Tag Archives: Bali

My New Ugly Crocs

31 Oct

Hubby decreed that my old Crocs are way too ugly for my next holiday and reminded me to get a new pair to replace it.

The old pair has indeed served me well, for years I should add. All worn out and falling to pieces, it’s time to say goodbye to it; Inspector Clouseau will have a new home too.

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My old ugly Crocs.

Last Monday after work, we brought the girls out shopping and I bought a new pair of shiny Crocs, literally. Frankly, I didn’t have much choice as the new range are just too weird. It’s bad enough to have ugly Crocs but to don weird ones, I don’t know. M1 and M2 are just shaking their heads at the range available.

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My pretty new ugly Crocs.

I know I am contradicting myself here saying it’s ugly yet I wear it. But they ARE comfortable and protects my toes well without giving me horrid tan lines (like how I envision a flip flop would). Also if I go near water (pool or seaside) or accidentally stepped into a puddle of water, the Crocs are easier to wash than my Rockport, which is leather and suede. See my point?

Furthermore, I realized from my recent trip to Bali, when one walks on the street, one keeps the eye at the face level, not feet level, so my Crocs are not the first thing people see.

Lastly, when I travel, nobody knows me save for the company I am with, so does it matter if I wear ugly Crocs? I usually have a great time so that’s all that matters.

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I’m Good at This

21 Oct

Yes I must say I am getting better at Candy Crush than ever! The last two updates have been conquered before the new update is released. A few nights ago, I unexpectedly crossed Level 440 and tickets has also come forth from my fellow candy crushers to move on, on the laptop. Currently, I am at 445, playing it only at home after work but Zookeeper Battle is still on the iPad, at work, at home, in the car…

My fiercest competitor had surpassed me earlier, having captured the trophy at the last level and recaptured the trophy from me at the level prior. Should I take on the challenge to try to win it back? Nah.

After my holiday in Bali, I decided it’s not the trophy that matters after all, but just ploughing on. It’s good enough to be good at this, being way ahead, there’s no need to have that showcase trophy.

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Ten White, Twenty Black

17 Oct

Whenever I look into the mirror and spot a white hair, horror would fill me and I’d get one of the girls to pull it out if I can’t reach it myself. Vain, silly or otherwise, one just cannot have a white strand sticking out, shouting to the world to be seen.

Just back from my recent holiday, I decided to do an overhaul — starting with the face with a facial, the body with a massage and the hair with an inventory check on black versus white. As it was a public holiday, it was perfect to get these done.

The going rate is ten cents per white hair but a penalty of twenty cents is incurred for them to pay back if a black hair was accidentally pulled out instead.

M1 is usually more obliging for this task and makes about two to three bucks from the hubby, and about one to two from me. However, whenever I am under duress from some super duper stressful project at the studio, three bucks is easily made. M2 would add salt to the wound by stating, “Mummy, you’re old.”

Coincidentally, I just concluded one half of a very stressful project prior to the trip to Bali.

And the evidence was evident.

“I found the loot!” M2, who was available and obliging, proclaimed. Ooh… That hurts. “How many?” I cringed.

“I’d say 30 but I’d just do 25 then I’m going to bed!” Well, I can’t argue with that.

M1 who just came out of the bathroom, giggled and rubbed it in, “Nah! I think there’s 40!” Hrmph.

“Argh! This one’s a scam! Half black, half white. Does it count?” The ever dramatic M2 asked then decided, “I think no. Okay, back to 23. Right, mummy… 23?”

Sigh, the perils of a stressful creative designer’s life.

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Homeward Bound

14 Oct

We arrived in Bali in the new MH B737-800 (notice the big iPad-like touchscreen?) and going back to KL in the more spacious 777-200 (albeit with a smaller screen, like a Samsung 7″ tab but much bigger than the Nintendo sized screen of Air France when I went to Paris in July).

Thankfully I managed to catch the last 45 minutes of Man of Steel, which I had watched when Bali-bound and could not finish on time upon arrival then.

Contented now after the meal and a satisfying coffee, I count the hours until I see my girls at home.

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The iPad-sized touchscreen of the B737-800.

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The 7″ Tab-like sized touchscreen in the 777-200.

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At the Airport

14 Oct

So we are at the airport already. The new structure is very modern. In daylight now, I do see Balinese elements slowly being incorporated, something that was missed when we arrived in the evening.

There is a pre-scan of bags before we queue at the departure check in counter. Very long line!

Done with all the necessary in an airport, we have a little bit of time to explore. Duty free is sparse and food outlets were none existent. But there’s water dispensing units everywhere.

The airport is huge! Many many times over the old airport. I believe once it’s completed, it would serve the island well.

As I sit here waiting, it is with nice memories of Bali. Goodbye and thanks, hubby and I will definitely return.

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The Last Day

14 Oct

We opted to have breakfast outside instead as we did not buy the hotel’s breakfast voucher for today. And what did we eat? There’s so many choices and we had to eat McDonald’s!

Silly us. The Egg McMuffin was palatable but the coffee was horrid, not even a hint of coffee in the hot water. Sigh….

We walked passed a street vendor and he called out to us, hoping to solicit our business. “Are you from China?” Aiks! Do we have slitty eyes or what? We just walked away.

It is a short fourth day and not by choice for when the plans were made a month ago, outbound flights were limited. Nonetheless I checked with the three of them again on their experience and all said it’s been good. Hubby is already scheming for our own next trip here.

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Chasing the Sunset

13 Oct

It was another case of chasing the sunset. Traffic was horrendous, worst than a snail’s pace and had us all worried what if we missed another sunset again?

Komang drove like a maniac and managed to get us to Uluwatu on time. It was unusually packed that even the customary sarong that one should wear ran out.

We didn’t mind this as we walked quickly to some good spots to capture pretty sunset moments. Then realization and disappointment hit!

Tickets for the Kecak Dance was sold out! Oh no! To come all the way here and find tickets all sold out was quite a disappointment. Such mixed emotions within a short span. Luckily the disappointment didn’t last long. We were all busy taking pretty sunset pictures again.

Midway, I asked how come there were no monkeys? Hubby said it was Sunday and it’s their day off. Hardy-har-har.

Soon after he said that, one appeared. Then another, and another! Oops. Better be careful with your things.

We walked out of the monkey zone, keeping an ever watchful eye on any approaching and waited at a bright spot for KW and GH who were both snapping their cameras away. After a while, a whole hoard of monkeys came out from the trees behind us! Eeeks. Who said it was their day off? Better move to a brighter spot and SW kept close to us.

Verdict on today’s outing I’d say is a mixed one. Too much time was spent traveling from one point to another and being caught in several traffic snarls. Somehow it’s different from yesterday where we traveled as much, if not more. Now as we make yet another long journey back to Kuta, I’m thinking did we plan today well or not? Hmm.

Tomorrow is our last day in Bali but I think my team of three designers enjoyed themselves despite the many long car rides. After all, it is part and parcel of wanting to see all and do all when in Bali in such a short time.

I asked hubby if he would come again? He scoffed at me and said the question should not be if but when we would come again. Despite some shortcomings and unexpected outcome, I wouldn’t be surprised if we came back soon.

Today’s count: 13,847 steps, 3.86kcal and 7.01km!

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The Day Continues

13 Oct

Four bottles of Bali Hai later, both of us are feeling very light! Hubby joked about having lost weight because he was feeling very light. Hah! I wish. I dread to step on the scale when we get home.

We left Ubud, going a short distance to Bebek Tepi Sawah for lunch. Actually I don’t mind another round of beer!

No Bali Hai, I opted for San Miguel. What the heck, might as well try the different brands available!

The setup’s very relaxing with individual gazebos in the midst of a small padi field. With a strong breeze, I am almost lulled to sleep. We wait for our various orders of duck to come before we tuck in. From grilled, crispy and betutu, it’s indeed a duck-themed lunch.

General condenses agreed that the grilled version was better than the crispy. By now, for me, a nap is best, what with 4 glasses of beer already.

I should mention all opted not to go to the Monkey Forest, the Zoo or the Bird Park as it was quite unnecessary. I think if we were to bring M1 and M2, the girls would also make the same decision.

Anyway, the lunch lingered until 3pm and maybe about of shopping is just what we need to commensurate the trip.

Throughout the journey towards a shopping destination, silence prevailed in the car save for the low volume music. Pretty typical after a satisfying meal I supposed that all were knocked out.

Shopping was not appealing; maybe because it was all about surfing whereas I am a golfer, I saw nothing interesting to buy. Oh well.

Might as well make our way to Uluwatu to catch the Kecak Dance and sunset. Hopefully no more trailing a chicken egg truck or a garbage truck!

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From our gazebo, we are literally ‘tepi sawah’ (by the rice field).

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The grilled duck.

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The betutu duck.

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The crispy duck.

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My Ugly Crocs

13 Oct

Unlike my previous trips overseas where my Blundstone boots served me well, the hot weather in Bali just does not seem right for me to be wearing jeans and boots to play tourist.

So I chose my ugly Crocs over my other open-toe Rockport sandals. M1 and M2 have stopped wearing their Crocs ever since it was reported that it is the ugliest thing to wear, but I find them comfortable. It shields my toes somewhat from dirt and protects my feet from the scorching sun. If I were to wear flip flops, I suspect I may end up with tan lines on my feet, something I don’t fancy.

So, in my fisherman pants and singlet, the ugly Crocs blends me into the crowd.

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My ugly Crocs are really ugly, worn out and tattered.

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What a Day

12 Oct

We started the day at Sari Wisata Budaya for the Barong and Kris Dance, a play on the eternal fight between good and evil. The Barong came out and did a slow dance. Hubby complained it was too slow and long. I hushed him and reminded that you just can’t rush good fighting evil. Soon after, the act was underway. The costumes were colorful and the several acts were quite interesting, injected with humor and playfulness every now and then. The natural back light of the stage, unfortunately did not help in my attempts to take pictures. After the performance, we headed towards Pura Taman Ayun. The drive through narrow roads was at a leisure pace. Our driver was quite a chatty guy, telling hubby about the various festivities held in Bali throughout the year while the rest of us just gazed at passing padi fields and shops. Pura Taman Ayun has been in existence since 1634 as inscribed at the entrance (but my DK travel guide states 1740, yes I know it’s archaic to have a travel book but it makes sense when there’s no wifi and I don’t intend to activate my 3G connection which will cost a bomb). We didn’t spend too long there. Somehow, today’s photo opps, even outdoors are not too good with the back lighting. We head off for lunch next, another good half an hour’s drive away. I am dreaming of a nice cold beer. Mmmm….. We arrived at Warung Lesehan at Tegal Sari for lunch, a less commercialized stop and less crowded. And being such, no beer! Aaargh. So I settled for an iced coffee instead. The gazebo is quite nice actually in the midst of cool mountain weather. The food was good, typical Balinese style. The only thing not spicy was the cucumber and peanuts! My coffee was nyeh but enough to keep me awake. Soon we were on our way with the uphill winding drive towards Bedugul. The dark skies looked threatening and I wondered if it is like this all the time. I had to ask and Komang (our driver) assured us it’s okay. Phew. The breeze was lovely at Pura Ulun Danu Beratan. The whole place was decorated in preparation for an upcoming big holy event even while a holy prayer and blessing session was in progress. The sun kept peeking out to play havoc with my photography attempts, giving me the perfect excuse to voice and justify my need to upgrade my iPhone4 (to the iPhone 5S) so that I can have a better camera. Hubby just rolled his eyes at me and muttered it’s the photographer and not the equipment. Obviously I chose to ignore the obvious. The wind suddenly picked up and I felt a chill. Brrr….. Luckily, we were done doing the touristy thing and off we went to the next spot, Jatiluwih (a UNESCO heritage site) for a quick scenic padi terrace view. Very pretty. And since we were there, we stopped for tea, grilled bananas and fried banana fritters. And still no beer. After the tummy filler, we left at five to head to Tanah Lot to catch the sunset. Fifteen minutes into the journey, droplets of rain came down. Uh-oh. I hope this would not spoil our journey to the intended last place. Fingers crossed. I dozed off during the hour long ride towards Tanah Lot. Unfortunately we missed the sunset by a mere five minutes because we could not overtake a truck carrying chicken eggs, a garbage truck and another slow coach vehicle. Sigh. Poor Komang drove as best as he could and tried to keep cool. Nonetheless, the after-sunset pictures came out not too bad. The dramatic waves made up for it. We wind down the day with yet another half an hour journey, to go have some well deserved ribs before heading back to the hotel. All in all, right before dinner, I managed 9,454 steps, 5.10km and burnt 275 kcal. Not too bad considering most of the time we were in the car. Naughty Nuri’s Warung in Batubelig was packed when we got there! But service was good for we didn’t have to wait long before being seated. Neither did we have to wait long before the food was served. The aroma from the grill teased my senses and I found myself suddenly hungry. And finally, I am getting my beer, Bintang Draft. Yay! Can’t wait to sink my teeth into the juicy ribs! Mmmmm…. Best ribs I’ve had! Beer was a bit flat but after two mugs, I’m not complaining. It was a long day and I wanted a hot shower. Final count: 10,746 steps, 5.72km and 306 kcal, which has been zerorized and probably gone into deficit with the two mugs! Oh well, I’m on holiday…

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The Barong Dance.

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Pura Taman Ayun.

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Lunch at Warung Lesehan.

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Our lunch spot!

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Bedugul.

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Rice terrace at Jatiluwih.

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Sunset at Tanah Lot.

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The waves at Tanah Lot.

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Entrance of Naughty Nuri’s.

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Grill chef in action!

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Certified by TripAdvisor!

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Trust me, they taste better than their looks.

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A well deserved beer!

 

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