So I haven't really blogged about my family trip to Bintan last weekend, life has been quite a handful. But I've just gotten the pictures from my sis' camera so the good memories are flooding back again!
Anyway, the reason why we went to Bintan in the first place was first of all because Sis won a free stay at Bintan Lagoon Resort from her company as a reward for her excellent work! Yeah, she's been doing a great job there, and unlike other companies (
ehem ehem), hers really make sure the employees feel appreciated. So she got a free room for two nights and we thought why not ask our Dad to join too and make this a family vacation? It's been ages since we had that. In fact, I can't remember the last time. Ever since our mom passed away, family vacation has been the least on our thoughts, but I think it's important now that we do it sometimes.
So we booked another room since they wouldn't allow 5 people to stay in only 1 room. And my sister and I took a day of leave on Friday and set out to Bintan until Sunday!
The ferry was super clean, and throughout the journey the television was playing Mickey Mouse cartoon. Not exactly engaging, but it was at least something to look at. The trip by ferry only took an hour or so.
After we arrived at the Bintan Ferry Terminal and got through Immigration, we were taken to a bus which would take us to the resort.
And this was what greeted us there. Some four dancers came out and danced to the local music played by these local musicians. It was quite nice, and we were given welcome drinks also. The check-in was fast, and we settled in our room.
To sleep? Don't you always goof around in the bed everytime you stay in a hotel, though?
We then went for lunch at an Indonesian-Chinese fusion restaurant in the resort. The fried rice was heavenly! That first day Dad wanted to see a friend of his in the city, so we rented a car and drove to Bintan city, which took 3 hours of commuting! I think the main difference was, well, in the resort we pay everything by Singapore Dollars still, and in the city, it was more resembling Indonesia. You'd find local food and small shops at the side of the streets selling corn, satay and meatballs and we use Rupiahs! Home sweet home. ;)
While waiting for Dad talking to his friend, we were outside goofing around and taking pictures.
See? The familiar sight of meatball seller on the street. None you can see in Singapore, but a sight of this, and you know you're home. (Well, if you're Indonesian like me. Duh.)
After we got back, we didn't do much of anything since it was already late! We just relaxed in our hotel room, and oh, we did buy some Padang food in the city so we had that for dinner.
The next day, we woke up early for breakfast and then it was water sport time! We tried out banana boat and also jetski which was such a rush! It was really awesome being outdoor and near the sea!
The restaurant / chilling area from the outside.
Palm trees and blue sky! We couldn't take pictures while we were jet skiing 'cos the camera shouldn't be wet! Quite bummed out that there weren't any pictures, but hey, it's all in here anyway, right? (pointing to the brain) Alright, that was dorky. We spent the entire morning and afternoon playing in the sea and came back to the room feeling energized but exhausted!
At night we had dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant, played footsie at the recreational room, had karaoke and watched telly until we fell asleep. It was a great day!
Food! Food! Glorious food!
On Sunday we had breakfast early and headed to the beach to take some pictures.
The weather was great when we were there. The day we were playing in the water, it wasn't so sunny, it was a little cloudy even, so that was great. On Sunday, it was way too hot outside, you can tell it from the pictures. So we thought, "wow, thank goodness we were doing all the sports yesterday, otherwise I would have been burnt to crisp!"
So at about 11 am, we boarded the bus back to the ferry terminal and headed home to Singapore. I know it was a short trip, but it was great and I'm glad we did it. :) So 'til next time!
Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.
I am one of those who never knows the direction of my journey until I have almost arrived.
The ferry was super clean, and throughout the journey the television was playing Mickey Mouse cartoon. Not exactly engaging, but it was at least something to look at. The trip by ferry only took an hour or so.
And this was what greeted us there. Some four dancers came out and danced to the local music played by these local musicians. It was quite nice, and we were given welcome drinks also. The check-in was fast, and we settled in our room.
To sleep? Don't you always goof around in the bed everytime you stay in a hotel, though?
While waiting for Dad talking to his friend, we were outside goofing around and taking pictures.
See? The familiar sight of meatball seller on the street. None you can see in Singapore, but a sight of this, and you know you're home. (Well, if you're Indonesian like me. Duh.)
The restaurant / chilling area from the outside.
Palm trees and blue sky! We couldn't take pictures while we were jet skiing 'cos the camera shouldn't be wet! Quite bummed out that there weren't any pictures, but hey, it's all in here anyway, right? (pointing to the brain) Alright, that was dorky. We spent the entire morning and afternoon playing in the sea and came back to the room feeling energized but exhausted!
Food! Food! Glorious food!
The weather was great when we were there. The day we were playing in the water, it wasn't so sunny, it was a little cloudy even, so that was great. On Sunday, it was way too hot outside, you can tell it from the pictures. So we thought, "wow, thank goodness we were doing all the sports yesterday, otherwise I would have been burnt to crisp!"
Take me to Boston. ;)
5. It's Thursday night! It's the long weekend! I can't be happier!
;)
Cory Monteith. I have a thing for tall guys, really. ;)
2. Went for BBQ at Sophia’s place and enjoyed good food with good company. Thanks, babe!
4. Went back quite late and ended up skype-ing with a friend of mine. Went to sleep happy, and even happier that the next day would be Sunday!
You do what you love, and f*** the rest. :)
I’d tell everybody to pursue your passion. Those who have passions, we are the lucky ones. If you like painting, for God’s sake, paint. if you like writing, write.
2. Started watching Alias again! It's still as awesome as ever, third season now!
This week is a great television week! With the Survivor finale and American Idol top three performance! I feel like such a geek. Well..what's new? Well, Russell made it to the end, and although he didn't win, he won the Player of the Season for the second time! Ah, he's the best Survivor to ever play the game lah! 
No matter how confused you make me feel, at least you make me smile. I guess that counts.
Now tell me if you like the Glee boys! ;)
I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're just floating around accidental-like on a breeze. But I think maybe it's both. Maybe both are happening at the same time.
Don’t you think it’s better to be extremely happy for a short while, even if you lose it, than to be just okay for your whole life?
Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness, and just be happy. :)
You can’t always control the circumstances in life, but you can control your attitude toward those circumstances.
The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.
10 May 2010
You're gorgeous, you old hag, and if I could give you just one gift ever for the rest of your life it would be this. Confidence. It would be the gift of confidence. Either that or a scented candle.
2. Cous cooked this really nice soup (with potato, pasta, macaroni, carrot, chicken, sausages,.. drooling yet?) for dinner.
You can turn off the sun, but I'm still gonna shine.
Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
You must learn to take the good with the bad, the happy with the sad, love what you’ve got and remember what you had. Learn to forgive, but never forget, learn from your mistakes but never regret. People change and things go wrong, but you just have to remember that life goes on.
I love you, I thought.
Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.
4. Finally got to get you another postcard :)
Look at this really cute coaster. Guinness is like the God for the Irish. If you know the band, The Script, in one of their song the lyrics go like, "It was Dublin City on a Friday night, you were vodkas and coke, I was Guinness all night.." which I thought was really funny and awesome. 'Nyway, random bits there.
Upon seeing this, my sister was like, "Eh, I didn't know what the point of actually having to tilt it 45 degrees and what's with all these techniques.." and I was like, "Um, I think it's just for the presentation, people like it if their beer is all foamy and it looks more appealing!" To which she replied, "Huh? I don't think I like drinking the foamy part! It's yucky!" Well, so people, enlighten me please. Is it really just for the presentation of it, or is there some rationale, functional use for having to pour it in a certain way?
My first drink of the night. Vodka with lychee juice, and it actually tasted really good! Although for the life of me I couldn't tell if they really did put the vodka in or not.
Sorry, just a random picture. One evening I just decided to try putting blue eye shadow. Sis just got this eye-palette with 98 colors, imagine! Anyway, I couldn't decide if it looked good or not, but I liked it. Probably not to be worn outside, I would probably scare some kids away.
And this was when we went for a wine-tasting in Wine Mansion. My friend worked there, and she invited me to bring some friends so I brought my lovely colleagues. It was a nice evening, I wasn't an expert in wine, but we were taught how to appreciate wine, how to look at the color and hold the glass properly, and things like that. We tried out four different wines that night, and there was also a buffet spread. In the end, I bought a sparkling wine, and I really liked it. I recommend it if you guys are interested. Their prices are affordable too!
1. It's Friday!!!