it has many memorabilia of him in it.

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