Itinerary: Beijing, China

Travel Date: Nov 19-24 2013

Accommodation: Where to stay in Beijing?
Ibis Beijing Capital Airport Hotel 
No.2 Tianzhu Middle Street, Airport &
New Int´l Exhibition Center, Beijing,

Spring Time Hostel
South West Corner of Dongsi Subway Station (Exit. D)
Building AB, Gongjian Dayuan, Dong Si Xi Da Jie, Dongcheng district, Beijing, 100010

Temperature
Mean Temperature: 19-Nov: 1.9, 20-Nov: 3.7, 21-Nov: 4, 22-Nov: 4.8, 23-Nov: 7.2, 24-Nov: 6.9
Max Temperature: 23-Nov: 16

Minimum Temperature: 19-Nov: -5

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Beijing?
Wed:
-Diaoyutai Gingko Avenue 
-Tianamen Square
-Forbidden City
-At night: Wangfujing, The Egg

Thu:
-Muntianyu Tour
-At Night: Olympic Village (Bird’s Nest, Water Cube outside)

Fri:
-Omiyage Shopping
-Jingshan Park
-Qianmen Street

Sat:
-Temple of Heaven
-Antique Shop
-Free Time/Preparation to the Airport

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: Going Back to the Airport

We are undecided if we can take a cab or train. 

There are sections when we can’t help but take stairs and its hard for us to carry luggage on it, so we decided to take a cab.  Looks like taxis are not stopping, there were about 3 drivers who declined us, for the reason that they don’t want to carry heavy luggage.

So we went back to Entrance G, take Line 6 to Chongyangmen.  Transfer to Line 2 for Dongzhimen.  Just to prevent us from being away from each other, we decided to always take the car behind the train driver, so he can see that we are difficulty on getting in or off the train. 

Even if you are having difficulty in carrying your bags on the stairs, make sure not to leave them.. I have a heavier bag and we carried it halfway the stairs.  As we are to return to the lower area to get back the second bag, there is a sudden rush of people that get off from the train, so I told her to return to secure the first bag.  I went up carrying the second bag, after the flow of people.  She told me that she can’t leave the first bag since she saw two men in black that is starring at my bag. 

Next, we headed to transfer to Airport Express station.  After the exit, we bought another single journey ticket going to Terminal 2 for 25 cyn (150php, 2013).  There is only 1 coffee shop at 1F Departure. We roam around VIP lounge and restaurant area at the 3F and decided to grab our dinner at Pizza Hut on B1 (on the same level are KFC and Starbucks). 

Check-in counter for 5J673 opened late at 9:30pm.  Seems that they no longer allow group check-in for bags even if you bought it at the same confirmation number.  Next, find your way to the Gates, there is a Health Check counter. Prepare your departure card, passport and boarding pass for the Immigration counter.  Next, consume your mineral water and surrender the bottle before the film security check (x-ray).  With a tray, you'll be requested to remove your camera and computer from your bag and individual should not be wearing his jacket.  Prepare for a long body security check.

On the way, only 2 duty free shops are working (souvenirs, jade, tea, and perfumes). 

Finally, another waiting game but at least there are seats now.  Look for the yellow sign in between seats and you can find the power sockets for you to use.

Here is my list of comments:

1.  Not sure if T2 is a budget terminal, but there are only few selection of restaurants.

2. Airport taxis are scam.

3. Warm water for toilet use are still cold during cold season (unlike Japan).

4. Designated power sockets along the waiting area is much appreciated. 

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: After Taste

I used to like Chinese food, but possibly not on this trip.  It may have been not the best experience, but hope to see and taste better in the future.

Restaurant inside Temple of Heaven

Food: 5 out of 10

Value: Affordable

Atmosphere: 6 out of 10

Orders: egg and tomato soup, unlimited dumplings



rbt Tea Cafe (Asian Restaurant)

Location: 180 Xidan N St Xicheng, Beijing (http://en.rbt.com.cn/index.php)

Food: 6 out of 10

Value: Affordable (52cyn =320php)

Atmosphere: 8 out of 10

Orders: beef and fish cakes

We're not able to enjoy the beef because it is too raw and we're not able to chew it.  Thus, we ended up loving the fish cakes, but that is tasty.

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Subway: Line 5, Tiantandongmen Station, Exit A1

From some of my search, the entrance is 2cyn.  But we paid 30 rm, it’s an all-in ticket to get inside the secured areas.  We get in Temple of Heaven and Echo Wall, but when we wanted to return on the Temple of Heaven, they still needed another ticket, good thing that we did not go the third building so we still have spare ticket.  There are unending visitors on these places. 

Exit A1 from Tiantandongmen Station, these park is superb greenery even at early winter weather.  Seems that the area is not just visited by foreign visitors but most locals enjoy the area as well.  There are those exercising and practicing different types of recreation.  Most stuff their selling are souvenirs for visitors and for kid’s entertainment, like selling fan and ball, thing used in kick games and big ribbons for gymnastics.

empty branches under the sun 

Temple of Heaven inside is a hollow temple from the inside but has intricate design and paintings.

Moving towards the Echo Wall, they have already set ropes to give distance on the visitors from the wall.  Thus, echoing is no longer obvious - which should not be the case if they still want visitors to come by for its true purpose.

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: Jingshan Park

From Dongsi we took a bus going to Jingshan Park, make sure to study the routes before taking a bus so you'll not get lost.

The focal point is the artificial hill Jingshan, literally "Prospect Hill".  [Reference]

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: City Lights - Night 02

Subway Line 8 (Olympic Special Line): get off at Olympic Green Station Exit D, to visit Xin'ao Shopping Centre for dinner.

Take upstairs going to road area, walk towards south direction, look for Nest or Ling Long Pagoda (which is hard to miss).

These area are inside guarded village.  No need for entrance fee but they are requiring the visitors to pass x-ray scanners.

National Stadium (Bird's Nest)

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: Conquering the Wall

We left the hotel by 7:30, and pick-up other tourists along the way.  We left the city at around 8:00.  It's a long two hour ride without traffic passing the tree plantation and mountainous area of Beijing.  Finally, we arrived at Mutianyu section on Great Wall of China. 

Tour buses stayed at Park #4, then we walked passing Park #3, #2, #1.  We were given our entrance tickets and paid an extra 80yuan (480php) each for open cable car going up and tobonggan going down.  The last portion of the cable car is a bit scary because the cliff is to deep and dark that I was not able to see the ground clearly. 

It is around 8 km (Mutianyu) walk from the cable exit/tobonggan (Tower 6) to Tower 11.  If you want to see the old walls go towards right direction for Tower 1.

Tobongan (Left), Open Cable Car (Right)

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: City Lights - Night 01

After an hour of rest in the base camp, we headed out to have dinner.  We walked from Dongsi Station to Wangfujing Station, we skipped Donghuamen (Food) Street since we are not eating from the stalls.

St. Joseph's Cathedral, Wangfujing Dajie 74, Beijing
Schedule: Mon-Saturday 6:15 AM Chinese (Simplified)

After which, we headed from Tiananmen East station to West station to see The Giant Egg.

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: Gingko and Tiananmen

It is not the day one that I expected.  It was too off track to what I have planned due our misadventures. 

DIAOYUTAI GINGKO AVENUE

Just outside Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, it is more popular to visit during first two weeks of November, because the leaves have already fallen when we arived.

Location: Fucheng Road Side, Haidian, Beijing, China

Subway: Line 09, Baiduizi Station, Exit C

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: Spring Time Hostel

Where to set your base camp in Beijing?  I initially wanted to stay near Wangfujing area, but I can’t find affordable but still livable hostel in the area.  When you find your hotel make sure that you get location near station that has less transfer from the airport.  From airport to city it is easier to get a taxi but it is hard to get a cab going back to the airport, most of them complain about heavy luggage.

I enlisted Day’s Inn Forbidden City Hotel and Citytel Inn as other options, but it would take more than 5-10 minutes from the nearest train exit.  Since the days we have visited would have a minimum of -.05 to -5 Celsius, I wanted to stay somewhere very close to train exit/entrance.

I did the reservation from booking.com for Spring Time Hostel and paid 900 cyn upon our arrival.  They also required us with 100 cyn deposit for the keys, which will be returned upon check-out.

Location: Good - It is a stone-throw away from Dongsi Station, Exit G from Subway Line 6 or Exit D from Subway Line 5.  There is Holiland bakeshop and café on the same corner of the hotel.  Across there is a supermarket, McDonalds, banks and post office.  It is 3 stations away from Wangfujing and will take around 15 minutes walking to reach the Street Food Market in Donghuamen St.

Check-in Experience: Not the Best – There is main person behind the desk talking to his colleague sitting outside the desk, they were guessing where we came from and bit talking about us being from Philippines.  I’m the one talking to them so that made me uncomfortable (going back to the thought, that it is not yet time for us to visit their country).  Once the payment was settled, we were escorted to our room.  There is a 2-step staircase that we passed by and he never offered assistance to us.

2013 Nov: Ibis Beijing Capital Airport

"We have just landed Beijing International Airport. Ground temperature is 0 degrees Celsius" these were the words of the captain on our 5J672 flight on third Tuesday of November 2013.  [Read]

Try to study your way out to avoid tourist traps.  Upon exiting the Arrival Gates, we are already asked by more than 3 people offering taxi transportation.. We found the official taxi lane, but there are fixers who took our bag and led us to a different van compared to normal taxis.

We are already seated inside the van and offered 200yuan (1200php) transfer to a nearby hotel, where I have studied that it is just 11yuan (66php).  Luckily that he still allowed us to step-out. Some other men are saying that ordinary taxis will not take us since it is just short distance.  Another man offered same price, but we tried to haggle and try to get back in the official lane, he started to give a fare of 200, then 150, then 100. I said fine for 100 since its nearly getting a negative temperature (but try to haggle down if you can do so).

Ibis Beijing Capital Airport

Address: No.2 Tianzhu Middle Street, Tianzhu Town, Shunyi District, Beijing 101312, China (Beijing Capital International Airport)

Book ibis Beijing Capital Airport, Beijing in Agoda

http://www.tripadvisor.com

Since airport express’ last trip to city from T2 is at 23:10 and since we prefer not to sleep in Terminal 2, we have then booked at Ibis Beijing Capital Airport since it is very close to the airport. 

Book ibis Beijing Capital Airport, Beijing in Agoda

We arrived at around 1:30 am and the reception officer assigned on that morning is very cold in welcoming us (just like the weather). Obviously showing actions that are not so helpful, has very limited answers and she is very sleepy.

Hotel has an elevator and we immediately went to our room.  It is spacious more than to what I expected.  It has window glass, good lighting, clean and soft beddings.  They also offer two bottled water, electric thermos, slippers, basic toiletries, hangers, cabinet, television (no English channel).

If you will avail their free transport service, make sure that you book a  reservation two hours prior to your departure schedule and please be reminded that this is for free.

2013 Nov: It is not yet time…

After almost three years, the tragic shooting incident in a travel bus of Hong Kong tourists in Manila is still fresh in the minds of Beijing people. [Manila Hostage Crisis] As this said, if you can delay your visit please try to do so - now is not yet the season for a Filipino to visit Chinese countries.

This is our trip that I'd considered politically intense and not peaceful at heart. 

In Jinshang Park, my sister is inquiring about postcards when an old man talked to her.  When he learned that we came from Philippines, "He said that our government is not people oriented, with what happened to the Yolanda victims."

While reading a map in Wanfujing, a lady approached us and escorted us to the Dengshikou station, it was a nice conversation at first, until she introduced the incident of Manila hostage crisis and ended with words like "I'll visit when the time comes that China and Philippines become friends again, because I don't want to die there."

Earlier I generalized Chinese countries, for obvious reason that we also have a gap with Taiwan due to a fisherman shot by Coast Guard near Batan group of islands. [Read] 

Just within the October, a Chinese local crashed his car in pedestrian lane of Tiananmen Square, a Filipino doctor who is traveling that time was one of the two fatalities. [Read]

Incidents and accidents have happened for a reason that we will never understand and might not able to moved on.  As feelings and emotions will always be attached and being nationalistic to your very own country will always remain, a tourist for tourist should never be the case.  As we are once travelers in this world, let us respect each other for we do not represent the negative behaviors of the people who have done it in the past.  We are not the men and women behind the guns or the wheels who cost lives.  As we know, time heal all wounds but not yet at this time nor at this moment.

We travel to escape from the everyday stressful life at work, so make sure that you go to place you can find peace and safety.  Maybe not in their country, nor in our country - to which destination it may be, never forget to travel with discipline, respect and dignity.

Come in peace.

2013 Nov: Support Typhoon Haiyan Survivors

In Anderson Cooper’s reporter’s notebook @AC360 video: 

When everything else is taken away - you see things, you see people as they really are.

With aid and assistance, compassion and care, this place these people, they will make it through. They've already survived the worst. 

They are perhaps tired and traumatized, but THEY ARE NOT BROKEN.  

Mabuhay Philippines, Maraming Salamat for all you've shown us. Maraming salamat for showing us all how to live.



As people traveling in this world, as Filipino traveled or soon visit these affected provinces in Visayas, Philippines - make a difference and let's do our share.  Click below and save lives!

• http://www.redcross.org.ph
• https://www.worldvision.org.ph 
• http://www.unicef.org
• #ReliefPH: Victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) need your help
• How to help Typhoon Haiyan survivors
• Air Asia's #toPHwithlove

2013 Oct: Binondo, Manila: Miracle Art Museum

On our side trip in Binondo (aside from our China Visa application), we have visited Lucky Chinatown.  It’s a miracle, yes! It came as a surprise that there is on-going Miracle Art Exhibition there (until December 2013).  

Entrance Fee:  It is normally at 300php, but was able to get 20% off.  Now it is offered to only 199php in metrodeal.com.

You’ll not be disappointed at the exhibit and the fee is worth the photos.  So grab your cameras now and experience the miracle art!

What is Miracle Art?  It is the multi-dimensioned illusion pictures drawn by special technique. 

2013 Oct: Visa Application for Beijing, China

My last trip in China was in Shanghai on 2010. After 3 years, we'll be going back and this time to Beijing. Since personal visa application in the embassy is not a convenient experience (read my first time Chinese Visa application), we decided to get the travel agency service for this requirement.

I initially inquire at Reli Tours in SM Southmall Las Pinas and they quote me with a shocking 5000 service fee and a deposit of 1000 for the list of requirements. How come it is overpriced? Probably, because they are a partner agency of Japanese Embassy and not China. If I say yes, that would mean my roundtrip ticket is equivalent to the visa service fee and that will not be a smart traveler decision.

Thank you to pinoyexchange.com for recommending Asia Pacific Travel in Escolta, Manila. 

Asia Pacific Travel
G/F AIC Center Bldg., Escolta St., Brgy 291, Zone 027., Binondo, Manila
Tel #:3533127/3533729/3533697
Also, open on Saturdays: 8:0am - 12:00n

Going there: By commuting take a jeepney going to Divisoria.  This will pass Jones Bridge, AIC building is the first building on your right side.  

For private cars, you can take the street parking in front of the office/building. On your way back, since Jones Bridge is one-way, take the street going to Santa Cruz and take the Mac Arthur Bridge to reach Lawton area.

What are the requirements for second-timer applicants:
1. Passport with your old China visa.  
2. Photocopy of the identification page of the passport and old China Visa
3. Photo (2by2) with white background that should be paste (not stapled) on the form
4. Filled-up application form (available on web and in the office)
5. Itinerary can be attached (but also asked in the application form)
6. Others would say they need Invitation Letter (But I only prepared: round trip tickets and hotel reservations)

I prepared Certificate of Employment and Bank Statements (but these were not required for second-timer applicants).  After submitting all the documents, we only paid 1600Php, 1400Php for the actual visa fee and 200Php for the travel agency service fee.  After 4 working days, it is already available in their office. I was able to get my passport and visa (30-day stay) the following weekend and all transactions went well.  Thank you very much Asia Pacific Travel for making this easy for us.

2013: Philippines: Event: Korean Film Festival

On September 18-22 2013, Korean Film Festival will be held in Megamall Cinemas.  Six movies will be shown for free and glad that I was able to watch some of them (from youtube since I can’t wait for these dates). [Click for movie schedule]

Sunny

A girl group in their school days, seems to be a smaller sorority team, which deals with friendship, bonding, peer pressure, family issues and being the strength for one another. 

Love waits and stays and does not require anything in return.

Leadership thinks of people first before yourself and knows how to share.

A Werewolf Boy

Not a horror movie, but a fantasy love story just like Twilight but focused more on the shape shifter.  He is really not a werewolf by birth, but there are two doctors who used this boy on their study of creating a soldier, a strong individual, so something was injected to this boy.  He was locked up in the barnyard and he did not know how to speak, read, or eat properly. 

Until this girl showed his patience is studying how to pet a person, taught him to write, to wait and when to eat, more than that to live life, and to be happy.

It was scary at first, then you got to learn to feel sorry to the boy.  Suddenly, the last 10 minutes became breaking.  Words “Don’t go” was uttered by the boy, he was able to understand a written note “Wait, I’ll come back.”  Love was the first language he learned from human!  [Watch the trailer!]

2013 September: Leonardo Da Vinci: The Genius

Born as illegitimate and bastard in Tuscany, never hindered him from being the famous inventor, scientist, artist, engineer, musician and architect that we know today.

Visit the The Genius, An Inspirational Exhibition running from 1 September until 30 November 2013 in Mind Museum, Bonifacio Global City, Philippines.

Flight

Father of Flight – Leonardo was the first to look at the science of flight.

Some of his ideas found in his notebooks were not actually tested by him, but there are followers that preferred to test it.  [Watch Da Vinci's Parachute]

2013 September: 24th Philippine Travel Mart

The 3rd expo I’ve visited under this organizer.  I see it a bit tamer, low profiling of the places unlike the year when World Expo is celebrated (2012).  

Best outstanding booths are from Ilocos, Region 7, Bohol, Zamboanga.

Thanks to Cebu Pacific for bringing back the Piso Sale, but during the site they only offer domestic tickets.  Yey!  Surely, I got another international flight that morning.  For Philippine Airlines, they offered sale tickets to domestic flights too.  For another company, looks they decided to use Air Asia to over shadow issues with Zest Air even though they are sisters now.

Visit the event tomorrow, September 8, 2013 for the last day of the cheaper fares, accommodation and trips.

Travel More. Live More.  It’s More Fun in the Philippines!

Event: September 06-08, 2013, SMX Convention Center.

Website: http://www.philtoa.org/phil-travel.php
Previous events attended: 2012, 2011

Japan: Omiyage

Magnets and key chains are the most famous homecoming gifts bought by travelers.

Chocolates

If coming from  Japan, I would advise you get chocolates. Unique flavors of KitKat are popular here, like Ujimatcha Latte, Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon, Green Tea, Hojicha Roasted Tea, etc. 

Visit their page to know more about their available favors.

2013 Aug: Brewing in Manila (Part 2)

Let me continue my piece on Cafes Brewing in Manila. 

Tous Les Jours

History: In 1958, CJ began the milling business as a leading food and service company in Korea.  Since the, CJ has been developing various kinds of flour in top quality.  Tous Le Jours is the bakery of a whole new level from the beginning.  We use the top quality flour from CJ’s leading technology.  It is known to be a neighborhood artisan bakery.  Enjoy various kinds of bread freshly baked from the oven everyday.

Being a fan of Korea, the feeling inside the bakeshop brings back the days during my visit in Seoul, Busan and Jeju.  Reminds me so much of their rival bakeshop Paris Baguette.

City Collection: Stamps

In a techie age we experience today in communicating and sharing photos with one another , it’s nice to experience and relive the old way we might had not noticed anymore.  Here is my stamp collection from the postcards sent from cities visited over the years.

You got to see the culture and tradition on those stamps.

You got to remember if there is an event celebrated during your visit.

Tip: Travel in Style: What to wear

Reading Tessa Prieto’s thought online - when even if it is heavy to carry set of scarves or hats, there are cases that you have to bring those for you to look a better when having photographs taken while travelling.  You’ll never know if you will still be able to comeback on that same spot in your lifetime.

Go to the following topics

How to tie and ways to wear a scarf

Why use multi-functional headware

Fedora Hat over baseball caps

How to choose a comfortable walking shoes

Where to buy warm clothing in Manila for cold city visits?

What to wear during spring, autumn, or winter?

Be careful on thermal wears

How to start minimalist travel and pack less

The key here, accessorize and travel in style!  A word of caution: don't over do it. One or two key pieces is enough to do the trick! ~ urbannomadusa  Accessories can give one piece in your wardrobe multiple looks. ~ bridgetteraes

How to tie and ways to wear a scarf

You can wear scarf in any season.  It can give accent in your very plain tops.  Printed scarves can be mixed and match with different tops to give a different flavor from your previously used tops.

How to wear it?  There are more than 25 ways to wear a scarf, following are my most wanted ways to wear it:

2013: 2nd Travel Madness Expo

Unlike previous travel expo’s, this one seems to be quiet.  Less exposure in media, social networking sites, not displayed in the event’s list in MOA, and no banners in front of SMX.

It opened yesterday and we’re able to visit it on a rainy Saturday afternoon.  In spite of the weather, there are still lots of guests in the event.

Comparing to other expo’s, participating airlines has boomed in numbers - Air China, AirAsia Inc., Cathay Pacific & Dragon Air, CebuPacific Air, Japan Airlines, Jetstar, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Tigerair Philippines, Zest Airways, Inc.

Some of the participants that I was not able to notice are All Nippon Airways, Eva Air, and Korean Air – but there are a lot of package tours going to South Korea.

Itinerary: Bali, Indonesia

Travel Date: May 04-07, 2013

2013 May: Indonesia: Bali: Ngurah Rai International Airport

There is only one drop off point for Domestic and International for taxi cab from the city.  Don't take the porter service since you have to pay them. You have to walk a bit longer going to the International Check-in.  For those taking 5J 280 which is as early as 8:05am, you may want to see Rotiboy, Roti'O, Starbucks, Burger King for breakfast which are all on your way to the terminal-proper. 

Get inside the terminal. After the check-in counter process, proceed to the second floor.  Prepare 150,000Rp (600Php)/pax for the Passenger Service Charge (seems like Terminal Fee and Travel Tax in NAIA). Sticker will be pasted at the back of your boarding pass.

Pass by the validation counter so he can scan your sticker.  Fall in line on the Immigration counter; make sure that you have already filled-up the Departure Card.  After which, make sure that your passport and boarding pass has been stamped with the departure date.

From what I understand, it is hard or local banks in Manila are not accepting Rupiah, so better spend your excess money if you still have any.  Roam around the Duty Free area (check on cheaper watch, bags, clothes, batik).  Check books on sale at Periplus book store, you may want to buy a guide for your next destination.

City Collection: Bali, Indonesia

Added to my collection, I bought small city mugs for 200,000Rp.  (If I bought it on Starbucks near beach walk area, they are willing to give me a free coffee drink, how nice of them).

2013 May: Indonesia: Bali: Paroki St. Fransiskus Xaverius

St. Francis Xavier Church
Link: http://www.kutafx.com/peta-lokasi-gereja-fx/
Location: Jl Kartika Plaza, South Kuta

This Catholic Church in Kuta, also known as FX or St. Francis Xavier Church, is easy to find by cab.  There is one English mass for the week, which is scheduled on Sundays 6pm.

Travel Date: May 06, 2013

2013 May: Indonesia: What Bali has to offer?

Bali has better cityhood than Boracay, but Stations 1, 2, 3 has better sand than Kuta-Legian-Seminyak.

Streets

Multitude fast motorcycles, flock of Blue Bird taxi cabs, few horse rides (known in Philippines as "kalesa") are what to expect in Kuta-Legian area.  The government has applied one-way street system, so taking cabs would mean longer travel before you reach your destination.  But don't worry fares in Bali is not as expensive as we have in Manila.  Their flat rate is just 5,000Rp (20Php, 2013), and their meter is not that high.  You might be stuck in traffic for more than 15 minutes, paying less than 25,000Rp (100Php, 2013).

In taking the road to Ubud, you'll recognize how green the island is.   Flower like bougainvillea and trees like Indian tree is all over aisle.   Going further, there are tall old trees on the both sides of the road, while passing by rice fields and traditional houses.

Their intersections and rotundas are with huge sculptures of their gods and goddesses.

2013 May: Indonesia: Bali's Makam and Restorants

More than the beach, Bali is a food paradise.  Not just good tasty food, but it is affordable (compared to Manila) with an unexpected ambiance and appearance.  Let me share to you our chow experience during our stay in Bali.

Crewey Fishing Tackle

Location: Poppies Lane 2 Gang Ronta No. 23 Kuta-Legian

Food: 8 out of 10

Value: Affordable (71,000Rp (290Php))

Atmosphere: 7 out of 10

Orders: Mie Goreng (fried noodles), chicken sate

We saw this restaurant while going to beach walk area.  Very simple, no fuss about it, decent and affordable, but the food is very tasty for the hungry.