BALI

Hi everyone!



I know, I know. I’m sick and tired of using the words too - “It’s been ages since my last post, bla bla bla…” - so I’m gonna start with the deepest condolence for Pipi and her family. Be tough coz life moves on.

Well, I’m actually writing this post just for one reason. I just got back from Bali and I’m gonna write gadzillion things about that wonderful trip.

So here’s the story… Well, you all know that I’m now working for Lexus Indonesia, one of the best luxurious automobile brands. There’s a set of training program for all Lexus Associate. We had the first 11 training sessions in Jakarta. There’re times we sat in the meeting room listening carefully to our trainers. But there’re times when we have to do genchi genbutsu, we went out to observe several great and luxurious brands, we got to have lunch in fancy restaurants, and we went to see our competitor’s place.

We started on the 6^th of August and by the time we thought we would end our training sessions on the 22^nd of August, they handed each of us an envelope and we were all surprised when we found a return ticket to Bali inside the envelope (WOOHOO!!), completed with 2 nights accommodation in Ritz-Carlton Bali!! For me, there’s nothing better than that. I mean it’s RITZ CARLTON BALI!! I’ve been dreaming to stay there for, what? 4 years!

Then came the day we were all waiting for. 29^th of August, 7 in the morning, we gathered at the airport, couldn’t wait to get in to the plane. Finally, a few hours later, we arrived at the Ngurah Rai Airport. Two cars were ready to carry us to the Padi Padi Restaurant. It’s an open air restaurant. They had gazebos with We had Balinese traditional crispy fried duck (bebek betutu goreng) for lunch.

Padi Padi Restaurant, where we had lunch on our first day in Bali. Too bad I didn't take any pict of the dishes.

Me, happy me!

Soon after, we took our full belly to the amazing Ritz-Carlton Bali to complete the registration process. We got our room key and 3 hours of free time. When I opened the room, I squeaked I bit and I was crazily dancing in utter joy for a few seconds. Seriously! They put me in the suite room with princess’ bed, HAHAHA!! SO HAPPY!!

Welcome to The Ritz-carlton Bali Resort and Spa! Look, it's frangipani! I miss the scent.

My suite/club room with princess bed, great view, and all day free refreshments and beverage at the club lounge.

Bidet, shower, and bathtub filled with rose petals and frangipani.

I love this dressing space inside the bathroom. I could spend hours and hours in there.

This is cool!! They equip all rooms with speaker dock for iPod.

I still had that huge grin on my face when I decided to call a few friends and told them I would really love to see them. After that I walk around and said hi to familiar faces. And I was so glad that they recognized me even after 4 years of my absence there.

That first night we had our dinner/table manner session at Dava Restaurant, the new restaurant. 3 years ago, Ritz actually had agreed to hire me for Dava. But I turned that offer down for one and too many reasons. But I’m glad that I had the chance to come there as a guest. We had 8-course dinner with 3 kinds of wines and it took us 3 hours to complete the whole table manner session.

Dava Restaurant and the table set-up.

My table top set-up, they even printed and put each person's name on the table.

Then when everybody got back to their room to have some rest, Ken asked me to join him and his friends to celebrate his birthday. I thought it might be fun, so I did join him. He introduced me to Marko, Putri and Anne, we had a few sip of black label and long island ice tea, and suddenly it was 3 in the morning. I only had 3 more hours to sleep, so I took off to my room and slept like a pig.

The next day, we joined Ritz’ F&B line up, and had lunch at Damar Terrace. I ordered their club sandwich and when they served it, a few scenes of my on-the-job-training-memories flashed back. I just felt I missed Ritz-Carlton Bali so much.

At around 2 PM that day, I decided to tan my skin a bit. So I went to the new ocean beach pool located near Kisik Bar & Grill. I never knew that sunbathing was kinda horrible. It was freaking hot and I couldn’t stay still being burnt alive like everybody else did!! At 3.30 I finally walk my burnt ass to the spa coz we had a reservation for aqua tonic pool session. It was the only one in Indonesia and the largest aqua tonic pool in Southeast Asia. Fortunately I was able to see my new skin color and I like it, though it’s not actually like I wanted it to be.

It's my first time of sun bathing.

Can you see that it was really hot? I mean the sun, not me. Hehehehe!

After dinner, Ken and Marko asked me to join them again and went to Kama Sutra. But I didn’t have the power even just to keep my eyes opened, so I told them to go without me.

I felt so lucky that I have friends working for Ritz’. They’re busy looking for something to give to me. Kiky gave me white hand made shawl, Oktaviandra gave me a bath buddy, and Hendra aka Kiting gave me a bottle of Sparkling Hatten Rose, Balinese wine, Gus Ari gave me a bottle of mixed spirits. They made me love Ritz Bali even more and more. Not because what they gave to me but because of their sincere deed to even think of giving me something. I mean I wasn’t even their real guest; I was their friend who was so fortunate to get a free stay there. But they still respect me and treat me nice and friendly, and I LOVE IT!! Thanks friends, I appreciate that so much!!

In the plane back to Jakarta with Nisa.Bye bye Bali! I'll be back soon.

As a summary, my trip to Bali was A BLAST and I love love love to stay again at the Ritz Carlton Bali and meet my friends.

Last Saturday, I went to Mangga Dua with my Mom, Dad, and Sis. Me and my sis was so excited to shop. Time went by so fast and by the time we went home, I was flat broke. I had only IDR 5000 in my wallet. But shopping is always fun, so… think about the money later…HAHAHA!!

Yesterday I went to Summarecon Mall Serpong with Debby and Simon. We ate soto betawi and es duren (YUMM!!). I bought new sunnies and we hung out at The Barrels till 3 PM and went home.

At the barrels. Do you see that tanner skin? What do you think?