Jalur Lingkar Barat Toll Way, at Jakarta

This toll way connects North Jakarta to West Jakarta to South Jakarta. And from South Jakarta you can continue to Tangerang or Inner City Toll Way or Taman Mini and so on.

I really love this toll way. I can get to North Jakarta real fast. And to Tangerang also impressively fast. But the toll fee is over priced I'll say. Let say for example from Pantai Indah Kapuk to Meruya, you'll pay IDR8,500 or around USD0.67 at the first gate. And then you'll cruise through until you meet the next toll gate, pay another IDR8,500. Cruise a little bit until you see the first exit, that's Meruya. Quite expensive for just less than 1km way. But if you go further some more until you pass 3 more exit, you'll reach Bintaro which is in the South Jakarta. Than that'll be more worth the fee.

Despite the toll way has been around for maybe more or less 3 years, but I still remember just around a week after the grand opening. I actually pass through to give it try (just some stupid interest even though I wasn't planning on going anywhere). And it sucks. The road actually bumpy, wavy, not smooth and there's even some holes. Not all the way, but you can easily feel and notice them.

We were told to be proud of our local produced asphalt, the Buton Asphalt. Yeah true, it's something to be proud of since it's been told to be being exported all over the world due to the price is cheaper but than it's tougher and long lasting.What's more it has oil residue mixed inside naturally.

Tuko will comment with questions this time. Is this the quality of to be proud of asphalt? What's to be proud of? Or is it the construction worker were being underpaid and do the job halfheartedly? Or is it the toll way operator think it's the best way to keep people awake while driving?

Carnivor Barbeque, restaurant at Pantai Indah Kapuk (North Jakarta)

The design of the place is very interesting. They got red bricks to give the aura of country house. They use wooden tables and chairs with old simple design to support the country house theme I guess. The weird thing is with the tree. What's with the tree? What do you want to exploit here? A country house which grows tree inside? Despite whatever the reason is, I think it looks good though.

So for the first I ordered Angel Hair Aglio Olio. The price is IDR58,000 or around USD4.50. I'm not a big fan of Aglio Olio to be honest. But the waiter actually suggested that for the pasta. So let's go for it. Believe me, it's not that my camera sucks. But that really is what the pasta looks like. I don't think looking at it will even tickle your interest on trying.

But since I ordered it, so I'll have to eat it. It's a little salty. And there's not enough spiciness. Aglio Olio supposed to have a bit more kick than this on the spiciness level. But with the help of chili lakes, it's better. And somehow I don't think they actually just spread the olive oil. Because it taste as if the oil is actually use to be heated (cook maybe). If it's true, that is so wrong. Or is it a fusion?

So is the price worth the taste? I'll not say so. It's still edible but not the dish I'll want to order again here. Maybe I'll try something else from the menu next time.

Who doesn't like Bintang Beer? Not the best but yet everyone likes it. They sell it here for IDR30,000 or around USD2.30. I actually asked for the Radler, which is a new variant. Unfortunately they don't have it. Serving it for that price in this type of a restaurant is very generous I'll say.

Bintang used to taste sucks. As if you're just drinking flavored water. It was back in the days. But than the taste have improved greatly. Is it because Heineken took over and redo the recipe? Anyhow, I'll praise the taste now.

Tuko's friend came over and in the end we ordered another dish. We get this Meat Craver Pizza. It's with Ham which means Pork which means not Halal. So I'm really sorry my Moslem friends, this restaurant is not where you may want to eat. Just come for a hang out will be cool though. The pizza cost us IDR65,000 or around USD5.15.

And yes again, the pizza really looks like that. Not my camera's problem. They got ham, sausage, onion, mushroom and cheese. I'm a big fan of Pizza. So it's very crucial to get the thickness right and the composition of bread vs cheese to be in harmony. As for this pizza, I like the thickness. It's not so thin but yet still has the crisp. Well done chef. But as for the composition of cheese and other ingredient, not to be praised. You put a bit too much onion. And a bit too much cheese. Which in the end really overwhelm the other ingredients' taste.

The pizza is just nice to eat for two person. I can finish it by myself, but I'll recommend it a dine for two. The price vs taste, Tuko judges it a bit pricey. With that price, you can get a better pizza with ham. Naming it Meat Craver is also exaggerating. There's only a few slices of ham and also a few slices of sausage.

By end of the night the bill came and there's Service Charge of 5% and Restaurant Tax of 10%. A very common combination here in Jakarta.

Tuko also would like to comment on the restaurant's name. Why do you even name it Carnivor? Come on... Even your Meat Craver dish has vegie inside it. And then you add Barbeque after it. You're really ruining people's expectation when looking at the name. I even were told a lot of people actually give the same comment after looking at the menu. Since when they were invited, they just quickly say yes without asking what type of food are served.

So will Tuko come back here? Sure why not, despite the food is not up to expectation but the service and the atmosphere actually helps out.

Bottled Alkaline Water

Is it just a gimmick or for real? The first time I actually notice about this type of water is seeing a demonstration show regarding a particular filtration machine for home use. Claimed to be from Japan and with so many good stories behind it.

Usually I'm very skeptic about this kind of things. But after looking at the demonstration, it's really blow my mind. The part which really intrigues me was the part that this water can break down oil into a very little particle bubble. While in comparison with normal water, the oil will be in some big lumps. But the machine is crazily expensive. And what's even crazier is the filters inside it. Yes you read it right, I said FILTERS. Which means there are more than one. And every each of it will cost you around IDR1,000,000 or around USD80.

So when I saw this bottled water with some info on the bottle saying this is alkaline water, I really can't stop on not buying it. Since this bottle will cost me just around IDR4,000 or USD0.50 (price depends on which supermarket you're buying it from).

I really believe this alkaline water can help for a healthier body improvement. Since inside our body mostly are water and if the water can be replaced with alkaline, I think there'll be no more worry on eating junk food and stuff. Since it'll help to break down the bad things inside the junk food and get rid of them.

I haven't feel the positive effect on it yet. Since it's quite hard to get this bottled water, cause not all supermarket sell this brand. As for the taste, there's nothing weird or special aroma from it. Totally just like normal drinking water. The price is very reasonable since it's just slightly more expensive than normal bottled water. So with the promise of Alkaline water greatness, I'll actually prefer to get this.

So Tuko's judgement on this Total 8+ bottled water can't be confirm yet.