We started our day by visiting the Taman Ayun Temple, which means a beautiful garden temple. It is a state temple during the Royal Mengwi Dynasty.

The watch tower

Climbing up the tower

At the entrance

My dear and the cheerful Yande

The temple is surrounded by man-made and God-made rivers

Then, we visited the Ulun Danu Temple which is located by the lakeside of Beratan Lake. This temple is a combination of Hinduism and Buddhism. This temple is being built by the lakeside, but looks like it is floating on the lake.

The entrance

Taman Ayun Temple


The nice view

A Buddhist temple

We had our lunch at the Mentari Restaurant. The food is so so. There are especially two dishes you must try, which are the Fish Satay and the Fried Banana Fritters with Vanilla sauce. It's very tasty.

Satay!!

Must try - Fried banana fritters with vanilla sauce

Kevin: The scenic view from Mentari Restaurant

Later, we went for shopping at the Candi Kuning market. Those hawkers are really cut throat hawkers, especially if you are not locals. We paid a lot for the merchandise purchased though we had already bargain the price of goods till 50% off. My heart is aching.. Sob Sob..

Our next stop is the Monkey Forest. The monkeys are very tame. They would sit there quietly waiting to be fed.

My dear with a baby bat

Monkey posing with us

We had our dinner at the Dewan Pasundan Restaurant. The food is very unique. I haven't came across this kind of food before.

Our main course
- Where is the rice??

Here it is... Wrapped with leaves!

Crispy flying fish

This is our last night staying in the Kuta Lagoon Resort and Pool Villas. A peep into the hotel:-

The lobby

The entrance

The sleeping area

The washroom


The entertainment area

The balcony

We started of our Day 2 with the Barong & Keris Dance. It's kinda boring though. I suggested that one can skip this dance if you don't have ample time. I could hardly understand the dance if we are not furnished with the English translation.

Barong

Kevin & Carol posing with Barong

Later, we visited the Village of Celuk, and introduced to the printing of Batik. It's freaking expensive, which easily costs you approximately RM90 for a Batik shirt. We were later brought to the Silver-making factory and Painting centre.

On the way to Kintamani, we passed by the Tengalalang, aka Rice Terrace. The scenery is very nice.

Rice terrace as background

This is Mount Batur, which is located in Kintamani. As informed by our tour guide, Yande, this Mount Batur is in fact still an active volcano. However, it has been sleeping since Year 2000. We had our lunch at the Puncak Gunung Sari. The food is nice, while the view of the restaurant is spectacular.

Mount Batur at the background

Lake Batur

Our next stop is at the Besakih Temple, which is also known as the Mother Temple. There are many temples of various sizes within this area. The temples are all made from the volcano rocks, which is black in colour.

Welcome to Besakih Temple

We have to pay the local tour guide for IDR100,000 to bring us around the temple. Our tour guide is not allowed to show us the way. Tho local guide that guided us a university student. His explanations may not be very good, but he is helpful to capture photos for us. At the end of the tour, he asked for tips.

"How much tips do you want to give me?"
"Huh? I have to pay you tips? Okay, IDR20,000 then."
"So little, I'm not working here full time. Can you pay me more?"
"I don't have small notes with me. How much do you want then?"
"IDR50,000."
"#!?"

This is the worst tour guide that I have ever met with.

The bloody local tour guide*

Our last stop is at the Pura Tirta Empul, which is also known as the Holy Spring Water Temple. The spring water can be used for various purposes, from healing to bathing the deceased.

Holy Water

My dear with our tour guide, Yande

We had our dinner at the famous Dirty Duck. The crispy duck is extremely nice and crispy. Too bad that my dear does not know how to enjoy it, and I ended up having two servings by myself.

My dear posing with the mineral water and orange juice given

Starters

Tomyam soup

Crispy Duck

Dessert- Tiramisu cake

Bye, Dirty Duck!

At night, we had a scroll along the Kuta area. I was freaking exhausted at the end of it.

In front the renowned Hard Rock Hotel

Ground Zero, Kuta
- where thousands were sacrificed during the bombing couple of years back

On 13th September 2010, we departed from Penang and embarked on our honeymoon trip to Bali.

Leaving Penang International Airport

Arriving at LCCT, having breakfast at Old Town

Lunch in McDonald's. Love the CheSSy Fries!!

Departing from LCCT to Bali

Reaching Bali at 7pm. It's dark!!

We had our dinner at the famous Made Warung, Seminyik.

Mango juice and apple juice

Nasi Goreng Ala Made. Superb nice!!

Satay Babi, Yummy~~

Vanilla milk shake, my dear likes it so muchie~~~

Stuffed shrimp taufu. Not nice at all~~~

Bye, Made Warung, Seminyik!!

We paid IDR180,000 for the food ordered above. A bit costly though, I guess it could be the environment. The live band is performing very well. I like the atmosphere. There is another Made Warung in Kuta, and we did manage to taste it on the second last day in Bali.

We later checked in our hotel- Kuta Lagoon Resort and Pool Villas at 9pm.

Stay tuned...

Yeah~~ Looking forward to my honeymoon tomorrow~~

Bali, here I come!!!!

Let's pray hard that everyone is healthy, especially our parents. As people grow older, sickness tends to attack us, be it any kind of sicknesses.

Today, went to see the doctor again. He is now suspecting another syndrome, which is Myasthenia Gravis. He then suggested that mum had her blood test again to check whether the results for Guillain Bare Syndrome is positive or not. Anyway, he did confirm that my mum would recover eventually. It's a matter of time.

Such a coincidence, I met Choo Sean's parents in PAH. I immediately rang her up and was informed that her dad had a growth in his nose. He is awaiting the results from the ENT specialist. Hopefully, it's not harmful.

And yesterday, May told me that her father was admitted to hospital for an eye operation. He had a retina detachment.

And before my mum was sick, Tze Chin's mother has been suffering a spinal pain near her neck area. She has seen so many specialist around and now pending decision making whether to go ahead for operation or not.

Life is so short. Or maybe we are getting older, so do our parents, thus, sicknesses and diseases are everywhere to attack us.

Let's stay optimistic and pray hard that everyone will recover soon. Hopefully, my prayer would be answered.

Hurray, I finally got my very first lappy few weeks ago during PC Fair. So So happy!! At first, I was considering buying a Dell laptop, but instead finally got myself a Asus laptop. As this model is kinda slim and light. And it comes with i5 processor. So, it's much cheaper and lighter compared to Dell. And I'm officially poorer by RM3k.

I just love it so much!!

My mum is sick, due to the side effect of H1N1 vaccination. Vaccination isn't it supposed to protect us from contracting certain sickness? But, if there were side effect attached to it, shouldn't it not to be introduced to the public?

Symptoms:
Difficulty in swallowing and drinking
Hoarseness of voice

At first, she went to see an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist, he diagnosed her of having Vocal Cord Palsy. He then referred her to see a neurosurgeon. She then had her MRI and CT Scan of neck. Luckily, the reports came out to be normal. She is then referred to another neurology specialist. She is now suspected with Guillian Bare syndrome, where only 1-2 of every 100,000 - 200,000 would be infected.

Anyway, we are going back to do some tests this Wednesday, and pray God that everything would be fine. I hope it was just a mere viral infection.

So, do not take any vaccination unless it is proven with no adverse side effects.

I was too busy to update my blog in the past few weeks. I have lots of things to share, just that I was too lazy to upload the photos from my camera to the computer.

Anyway, there's no better reason for not doing so in this week, as I'm on leave.

Hurray!! Finally, it's time for me to take a rest and energize myself after the long battle.

Well, I really like cross stitching very much, though it took me quite some time just to finish one project. Even my close friends knew that I love cross stitching much that they are giving me a cross stitch as my wedding gifts, I really appreciate their kindness as I know that every stitch represent their blessings:-

From my fellow colleagues from MR- BengLay, CheeHuey, May, SiewYee, Tze Chin & Darrel

From my best mate- Geok Siew

From my godsister- Connie

I Love you guys!!!!

Handmade Houses of Provence Collection By Michael Powell

A wonderful collectable series of counted cross stitch designs that depict a row of traditional French Provencal village houses. In the background the rolling hills provide the perfect backdrop to this pretty street scene. The houses can be stitched and individually framed or butted up together to create the full street scene of five houses.

Wedding entails a lot of work and pressure. It is totally not that easy at all. A lot of things are to be planned and done, just for that two BIG days, ie Wedding Dinner & Wedding day.

I had pre-wedding blues prior to my wedding, due to the heavy workload I had, yet I have to prepare for my wedding.

I got this checklist from the website and find it quite useful, for which I have further edited and customised, and hence would like to share with my fellow friends who are preparing for their wedding:
10 – 12 MONTHS BEFORE:

- Set your wedding date. Pick a few dates, just in case your desired venues are not available
- For date picking, you may consider this place in Penang, which is quite famous among the locals 金吊桶, Tel:04-2271655
- Discuss with parents and future in-laws on the style & size of wedding ceremony
- Book a date with the ROM and the ceremony venue
- Read More About Getting Married in Penang
- Submit forms for R.O.M.
- For R.O.M., you may consider Penang Moral Uplifting Society, Tel: 04-2267248

6 – 10 MONTHS BEFORE:

- Select the bridal boutique, followed by the bridal gowns and suits
- Shop for bridal accessories like bridal shoes, shirts for the groom and jewellery
- Have your studio / outdoor wedding photo shooting session
- More about preparation for photo shooting
- Draft your guest list
- Source for reception venues that suit your taste and budget
- Confirm and book your venues if you haven’t done so
- Choose and buy wedding rings, order engraving

3 – 6 MONTHS BEFORE:

- Confirm your tentative guest list
- Work on the final arrangements’ programs for wedding dinner, i.e. entertainment
- I engaged Starzband, Tel:012-4204971 (Edwin) as the entertainer of the night, and I am extremely satisfied with it
- Choose your favours, i.e. wedding cakes
- I got mine from Juat Khoon Pastry Centre, Tel:2632858 (Mr Foo)
- He is very kind to give a mock wedding cake for cake cutting ceremony which is nicer than those provided by the restaurant
- Final confirmation on wedding venues
- Arrange wedding transportation
- Arrange out-of-town guest accommodations
- Engage the photographers / videographers for the day
- I appointed Alex Tan as my photographer, and I'm astonished at way he captured all those wonderful moments. He can be contacted at 012-4037172
- Select your bridesmaids, best man, groomsmen, ring bearer, etc. Inform them about their duties.
- Help mothers of the bride and groom to choose their dresses


2 – 3 MONTHS BEFORE:

- Print you wedding cards, as most caterers provided you with the cards without the inlets and envelopes
- I got mine printed by Andy, Tel: 012-4238852
- He offered a much cheaper compared to those printers out there
- Reconfirm menu details. Remember to make arrangements for guests who are vegetarian or guest who takes halal food.
- Mail wedding cards
- Finalize your transport and music arrangements.

1 MONTH BEFORE:

- Prepare payment envelopes / ang pow for fees and gratuities; or gifts for your wedding party. Eg. Your attendants, relatives etc.
- Have a final fitting at the bridal boutique. Ensure your bridal gowns and bridesmaids’ dresses will be ready on time.
- Finalise your floral arrangements, i.e. hand bouquet for the bride, corsages for the groom, bestman and bridesmaid during wedding day; hand corsages for the bridesmaids during wedding day; corsages for VIPs during the dinner
- Ask relatives and friends to help at the wedding and reception.
- Buy your guest book
- Arrange for the supply of beer, wine or liquor for the wedding dinner, should you need one
- You may try this, Seng Hoe (PG) Sdn. Bhd, Tel:04-2610921 (Mr Yap)
- Arrange for the caterers for the wedding day
- I engaged Sin Hong Kee Catering Services, Tel: 04-6443711

2 – 3 WEEKS BEFORE:

- Confirm dinner attendants
- Confirm dinner menu and food tasting
- Confirm final program and decorations for dinner
- Finalize seating arrangement for dinner
- Remind florist to arrange for bridal bouquet and corsages to be sent to your place early or arrange for pick-up one day before your wedding
- Submit the final guest count to the caterer / hotel/ restaurant
- Arrange your head table seating.
- Have a facial and hair mask

1 WEEK BEFORE:

- Have your rehearsal (if applicable)
- You may want to double check on the auspicious hour and have a run- through of the actual day customary formalities
- One last fitting of your bridal gowns to ensure the size fits as there can sometimes be drastic weight loss due to nervousness or franticness as the big day approaches
- Have a briefing with bridesmaids, best man and ushers to finalize duties assigned
- Book a relaxing massage or spa for the two of you to soothe away jitters and stress you have built up over the months
- Rest and eat well, drink lots of water so you’ll be absolutely fresh for the big day

1 DAY AHEAD:

- Pamper yourself with manicure and pedicure
- Perhaps, the groom may also have his manicure done, as hundreds would be shaking his hands on that big day
- Pack things to take to the wedding site
- Relax and sleep early

DAY OF THE WEDDING:

- Take a good breakfast.
- Have your hair and makeup done.
- Have your bridesmaid/ bestman to help in giving out your gratuities such as ang pow on your wedding day while you enjoy your wedding day without fussing over the small stuff..
- Enjoy the day

AFTER THE WEDDING:

- Tie up all the loose ends, i.e. settle any outstanding payments
- Send a token of gratitude to those who have lent you a hand in this big occasion

* My wedding did not follow the traditional Chinese cultural customs, and hence the checklist is not comprehensive enough if you are to abide by the traditional customs.

It's been ages since I last updated my blog. Has been very busy with work and preparing for my BIG day for the past few weeks. Finally, it's over! I'm truly relieved for that and absolutely feel so happy and contented that all the hard effort that myself and hubby had put in finally paid for.

My wedding was a successful one. Everything went on smoothly. Hurray!! A big hand for myself and hubby and to those who have helped us a lot along the journey. Thanks ya, my dearest friends and relatives, not forgetting our family members!