Hotel Booking with Agoda.com

Over the years since Jamie's Phuket started, I have looked at a number of online hotel booking sites, signed up for affiliate deals, seen the results, tried new sites... the original idea was to have several different booking options for the hotels reviewed here, giving people the opportunity to check rates at a bunch of different sites. Regular travelers will probably have their preferred booking site, I don't wish to try and change anyones mind about which is best, but I have to say that over the last few years the Agoda.com site has got neater, the hotel descriptions better, the booking process easier.

Having experimented quite a bit, there are just two hotel booking options on Jamie's Phuket - Agoda and occasionally LateStays. The latter is designed only for late bookings, no more than 28 days ahead and sometimes has good rates. Agoda can also be used for late bookings, but of course also offers advance booking.

Agoda is part of a larger company that also included PrecisionReservations.com and PlanetHoliday.com - these both redirect now to Agoda.com. The brand name is getting well known especially around Asia, as Agoda is based in Singapore and Bangkok. The word "Agoda" you might expect to mean something in Chinese or Thai.. in fact it's just a result (according to the About Agoda page) of a phrase suggested by someone at Agoda "Agoda where I wanna go to!". The important part of the word being "GO"! For more about Agoda, check their FAQ.



Agoda offers a reward program. From your first booking you get reward points worth around 5% of the room price. You can use these points to reduce the price of the room you are booking, or you can let the points mount up after several bookings and use them to get even bigger savings, or even free rooms! You decide. A friend here in Phuket said he ended up with a free room on his last trip to Kuala Lumpur, having saved up his reward points. You can earn extra points by contributing a hotel review (good or bad!) after your stay. You should also check the special offers on offer.



The Agoda site is available in many languages, not just English - for example you can find Agoda in German, French, Japanese, Swedish, Thai .. and many more, reflecting the worldwide appeal of Agoda. Not just Thailand, not just Asia, but Worldwide. The site is very easy to use, easy to navigate, it's easy to find rates, easy to make bookings. I'd suggest checking Agoda for your trip to Phuket and Thailand.

Related Jamie's Phuket pages:

• My Phuket Hotel Recommendations
• Top 10 Phuket Hotels

Lippo Cikarang Mall, Bekasi, Indonesia

Once our stomach filled up, we continue our journey to the nearest shopping mall : Lippo Cikarang Mall (S6°20.039' E107°08.186'), trying to buy some souvenirs for my wife and daughter. (The information about the mall was given by the Hotel staffs)

'Angkot' (Angkotan Kotaraya) - The public transportation of Cikarang, and maybe the whole of Indonesia.

We were waiting across the street of the Hotel for cab, suddenly there was a kind of 'Van without the side door' approaching us and ask : "Where are you going?" (in Indonesia language). We reply : "Lippo Cikarang Shopping Mall". The driver said he will take us there ans ask us to jump in to his 'Van'! Kind of curious, we just hop-in...
Along the road (Jalan Cikarang-Cibarusah), we saw many villages and also many small stalls, I mean 'many'!

The pictures I took on 'Angkot'

After 5 minutes drive, the 'Van' was full of Indonesian passengers. We enjoyed the view along the way, 15 minutes later....we reached the Mall. The driver was kind enough to inform us! The journey is about 4.5km and the fares was IDR3,000.00 = MYR0.90. It's cheap!

The time was about 9pm (Indonesia time) when we arrived at the mall. I started to look around, and hoping to see any unique souvenirs....
This shop "Batik Keris" caught our attention of the local batik product. I think Quachee will love it very much! I bought a small unique purse made by coconut shell and a small cute little batik bag. Beside that, there are some other stuffs I grap too! Haha!
The damages of all the souvenirs I bought : IDR57,000.00 = MYR17.80

Lippo Cikarang Shopping Mall

We meet a friendly & helpful guy on the 'Angkot' while on the way back to hotel. His name is Sunarto, working as a Project Enginner of Muitistrada. He speaks very good English! And help us to communicate with the driver of the hotel location. (We having problem in communicate the local language) It's nice to meet the locals....

Peoples here are 'friendly'. I was so surprised. Because from the news on TV and newspaper we read before about the perception, actually it's totally different here! The security along the road will definitely wave their hand to you with a courtesy smile while you walk pass!!

I had a chat with my client who migrated from Malaysia to Indonesia (10 years ago) about the surrounding. The words from her was really a shock to me! She said she is not even hear a single robbery case within a year! She felt more secure living in Indonesia than Malaysia!
I feel more positive towards the country...

Many small stall like this along the Jalan Cikarang-Cibarusah (Local Culture)

As usual, the second night end with few bottles of Bintang local beer....

Related posts :-
* My First Impression of Jakarta, Indonesia
* Pesona Hotel at Lippo Cikarang, Indonesia
* Roas Rasa Makanan Sunda Restaurant at Cikarang - Bekasi, Indonesia
* Cikarang, Indonesia
* Jakarta International Airport, Indonesia
* My Indonesia Trip on March 2009

MY TRIPS - Home

Roas Rasa Makanan Sunda Restaurant at Cikarang - Bekasi, Indonesia

After I finished all my tasks, that was about 5pm Indonesia time. I went back to hotel and meet my friend. Take a rest in the hotel, then we start looking for dinner...

We decided this restaurant which is just beside the hotel :
Roas Rasa
Rumah Makan Khas Sunda
Ruko Cikarang Commercial Centre
Blok B No. 17, 18, 19
Jalan Raya Cikarang Cibarusah,
Pintu Tol Cikarang Barat,
Cikarang Bekasi,
Indonesia.
Tel : +62 21 89835731/2

Roas Rasa Makanan Sunda Restaurant

The environment inside...

The restaurant seems like serving the authentic local foods that we were looking for...

Our order as below :-
1) Gepuk (x3) (Fried Beef)
2) Udang Goreng Tusuk (x2) (Deep Fried Shrimps)
3) Lalap+Sambal (x1) (Vegetables)
4) Rice (x2)
5) Pepes Jamur (x1) (Vegetables)
6) Pepes Oncom (x1) (Vegetables)
7) Classic Chocolate Milkshake (x2)

The sambal was good!

The meal was excellent!! I love the Beef and the Shrimps very much!!

The damage was :-
1) Beef - IDR31,500.00 for 3
2) Shrimps - IDR23,000.00 for 2 (total 10)
3) Vegetables - IDR15,500.00 for 3
4) Rice - IDR8,000.00 for 2
5) Chocolate Milkshake - IDR29,000.00 for 2

All total : IDR112,200.00 (Included tax) (MYR35.00)
I rated the foods : 4/5

The astray on every table

Even in the restaurant is air-conditional, but everyone were smoking....no wonder I read some articles of Indonesia before said that Indonesia is the Heaven for Smokers!
It was so lucky the restaurant have the water features beside to chase all the smoke away....

The water feature of the Restaurant

Related posts :-
* My First Impression of Jakarta, Indonesia
* Pesona Hotel at Lippo Cikarang, Indonesia
* Lippo Cikarang Mall, Bekasi, Indonesia
* Cikarang, Indonesia
* Jakarta International Airport, Indonesia
* My Indonesia Trip on March 2009

MY TRIPS - Home

Pesona Hotel at Lippo Cikarang, Indonesia.

Pesona Hotel (S6°18.677' E107°08.521')
The hotel located not far away after the Toll of Cikarang from the exit of the Jakarta - Cikampek Highway. And it's convenience because Carrefour Hypermarket just about 300 meters away...
Provided Shuttle Bus from Hotel to Soekarno Hatta International Airport.

The Pesona Boutique Hotel

The lobby of the hotel.

The Toll Plaza of Cikarang

The hotel was just started merely 1 year ago, and it's clean. The room had been arranged for me was the Deluxe room (with 2 buffet breakfast) and the rate was IDR375,000.00 (About MYR116.00 after conversion). This was the corporate rate booked by my client.

The room with queen size bed

The Bathroom

I had my buffet breakfast at the 1st Floor Restaurant on the next morning. The foods were normal and simple...
The restaurant environment was clean and neat.

The 24 hour restaurant

The simple buffet breakfast had been served since 6am to 10am

Beside the indoor air-conditional area, you also can chose the outdoor session...

The hotel was having their expansion renovation during my visit. They are expanding from 70 rooms to more than 100 rooms.

Hotel Pesona
Jalan Industri Komersial No.1,
Cikarang Selatan - Bekasi 17550
Indonesia.
Tel : (021)8984-1111
Fax : (021)8984-2108

Room rates :-
1) Superior - IDR484,000.00
2) Deluxe - IDR544,000.00
3) Deluxe Extra - IDR605,000.00
4) Junior Suite - IDR726,000.00
5) Executive Suite - IDR1,028,000.00
6) Suite - IDR1,149,000.00

The above rates are include 21% of tax & service, and buffet breakfast for two persons.

After I finished my breakfast, the driver (from my client) picked me up to my client office which located nearby Jalan Damar of the Industries Area...

Related posts :-
* My First Impression of Jakarta, Indonesia
* Roas Rasa Makanan Sunda Restaurant at Cikarang - Bekasi, Indonesia
* Lippo Cikarang Mall, Bekasi, Indonesia
* Cikarang, Indonesia
* Jakarta International Airport, Indonesia
* My Indonesia Trip on March 2009

MY TRIPS - Home

My First Impression of Jakarta, Indonesia

I went to Jakarta for 2 days business trip and back on Friday night. It was a totally new environment and experience for me, and it's also my first time in Jakarta.

The cost of the return flight for Airasia is MYR440.00 included tax, this is a direct flight from Senai to Jakarta.

The plane touched down around 2255hrs Indonesia time (2355hrs Malaysia time). I was picked up by the driver arranged by the client from the Airport. He will sent me to the Hotel which been arranged. The journey from airport to Hotel was total 1 hour 30 minutes!
I told myself....this is not Jakarta anymore! I'm curious and ask the driver : "Where am I?" He replied : "This is Lippo Cikarang".
Oh! Great! I never expect that I can experience my trip out of Jakarta. (But maybe it's still under the Jakarta District).

Along the way, I saw cars & trucks everywhere. The traffic here is really heavy and congested! There were motorist riding their motorcycle without "Helmet", I believe this is common over here.
The Highway looks clean and wide (4 lanes & 1 emergency lane), and the Toll fees are cheap (compare to Malaysia). The driving style here is danger, they cut in to your lane without any prior signal! I think I can't drive over here...Haha!
The popular cars here are Toyota. It capture almost 70% of the local market! Beside that, "Kijang" also easily seen...it's also a Toyota car.

When we passed by Jakarta town, high rise buildings are everywhere and there were many tall buildings still under construction...

Another situation I noticed over here is....there's no restriction for smoking even in a Air-Conditional area, especially restaurants. I think it's bad for non-smoker....

The driver brought me to a Chinese restaurant for supper before the hotel, that was my first meal after touched down! The owner of the restaurant is from Singapore and he's a friendly guy!
I ordered the Singapore Mee-hun (Vermicelli), and the taste was not bad. It cost IDR17,800, which is similar to MYR5.50. I felt it's cheap because of the size...

Sin Ma Restaurant & Cafeteria
Jalan Galeria Singaraja,
Blok E 28K,
Lippo Cikarang - Bekasi 17550
Tel : (021) 8990-6838

This is the Only Chinese Restaurant I saw along the way from airport to Hotel. After the supper, it was almost 2am (Indo time) in the morning. I quickly check-in the hotel with one bottle of Bintang (local beer) and that end my first day at Jakarta.

Related posts :-
* Pesona Hotel at Lippo Cikarang, Indonesia.
* Roas Rasa Makanan Sunda Restaurant at Cikarang - Bekasi, Indonesia
* Lippo Cikarang Mall, Bekasi, Indonesia
* Cikarang, Indonesia
* Jakarta International Airport, Indonesia
* My Indonesia Trip on March 2009

MY TRIPS - Home

Wat Vichit Sangkaram (Phuket Town)

Yes! It's time for another temple! I do like to check out a temple now and then.. there are about 25 temples and shrines on this blog so far... so if you are a fan of religious architecture, or want to follow the temple trail, check my Phuket Temples section. There are Buddhist temples all over Phuket, mixed in with Chinese shrines and lots of mosques too.

Wat Vichit Sangkaram, also called Wat Kuan, can be found just to the Northeast of old Phuket Town, near the government offices, the court, the prison and Satree Phuket school. As with many temples around Phuket, there is very little on the internet about Wat Vichit Sangkaram. As of now, it's my weather blog that is No.1 in a Google search!.. I imagine this blog will be by tomorrow. All I can find is that the temple has been used for funerals of some important local people, and last year was the site of a ceremony paying respects to Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana.



I forced a "temple stop" on the family some weeks ago. We had just eaten lunch at the Uptown restaurant which is nearby, and I could not resist the lure of an unblogged temple! So, I ran around and took a few photos. The temple grounds were being renovated, with backhoes and construction workers all around. Sure it will look better soon!







Naga (multiheaded snakes) guard the entrance to the temple. The Naga is a part of the Buddha story. You often see Naga images above the head of the Buddha. In the story, the Naga raised it's multiple heads to protect Buddha from the rain as he meditated.

 
(above) Naga outside Wat Vichit Sangkaram, and detail of one of the temple doors.

More temples to come. I think, if you are passing by, any local temple in Phuket is worth a look. The detail and decoration is often impressive. Much more to Phuket than beaches, you know!

Travelfish Guide to Phuket

Phuket, pearl of the Andaman Sea, with golden sands, beautiful smiles, blue skies... Phuket is blessed with powdery, palm-fringed white beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas ... delightful turn-of-the-century Sino-Portuguese architecture.. la la la. You know it's the same kind of poetry on almost every website, the same cliches, some of which are true in a way, but certainly there is the idea that Phuket is indeed perfect. I have to say this: I love living here, Phuket is great, but Phuket is not perfect. I hear this many times: "I was surprised by... (insert comment here)". Somewhere out in the mass of websites and guidebooks is the truth. I hope Jamie's Phuket paints a fair picture of Phuket, though as Lana points out - I don't write about the bits I don't like!

Back in August I did a quick review of the new Lonely Planet "Encounter" guide to Phuket, which is a nice little book, well researched, a good deal more up to date than your average LP guide book.. Lonely Planet "Shoestring" bearing backpackers walk past my office every other day looking for a guesthouse that closed 2 years ago. Sometimes they come in and ask and are AMAZED to find that the Bible is wrong!

So, I am happy to say that for under 5 US dollars you can buy a well researched, up to date, easy to use, recommended-by-Jamie guidebook for Phuket. Well, "book" is the wrong word. Actually you can buy a 37 page pdf file by making payment online and the "guidebook" can then be downloaded. And it's good. It knows things I don't know, it has reviews of guesthouses and hotels, it says this about Patong: "a seething mass of tourism, squalor and unrestricted development, a mess of hotels, bars, restaurants, travel agents, massage parlours, tailor shops and touts. Patong is everything that tourism in Thailand should not have become." Amen.

You see? This guidebook does not pull any punches! Compare to the No.1 website about Phuket, which says "With its wide variety of activities and nightlife, Patong is an ideal place to party and play.".. although admittedly Phuket.com does try to hint that Patong is not perfect... "the steaming hot streets, neon lights and chaotic atmosphere of Patong can be overwhelming for the new arrival".. yeh, still overwhelms me 9 years later!

So, where can you get a $4.95 Phuket guidebook? The website to look for is Travelfish.org, which has been silently growing into an internet giant. If you are looking for SE Asia information, Travelfish is a very good starting place. And the range of guidebooks includes Phuket, Phi Phi, Koh Tao, Koh Samet, and various guides in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Travelfish is certainly backpacker oriented - the accommodation recommendations are for lower budget travelers (Note to Travelfish - you should include Pineapple Guesthouse in Phuket!). The Phuket guide includes some general info, local transport info (local buses, not taxis - this is for backpackers!), and extended info on different beach areas and on Phuket Town. The information is tightly packed, no wasted space, ready to print. It may not suit the luxury traveler, but on the other hand, if you are looking for a very nice hotel and want to explore some of the real Phuket, this Travelfish Phuket guide is certainly worth 5 bucks!

Thanks to Stuart of Travelfish for sending me a copy to read. It's good, I say again. The price of a few beers for a guidebook? If you're coming to Phuket, you should head to Travelfish and download the Phuket guide.

• Travelfish Phuket Guide - Get it here!