Balance, Somewhat

All of us wear many hats in our lives, in our personal life and in our career. Some find the juggling challenging. Others seem to revel in the varied experiences. Whichever extreme we identify with, or even if we fall somewhere in the middle of both extremes, acceptance of our circumstance is a step towards leading a happy life.

 

I remember coming across this quote that was painted on some wooden planks in Bali ... The secret of being happy is accepting where you are in life and making the most out of every day. I would be the first to admit that being contented is not something I readily identify with. I always feel that life can be better, sweeter, you get the drift. So what I have tried to achieve is perhaps somewhat of a balance. Being happy with my lot in life at present, but always willing to embrace betterment when the opportunities present themselves.

 

It is with hope and faith that I tackle this new year and it is with open arms that I welcome all the good that the year has to offer.

 

 

Hats in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Birthday 2015

The last time I celebrated my birthday with Ken Bin, Cordelia, Ken Lin, Yean Mun and Elsie was during my 21st in Adelaide, when we were in university. If my memory serves me, I think my friends from boarding school, Mike and Ching were also present then. Fast forward to 2015, and in Bali no less, I had the good fortune of celebrating another birthday with the same friends from university plus Ken Lin's wife Sally and their kids Leticia and Lenora as well as Ken Bin and Cordelia's children Brandon and Bryan.

 

I am not one who typically celebrates with a party and cake, and for the past many years, I've kept it to quiet, intimate dinners with family and friends. In fact, I am prone to being in denial when it comes to aging, something that my close friends will attest to. Truth be told, I had the candles on the cake removed before this photo was taken haha! And although a different version of this photo exists, a version with the candles intact, it shall remain safe in my hard disk drive, away from prying eyes!  

 

The company of these 'old friends' during my birthday this year was indeed a blessing. We grew up together during some of our most formative years, and have had enduring friendships. For the most part, there is little of each other that we don't know, and little that we don't accept. Here's to longevity of friendships and many more years of celebrations.

 

 

At Villa Heliconia in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Reunion Trip To Bali

In recent years, my close friends from boarding school and university have tried to vacation together once a year. A couple of years ago we were in Kota Kinabalu, last year we returned to Adelaide where we first met, and a few weeks back we were in Bali.

 

Having been friends for more than 25 years, we have become accustomed to our various habits as well as idiosyncrasies and traveling as a group is pretty much a well-coordinated affair. Of course we now have 2 teenagers and 2 kids in the group too, which requires some compromise, but good friends will often make the necessary adjustments.

 

Spending a few days together on holiday always cements the friendships that we have nurtured over the years. It gives us the opportunity to talk and hangout without the distractions of work and our busy daily lives. It is also a testament to the strength of our relationships that individuals from Petaling Jaya, Penang and Hong Kong can commit to time off, converge in Kuala Lumpur and then head to Bali together. Here's to more holidays in the years to come.

 

 

After dinner at Bebek Bengil in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Charting One's Path

I've taken a fascination to quotes of late. One that caught my attention recently goes like this ...

 

If you really want things in life to happen, you have to make them happen yourself. You can't sit around and hope that somebody will help you, you have to make your own future and not think that your destiny is just going to happen.

I truly believe in charting one's own path in life. Sure, there are things that are largely beyond our control but for the most part, I do feel that the decisions that we make ultimately shape our destiny. I am very much a decisive person. In fact, many have said that I take a stand too quickly. I tend to weigh the various perspectives presented and I generally make a quick decision. I seldom second guess myself and I very seldom look back at what might have been. Patience has never been a strong suit of mine but I do try when the situation warrants it. Life throws us curveballs every now and then. I don't avoid them. I face them head on and make the best of it. Although the path ahead is not always clear, therein lies the adventure.

 

 

Prayers at Pura Ulun Danau Bratan in Bedugul, Ubud, Indonesia.

Do As The Locals Do

When in Rome, do as the Romans do, so they say. When in Bali, do as the Balinese do. With this in mind, we headed to Pasar Senggol night market in Gianyar one evening to sample Babi Guling and Bakso.

Gianyar, not too far from Ubud, reputedly has some of the best Babi Guling in Bali and whilst I am not particularly a fan of pork, some of my travel friends are. I settled for Bakso at a nondescript stall and this I have to say - it is important to have a diverse travel experience. Being willing to try streetfood is often rewarded with a memorable experience.

A simple but tasty meal, good company and an authentic atmosphere, what's not to enjoy?

L to R : Our guide Putu, Richard, Eileen, yours truly, Uncle Lui and Auntie Lillian. Photo kindly shot by Shirley at Pasar Senggol in Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia.

A Bit Of Work In Bali

I tend to include a little bit of work whenever I holiday in Bali. We have a number of partners in Bali with whom we jointly promote destination weddings and it is always good to catch up with them and share new ideas.

This time, we made the rounds to Kayumanis Nusa Dusa, Kupu Kupu Barong Villas & Tree Spa as well as Furama Xclusive Villas & Spa in Ubud. These properties are featured in the latest edition of Journeys For Two - Destination Weddings For The Stylish And Chic and we had the opportunity to tour their venues and chat over tea with our collaborative partners.

I don't really mind mixing business with pleasure when such pleasant opportunities arise.

Photo shot at Kayumanis Nusa Dua in Bali, Indonesia.

Countdown To Bali Triathlon

Here's a photo of Eileen, Richard and I the last time we were in Bali last October. This time round, we will have to take another photo, including Lee Kuen too, as the four of us will be participating in the Bali Triathlon this Sunday.

Team Journeys For Two @ Eileen, will be racing the Olympic Distance whereas Team weddingsmalaysia @ yours truly, Richard and Lee Kuen will be racing the Sprint Distance Relay. The event will be a first for Lee Kuen and I, and together with Richard, we just aim to enjoy the experience and complete the race. As for Eileen, well, let's just say she is ultra-competitive despite having fallen ill due to overtraining. Knowing her, she will still put up a good race. And to document it all, we are happy to have Shirley joining us on the trip and we've asked her to just snap away as she likes.

I am also particularly looking forward to the few days of R&R after the race. Good food, good company and pleasant surrounds, Bali is always a favourite of mine.

Photo shot in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia last year.

Whatever

When travelling in a group, I try to adopt the 'whatever' attitude. Too many cooks spoil the broth as they say and as such, if I am not responsible for the itinerary, I normally just go with the flow.

Lately, for the past 2 years to be exact, I've taken a liking to travelling with Tjun Hong, Leticia, Debra, Richard and Eileen, good friends of mine who happen to be in the same industry in which I work. We share similar interests, a wicked sense of humour, good taste; we all love to spa, though Eileen would need some cajoling to join the rest of us.

I've done Bali with all of them, twice. I've done Phnom Penh with Eileen and Richard too. I look forward to more sojourns. No firm plans as yet ... after all, Leticia's and Tjun Hong's wedding celebrations ain't over yet, there's still the big party in KL on 23 October. A possibility would be June next year for the Bali Triathlon. No, I am not competing, but Eileen may be, and we'll be there to cheer her on ... an excuse for the rest of us to go eat, go spa and go shop, in the guise of being supportive friends!

Photo of Tjun Hong, Leticia, Eileen, Richard and I at Ibu Oka in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Sate Lilit

Arrived in Bali yesterday where Eileen, Richard and I are spending a few days eating our way round Ubud before heading back to Seminyak for Leticia and Tjun Hong's wedding this weekend.

Here we are savouring sate lilit at the Gianyar Night Market. Yup, we can go high end, we can also do street food, plus everything else in between. Same thing for accommodation. We've been in Ubud for two days and we've stayed at two different resorts. Ubud Inn which is more affordable and the luxe Maya Ubud Resort & Spa.

A few more friends arrive tomorrow. And more eating beckons, in particular Seafood BBQ at Jimbaran Bay tomorrow evening.

Photo of Eileen, Richard and I at Gianyar Night Market, Bali, Indonesia.

Letting Go

Sometimes I plan too much. I envision too often. I dream too profusely. It is sometimes said that when one strives to attain something so badly, it often just refuses to eventuate. But when one decides to let go, to relinquish the yearning, it comes to fruition.

So, this I shall try to do. It's not in my nature but I shall try. I will remind myself of 'Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining'.

To have faith and to let fate take its course.

Photo of the pool by the spa at Maya Ubud Resort & Spa in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Refreshed

I just spent a few days in Bali with my family and am refreshed. This is our first holiday without Dad. I suppose life goes on. We had a good time chilling at fab resorts, indulging in good food and shopping to our hearts' content. I am sure that through it all though, there were moments where we spared a thought for my father. Bali was one of his favourite holiday destinations, he would have enjoyed our little break too.

4 days is never really enough time in Bali for me. I could stay for a week, more even. This is my sixth time there and I never tire of the relaxing atmosphere and laid-back vibe, of course the friendliness of the people I come across too.

Can't wait to go back again in a few months! This time for a wedding but have definitely built in an extra few days into the itinerary for more R&R.

Photo shot at Maya Ubud Resort & Spa in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Ambition And Hope

I was rummaging through my VCDs earlier this evening; yes I like having my dinner in front of the TV, actually my notebook to be precise. Anyways, got my hands on Center Stage. It has always been one of the few to watch when I am in need of some 'feel-good vibes'. The plot revolves around a group of young men and women who work their butts off, in tights and tutus no less, trying to secure a place in the American Ballet Company.

Above all the drama - ambition, fulfilling aspirations, relationships gone wrong, relationships made right, eating disorders, meeting parents' expectations, taking risks and of course great choreography of dance sequences - lies a simple lesson. That we must acknowledge our talent, embrace it, nurture it, work hard to enhance it. With a little bit of luck and sometimes being at the right place at the right time, it can lead to great things.

We must remain hopeful that something good will come out of our efforts. See what the shop sign says?

Photo shot at Jalan Dewi Sita in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Bali

I am in Bali. Eileen and Richard’s wedding is tomorrow but I’ve already been here for 3 days, on this 5th trip of mine to the island of the Gods. Bali is one of those few places where I feel totally relaxed once I hit the tarmac after disembarking. The spirituality of the people and the vast beauty of its landscapes arouse one’s positive outlook on life. Leticia, Tjun Hong, Debra and I have been spending time hitting the streets of Kuta, visiting the cultural heartland that is Ubud and appreciating the rice terraces of Tegalalang from our perch at the Rice Teras Café, the latter bestowing us with one of the most magnificent views I have set my eyes on. We’ve left the bride and groom to last minute preparations, and we look forward to meeting up with the rest of the Malaysian troupe, in particular Desmond, Cindy, Carolyn and Yeh who arrive today.

For me, a holiday is very much about experiences. Admiring the sunset on crowded, world-famous Kuta beach allows one to marvel at the multi-coloured hues of the sky, sharing the moment with total strangers united in awe of something we take for granted everyday. Relaxing with a Balinese massage refreshes the tired mind, rejuvenates the battered body and revitalises the weary soul. Communing with good friends over meals at restaurants with unsurpassed ambience enhances the sojourn.

And at the end of the day, in the stillness of the night, floating in the tranquil waters of the pool, looking up into the starlit sky, one can’t help but make a wish upon a star for all things good, whether it be for health, love, career or the opportunity to return to this island time and again. Bali instills in me the spirit of optimism, that there are always better things to look forward to, better encounters to cherish, better relationships to nurture. And that kind of outlook is what all holidays should inspire.


Photo shot at Rice Teras Café, Tegalalang, Bali, Indonesia.