No no i wasn't sibuk dengan berjalan raya sana sini..
Truth is, I went out only twice for raya visiting, first was on the 2nd day of syawal before I had to wait patiently for last Sunday to be decked out in my baju kurung. Yes I was kinda feeling deprived especially coming back from work in the evening and passing by every possibly malay family looking their best in their traditional garb.

Work is as usual keeping my life occupied but no it wasn't the main reason why i didn't continue my previous entry.

There were too many times I wanted to share the nice photos taken during my bintan trip and pen down my most inner thoughts but the urge to be typing away switch to dead the moment I stared at the computer screen.

This time around I'm going to compact everything in again. I just feel like expressing myself here today, its my off day and I'm really free.

One of the several things which triggered me to blog was the time spent at Bintan the last 2 weeks of Ramadhan for work, we were being sponsored by 2 of the resorts there for our morning programme. The first trip was to shoot Nirwana Gardens Resort, I was sort of already familiar to the place from my last visit with the best friend last March. But of course, the privilege to visit expensive suites and getting special treatment from the warm staff makes it a totally different experience!

The Indra Maya Villa, the astounding look of the whole place itself overlooking the beach below was really fascinating, with the wind blowing I felt instantly at ease...

This bedroom is my ideal bedroom, i love it for its simplistic design..

An impromptu shot of myself, at the exact moment i was amazed how clear the water was below the Kelong restaurant, i could literally saw small fishes swimming!
Spa thingy, soothes the senses...
The view from our hotel room, sadly we didn't have the time to dip in the pool..


The second time around we came on the last week of ramadhan, and return home 2 days before Raya. Horrible thing was, I wasn't feeling very well at all. Having flu and really bad cough dampen my mood before my arrival at Angsana Resort & Spa. But the moment we reached the place, I was already in awe. It was the kind of place that you splurge a lot of money. Got money, you get good stuff. The exciting part was we got to stay in the Angsana Suite! The females were separated from the males, so since there were only 2 females my producer and myself, we were able to have the entire suite to ourselves..


The living room of our suite, equipped with the kitchen area which we did our own mini cooking session :), hey i brought my own onions, chillies, eggs(!), and salt hokay!
My Producer's bedroom for the next 2 nights, looking very inviting and cosy..

While I got the other bedroom, 2 beds and i alternated between the 2, heh well i make sure i made full use of my time there.. Best thing was having the whole bathroom to myself!
The private jacuzzi attached to our suite with outdoor shower...sigh, good life i tell you
My bedroom view overlooking the jacuzzi..
The luxury resort's lobby..

Throughout our stay in Bintan, I was fortunate enough to try out so many things; snorkelling (very refreshing sungguh! the stinging pain i got from my nose was priceless but it was a good thing because i think it helps subside abit of the flu), banana boat ride, jet ski and seeing how our presenter had to struggle with wind surfing, golf lessons and so on. My favourite was the dune buggy ride which we got to try at Nirwana Gardens. A bumpy driving experience from hell, it was really a rough ride but i felt exhilarated after it all ended! Shifting the gear and steering was no easy task actually because I had to use a lot of strength.

A quick one before I went underneath to greet the cute fishes and beautiful corals..
Our presenter on his jet ski ride. I had my try as well, it was almost like riding on a bike!

Dinner was scrumptious, well a bit lavish on the price though US$90++ per person, I could never afford that on my own, please convert that to sing dollars and i rather have that money spent on something else..heh but since its free food, i shall not complain.

The starter I cant remember if it was crab soup or was it clam chowder

Stone crabs and we were served with 3 huge bowls of these for 5 people.
Fresh fruits and coconut sorbet for dessert, very sweet..

Laguna Bintan Golf Club

The golf course was one of the things that took my breath away.
Banyan Tree villas nicely perched on the cliff behind us..



I was very much looking forward to the next day! Since it has always been one of my wishful place to stay in. I dare to say that I have fallen in love everything to do with Banyan Tree. I will never know If i could ever afford the cheapest room at US$470 per night but at least I have been there to see how it is like...

Banyan Tree minimalistic lobby area..

The swimming pool was gorgeous, too bad the sun was high then and most of the photos taken were overexposed. By night, upon reservations a platform will be set up on the swimming pool to cater dinner for 2.
Nice view from the jacuzzi..



The interior of the bathroom received a major 'whoa' from me.. And as you can see, i looked tanned thanks to being baked by the hot sun! Free tanning just in time for raya, i love it..
The bedroom from one of the villas at Banyan Tree. Any couples want to go on a honeymoon? You wont regret this!

The most expensive villa at Banyan Tree was like the top of the crop, creme de la creme, star on the top of the xmas tree..

Infinity pool



I just had to put my ass on the bed and snap a photo. Just so 'I was there'.
The outdoor lounging area cum dining area as well.
One of the outdoor shower



Then there was that Dinner on the Rocks for US$159++ per person, it'll be worth proposing that special someone, the invigorating surroundings with the cool sea breeze, breathtaking view of the south china sea and lighted candles for the romantic setting that lits the whole pathway to your dining table on the Rocks, your woman must be crazy to reject your proposal!


Unless you want to opt for a slightly cheaper dinner for 2 at the fisherman's table by the beach, it was just as romantic..sigh...

My other favourite part of my stay at Angsana was how each night they delighted us with a gift when we came back to our suite from our dinner and the bed was already set to be slept in. I feeling so special you know!
The robe nicely decorated with a single orchid. And I actually slept wearing the robe, it was really cold at night plus the fact I wasn't feeling well.
Sigh sigh sigh... there was so many sighs while i was there. Bintan is just a stone away from our shore, for this kind of wonder you don't have to go far.

+++++

So the other things that triggered me to pen my thoughts were a couple of things that probe my emotional self. A closure with the ex was a huge relief, it was quite emotional for us both. Touched to know he still cares for my well being but I am so glad he is in a good place now. Kak Lini's words were comforting, ' She is the best for him. But he is not the best for you.' Nicely put, so I shall wait for my best then :)

And then it was a self reflection time for myself, I found out something about that other someone for the umpteenth time. My heart shattered so much this time. So much so that I have gotten to the end of the line, the strong urge to detox myself from this unhealthy plague was what I needed. Flashbacks of certain things done, were shared, were bonded, were given equates to insincerity and used. I cannot discern why some people cannot be truthful and be pretentious all this while. What hurts the most is, i am disgusted with people who is not a man of their words. Once upon a time someone claimed he will never ever lead someone on, that wasn't his style apparently but tadaa! It's a whole different story now. As much as the truth hurts, I know overreacting and confronting him wont make him feel any less guilty since I'm sure he doesn't give a hoot how i feel anyway. All that aside, I am not going down with depression or anything! All is good and I have been feeling great despite what I know.

Also I have made an adult decision this week without my parents objecting to it at all. I am investing my CPF money, come to think of it I'm glad I did :) With the nature of my job, i believe letting your money grow for you seems logical. It seems secure this way, let's say I need it for my wedding or the cash for that house with my future husband, so at least he will not be worried if i will or will not make any contribution.. You never want to know some man i had came across whose mind is very petty thinking CPF money is everything. I digress I am getting a bit personal over here..

And lastly much apologies the customary splashes of Hari Raya photos did not happened so much this year, since my camera had long died on me but I had to rely on my mobile camera to take a photo or two after much persistence from mama.

The sister and the lioness who had opted to wear the bold pink. Smart choice because she is sharing it with me anyways hehe..
The photo was almost perfect save for the mosaic man at the background which happens to be my old man who was half naked. Very tak sexy lah.. He pretty much or less could not be bothered when all his favourite ladies in the house were snapping away.

I think we begin to look more alike each passing day and sometimes it hit me I have also inherit some of her characters which I have found it very annoying before. Example, I'm going to be a 'possible' nagger. My god!
And one with the adik! She who is flying off to Beijing in 2 weeks time, lucky girl. Green with envy but macam kita pulak yang nak pergi, heh I'm fussing over with what she has to or not bring for the trip.

As for the kakak she has to wait for her short break at the end of next month, wherelse? Bintan of course :) I cant squeeze myself to anywhere far man..This time for leisure with a certain companion, who shares his love for the sun, sand and sea! Full intentions of trying out sea sports and the ATV dune buggy together seems so exciting!

Bintan shall be my closing for this year's vacation. Looking forward to next year's, careful planning should be in the works right Farah? Shall we rope in Rozi too? Can rozi? Melby and Bali was discussed but kan I think I have fallen so much in love with Kashmir. The photos shown by Kak Alfia and the stories related ignited by curiousity.. I have been reading and researching on Kashmir. How? I want to be bollywood and roll down the hills on white snow!