Travel Highlights of 2012

It's the 4th day of the new year.
I guess I still win a chance to rendezvous about the great 2012 travel journey.
Flashback starts now.


My wonderful APRIL trip with my best friends, Aink and Erwin.
They sound alike, should they be match from heaven??!
It was my fav. destination of all times, BANGKOK.

Why Bangkok???
Coz there are MBK, Chatuchak weekend market, Lebua state tower, Platinum mall, Banyan Tree skybar, and above all, the oishi food!!!
Those things keep me coming back for more.


PHATUMWAN PRINCESS HOTEL

TUK TUK

DAMNOEN SADUAK FLOATING MARKET

LEBUA STATE TOWER

WAT ARUN

Some simple photos to keep it brief and simple.

Another great APRIL trip.
This was the last short trip I had with my dad.
Aink's dad and younger sis, Susi followed me to Penang too.

I miss you daddy....

Nom Nom Nom....
I asked my dad, "Do you think I should order this, can you and me finish this big fish?" He laughed and said "This is meant for 20 people to eat."

My hero and my best friend's dad.

The fantastic four!!!

Daddy and me again for the last trip :'(

Our great memory last forever. I LOVE YOU DADDY!!!

So much has happened in April, I celebrated my great pal, Chintia's bday as well as those amazing trips.
Another highlight would be my first ever trip to SANTORINI.

Here are the pictures.

Its UM-MAE-ZINGG!!!
Undeniable beauty and the most breathtaking view I have ever seen.
I just love SANTORINI.
WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH!!!
Btw I spent the nights at THOLOS RESORT, SANTORINI (9.1 rating from booking.com)
Highly recommended, esp with the great bargain during low seasons.

ADDRESS
Tholos Luxury hotel resort Imerovigli

Santorini island - Greece
tel: +30 22860 22618

fax: +30 22860 24549
mobile: +30 6970037000
email: info@tholosresort.gr

Regular visit to Paris has been my great desire and I was blessed again in the month of AUGUST.
Here are some of the reasons why I love Paris.

Perfect weather with clear blue sky in Paris, thats I love most.

I am somewhere at Avenue Montaigne, heading to george V.

And I still love Laduree compared to Pierre Herme.

Shopping time!!!

Here are some great shots of PHUKET TRIP in September.

Its THAI BOXING, wednesday night, wednesday night, Thai boxing at bangla stadium.
That's how its sounds like.

My fav drink ----> MAITAI from any bars in Patong Area.

My fav restaurant so far ---> NUMBER 6

JOM...MARI MAKAN! SELAMAT MENIKMATI! BON APPETIT! GUTTEN APPETIT!

Best MANGO RICE restaurant, directly opposite TIGER INN, Patong area.

Apart from celebrating Christmas in Frankfurt and New Year in Dubai.
What else can I say??!

Life is good.
But it can be better if I could spend special day with loved ones!!!

Goodbye 2012.

TWIN PALMS PHUKET RESORT

I was searching for a nice hotel for me and hubby to enjoy our first anniversary last september.
I finally made up my mind to one of the nicest hotel to stay in Phuket.
I mean it has got 9.2 ratings in booking.com; they can't really go wrong, can they?

I haven't really traveled in Asia yet =D
Its such a shame that I only went to BALI in 2011 after all this years and guess what... Am i still eligible to call myself an Indonesian citizen??!

I narrowed down my list and I decided to visit Phuket for the first time the last september 2012.
I was being so lazy last year; please forgive me for that.
I was dragging myself to frame my experience in words.

As I grow older, there are some things I will forget.
I should jot it down to remind myself of all those back dated memories that should last forever.
Anyway I made my way to Phuket that afternoon on 10th of September 2012 with a huge excitement.
My love for traveling could be so crazy that I have an enormous and never ending energy all the times.
I really don't need any energy booster; coz I am so madly excited when it comes to visiting new places.

As I reached the hotel from the airport, I was amazed at how unique the lobby was.
I could smell some sort of frangipani mixed lemongrass kind of feel for the whole lobby experience.
It was soothing and exhilarating at the same time.

The receptionist lady asked me to take a seat and served me with their cocktails as welcome drinks together with cold towels to freshen up.
I was asked to fill up some detailed information about the bookings and to produce my credit card for some normal security procedures.

To my surprise, she smiled and told me that I got an instant upgrade from my deluxe room to 3 levels higher which is called GRAND DELUXE LAGOON POOL ROOM; not only that they have prepared flower arrangements and a bottle of champagne too.
WOW!!! This is madness ^^ I was so happy; all due to the info given to them that we are on our first wedding anniversary.
My eyes are brighter instantly too =D
What a great surprise!!!

Here are some great shots of the room.

Btw its a great size of 667 square feet; including the patio I supposed.
Half of my apartment in Singapore ;)

That's the door for entrance just next to me on the right.
Refrigerator is just below this flower vase.

Freaking nice bathroom and guess what, there's another sliding door as a divider just in case you are not traveling with your spouse.
Pheewitttt....I love 2 basins in the bathroom. Its just a personal thing for me.

Honeymoon cake and a bottle of champagne; It's certainly a time for a celebration!!

I'm sexy and I know it??? haha!!!

Omigosh...
My only regret---> I forgot to open up these doors to show you how well connected we are to the swimming pool.
It's the moment when you feel you are at your own world when you could jump out from your patio in your bedroom.
I wish you could roughly get the idea.

Could you see the LOVE inside the bathtub???

Thats the TWINPALMS PHUKET LOGO in the entrance of the resort.

This is part of the lobby and Mr. Sandy standing right there.

Guess what! That small kind of bridge is the entrance of library.
Their library has got 3 pieces of 27inch imac for you to browse and do some works of blogs=D
Wait up, they do have a concierge lady in there who could assist you to book your trip to Phi Phi island, James Bond island or some private Andaman Sea cruise.

Thats how it looks like behind the receptionist table.

ADDRESS

Twinpalms Phuket
106/46 Moo 3, Surin Beach Road,
Cherng Talay, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Tel: +66 (0) 7631 6500
Fax: +66 (0) 7631 6599
Email: book@twinpalms-phuket.com
Website: www.twinpalms-phuket.com


I surely recommend you approach hotel directly before you secure any deal at booking.com or agoda.com as they might have occasional deals and I wish you could get an upgraded room too when you mention you are on honeymoon or birthday or some other celebrations mode. (keep fingers crossed, wink wink...)

Before I forget , I should add that this hotel is certainly one of the best hotels in Phuket, perfect service, great bathroom amenities (all from lemongrass house Phuket), fantastic breakfast and fancy location with private beach just across the hotel.

Have fun and marry the night when you are in PHUKET!!!

CROWN METROPOLE HOTEL, MELBOURNE

Here are some great shots of one of the nicest hotel to stay in Melbourne, Australia.

Nice open bathroom kind of concept with spacious size. Lurve it!!!

You don't really need a bathtub sometimes.
For young people like me, I kinda love the standing shower though.

Voila... here is my blogging table^^

I felt in love with its nice fragrance futuristic lobby, modern design and practical space.
It seems like you can't agree more with me if you know that this hotel is connected to CROWN CASINO AND MALL.
Its a nice hotel for short getaway in Melbourne =D


ADDRESS
Crown Metropol Melbourne
8 Whiteman Street
Southbank, Melbourne, Victoria 3006

1st January 2013

Its the first day of the new year.
I just finished jotting down my achievable new year resolution.
I was beaten up badly by last year's resolution.
I am quite disappointed with myself of not achieving 80% of my vision the last year.

Well Its the new day, new dawn, new hope and new spirit.
I pray that 2013 will be nice to me.

I am leaving behind the sad and the disappointed 2012 with a cheerful heart and looking forward to the glorious 2013.

Wish me luck =D

Hi london

I am in London at the moment.
One of my favorite city in the world.
It was raining and cold.
The perfect weather for my rain coats and the rain boots.
I spent a few hours in Harrods; enjoying myself looking at bags, shoes, cosmetics, perfumes etc etc etc.

Btw Thank you Harrods for another 150 pounds voucher from you.

Harrods is always the best, best and bestest!!! How I love shopping in Harrods.

Its a good good day for me.

I thought I shouldn't spend unnecessarily so I took a bus home.
I didn't know my oyster card didn't have enough credit for that one way bus fare.
I was about to walk out of the bus when the bus driver asked me to get in.
I offered one piece of 20 pounds note to him earlier but he didn't have the change.
Really...A small kindness in the wonderland made me smile.
Thank you Mr.Driver.
You just gave me another reason to spend more days in London =D

Christmas is just around the corner.
I start to think whats the perfect christmas looks like.
I was in New York for christmas last year; It was nice and great time spent with sandy.
I hope this christmas is gonna be another great christmas.
Doesn't matter where its always a good time when it comes to christmas day.

Talking about the UK X-Factor I was so disappointed with those people who brought Ella down.
I was expecting she is gonna be second to Jahmene.
But she's gone too fast!!!
I'll support you always, Ella Henderson.
You will shine like a star and your music will not end here even if you are not in the x-factor anymore.
GO GO GO JAHMENE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Holidays people...
I hope this december is going to bring hope, love and joy to each one of you.

My Dad My Love My Hero

It happened on the 9th of October 2012.
I was awaken by the vibration of my handphone.
I always put my phone on the silent mode simply because I am a light sleeper.
That day was the day that changed my life forever.

I saw more than 20 miscalled on the phone and countless messages appeared on the screen.
My heart jumped and I sensed something wrong.
Deep inside my heart was filled with huge fear and anxiety.
I knew that it has to be something to do with dad.
I am very sensitive when it comes to daddy.
I remember 7 years ago, I cried uncontrollably when I got to know that daddy has got blockage on his heart veins.
The doctor suggested him not to over work physically and mentally stable.
Meaning to say, he should not carry heavy things or get emotionally upset all the times.

My dad has always been a hero, a living inspiration to me.
He was strong like a hulk and tall like a warrior.
I could not afford to see this health deteriorate.
I just won't buy the idea that he could fall sick and getting old.

Back to the 9th of October 2012, I saw messages mentioning that my dad got admitted into the hospital and he was in the emergency ward.
My blood rushed into my head and I seemed to have blur vision.
The idea of losing him came up and haunted me.
I called and called yet nobody picked up; until I saw my buddy who was there in the hospital texted and said "SORRY".
I called her right away and asked "What do you mean by saying sorry?" She replied "I am so sorry dear. Your daddy has gone back to the father."

That was the lowest point of my life.
I was willing to lose everything else I've got but not my dad.
My whole body was frozen; I felt cold instantly.
I was in frankfurt at that very moment.
I still remember I had a good chat with daddy the week before.
He told me he was pleased with the medical result from the hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
I promised him to get him an expensive gift if he could recover from his cough and fever which he had suffered for a few days then.

I was speechless, motionless and out of breath for a few hours.
My company arranged a flight back to singapore as soon as I got the news.
I cried 12 hours non-stop from Frankfurt to Singapore.
I browsed through all the great pictures of my daddy and me on my macbook to remind me how great my dad was.

Hubby came and picked me up as soon as I reached Changi Airport.
Lidya, Hendra and Christine were there with him.
I looked at them with a smile on my face; I was quiet, didn't talk as much and the journey from airport to home felt like never ending journey.
I know they were there for me and the smile on their face told me I got their back.
It was the sweetest pure genuine relationship you could find on planet earth.

I unpacked and packed within minutes.
I was ready to go back to Jambi; the city where I spent my childhood years.
I kept imagining what was going to happen when I got there; I kept praying for strength, peace and serenity for my mom and my siblings.
I told myself I have to be strong for mommy.
The rain was pouring heavily when the aircraft landed.
I was drenched wet and cold wind running through my whole body.
It woke me up from my dream.
It's time to face the reality; where I would see my dad's body and I would have to act tough in front of everybody.

I ran to my mom and I hugged my brother as soon as I saw them.
I did not say anything but my facial expression explained the whole feeling.
I touched my dad's cheek and told him "I am here, daddy. Everything will be alright."
I didn't know where the courage came from but I told him "I can protect our family. You can leave happily now,dad. You know I love you and I am happiest to know that you are with Jesus Christ now."

I did not faint nor loss in translation, I was composed and stood still, smiling with tears to my dad.
I noticed daddy's face got brighter and a drop of tears running from his eyes.
His precious princess was back to see him and I knew he was glad.

Daddy was my hero, he was my best friend, he was my inspiration and he was my pillar of strength. There's so much stories to tell him; There are so many places I promise to bring him.
There's so much dreams and desire of my heart that I wish to let him know.
But he has gone to a better place now.

My aunt told me what daddy said few minutes before he was gone.
"God please forgive me from all my sins. I am willing to go back if this is Your time."
He mentioned that twice that morning.
Tears kept running on my cheek, Daddy has done me proud even to his very last breath.

His fighting spirit has motivated me to be who I am today.
His kind heart has taught me how to love others unconditionally.
His firm yet loving tone of speech has grown discipline in me.
His attention to details had pushed me to pursue excellence in life.
His generosity made me to be a giver, instead of a taker.
He is a man of a big heart; He always think others before himself.

I wanna Thank You Jesus for the best gift of my life.
I wanna Thank Daddy for being the greatest dad in my life.
There's no one like you and no one is able to replace you in my heart.
It has been a great 27 years being with you; it was indeed a wonderful journey we spent together.
I am the luckiest daughter in the world coz I have you.

My aunt told me, daddy rode on a bike for a good 4 hours to the bigger city just to buy me a princess gown on my very first birthday.
He will scold everyone and anyone who took care of me if he saw redness on my body due to mosquito bites.
He will get mad to anyone who allowed me to fall down and got hurt.

There are countless fond memories of you stored in my brain forever.
I could not forget how you taught me how to write and how to read when I was in primary school.
I came back with the 3rd rank in my class and I got a big hug and kiss on the cheek from you that day.
From then on, those hugs and kisses were the reasons I wanna make you proud.

I will remember of all the good times we have shared together.
I won't give up in life. I will keep on keeping on.
Coz I know as small as I am, I have a big dad who always love me and believe in me.

I love you so much dad.

May you rest in peace in paradise.

'Til we meet again one day.

Life is Short

Every moment is precious

Live life like it is your last day