Doorgifts.

Hello all brides to be!

I’ve been absence for quiet sometime.. As always *rolls eye* work overload and feeling exhausted every time I come home late afternoon. I don’t even have the mood to flip open my laptop and check for updates. It was a big mistake to go to work the next day after you came back from a vacation!

Beautiful Bandung. View from the top of Pasar Baru.

Kedai D'Fashion, Pasar Baru, Bandung
Baru satu kadai ne.. atu panuh lace tu kedalam dalam lagi!

My 2^nd trip to Jakarta – Bandung this time is very much fruitful. Alhamdulillah I managed to buy materials for my solemization ceremony, malam ambilan, bought ready-made gorgeous Indonesian kebaya for I don’t know what ceremony yet! I HAD to buy because it’s so beautiful! I might just put it up for rent too. Bought a lot of laces too for upcoming bestfriends wedding function. Seriously, if you go to BANDUNG! It’s a MUST to go to Pasar Baru (for the ladies). We went there twice, our 2^nd trip to Pasar baru were without the guys. We dump them to the factory outlet stores whilst we enjoy the no nagging and all girls shopping spree. 

We just HAD to go there again because I just knew that there’s this lace selling for BND$9.00 for 2.5 meter! Cheap kan.. mana nda boleh jadi gila d sana.. I bought my very much bling crown there for less than BND$100! Sini kalau sewa nyacah $100.00 kan.. bought layah is what you called them? The one that settles on your tudong metal bling flower for about BND$60.00! Mana nda siuk tu kan!? 

I even have thoughts of opening up a mini bridal boutique after I get married.. reasons? Almost ALL my attire are custom made, I bought crowns and layah, I bought this so gorgeous Indonesian kebaya, I have hantaran trays for 24 dulangs, I have bling bling shoes to match with each of the attire and I have good potential to be a wedding planner!

Laces! Name your requirements! They have it!

Anyway, I’ve sorted out the shipment for my wedding door gifts and Alhamdulillah; it has arrived safely yesterday to my home. I was considered lucky to get cheap shipment to Pontianak, Indonesia because the shipping company situated just at the back of Mangga Dua, Jakarta only ships around Indonesia so I had to seek help from family friend to use their address in Pontianak for shipping. So from Pontianak I had to pay someone to bring the doorgifts to Miri,Sarawak then my parents collected from there. 

HAPPY & SORTED! So kirakan bebaloi lah my doorgifts nda semahal I expected it would total up to be. I was dead worried that I had regrets making the doorgifts jauh-jauh kirakan nda balik modal.. but Alhamdulillah syukur balik modal banar.. ehehe

I've also managed to strike off one from the list of hantaran leaving me ONLY one left! 

So for the doorgifts update..

Doorgifts:

Majlis Akad Nikah & Hantar Berian – 3 months before wedding barutah start production.

Majlis Berbedak

(a)Individual Female & Male gifts – DONE! Bought everything in Jakarta, Tanah Abang. Cheap cheap!

(b)Guest Female & Male gifts – DONE! It was all in one go in the shipment.

Majlis Sanding – Alhamdulillah DONE! =) There were 3 defects but Insyallah cukup.

Majlis Berbedak Mandi – Not decided yet, proly kuih kering or cakes?

Majlis Ambil-Ambilan – Not decided yet, proly makanan jua kali..

Ok, enough said.  Till next post soon InsyAllah.

p/s: my chatbox is flooded with spam so I decide to put it down. 

Jakarta Again!

VaavaaVoom! Alhamdulillah... just today I received an official approval on my leave and going overseas. Tickets confirmed, Hotel in Jakarta and Bandung is also confirmed. Appointments with boutiques, vendors confirmed. Transportation also confirmed. Money? *kurik-kurik bank* 


I so can't wait because again i'll be going with my bridesmaid. =) Unfortunately one of my bridesmaid who followed me to Jakarta last december couldn't make it the other join instead. We plan on celebrating one of my bridesmaid hen night too! We'll see how it goes once we arrive there. 


1 Week & 5 Days left until WE ALL GO KAPIH! but luckily we came back right in time on payday... *big grin* 


Ohhh laces... Ohhh laces... Ohh Laces.... Here we come!! 
Ohhh Bakso... Ohhh Bakso... Ohh Bakso... Here we come!!
Ohhh Teh Botol.. Teh Botol... Teh Botol... We crave for you!!


So can't wait to get that indonesian dialect back and utilize it in Indonesia! 


*wide smiles*

Jakarta-Bandung Travel Review

Assalamualaikum readers,

I know that it has been so long I haven’t update my blog due to circumstances that I am busy at work and not much progress happening lately but I did promised to blog on my Jakarta-Bandung shopping trip right? So this entry is just perfect to those who will be planning to go to Indonesia for wedding preparations. 

BUT… before I share my wonderful experience in Jakarta-Bandung..

Would like to say Thank you for the wedding invitation Hazlynda Kushairi <3 Terharu jugak coz its my first ever wedding invitation from Malaysia.. I received your invitation just after I came back. Unfortunately I came to work and saw my leave was not approved soon after I came back from Jakarta. I had plans on going to Kuala Lumpur through Miri and wanting to experience a Malaysian wedding in west Malaysia but the assistant boss rejected my leave =( maybe because I didn’t bring her any lace from Indonesia kot?  *sigh* Anyhow, Hazlynda.. Selamat Pengantin Baru.. May this new journey in your life will bring many blessings from Allah S.W.T and to new beginnings! *hugs* 

Thanks for the Invitation Lynda <3

The Journey

16^th December 2010: Departed Brunei International Airport (BWN) at 2240hrs and safely arrived in Sukarno Hatta International Airport Terimal 2 (CKG) at 2300hrs. Alhamdulillah, two drivers that we arranged earlier on waited for us at the arrival hall and brought us to Ibis Mangga Dua Hotel.

Ibis Hotel Mangga Dua Room

Ibis Mangga Dua Hotel Toilet hehe.. 

Hotel? Well we didn’t expect the road going into the hotel would be some dodgy area filled with hawkers selling bakso, ayam goreng and food. Stalls selling shirts, cd’s and many more. It was a scary experience for someone their first time in Indonesia. The hotel provides us with Free Internet Wireless service. The drawback was the hotel was not carpeted so it gets cold towards the night and the bed isn’t that comfortable, my friend’s fiancé pillow even had moulds! We requested for a new one but never came~ less lighting and cozy in the room.  My overall review would be towards the end alright? =)

17^th December 2010, Friday:

0600hrs: Departed Jakarta for Bandung, stop by the service area for our breakfast at KFC because that’s the only restaurant that opens 24hrs.

0900hrs: Driver brought us to Golden Money Changer an official money changer. VERY GOOD RATES! Bring Singapore dollars for slightly higher rates! They will need your passport for identification and verification purposes. Golden Money Changer building looks like a bank and what’s most important is safe!

1030hrs: Pasar Baru, Bandung

This place is heavenly!

We went to 5^th Floor first to get ourselves Indonesia SIM, purchased the Simpati Telkomsel for less than BND$20! Suites best to those who are always on the GPRS/WAP services slightly slow Internet but at least we can facebook status update, foursquare checking in. Blackberry phone is used widely here so those with blackberry handphones are a bonus! They have this special package, which I’m not sure of.

Okay, I can’t explain the exact feeling when I was at Pasar Baru but I can assure you that in Pasar Baru! LOADS and LOADS of varities to choose from. Say, your looking for the Kebaya Sulam? LOADS! Price wise? From high quality material ranging from $50/each to $20/each. Those nice sulam telekong, praying mat, the telekong that here in Brunei is selling for $100+.. there? Slash of half the price! Dirt cheap I tell you! You can get high quality stuff for the price of what you probably buy in Brunei of a low quality item. Seriously! No words can explain how I felt cheated too. Pasar Baru has like 8 floors full of good stuff!

Kain Sulam at Pasar Baru, Bandung

Telekong <3 Beautiful! 

Looking for lace? Pasar Baru is definitely the place! 2^nd Floor! Whole floor of laces! French laces Ranging from less than BND$15/metre to even BND$200/metre. The lining is dirt cheap compared to what they sell here, would you believe the lining for the lace material is only BND$1.00/metre! You will go crazy looking at varieties of lace to choose from, colors to pick because I did! Well, we all did! The sale assistant will throw to you loads of lace with lining and you’ll go “Mas! Saya mau ini ya! 4 metre!” then another sales assitant throws another set of lace to your friend and you go “Neng! Saya mau itu jugak 4 metre!” it never stopped! We spent almost 6 hours in ONE lace shop ONLY! We even forget that we haven’t had our lunch! Just imagine the excitement~ not remembering to eat till the boss asked us if we had our lunch! The boss was so kind enough to order good food and treat us! Well he should be because we spend like thousands of BND there!

Kebaya Sulam! Pasar Baru, Bandung

Yang mana satu pilihan hati? 

Bought my Telekong for hantaran there for less than BND$20.00 of a very good quality fully embroidered with beautiful flowers! Comes with a bag too! Nice I tell you, very nice! 

1700hrs:  Check in to Swiss Arion Belhotel

Got to LOVE this hotel to bits! 

The staff is extremely friendly, we had a welcoming drink from the hotel.. Even had the traditional music played using the traditional instrument as shown in the picture below.

Welcoming =)

The Toilet

The ROOM? So nice! Comfortable beds! Puffy pillow! The toilet is great everything is great! Breakfast is so good here and so relaxing!  Free internet~  Definitely will stay here again!

Swiss Arion Bellhotel Room <3

1930hrs: Paris Van Java

We all had a lovely dinner at The Taste restaurant for authentic Indonesian meal. I can’t believe that food is cheap there! We ordered and ordered to a point that we had to tell the waitress to cancel our order if it’s not yet cooked because we over dosed ourselves with Soup Buntut, Ikan Bakar and many more! Talk about food heaven! INDONESIA is just the place!

So we didn’t do much shopping in Paris Van Java. I guess it’s just a place for Nongkrong i.e. Hanging out. There are varieties of shop there like MNG, Guess, Sogo and many more but noting wow about it. It’s a beautiful place though. Love the interior design or that building. Loads of restaurants to choose from.. 

Paris Van Java, Bandung

Beautiful Sun Flower at Paris Van Java

18^th December 2010, Saturday:

0930hrs: Rumah Mode, Factory Outlet

Checked out from the hotel and proceed our shopping journey at one of the factory outlet. There’s actually few to choose from but we ask our driver which one are the best and he told us Rumah Mode is usually the place Bruneians go crazy!

Top Factory Outlet stores in Bandung:

• Rumah Mode
• Heritage
• Secret

Been to Bicester village? Portsmouth outlet in UK? Personally this is way better! Well Bicester village is still the best because you can get off season handbags for a reasonable price. Rumah Mode is a place when you want to purchase a burberry jeans for just BND$40, an Armani shirt for BND$20. Stuff like that. We all went excited that we forgot to go to the handbags and shoes section! Bummer!

Rumah mode is NOT the place for your wedding preparations BUT is THE PLACE if you want to go OVER BUDGET!  Or should I say? Melarikan budget! *LOL* we had our lunch there over at Rumah Mode, had my first bakso in Indonesia and So delicious!

Rumah Mode Entrance.. 

Rumah Mode, Factory Outlet

The Entrance to the Food Court at Rumah Mode, Bandung

1430hrs: Journey back to Jakarta. A note to those who is planning to go, it’s always best to avoid traffic jams and on weekends. Because the journey to Bandung on weekends can take up to more than 3 hours even 4 hours! Massive traffic jams! That is why we choose to go back to Jakarta when everyone is going to Bandung for the weekends! Plan smartly *wink*

1930hrs: Plaza Indonesia.

Plaza Indonesia, Jakarta

WEEKEND! Stucked in traffic for more than an hour. Reached to Plaza Indonesia or should I say the BEST area to be in Jakarta at about 8.45pm and shop closes at 9p.m, 9.30p.m and some close at 2.a.m. Had dinner at Fish & Co because that’s the first place we saw when we arrive. Only manage to look around the shops because most of the shops we targeted are already closed. Went to Hard Rock Café after we had desserts at Häagen-Dazs. What’s at Plaza Indonesia? Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Burberry, Kate Spade, Stuart Weitzman, Valentino. You name it! They have it! <3  They even have Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo <3 Talk about me having culture shock! I didn’t expect it at all.  At one point I feel that I’m at Bond Street or more like Westfield! Sparkling in my eyes! 

19^th December 2010, Sunday

0900hrs: ITC Mangga Dua & Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua

The driver told us to be early he dropped us of at ITC Mangga Dua. The area is like a 30minutes walk from our hotel Ibis but since we have a driver all to ourselves for the days we’re in Indonesia, it’s best that we utilize it and we felt safer that way.

ITC Mangga Dua, Jakarta

What’s at ITC Mangga Dua & Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua?  Two buildings connected with an aerobridge that you wouldn’t know you’re in the aerobridge because the whole building is filled with good stuff for wedding preparation or business! Wedding Souvenir’s, Invitation cards, Rambut Palsu, those jewelleries from the wedding boutique? All here! Price? CHEAP! Far off than what you can get in Brunei. They even sell ready made beautiful wedding gowns at very cheap prices! Cheap I mean BND$200-$500 for something that is very beautiful, fully beaded and so lawa! Flower girl dresses! EVERYTHING lah!

Something to keep in mind, DON’T bring someone who can’t stand crowd! Because in Mangga Dua, its so crowded! It’s heaven for ladies but hell for men’s! haha The telekong here in Mangga Dua is way better quality too. I sort of regret buying it at Pasar Baru, Bandung but whatever, still happy. But I guess, telekong would be best if purchased at Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua or ITC Mangga Dua. 

1230hrs: Senayan City

Another mall that we LOVE! Bottega Veneta <3 again, malls that is filled with all the brands! We went crazy shopping here also… Came out with shopping bags because most of the designer labels are on sale!! Despite not being able to claim GST still considered cheap because of the 30% off! Then we continued our journey to… 

Senayan City, Jakarta

Senayan City, Jakarta

Grand Indonesia

And again… went crazy! Here is the place if you’re looking for Chanel. Grand Indonesia has two wings. East and West if I’m not mistaken. If you go to Grand Indonesia DO go to the top floor where ALL the restaurants are! Its so beautiful up there! The design is based on the restaurant theme; Japanese cuisine will have bamboo surroundings very Japanese. Then hop into Italian and French there a replica of Moulin rouge and fountain. It’s just lovely! Will definitely go here again. 

Around a line of restaurants at Grand Indonesia

<3 Lovely! Grand Indonesia

Coffee? Grand Indonesia

20^th December 2010, Monday

MOI – Mall of Indonesia

Curiosity kills so we went to check out what’s in MOI. Noting much. Bored, called the driver and brought us back to Plaza Indonesia! Shopped like crazy again because some designers 30% off! You know what I like about designer labels in Indonesia? Their service! Its like in UK <3 Very warm, welcoming, helpful and wonderful, can’t help NOT buying any because they’re so sweet!

Then we went to Plaza Senayan soon after... We’re looking for Miu Miu and the sale assistant from LV plaza Indonesia told us only at Plaza Senayan has Miu Miu, to kill our curiosity we went there from 1730 till 2030hrs. A very nice place, has LV, Valentino, Miu Miu, all the designer labels you can find in Plaza Indonesia.

21^st December 2010, Tuesday

0130hrs – Checked out Ibis Mangga Dua Hotel to Sukarno Hatta International Airport for our flight at 0505hrs to Bandar Seri Begawan *Yawn*

Did not sleep at all so we ordered room service while watching TV~ super tired after last minute packing!!

I would personally recommend if you’re finding a hotel in Jakarta, find hotels that is located near the huge malls. Areas around Grand Indonesia, Plaza Indonesia. The driver recommend us to stay in Escort Hotel if we plan on traveling next time because it’s walking distance and shop closes late. Ibis Mangga Dua hotel is alright provided that your target is just buying souvenirs for wedding, invitations and sorts but Mangga Dua shops opens at 0900hrs and closes at 1830hrs. You will certainly need to go out for dinner so if you were around the grand Indonesia, plaza Indonesia, looking for restaurants to dine in wouldn’t be a problem.

I wish we spent more time in Bandung because I heard there’s more compared to Jakarta, even people from Jakarta goes down to Bandung to shop.

Security issues? Alhamdulillah we didn’t experience any trouble there. It’s safe to say that Indonesia is safe. The people are so kind, warm and welcoming. We love the food, we love the hospitality and Jakarta, Indonesia is now one of our top destinations to go to for shopping. =)

Feel free to contact me if you need any help. Happy to help and share my experience and hope you will too. 

CKG-BWN

I'm BACK from JAKARTA just today..

So tired yet fun...

I have LOADS to share... shopping shopping shopping...

From Jakarta to Bandung...

Definitely will be going there again in March!

Stay tune for my travel experience for wedding shopping in Jakarta-Bandung.. =)

Countdown to...

INDONESIA SHOPPING VACATION!! 

I know that it's a month more to go but WE are so excited! the other half leave has been approved! My Maid of honors leave is approved! AND most of all! my leave is approved that i feel like hugging the boss! *LOL*

• Hotel? CHECKED! made reservations at Jakarta Hotel and also at Bandung! 
• Budget? CHECKED! we made breakdowns and paid for the hotels in full price so we don't have to think about the cost of accommodation.
• Transportation? ON THE WAY.. We were torn between choices because i received quiet a number of recommendations
• Itinerary? 60% Done! need to make some final touch up because i've received some other Must go Places too! 

That 6 days vacation somehow is NOT ENOUGH but anyhow! I'm still looking forward to it! Merely excited~ I will make a travel blog on it too as this shopping vacation is on a mission! 


Anyone knows where is the recommended place to get those hantaran trays? and bunga telor? I know Kuala Lumpur has loads of it but just wondering if i could grab it in Indonesia. Thank you. =) 


MISSION: WEDDING SHOPPING ONLY! 


Which i hope we won't get carried away with other tempting items! 


CONPOM EKSES BEG! 

The Jakarta Trip

Photo Courtesy of Airlines-Airlines

I’m making it happen! Next payroll or probably later I’ll be purchasing tickets for both my parents and me to Jakarta with two of my lovely bridesmaid in December! My parents agree to go Jakarta as their pension activity and two of my bridesmaid is very much excited! What’s even more exciting is that my bridesmaid will be planning for their wedding too which is next year! We all have planned not to have any clashes in date but we’re yet to have everyone for dinner and discuss on the available dates but so far I heard no clashes yet.

Planning to go there this December before Christmas to browse or probably just shopped for few items on the checklist too to reduce the load. I stumbled across few bloggers that gave good reviews on where and what to find in Jakarta particularly Ka Fiza

 

Anyhow, from what I’ve read and what my mom told, the places in Jakarta that is worth going is:

1. Mangga Dua

2. Pasar Mayestik

3. Tanah Abang

4. Pasar Jatinegara *situated at bandung

Seriously I don’t know where all the areas are listed above. I’ve been to Indonesia couple of times during my childhood days but not as an adult so I assume it’ll be my first time!

Gosh I’m so excited that I can’t wait for the next payroll to come out! Need to purchase that ticket as soon as possible. Set aside the work leave I’m going to take, buy the ticket first that have the boss sign for approval whether the boss likes it or not!

So back to shopping areas in Jakarta, suggestions on the places I should visit is very much appreciated. Shops that provide printing of invitation cards, cheap laces, telekong, wedding favors and anything that I must visit!

HOTELS! Yes, due to conditions I don’t know how Jakarta is. I want hotels to be near with Mangga 2 because I heard it’s like a shopping heaven for wedding preparations. I goggled for hotels nearby mangga 2 and it looks like mangga 2 is huge areas so I got very confuse and afraid of security reasons too. My parents previously stayed at Batavia Hotel and when I read review that its sort of declining services, now that I’m not sure to trust or not. But anyhow, I heard Hotel Ibis Jakarta Mangga Dua Hotel & Apartment offers good price and also walking distance to Mangga Dua. I do want to know where else is advisable and recommended apart from Hotel Ibis. Please do e-mail me at z.inaza@yahoo.com for trips advisor or drop in a comment.

and of course I post my trip reviews and loads of photos around the areas for future brides in the near future! =)

Pre-preparation : Surveying.

I’ve discussed with my mother on what favors that I will give during the occasion and she agreed on most of them. I also told her that I would like to go to Jakarta, Indonesia end of this year just to survey stuff, get the pricing correct, quotation for invitations, door gifts and arranged on the family and bridesmaid attire. I heard from my cousins that Jakarta is just the place for wedding preparations and I stumble across a Malaysian lady blogger; Fiza who is very informative in giving rough estimated prices and where to go and what to do there. My mom did told me that going to Mangga 2 is the place to buy stuff because its really cheap and there’s this one more place I’m not quiet sure where it is.

So I’m setting my targets what to look for if my trip is confirm, I’ll seek for:

1. Invitation cards
2. Laces or fabrics for family and bridesmaid.
3. Wedding day favors.
4. Majlis Akad Nikah favors.
5. Bebedak favors for the ladies and gentlemen.
6. Evening Reception i.e. appreciation dinner.

Which I hope I won’t go overboard in surveying for wedding stuff!
Since Tun Mahatir Musical theater will be on at Istana Budaya, Malaysia from 24th September 2010 till 4th October 2010 & Natrah Theater will be showing from 25th November 2010 till 5th December 2010. I might be watching one of the musicals. I’ve missed the chance watching Tan Sri P.Ramlee musical and I wouldn’t want to miss watching Tun Mahatir Musical or Natrah! Tickets are on sale now and I’m left to ask the fiancé if he’s available on either date for a short vacation in Malaysia. Not only to ask the fiancé but also friend(s) willing to tag along because to go on a vacation with only two of us is a big no-no. If this plan going to Malaysia is also confirm then my mission there would be:

1. Searching designers for my Solemnization ceremony.

• (Recommendations from readers is very much appreciated in this one. I've read there are some blacklisted designers as well and i'm afraid that i went into the wrong one so it would be great help to e-mail and inform which to avoid and recommended)

2. All those arts and crafts items such as ribbons & flowers.
3. Alas for the hantaran i.e. the modern gangsa if that’s even possible to get.
4. Trays for the hantaran i.e. the modern English theme trays, cages.
5. Pay a visit to this place I found that offers beautiful pre-wedding photos and ask for the price!


I’ve discussed with dear fiancé and he agrees on buying stuff either from Indonesia and Malaysia IF that can save cost! There’s no confirm dates when I want to go to Jakarta but I told my mom that we just booked our tickets first and if the fiancé parents wants to tag along after they come back for good from elsewhere they could purchase the tickets last minute. I am aware that items may need to be shipped and I hope it wouldn’t cost as much. If shipping to Miri, Sarawak is cheaper then I may use my relative’s address, that’s my plan B.


I seriously need to buy more bridal magazines! I’ve just purchased my very first bridal magazine “Pengantin” hehe and got overly excited already looking at Pelamin, Chairs, decorations and all for sale like borong! I felt like opening up a boutique hehe.

Any recommended magazines that I should purchase? Informative ones? & places that sells wedding items i.e. hantaran trays, ribbons and the arts and crafts stuff in Malaysia preferably around Selangor?