Tag Archives: Bali

Time to Travel Again!

11 Apr

It has been a while since I had an entry on Friday. There used to be so much to share, but life has become predictable and unexciting lately, leaving me with little to write about. However, this is changing because it is time to travel again!

My all-girls trip is finally happening. My high school friends and I were supposed to travel together in November, but with unforeseen circumstances and issues some of us had, we all agreed to postpone our trip to China until this year. The girls are the same friends I traveled with to Bali in 2022.

The excitement has been building this week, and I am packed and ready to go! We are meeting up at KLIA tonight for our wee-hour flight on Saturday to kick off the busy nine-day itinerary. I may be unable to update daily, but I’ll have plenty of pictures and stories to write about afterward.

Looking forward to the adventure ahead! Whee!

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Hello Jakarta!

6 Aug

The last time we traveled was in November 2022 for M2’s graduation. Immediately after that trip, I went to Bali with my high school friends for an all-girls getaway. And no more trips abroad for several months until the travel bug bites.

This morning, hubby and I flew off to Jakarta for golf, our first time here, as it has always been Bangkok, Thailand, as the preferred destination. Exciting is the word for this escapade with a group of golfing friends.

The last time I came to Jakarta, I was just a little kiddo. So yeah, it was dinosaur years ago. And I cannot recall anything about that trip. It’s okay, for I’ll have a new adventure this time.

It has been a long day, and I look forward to the coming games.

At the airports, Jakarta skyline

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The First Game

2 Dec

After close to a month of travels and no golf, I played my first game yesterday. So how did I fare?

Well, I have to admit the night before, I watched some tutorial videos on YouTube as a refresher to remind me what to do! And it did help, but only for a bit.

The first tee-off was such a beautiful shot. I was impressed that I could strike the ball well. Even the second and third shots were good. I thought my golfing touch was still intact. But it was downhill after that!

The shot game and the putting threw the momentum off. The shot game was off, and my putting was horrible. I could not feel the weight of my Scotty Cameron putter, causing a lot of two- and three-putts. Sigh.

After the disastrous welcome-back game, it’s back to the drawing board to regain the golf mojo and muscle memory. The Scotty putter will make way for the Peanut Putter, and I need to work on my shot game to be more accurate. Essentially, practice makes perfect is what this game is all about. I will be going all out to play as much as possible from here on.

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In Denial

29 Nov

You know it’s back to reality when the alarm rings, and there’s so much to clear and unpack upon waking up. I was in denial over the weekend upon returning from Bali, even going for a movie, before I tackled the things left in the bags or scattered in the house.

Well, no more trips for the time being. I need to get back to my routine. Speaking of it, I’m not too sure about my golf game as I have gone a month without playing. We will see when I tee off on Thursday morning. Perhaps I better prepare with more golf balls in the bag.

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Extended Holiday

28 Nov

It seems like the holiday is never-ending! It has been extended with a public holiday today. Unexpected but anticipated (because of the General Election results) and appreciated nonetheless.

From Ku De Ta to local delights, we tried everything!
The must-eat dish when in Bali

Bali was fun, and I was doing things, not up my alley, which was nice for a change. I got to know my high school friends better, and we did things together.

Throughout the week, we indulged, ate, drank, laughed, shopped, swam, and luxuriated in our private apartment and villa (we stayed at two different places) together. We also pampered ourselves with not one but two three-and-a-half-hour and four-hour spa sessions.

Our private villa

There was no golf, no playing tourist but merely enjoying the presence of each other and having a good bonding time to catch up. I am thankful that, at this age, I still have such friends. It was as if we were never part despite all these years.

After this trip, we understood each other better, with our friendship forged to a deeper degree. I look forward to the next trip with this bunch of besties.

Last local delight before we left
Goodbye Bali!

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A Break Again

21 Nov

Sometimes when we return from a hectic vacation, we need to go off on another one to recover from the trip. And I did just that!

We reached home almost midnight after touching down in KLIA. The eight-hour layover in Doha was too long. And when we got home, everyone was so tired. But I wasn’t jet lagged, or I couldn’t feel it, even though I did not sleep much for the last 20 hours of traveling.

I was like an Energizer bunny, unpacking and clearing stuff away. But on Saturday, I flew off again with my girlfriends to Bali for a break to recuperate from the UK/Ireland trip.

Although Saturday was a big day for Malaysia, being Election Day, I did my part and then left. So this break is a break from writing and sharing and will return to routine after a week.

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Boys, Girls and Couples’ Trip

5 Oct

Earlier this year, hubby and his high school friends went on their Boys’ Trip and such nostalgia they had. Every year or every other year, these guys – all grown men would make the effort to get together for this. What’s amazing is that we are talking about at least nine of them, not just a handful! With busy schedules and all working professionals, they somehow managed. Such is their bond.

I always have the impression for such trips, they would behave like youngsters, unbefitting of their age and having a good time. After all, boys will be boys and men can be boys too.

But seriously, all they do is just reminisced about their good old days besides catching up with each other and having a good time. Throw in a couple of golf games, alcohol and good food, what more could they ask for? This annual affair certainly refreshes them and gives another meaning to the saying, growing old together.

There was a time when my high school girlfriends and I would do the same as well with our annual Girls’ Trip. But sadly, over the years, everyone thinks they are too busy and cannot commit to this annual affair. Sigh…

There was one year, the six of us did make the extra effort when we hit the big four. Ok, I admit… I am not Forever 38 like what my two girls think. We booked a villa in Seminyak, Bali, and it came complete with a private pool, butler and chauffeur. What a really wonderful time we had. Imagine jumping into the pool at midnight without a worry and having fits of giggles.

The villa experience stuck in my mind that several years later, I proposed the villa stay idea to our group of friends and before we knew it, a Couples’ Trip materialized! There were four married couples and a single girlfriend and we had one heckuva time. Ahh… such precious memories.

I must say trips, golf games inclusive or not and whether with good friends, group friends or spouses are good for the heart and soul as well as the friendship/relationship. With this being said, I hope my group of high school girlfriends can find the time to commit to a Girls’ Trip soon for old friendship’s sake.

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Where Shall We Go?

25 May

The mid-term school holidays are coming up and this will be the first time, if we decide to go somewhere, it is just the three of us.

The last time the family traveled together, prior to M1’s leaving for university, was to Bangkok, Thailand. It is weird to plan now. Where shall we go?

Bangkok? Again? We were just there. Bali? Nah… Been there. Hong Kong? Too hot. London? Certainly not. Singapore? Hmm…

For every destination that comes to mind, M2 would have a comment and we feel incomplete without M1 around. Maybe we should just stay put and enjoy the comforts of home.

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Foot Massages

22 Apr

Foot massages are the best thing to do after playing a round or two or three of golf under the hot sun. Foot massages are also recommended if you spent 10 hours walking or shopping daily.

There are many types of massages but I like the footie ones best if the legs are tired to the core. Coupled with a back and shoulder treatment, it is just so soothing. But somehow foot massages are only considered when I travel to Bangkok or Bali, never to the Western world. It didn’t cross my mind to have one when I was in Paris two years ago. But always whenever we go to Thailand or Bali.

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Pre-vacation Get Together

4 Nov

It’s been awhile traveling abroad with friends. My last few travels have been with—let’s see—hubby (Singapore), hubby and sibling (Paris), hubby again (local golf escapade) and hubby & office staff (Bali).

I have various travel groups for different travel categories: ‘all-girls trips’ are with friends since childhood whom I grew up together with; ‘couples trips’ are with married couple friends (sans children) and so on.

Now I have never traveled afar with this group of friends. Not new in the friendship but new in traveling together. As such, it was only the right thing to do to have dinner together to get to know them beyond the usual social golf meets.

Two weeks ago, hubby and I dined with the group whom I will be traveling with for my next destination. While hubby is not going for that trip, he joined us for dinner. Despite the handful who could not make it that night, it was good camaderie as we bonded over dinner, wine, whiskey and homemade cheese cake. I am sure when the group is whole, it will be even more merry-making and one blast of a trip!

Definitely looking forward to it tomorrow…

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