show me the way ;

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

~ 12:27 AM ~

Bali Escapade 2009 ~ 16 - 18 Jul

This holiday is a particularly memorable one since it is our first holiday together as hubby/wifey-to-be :) and this is barely one of the many firsts we experienced together in this trip. Our trip was luxe and budget at the same time. While we stayed at Novotel Bali Benoa off the coasts of Nusa Dua (pretty posh place), we saved on sg airport transfers (took trains and buses to-fro woodlands and changi!!) - another first! it was tiring but memorable

It was really meant as a holiday treat for tian for his bday, and our idea of a relaxing holiday has evolved to a point where we hardly felt like planning in advance *ahem* so, for the very first time, we did not plan any itinerary eventho any planful 'J' would tell u that thats a receipe for disaster given the shortness of our little trip. we couldnt be bothered. haa haa. in fact, we enjoyed the feeling of being free to explore and relax and not being constrained by a list of must-go/must-see/must-dos.

the first night was uneventful and basically when we reached the hotel, we only had the time to admire the late-night awesomeness of the place. it was past 11pm and the quaint lights lit up a small part of the private beach that looked mysterious yet welcoming at the same time.. it was love at first sight, the beach resort hotel is not like any other we have stayed before. After tian went to the Mac terminals at the hotel lobby to FB (like duhss), we retreated back into our room and ordered room service since we hadnt eaten since the flight.

the food was great, delicious and pretty cheap by 4-star-hotel standards. we soon realise that the trip is gonna fly past before we know it, so we browsed the brochures collected fr the airport to see wad we could do the next day. tian decided on this 1-day tour by Love Bali Tours covering Ubud, Elephant Cave Temple, Monkey Forest and the scenic Tanah Lot. Sounds perfect, we decided to call first thing in the next morning. exhausted and looking forward to the next day's adventures, we slept soundly and thoroughly enjoyed the v super comfy bed.

Day 2 started out fine, like really fine.. we tried the hotel's buffet breakfast which was quite a spread and the place was really nice, totally relaxes the mood...

We had some time before the tour guide picks us up, so we hit the beach! awesomeness

To be frank, the first half day of the full day tour was a bit disappointing.. they brought us to those shops that sold their crafts. felt abit cheated. the lunch was worse.. it was more expensive than the hotel room service but lousier in quality lor! the only redemption for the lunch place was the vast rice terraces that surrounded it....... great views!

Final stop for the day was at Tanah Lot...... absolutely gorgeous sunset.

Back in the hotel, dear dear gave me a surprise!

I had complained that we hadnt taken much pics when he proposed.. so he did a re-enactment, complete with a hand-made ring... how sweet *melts*

Our third and last day in Bali, we decided to enjoy the superb facilities in our hotel.. we had a dip in the pool... *brrrr coooollddd*

following check-out, we went for lunch at the private beach of the hotel....

good food, handsome dear dear, beach-ful of ang mohs

we bade farewell to novotel.

We had a good flight back to sg, pretty much entertaining ourselves squabbling over who gets the window seat, ordering snacks with the leftover rupiah we had, and playing with the camera.

It was a great trip, not so much because of the attractions we went or the nice hotel, but more so because of the wonderful memories we created together.. beautifully supplemented by the pro pictures dear dear took. aint it wonderful to have such a talented hubby-to-be?? <3

0 what say you?