Saturday, 9 August 2014

Bali 6th April 14 to 12th April 14; Day 6 and 7: Denpasar Airport, Kantor, Infinity Pool at Dreamland; Si Jiu's Kantor. Kumon, Airport

Went airport to see Xinyi off.


Without me with her, I was quite sure she would be a confused sotong and cannot find her way. Haha. Kept nagging at her to look after her belongings and stuff.

Next, we proceeded to Dreamland for a chillax session on the beach.










Isn't the place absolutely stunning? This is called the infinity pool cuz the swimming pool on top seem to merge with the sea from a distance... You have to pay to use the pool cuz it's part of a hotel... Don't know how much my xiao jiu paid for me.. And you get to have free mocktails / cocktails, and he chose the blue one for me..




Spent like the entire afternoon reading my book on the beach, and then proceeding to a swim by the pool when the sun was more forgiving. 


just my spastic face and I


seems somewhat like the high life. but.. not really.. reality awaits..


this is the book that i was reading for my trip. I will get it right soon enough.

Next up was visiting Si Jiu's workplace.





We barged in while Si Jiu was in the meeting room. Managed to catch sight of this very shuai ang moh, who is damn freaking rich as well. Hahaha.

Went up to explore the different levels. Staff on the second floor were having some internal discussion and were shocked at the sight of an intruder. Went up to the third floor and everyone stared at me in disbelief as they tended to their job stations.

After a while, Si Jiu asked us to go home first as his meeting will end late.

So ta-da.

At around 8pm that night, he came home and told us he wants to bring us out for dinner.






Xiao Jiu and I had Ayam Penyet. Haha. While Si Jiu and Si Jiu Ma helped themselves to fish curry. They kept scooping the fish for me <3 Totally could feel my family love even without the ones at home <3 <3 <3


Day 7



This is my Si Jiu Ma's business. Haha.


My genius cousins and other students who have benefitted from the programme.


I used to stay in this house a decade ago. Haha.

Then we went for shopping.

I said I wanted to buy sports pants because I could not find suitable ones in the sports warehouse the day before.

So, they brought me to shopping malls. Si Jiu Ma went to ask for the type I want and asked me to go and try. When I looked at how much the price is, I was quite reluctant to buy. But they did not seem to bother about the price at all. Their only concern was whether I liked the pants or not and nothing else mattered. I was damn touched can! Chose only one. Si Jiu then brought me to more shops and gave me more. Then he told me both the pants are nice and tried to convince me into getting another one. In total, they bought 4 for me. And it was priced like those sold in Singapore, with no discount.

I feel damn touched really.







I chose Jap Food for lunch :D

And then it was time for farewell. The family sent me to airport. And lingered on until my passport has been successfully stamped and I had safely entered <3 



I panicked slightly after I realised my hand carry luggage was severely overweight. Thankfully, I smiled a lot to everyone and no one asked me to pay extra for it :D




I continued on my journal on board.

Let's just say. My quarter life crisis came early :) The world may not be rainbow and sunshine anymore but the people who matter, the ones who care, the ones who love you unconditionally will always be there for you, cheering for you, no matter what has become of or what is of you right now.

Thank you to my family and inner circle friends. :) You are the reason why I want to be a better version of myself. The strength behind my perseverance. The courage behind my actions.  

I aspire to be that someone, who would do that for people.

Because that's the responsibility God gave.

Yes So. To the battlefield now!

Signing off.


Monday, 28 July 2014

Bali 6th April 14 to 12th April 14; Day 5: Dolphin Tour, Snorkeling, Taman Lot, Sunset Beach Seafood Dinner

Day 5!

Got the hotel to pack for us our dinner the previous day, because we would miss the buffet breakfast.




Not like what I have imagined but oh wells. Captain was already waiting for quite some time for us. 3 of us sat on his motorbike and off we go!


Captain was really nice and friendly. Only thing hindering is the language barrier. When I said sampan, he was like so delighted that I could speak Malay. Asked if I was from Malaysia but nope. Wonder what he thought of Singaporeans. Haha.



Saw a bit of sunrise on boat. Life is beautiful hahaha.




Captain tried to speak a bit to me in simple English. Told me to visit his restaurant or go to his snorkeling shop the next time I come to Batam. But sorry after so many months, I have actually lost his name card! Shall update again if I manage to find it. 


Too many tourist boats flooding to the dolphins' natural habitat. Whenever someone screams dolphins! All the boats will swarm there and the poor dolphins have to hide underneath swimming quietly. Not sure if we should be supporting this trade actually. Poor dolphins. All the boats giving out the exhaust fumes.. Damaging to the environment... There were some boats where tourists were not given any life jackets at all.. Well...Man...We are really accelerating the rate of our extinction. Please at least let me complete my bucket list before I die thank you.



There were some people snorkeling in such clear crystal waters. Captain said that rarely people will snorkel here since there are so many boats all over. Rich marine life in the waters. We threw some bread crumbs and fishes came to snatch. Haha.


Us with Captain! Was chopped by his local haggler :( I think he felt bad and asked us not to buy any other thing anymore.



Back in the hotel.. The dolphins were awake! I thought of the essay I wrote when i was in sec 2, after I was inspired by my Bali trip exactly a decade ago. The dolphins seem to love its handlers a lot. So cute. Mammals always develop feelings. Animals have more feelings than us actually. In the name of development, we have forsaken the most noble thing in the world - love. 

Snorkeling

We promptly made our way to the next stop, an hour away I think. It was a rather secluded island where the diving centre was operated by Madan's friend. So away from all the tourists..








The instructor has to hold my hand around hahaha. I was so afraid, don't know why water keeps seeping through. Later when we were on shore, heard them conversing in bahasa of how much of a burden I was. Then Madan was saying I was so into outdoors sports. Haha. I like nature lah can. Always a first time mah. Xinyi took diving courses in Singapore before.. 




The food was really cheap! So I ordered fish as well. Meals also sponsored by my uncle haha. The fish though was not so good. Too much bones.

We bathed there. Then we made our way to our next destination.

Padi Field Trekking


Whoa man. Aku absolutely love it here! Keep blasting 稻香 and it just captures the right feeling!







There was a dog barking at us at a distance. But once we go near it, it seems to be afraid of us. Haha. 2 cute little kids kept shouting "Hello"! So cute! We did took a photo with them as well :D I love kids.



Best thing I like about a trip like that is... You get to pluck fruits every now and then. Above is passion fruit. What better educational journey than this?


Is this cocoa? Cannot remember..


Some shop keepers' pet bat.



I love Mother Nature :D :D :D :D 


Xinyi ah xinyi.. Totally spoilt my photo leh. hahaha.

Taman Lot

Made our way to the most famous temple in Bali. I was there a decade ago and could still remember the place so yeah we made our way to catch the sunset.



Yeah man. My iconic shots. Hahaha.







When I reach that milestone, I will go YAY!!!





Actually I look pretty fat :(

Dinner At Sunset Beach


Jam along the way. Si Jiu and Xiao Jiu waited for like over an hour for us. 

Food is really fantastic. All my fav! My uncle super rocks. Specially got lobsters cuz he knows I super love :'DDDD my uncle 真疼我 :')))))))





Then there was the live band. They couldn't play Price Tag, but they played Xinyi's favourite Just the way you are. :)

After which, we went to shop at this shopping centre in Kuta Beach. 


Had A&W root beer! And we were done for the day! Xinyi would be going back to Singapore the next day, while I continue my last day with Xiao Jiu. Haha.

Signing off,
Sarah