Shangri-La Tokyo, Mandapa, Chedi Club, Amanjiwo...
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
18. More early morning explorations around Amanjiwo
The drivers are all amazing, but Arifin, who loves cycling and lives
in a village next to the hotel was a gift!
I asked Maya about a sunrise trip to the best possible locations,
mostly rural, rice fields, maybe a small temple. She assigned Arifin
and you can see the result here. Obviously an amazing morning didn't hurt!
The drivers are all amazing, but Arifin, who loves cycling and lives
in a village next to the hotel was a gift!
I asked Maya about a sunrise trip to the best possible locations,
mostly rural, rice fields, maybe a small temple. She assigned Arifin
and you can see the result here. Obviously an amazing morning didn't hurt!
Last edited by Big_Foot; Jun 1, 2016 at 12:18 am
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Your photos, especially of Amanjiwo, Borobodur, and the surrounding area, totally bring me back. Spectacular. Makes me salivate to return. Amanjiwo (along with Singita Boulders) remains my favorite hotel stay of all time.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,805
btw re amantaka and photography >
Gary advised us to go downstream to Hans Berger residence for a late lunch. Since my partner is a photographer, Gary was kind enough to arrange with Hans so that he will be able to meet us there. Hans Berger is a german photographer who has been working closely with the monks in Luang Prabang for nearly 20 years, documenting their ceremonies and daily lives. Some of his work on display in the property are truly wonderful. Few years ago, a very senior abbot has entrusted him with thousands of photographs which he hid in cupboards for years of communist reign. The photos are of local monks and most were taken by themselves. Hans has archived these meticulously. Some of the photos were exhibited in a special room in Amantaka and it was wonderful for these pictures to see daylight again after surviving years of turmoil. His lovely house was perched right by a bent on the Mekong and we had lunch at the outdoor Bale. Hans is an absolute gentleman and we had a very inspiring chat. The stretch of river was idyllic and we had a lovely sunset on our way back. But we felt that being able to meet Hans has topped the experience.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jun 1, 2016 at 9:55 am
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
19. More great early driving/Borobudur visiting
There is just something magical about central Java, just pure and clean.
Amazing to see people starting their days early, feel privileged being able
to witness it and participate in their early markets etc.
There is just something magical about central Java, just pure and clean.
Amazing to see people starting their days early, feel privileged being able
to witness it and participate in their early markets etc.
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
20. A short SilkAir flight from Jogja to Singapore.
Funny as we were the only passengers in business class
An older 320 with large brown leather seats, quite uncomfortable...
But a very nice Singapore service on this 2 hour flight.
21. A short stop at Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore.
We had a large terrace on the ground floor with the Marina view.
Was hoping for a great sunset, didn't happen. Still a great evening
and a great end to such an amazing trip.
22. Flying back home - 2 AMAZING ANA First flights, NH802: SIN-NRT
and NH6: NRT-LAX. On both flights we were the only passengers in First!
How can you beat that? Sleeping most of the time and enjoying
the best service you can get. THE END.
Funny as we were the only passengers in business class
An older 320 with large brown leather seats, quite uncomfortable...
But a very nice Singapore service on this 2 hour flight.
21. A short stop at Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore.
We had a large terrace on the ground floor with the Marina view.
Was hoping for a great sunset, didn't happen. Still a great evening
and a great end to such an amazing trip.
22. Flying back home - 2 AMAZING ANA First flights, NH802: SIN-NRT
and NH6: NRT-LAX. On both flights we were the only passengers in First!
How can you beat that? Sleeping most of the time and enjoying
the best service you can get. THE END.
#25
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,211
20. A short SilkAir flight from Jogja to Singapore.
Funny as we were the only passengers in business class
An older 320 with large brown leather seats, quite uncomfortable...
But a very nice Singapore service on this 2 hour flight.
21. A short stop at Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore.
We had a large terrace on the ground floor with the Marina view.
Was hoping for a great sunset, didn't happen. Still a great evening
and a great end to such an amazing trip.
22. Flying back home - 2 AMAZING ANA First flights, NH802: SIN-NRT
and NH6: NRT-LAX. On both flights we were the only passengers in First!
How can you beat that? Sleeping most of the time and enjoying
the best service you can get. THE END.
Funny as we were the only passengers in business class
An older 320 with large brown leather seats, quite uncomfortable...
But a very nice Singapore service on this 2 hour flight.
21. A short stop at Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore.
We had a large terrace on the ground floor with the Marina view.
Was hoping for a great sunset, didn't happen. Still a great evening
and a great end to such an amazing trip.
22. Flying back home - 2 AMAZING ANA First flights, NH802: SIN-NRT
and NH6: NRT-LAX. On both flights we were the only passengers in First!
How can you beat that? Sleeping most of the time and enjoying
the best service you can get. THE END.
Was hoping to experience ANA but these seats look rather narrow after SQ ' s but ok if compared with MI ( though the new MI us fine ) .
Perhaps another stay at Jiwo due
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
Way better than LH First for example. The design of the "cubicle" around you
seems silly and some sections blocking the windows make no sense.
Still ANA F service was outstanding to the point of two pursers of different flights
communicating with each other about our needs etc. It was also clear that
they had some sort of file about us as the new crew knew everything about our
preferences right when we boarded.
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
Unfortunately Central Java was hit by huge rains and landslides
on Saturday/Sunday
~50 people died (newer info than this link), very close to where Amanjiwo is...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-1...slides/7524230
on Saturday/Sunday
~50 people died (newer info than this link), very close to where Amanjiwo is...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-1...slides/7524230
#30
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Programs: Too many...and an Amanjunkie
Posts: 1,666
Outstanding pics. Brings back very fond memory of my last year's stay at Amanjiwo and the very early morning visit to Borobodur. It is so mystical and peaceful there. This and the quiet morning trek of the monks in Luang Prabang in front of Amantaka while donating food to them are once-in-a-lifetime experiences I will never forget.