MS DOS get timestamp in yymmdd format

:: get date pattern in yymmdd format
:: example set mydate=%date:~4,2%%date:~7,2%%date:~12,2%
:: by default %date% ---> mm/dd/yy

set yy=%date:~12,2%
set mm=%date:~4,2%
set dd=%date:~7,2%
set hr=%time:~0,2%
set mi=%time:~3,2%

SET tday=%yy%%mm%%dd%_%hr%%mi%
SET logfile=%tday: =%

Bali 5D4N Itinerary - Quick Summary

Day 1
- Check-in @ Febri's
- Free and easy in Kuta
- Dinner in Discovery Mall

Day 2
- Pura Taman Ayun (Royal Family Temple), Mengwi
- Candi Kuning market
- Pura Ulun Danu (the temple by the lake), Lake Bratan
- Lunch: Ayam Betutu
- Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
- Tanah Lot
- Dinner at Jimbaran Bay
- Free and easy in Kuta

Day 3
- Tanjung Benoa (watersports)
- Dreamland beach, Padang Padang beach
- Uluwatu
- Lunch at Bebek Tepi Sawah
- Check in @ Green Field
- Spa!
- Dinner - Pork Ribs

Day 4
- Art villages: Batuan (painting), Celuk (silver and gold craft), Mas (Wood)
- Batubulan and Sukawati market
- Lunch at Ibu Oka
- Stop by coffee plantation for luwak coffee
- Kintamani
- Tegalallang rice terrace
- Bebek Bengil
- Free and easy in Ubud

Day 5
- Ubud Palace, Ubud market
- Goa Gajah
- Adieu!

Bali Luwak Coffee - Abian Sari Coffee Plantation

Another much talked about Bali attraction is Luwak Coffee, supposedly the most expensive coffee in the world. It's actually quite common across Indonesia, and not just Bali alone =)

Why is it so famous? Well, basically we are ingesting coffee made of cat shit. Or to be more exact, civet cat shit.

Coffee 'produced' by the civet cat lose much of the bitterness but preserve the aroma / fragrance. Note that there is no specific blend of Luwak coffee - it could be Arabica, Robusta or pretty much anything. It depends on what is fed to the civet cat!

From bali - kintamani, luwak coffee

Green Field Hotel, Ubud

During our last 2 nights in Bali, we stayed at Green Field Hotel in Ubud.
Again, we found it on tripadvisor ;)

Green Field consists of several bungalows perched on the edge of paddy fields. It's fairly close to another well-known Ubud lodging, Tegal Sari.

From bali - green field hotel, ubud

Wood Carving in Bali

Wood carving (Mas) is among the big 4 crafts available in Bali. The abundance of natural, quality wood combined with talented craftsmen make up a thriving industry.

From Tanah Lot

Everywhere in Bali we can see stores selling items made from wood. They can range from little souvenirs and knickknacks, to elaborate works of art and timber furniture fit for a king.

Bali Beaches - Tanjung Benoa and Padang-padang

Tanjung Benoa is a beach dedicated to watersports. There are at least 10 types of watersports available, from jet skis to parasailing. This is a must-go place for adrenaline junkies!

The beach stretches along for quite a few kilometers and there are all sorts of water activities going on, both on the beach and in the sea.

From bali - nusa dua

The sun was scorchingly hot so we didn't stay for long, not being a fan of outdoor activities =)

Bali rice terraces - Jatiluwih, Tegallalang

Bali is also famous for her beautiful rice terraces.
I am told that there is no fixed harvest season in Bali. In order to view the rice terraces at their most beautiful, there is no definite date!
If you arrive sometime before April, it's highly likely that you can view the paddy fields before harvest time in all its green splendor.

The first rice field terrace that we visited was Jatiluwih.

From bali - terraced rice fields

It is nestled among the hills, and provides a stunning panoramic view of the rice fields.

Bali Attractions - list of entrance fees

Uluwatu + sarong & belt rental (extra 60k for tour guide) - 3000 Rp
Pura Taman Ayun (Royal Temple) - 3000 Rp
Pura Ulun Danu, Lake Bratan - 10000 Rp
Pura Tanah Lot - 10000 Rp
Jatiluwih rice terrace - 4000 Rp
Kintamani : entrance - 10000 Rp
Gunung Kawi Temple - 6000 Rp
Pura Tirthe Empul - 6000 Rp
Gua Gajah - 6000 Rp
Bersakih: 10k entrance, 10k tour guide, 5k sarong rental - 10000 Rp
Garuda Wisnu Kencana GWK - 50000 Rp

Pura Taman Ayun, Mengwi

Pura Taman Ayun, also known as the Royal Family Temple, is one of the famous attractions in Bali.
It is located near Mengwi (somnewhere South of Bali).

The temple grounds are surrounded by a moat and there is a small pathway where the public can access, to walk around the main temple compound.

From bali - mengwi & lake bratan

Kuta and Legian, Bali

Strolling in Kuta and Legian can be quite a breeze. The cool sea breeze takes away the scorching heat of the sun, and the pavements are decent enough for pedestrians with a lot of trees providing shade.

From bali - kuta

There is only one setback - the narrow road is filled with cars and motorcycles. The air quality is, to put it frankly, very bad.

Due to the lack of time we stuck mainly to the main roads - Jln Karthika Plaza, along Kuta beach, and Jalan Legian. There's a charming blend of branded outlets, shopping malls, handicraft, pubs and novelty shops along the entire stretch - it is truly a feast for the eyes.

Febri's Hotel & Spa - Kuta, Bali

After going through the extensive list of Bali hotels in Trip Advisor, we finally settled on Febri's Hotel & Spa.

Located on Jalan Karthika Plaza, it's actually located in the Tuban area and not Kuta. Kuta is within walking distance though - roughly a 15-minute stroll along the main road. The airport is around 5 minutes away by car.

Upon check in we were welcomed with a refreshing drink of pineapple juice and cold face towels.
We were pleasantly surprised to find that the hotel has not one but TWO swimming pools!

From bali - kuta