. making every picture count – round 2 .

. seoul, here i come .

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Seoul, South Korea: 24th – 27th May

. ubud: shopping king & queen .

The vivid and vibrant colours of Ubud Market

Despite the wide variety of boutique shops in Ubud, our favourite shopping haunt turned out to be none other than the local SUPERMARKET! How “aunty” right? For those who know where I’m working at, I bet that you must be thinking that my company must be so proud of me … They “groom” me well! Haha! COCO Supermarket – where we get our daily shopping done! :p

My favourite loots! Everything chocolate, from face mask ($5 for a bag of chocolate soft powder mask) to body scrub (only $1 each)! Also bought the milk creambath, which is often used for hair treatments in Indonesia, for only $4! I love grocery/HABA shopping!

. mount batur in the dark .

As cliche as it might sound, catching a romantic sunrise or sunset together with the boy has always been on my “To Do” list whenever we are on a holiday. So, when I first heard about the opportunity to trek up 1 of the only 2 volcanoes in Bali to enjoy the stunning and glorious views of the sun rising from the horizon, I immediately knew that this was an activity not to be missed. However, one has to work hard in order to be rewarded with the amazing view … After all, No pain, no gain.

Being reasonably fit and healthy, we expected the trek to be relatively easy but boy were we so wrong! The 2 hours midnight ascent to Mount Batur (1717 m above sea level) was definitely no walk in the park as certain sections of the path were steep and slippery due to the many loose rocks and stones. 1 wrong move and you might just end up slipping or plunging to your death! Our lack of proper footwear (For your own sake, please wear proper trekking shoes or hiking boots) made it even more challenging for us as we struggled to get a proper footing in the midst of darkness. Nevertheless, with determination, we managed to reach to the top of Mount Batur in slightly under 2 hours, thus giving us some time to enjoy the stillness of the early morning before dawn!

Rate it!

So, was the trek worth our time and energy? My answer is a resounding YES! 
Climbing Mount Batur in pitch darkness is definitely 1 of the most unforgettable experience in my life and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat just to enjoy the most beautiful sunrise that I have ever seen!

Company: Bali Eco Cycling
Price: $63 sgd/pax
Overall Rating: **** 1/2 out of 5 stars

It is also possible to see the peaks and silhouette of Mount Rinjani (3726 m above sea level) located at the neighboring island of Lombok, from the top of Mount Batur.

The mighty Mount Agung in the background. At 3104m above sea level, Mount Agung is the tallest mountain in Bali and the 5th tallest volcano in Indonesia. Climbing this mountain is no joke as it will take a reasonably fit trekker at least 6-7 hours to reach to its peak. Experience required, not for the faint-hearted!

Conquering Mount Batur together!

Breakfast with a sunrise view! Enjoying breakfast (consisting of hard boiled eggs and home-made banana sandwich) at the peak of Mount Batur!

. spas in Ubud: go organic .

With so many spa and massage salons just a stone’s throw away from one another, I must say that a girl is simply spoilt for choice when it comes to pampering oneself in Ubud! Although I’m not an avid user of organic products (too expensive for my poor pockets), I chose to go organic as the organic treatments are so much cheaper in Bali as compared to those found over here.
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SKIN – All Natural Organic Spa Salon
24 Jalan Goutama, Ubud
 For more details, click here.

Tucked in a corner of a quiet lane, this tiny spa salon is definitely a hidden gem that’s worth visiting. Known for its organic treatments and waxing services, SKIN spa is slightly more luxurious as compared to the run-of-the-mill salons that are easily found in central Ubud.

Having read many raves about their waxing services, I decided to book an appointment with them for my virgin overseas brazilian waxing experience! True indeed, the therapist was really professional and did such a clean and thorough job that my nether region remained relatively fuzz-free for almost 3 weeks! To prevent irritation, she even sprayed rosewater and applied aloe vera gel to soothe the area. All that for only S$13; very worth it!  I was certainly in good hands throughout the 40mins treatment. Their refreshing home-made ginger tea (made with cinnamon, cloves and honey) is also 1 of the best that I have tasted. ❤ it!

Must Try services: Waxing, Organic facial and SKIN therapy massage

Fresh! Spa & Organic Beauty Salon
Jalan Dewi Sita, Ubud
For more details, click here.

Fresh! Spa salon is the only place in Ubud that offers the infrared sauna- a detox treatment that uses FAR infrared heat to enhance overall health and well-being. Unlike normal sauna that uses steam to relax the body superficially, infrared sauna uses rays to penetrate deep into the joints and muscles thus increasing detoxification.

Due to the lack of time, I didn’t get the chance to try the sauna although I did get a french manicure and facial done at Fresh! spa. Loved the soothing Mother Earth facial which began with cleansing, followed by a 15 mins sesame oil face massage. Next was the application of the balinese and royal basil clay mask which is very suitable for oily skin as it aids in deep cleansing and refining the pores. To my delight, I emerged from the salon, an hour later, with a glowing and radiant complexion. Now, all I need is to get the recipe of the home-made 3-clay mask! :p

Must Try services: Infrared sauna and Signature organic facials

. Ubud: Kunang Kuang Guesthouse .

Travelling on a  self-imposed budget would mean less luxury and considering that accommodation can cost up to a hefty amount, we decided to opt for a no-frills stay at 1 of the many homestays and guesthouses in Ubud. These home-stays are the equivalent of the hostels and dorms found in Singapore.

Unfortunately, despite the low travel season, I was unable to reserve a room at some of the top-rated guesthouses (Tegal Sari/Alam Shanti/Green Fields) and eventually settled with Kunang Kunang Guesthouse primarily because of its location (short walk to Ubud town) and swimming pool (which we didn’t even use at all). We paid approximately $55 sgd/night for a standard room with fan (inclusive of daily breakfast, free WIFI and taxes), which is pretty reasonable as we managed to get a room with a view of the lush green rice fields! Yes, the “desirable” room with a view! :p

For those of you who are on a super shoe-string budget, fret not! There is a vast selection of cheap accommodation that are easily available around Ubud, with rates starting as cheap as $15/night! The ideal option for backpackers!

Kunang Kunang Guest House
Jln Hanoman, Street 43
Click here for more details!

Rate it!

Comfort: ** 1/2 out of 5 stars
Service: *** out of 5 stars
Location: **** out of 5 stars
Value: *** out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: *** out of 5 stars

. Ubud in a nutshell .

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Located in central Bali, the cultural town of Ubud has been seeing an increasing number of tourists, no thanks to Elizabeth Gilbert’s best-selling memoir “Eat Pray Love” that saw the author finding her second shot at true love on the mystical island of Bali. Ubud houses some of the finest museums and art galleries in Indonesia as it is the artistic and creative hub of Bali. In fact, many foreigners who have visited the island for a dose of inspiration have turned Ubud their temporary humble abode for an unexpected couple of months, or even years for some!

Throughout our 1-week stay (which felt long to our fellow Singaporeans but too short for the Westerners), we have met an Australian lady and her daughter who hope to pick up a new language during the winter vacation, an elderly French lady who has called Bali home for the past 25 yrs and is now a proud owner of an authentic French restaurant and an “English teacher-turned-budding writer” wh0 is currently undergoing a mid-career change and hopes to be able to freelance as a writer for magazines. Lots of interesting people and stories!

Wanting to experience the laid-back lifestyle of the Balinese, I must confess that our week in Ubud was definitely very relaxing and relatively activity-free … For once, neither did we do much sight-seeing nor partake in many touristy activities. Instead, we spent the bulk of our time strolling around the little town of Ubud, feasting on local delights, playing with the stray puppies & dogs in the dog shelters and basically doing nothing more than being a bum. :p
The breathtaking scenery
Overlooking the lush and tranquil greenery of the padi fields. Trekking up to a spectacular sunrise over the horizon.  Need me (the city girl) to say more?



Traditional beliefs and spirituality
It is often said that walking around Ubud can be a full sensory experience, “from the colours of the shops and nature to the smells of incense freshly laid out for the gods”. Indeed, it was a favourite thing of mine to see the religious locals placing the daily offering of woven palm leaves, colourful flowers and biscuits outside of their homes, shops and restaurants.

Being surrounded by arts & creativity
One need not visit a museum or art gallery to appreciate the artistic talent in the Balinese. Creative (and sometimes, impromptu) displays of art and design are easily seen in every corner of the town. In Ubud, we call these displays and paintings  a form of art … In Singapore, we call it ‘vandalism’. Lol.

Mouthwatering local cuisine 
The boy must have easily gained 5kg after the trip as he was indulging himself in an endless flow of good food and beer (needless to say, Bintang was his choice of beverage) throughout our week-long vacation. Our favourite dish is the special Babi Guling (roasted pork served with fragrant rice, spiced vegetables and a bit of everything from the pork- from the meat to the innards) from the world-renown but humble Ibu Oka Warung Babi Guling. Absolutely delicious!

Spa treatments at very CHEAP prices
$35 for a 3.5 hours spa package. $15 for an organic facial. $13 for an organic brazilian wax. Honestly, can the price get any cheaper? If I didn’t have the boy in tow, you can bet that I would love to treat myself to a luxurious spa/massage every single day!

. dress sense MUST-GO sales .

For all shopaholic and fashionista out there, you’ll be pleased to know that Dress Sense is having a mega Must-Go Sale at their new showroom with evening gowns, cocktail dresses and accessories at up to 80% off! Yes, you heard it right! 80% Off! 

Great! I want more details!

12th to 26th May: 10am – 7pm daily
27th May onwards: 10am – 6pm daily
For evening, weekends and public holidays, please call for appointment.

33 Ubi Ave 3, #02-01 Vertex, Singapore 408868

Do join Dress Sense on Facebook, as they’ll be constantly posting up new sale items! Can you also add after the last line, “Visit Dress Sense at www.dress-sense.sg!

. my latest obsession .

As you can probably tell from the serious lack of updates on my blog, I have been slacking when it comes to blogging these days. Honestly, I never thought I would actually procrastinate when it comes to blogging but recently, I’ve simply been spending too much time with my latest obsession. And what is it that you might ask? Hot Yoga!  

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. those bouncy ***** .

Now, I’m usually not a breast person but I can’t help but be totally mesmerized by Kate Upton’s 34D boobs! Watch it for yourself! :p

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