You Can't See The Forest For The Trees.

You know those moments when you lie idly soaking up the sun and you feel alive? Like you're really living. Not just existing. It's hard to describe really. The thing is, I haven't felt truly alive for months now. Everything seems so monotonous and dreary. It's college, home, sleep, assignments, tests, movies, trawling the mall and the cycle repeats. I think the only time I've come close to feeling alive these past few months was seeing the Taj Mahal in front of my very own eyes. But there were so many people there, jostling and taking pictures it was hard to just soak in the moment. To just be.

-An excerpt from my old Xanga blog (August 30, 2008)

Read that entry here.

This time a year ago, that was how I felt. A year later, I've finally gotten my wish. A blissful summer holiday spent at the beach. Listening to the waves crash upon the shore, feasting my eyes on the breathtaking scenery and sunsets. Being carefree, no assignments, no deadlines, nothing to worry about for that 4 days and 3 nights.

Bali heals the soul.

Let's start by introducing what my sister calls her beach bag- her hedgehog LeSportSac which is just so insanely cute!

It is known as her beach bag because she only uses it whenever she travels to islands. =.=

We took Air Asia there. This is the view from the plane.

The clouds were so fluffy that day. Like cotton candy. It felt like if I just reached out, I could have plucked them out of the sky.

Some part of Indonesia we were flying over.

Looks like something out of a Geography textbook, doesn't it?

Upon arrival at Ngurah Rai airport, we were immdediately greeted with fragipanis. Oh and we could bypass immigration cause Eu Shen arranged for us to go through the diplomat counter. Skipped the long queues, we did. ;)




The frangipanis were so frangrant! But I couldn't wear them for long because floral scents give me a headache after a while. =/




Anyway, our first stop was to fill our growling tummies with yummylicious food!

We went to this restaurant just 10 minutes away from the airport which was famous for their chicken.

True to their word, the chicken was really very good. I can't remember exactly what we ordered, but I remember everything was supremely crispy and delectable.



If you really want pictures of the food, I think Greg's facebook might have 'em.




This is the hotel we stayed in for the first two nights- Ramayana. Centrally situated in Kuta.

Shopping was really easy since it was within walking distance to the markets and Kuta beach was 5 mintues away by car.




Our room. The hotel is quite old but they've kept it quite nicely I must say.

In the hotel lobby, getting ready to go see the sun set at Uluwatu Temple and watch the Kecak dance.

First glimpse of the breathtaking sunsets in Bali.

The colours just seemed more vivid than usual. It was beautiful! Too bad we didn't have too much time to admire it since we wanted to go watch the Kecak dance. =(

My sister and I waiting for the dance to begin while taking in the picturesque view.
At least our seats were strategic, since we got an awesome view of the stunning scenery.

It was packed to the brim to watch the Kecak dance man. Everyone had to squeeze and squeeze just so that everybody could fit in and sit.

There certainly was no traces of the swine flu effects on tourism in Bali!

These flag like thingies are everywhere in Bali. I wonder what they are for?

To tell the direction of the wind? Or just for decorative purposes? I mean I know the checkered cloth is supposed to ward of evil... guess I should've asked our local guide huh?

Just look at it, doesn't it seem so surreal? My sister said the sunsets there don't feel real. They feel fabricated, like someone painted a backdrop and left it there.

But that's the amazing thing. They are so very real, and the beauty of it just takes your breath away.

Getting ready for the Kecak dance. These were the people who provided the sound effects. I admire the fact that they don't develop sore throats after each performance. They were constantly chanting, singing for close to an hour! Imagine doing that everyday!

Watching that big golden ball slowly set.

The Kecak dance is actually the story of Rama, Sita and Laksamana. If you guys remember, we studied it for SPM BM before. How Rama went to catch the kijang for Sita and told her to stay in the protective circle and left her in the charge of Laksamana but in the end she got captured anyway. I found it easy to understand coz I knew the background of the story but I without that, I would have been feeling kind of lost.
Oh well, at least now we know SPM BM literature is good for something! =P

And look at the crowd! Isn't it crazy?

And yes, that is real fire. The heat was scorching when they did that. I really pitied the people sitting in the front row.

Next, we adjourned to Jimbaran Bay for some scrumptious seafood!
Jimbaran Bay is basically this stretch of beach littered with restaurants serving awesome seafood. So, you can enjoy the seafood whilst listening to the waves and looking out to the sea.

Tried their coconut but was sorely dissapointed coz it wasn't sweet. I think all of us momentarily forgot we were in Indonesia and not Thailand where the coconuts are forever sweet. XD

But seriously, Bali reminded me very much of Thailand for some reason. And it wasn't just me, Greg and my sister thought so too.
I think it might have been because of the traffic and the roads (jammed and narrow) as well as the abundant use of motorbikes. And the shopping! Coz everything was so cheap there!

We tried their famous grilled corn and it was insanely HUGE and filling but supremely yummylicious!

I think it was because they put a layer of syrup or caramel on the corn before grilling it, making it super sweet. (I have a sweet tooth so I enjoyed it. =D)

Oh, and the people at the back of Greg were a little singing troupe. Seranaded us with old songs (obviously in hopes of getting tips) but the lead singer's voice was very melodious.

I think, our one and only group picture. All the others are missing someone! =S

Second day in Bali! Taken right after brekkie in the hotel.

We went for a walk at the market right opposite our hotel.

Quite a number of things are sold there- from souvenirs, to wooden carvings, t-shirts and clothes.

Their paintings was what really captivated me though. So many CHEAP and beautiful paintings over there which would have cost like three times the price over here.

My sister bought a really cool silver and black painting, which I don't have a picture of yet because it hasn't been hung up.

Oh and travel tip! When shopping in Bali (Like China, Thailand, India and Vietnam), you have slash the price by at least half and haggle like your life depended on it. Because otherwise, you're just getting fleeced by these Balinese vendors. =.=

Oh and they have very interesting stuff like this helmet for sale too! I mean, do people actually wear that? 0_o

This was right outside our hotel's bar. We had to go back to our hotel to deposit all our shopping bags!

One of the many stone basins around the hotel. The hotel's staff meticulously arrange a different pattern using the flower petals everyday! Such a tedious job but it's the extra effort that makes the surroundings of the hotel so beautiful.

Our 2 local Balinese guides and our 2 organizers of the trip- hard at work planning the day's itinery.

Kuta Beach!

Weather was super hot and sweltering in Bali. You realy cannot survive without sunnies coz the glare of the sun is so strong.

We passed by loads of paddy fields in Bali too!

Clear blue skies and grenery that stretches for miles and miles...

En route to Tanah Lot to watch the sun set.

The entrance of Tanah Lot.

I love the waves in Bali. They are so much bigger than our own which makes it a sight to see whenever it crashes upon the rocks. And because the waves are larger, the sound the waves is amplified. I don't know about you, but I always feel a lot more peaceful after listening to the waves. They may be loud and angry, but somehow it sets my mind and soul at peace.

And I felt... alive.

I think it's the combination of the picturesque view and the feel of the holiday coupled with the sound of the waves lapping against the shore.
In that instance, warmth spread through my veins, lighting them ablaze.

And I was happy.

Content.

Us, spoiling the view. ^_^

By the way, I am super in love with my Canon camera! I should probably name it...

The setting of the sun cast a golden glow onto the paddy fields.

It was a breathtaking sight indeed.

There were two dogs running across, sprinting across rather, the paddy fields.

Watching them sprint across the field, chasing each other without a care in the world... I could taste freedom.

For those brief moments, freedom became a tangible thing.

I suppose we were all like that once. Running freely across gardens and playgrounds and field with a kind of blithe innocence.

I really like this shot. The silhouette of the trees and people and the pagoda....

Gradually dissappearing.

That night, we had Nasi Padang for dinner.

Greg calls Nasi Padang Indonesian dim sum/buffet. Coz everything came in small portions (like dim sum) and when you finished a dish, they'd replenish it for you (buffet).

My parents- Raja Sehari. LOL XD

After dinner, we headed to Bali Coffee House to just chill before going for a foot massage.

We decided to try the world reknown Kopi Luwak in which the coffee beans have been eaten and er... excreted by the Civet cat. >.<>

Watching the waitress preparing Kopi Luwak (USD$20 for 8g, don't play play).

There we go! The aroma of Kopi Luwak is absolutely yummylicious. But the aftertaste is... interesting. It tasted a bit like berries but yet, not quite. Quite indescribable really.

3rd day, took a walk around Kuta area. This is the beautiful beach.

Made a stop by Starbucks to get drinks since it was so insanely hot! And I dunno why everyone was bruised during the trip. That's my cousin and my sister who both have bruises on their legs. 0_0

For lunch we went to this really quaint place called Bebek Bengil.

I've heard so much about this restaurant and am glad it lived up to its expectations.

Nah, this is the history of how Bebek Bengil got its name.

Bebek Bengil is situated right beside the paddy fields. So lots of greenery while you feast on their yummylicious food.

Again, I felt at peace. Looking out at the paddy fields, feeling the cooling breeze on that hot, hot summer day and enjoying the awesome spread.

Told you Bali is good for the soul. =D

Their signature dish- crispy duck. You can choose to have it with rice or mash.

If you guys ever go, YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE THE MASH because it is TO DIE FOR.

I'm not kidding! Can rival Chilli's mash seriously.

All that buttery goodness that melts in the mouth. Mmmmm.

Aside from that, their BBQ pork ribs was really flavourful too! A must try.

After lunch, we visited Ubud Art Market which had a plethora of things to look, see and buy. Too bad we couldn't stay for long as we had to go and check into our villa- Bidadari Villa.

Aptly name I must say because it was heavenly!


That's their outdoor shower. So you get to shower under the moon, stars/sun, rain. =P

I must say, the view is actually quite nice when you shower at night.

And somehow it feels very... liberating.

Me: Jie, have you ever showered outdoors before? (after I finished showering)

Sis: No wo. This will be the first time.

Me: It feels very... liberating.

Sis: (laughs) Okay, I shall go and liberate myself now and be one with nature.


Lol convo between my sis and I.

Their HEAVENLY bed. Mmmm. I miss the bed!

Their big bathtub. And that's my other sis with a bruise on her leg too. =S

I forgot to resize a picture of our private swimming pool. Aiya, you guys can go check it out on Facebook la.

On our last night, I tried Bintang beer. I'm normally not a big fan of beers (except for the Passionfruit or Apple ones from Belgium Bar) but this one was really light and surprisingly easy to drink.

And so ends my Bali trip! This was us, flying off into the sea. The takeoff and landings are quite scary yet thrilling because if the pilot misjudges, you'll end up in the middle of the sea.


Airport security was a bitch though because of the Jakarta bombings while we were there. Bali was suspected as the next target. =(

Why is it always like this? We travel to some country and surely something happens one.

We go to Bali, Jakarta gets bombed.

We come back from India, and the chain of luxury hotels we were staying in gets bombed (although it was in a different part of India la)

We were in Bangkok when the tsunami hit.

Post September 11, we were holidaying in Europe. (And we didn't have to line up to go to Madam Tussauds or the Eiffel Tower because there were so little tourists! Lol XD)
And when the Y2K bug was supposedly gonna hit, we were in the US if I'm not mistaken.
0_o

Anyway, the last picture for the day. Reliving the feeling of becoming overnight millionaires!

Since everything is by the thousands and millions in rupiahs, instant millionaires we became! ;)

Sigh, I miss travelling. I need a holiday from my holiday.

Oh the irony. =.=

Breakeven

I've decided to include posts labelled under Gastronomic Adventures in which I will introduce good food for you guys to feast your eyes on (just to make you hungry) as well as recommend restaurants which I think are good so you all can go and try it out.

Feel free to recommend awesome restaurants to me too! Would love to go and try out more places to eat at.

George and The Dragon

George and The Dragon is actually a pub/restaurant located in Bangsar Shopping Centre on the ground floor.

My aunt and uncle strongly recommended going there to try their crispy pork knuckle which they said was even more yummylicious than El Cerdo's. (In my opinion, El Cerdo's serves the best pork!)

And so on one of the weekends, we ventured there to check it out.

Since it's more of a drinking place, their tables weren't very big and it was quite difficult to accomodate all 5 of us in the same table.

However, their food is pretty awesome! I totally forgot to take pictures of the food we ate but I remember we had bratwurst and pork ribs as well as German salad which were all delightful and very flavourful.

And then, their crispy pork knuckle...

Behold, pork rations for a whole month is here! 0_O

Anyway, their crispy pork knuckle is pretty good. Comparable to El Cerdo's I would say but not better.

It didn't have that jelak porky smell which was good. (That's the first thing I notice when I eat pork knuckle.) And the crispy bits were scrumptious!

Having said that, I didn't like their food presentation though. I mean, I know we're eating pork la but you don't have to stick the bone right in the middle like that. (I made it timber after that by taking out one of it's porky foundations. =P)

Other than that, everything else was pretty good. So if you ever crave pork, you know where to go!

Unforgettable.

Most of our lives are a series of images. They pass us by like towns on the highway. But sometimes a moment stuns us as it happens, and we know in that instant that it is more than a fleeting image. We know that this moment, every part of it, will live on forever.

- One Tree Hill

Warning: Picture heavy post ahead. Aaah, I haven't posted one of these in a while have I?

Anyway, these are the moments that will live on forever from my month long break between semesters. It's a bit delayed but looking at these pictures brings back the holiday mood again which provides the perfect pick-me-up in the middle of slogging though this semester.

(And Gill, I know that anonymous in my chatbox is you. So don't complain I never put up pictures liao.)

My beloved Jowee's birthday pretty much kicked off my holidays (even though I had one last paper after that). It was wonderful being able to celebrate with her and even more awesome now since I see her everyday!

We must go for that mani/pedi Wee!

Darling Adele was next. We really do need to stop going to Delicious don't we?

Oh and I remember I met Kern Wen on that day too! It was nice meeting you even though your photography skills leave much to be desired! =P

Next up, planning Wai Yee's surprise birthday (which was er...how many months late again? Whoops. It's the thought that counts, I swear!)

That's us with our hard work!




Oh, look how we've grown!



Anyway, we went to Full House for lunch and also to spend some time with Kia Shen who was back from Aussieland. Their straws are really addictive, everyone couldn't stop playing with them after we'd finished our drinks.



Belated birthday girl and I.



Oh and LOOK! I had to post this up. I think this is the first time ever that I've seen the both of them in shorts and slippers. They are usually so well-dressed! Yes, you can proceed to make fun of them now. ;)



Caught red handed in the shower. Tsk tsk. KY, what will Han Yang say hmmmm?



And this is Ri Hao, who looks quite like MJ in this photo I must say. And this was around the time the news of MJ's death broke. =/



SURPRISE! Sorry we were so late but better late than never right?

So now you guys know. If you really want to surprise someone, surprise them when they least expect it. Which would months after their birthday. Confirm your surprise will be successful. XD

The girls.

After a few round of playing King, this is what you get. Tomato red faces all round.

And Kia Shen who was super high that day kacau-ing Siok. In fact, that was probably the tipsiest I've ever seen him. =.=

I have a whole series of pictures of them kacau-ing each other. >.<

See what I mean?

Ohohoho! Bottoms up!

Our poison for the day- Absolut Kurant

aaaannddd.....

Midori.

Which in my opinion tasted like cough syrup. I know it's really expensive and all but still. Cough syrup! Supossedly, it tastes good when mixed with Coke. But we didn't have any that day.

After that, headed to Jaya One's Duck King for dinner. Ah, fun times fun times.

And here's Wee again. We were off to Bangsar for a shopping spree! And it was damn jammed so we camwhored! =D

I like this pic. It's courtesy of Wee. Another year before that P sticker comes off. Le sigh.

If you didn't already know, this is Jowee and we have been friends for 13 years and counting now.

She is the cutest ever goldfish I have ever known.

See what I mean? So comel.

As you all know, Wee and I go waaaay back and when we were younger, we used to have these 2 diaries that we would write in and exchange every 2 weeks or so just to keep in touch and update each other on our lives.

I flipped through the diaries again yesterday and oh, it was a blast of the childhood past.

Pages and pages filled with scribbles of our daily lives about boys, heartbreaks, family dramas, crushes, friends.

I feel so old just looking at it now. Oh, how we have grown and matured.

Oh hindsight though, some things still remain the same. Wee has always and will always be the more creative one, the dreamer, the optimist, the thinker, the artist. It is so evident now that I look back and see.

For example, this was written in 2006:

Jowee thinks:

• People are beautiful
• The world today is evil
• People are too judgemental
• People are too weird (and everyone is mentally challenged, since all humans are flawed anyway)
• Pink brings world peace
• Cartoons are cute and entertaining
• Being young is WAY better than being old! (Don't wanna grow up)
• Music has tremendous power
• George Bush should rot in hell
• Bigfoot could exist (Who has actually disproven it?)
• The Olympic Games rocks
• Blogging is wonderful
• Nothing is impossible

and

• Love conquers all
  

Ah, doesn't this sound like the Jowee we all know and love?

"I wanna go online and blog my brains out"

-Tee Jowee

Wee, this was written in 2006 as well when you're internet was down. And ironically, I'm waiting for your internet to be fixed NOW, so I can have my dose of Jowee everyday!

(Wee, I hope you don't mind me posting that here!)