my journey to love more...my stories to be happy...

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

iKa 3:15 PM 0

Japan’s Artistic Manhole Covers

March 2015

Japan is a country full of creative art, did you know that Japanese even go as far as decorating their manhole covers? :D

Custom manhole cover across Japan reflects the uniqueness of each city, keeping true to the country’s reputation for aesthetic sense.

When in Japan, be sure to look down and watch for the art upon which you are stepping.

Japan - Kansai Area Read more

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

iKa 2:15 PM 0

Eki No Hanko : Happy Stamps Hunting

March 2015

In Japanese Eki no Hanko, which means Eki (station) and Hanko (stamp), train stamps. The stamp will be a picture of some kind of local attraction, or something that the area is known for. Each station has it in a different location, usually they are outside the ticket gates.

Arashiyama & Kitano-cho stamps

Most train stations and tourist spots have a stamp which is different from one another, yet not every place of interest has an ink stamp. This stamp idea to make fun and good memories at minimal cost. So looking for the stamps has become like a little treasure hunt.

Kansai Airport, Nara Station, Universal City & Osaka Station stamps

I left a stamps memo in the hotel room table on my last day in Osaka, and the next morning woke up in a hurry without remembering to put in the memo back to my bag. Just realized while on the plane on the way from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta and instantly felt grumpy. The next day when unpacking I found that memo that unconsciously I input into the suitcase when in a hurry :D

Kyoto Station stamps

ps : forget where we got those three stamps, anyone can help? ;)

Japan - Osaka Read more

Friday, March 6, 2015

iKa 6:06 PM 0

100 Doraemon Secret Gadget Expo

February 2015

100 Doraemon Secret Gadget Expo currently being held in upper ground floor Ancol Beach City Mall until 8 March 2015. This expo basically about little history of Doraemon, his 100 gadgets, the town in the comic itself and some unforgettable moment that happened in Doraemon series.

Upon entering the expo you will be greeted with a huge figurine of the original Doraemon in yellow and ears still intact. His ears were bitten off by rats which scared him blue as a result. This explains Doraemon’s morbid fear of rats thereafter.

There are 100 Doraemon figurine that holding one of his 100 secret gadgets and you can read about it at the display plaque at the bottom of each figurines.

I finished surround all areas within 30 minutes. It is not worth to walk around if you are not a fan, this expo less interactive and tend to be boring. It is not that interesting than what I expected in the beginning. There is also shop selling Doraemon merchandise with overpriced.

If I can ask for one of Doraemon’s gadget, then I will ask the “Anywhere Door”. How about you?

***
100 Doraemon Secret Gadget Expo
Ancol Beach City Lifestyle Mall Upper Ground
28 Nov 2014 - 8 Mar 2015
Adult IDR 90.000,-

Indonesia - Jakarta Read more

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

iKa 4:16 PM 0

IKEA Bistro & Cafetaria

Dec 2014

The wait is over, been waiting for months to taste the Swedish Meatballs after we ran out on the first visit. IKEA Cafetaria is a self-service restaurant, where customers queue up to take a trolley and tray, going to the different sections to order their food.

We decided to have the meatballs and the salmon as our mains this time, as we have tried baked chicken leg with dill sauce and penne pasta tomato sauce. Additionally we also took a full bowl for mushroom soup, chicken siomay and cheese cake.

Swedish Meatballs

The gravy was not really impressive, and the meatballs not that wow. The meatballs are locally produced and halal.

Baked Chicken Leg with Dill Sauce

The chicken was super tender and juicy, also well-seasoned, love the dill sauce.

Penne Pasta Tomato Sauce

Penne served with basic tomato sauce. The penne was al dente, the oregano was a bit too strong for me.

Poached Salmon with Chives Sause

A generous serving of salmon was given but a bit tasteless.

Mushroom Soup

A warm mushroom soup with the right consistency of texture, but the taste a bit bland.

The Swedish Food Market is on first floor where you can buy some imported food stuff from Sweden, likes fruit jams, biscuits, ginger snaps, cheese balls.

The bistro is located on the first floor, right next to the Swedish Food Market, where you can buy the soft serve ice cream, hot dogs, soft drinks, buns.

Indonesia - Tangerang Read more

Monday, October 27, 2014

iKa 11:09 PM 7

IKEA Alam Sutera : Insanely Crowd

October 2014

IKEA Alam Sutera

IKEA (Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd) is finally open its first outlet in Indonesia at Alam Sutera, Serpong Tangerang. I visited IKEA on Sunday, the 5th day of its opening and the crowds were insanely massive. The spacious parking lot that could accommodate more than 1,200 cars still not enough, lots of car parked at Alam Sutera Mall or along the way of Alam Sutera toll road exit /entrance.

queuing

If you park at Alam Sutera Mall, IKEA provide free shuttle bus from there to IKEA. Or if you lucky enough and get parking slot at IKEA, its free parking there.

IKEA says HEJ

Please take your own grocery bag from home because they do not provide free plastic bags, following their eco-friendly concept. Although you can still buy their blue or white plastic bag for IDR 9.900,-

first floor - self service furniture

The building is very big and extremely well-designed. First floor consist of market hall, bistro, Swedish food market and self service furniture area. And second floor consist of showroom and the cafeteria. The showroom is amazing, incredible ideas to design your home, they show that you can still create a functional, stylish room in a small area. The cafeteria was super packed, it took me around 30 minutes queuing just to find they run out of their famous meatballs.

first floor - market hall

second Floor - showroom (Indoor Garden)

The price is relatively the same as similar stores in Jakarta, more expensive than their store in Singapore. There is no opening discount or special promotion :D