Bali Adventure #3 - Murni's Warung, Ubud

After a late lunch at Ibu Oka's and checking into Villa Sarna, we relaxed, had our snoozes and took a dip in the pool before heading off for dinner at Murni's Warung  in Ubud town. We were initially dropped off at a different restaurant which apparently had very good Bebek Betutu, but we felt that place was a little touristy, so we opted to go to Murni's instead which was initially on my list of "Places To Eat In Bali". 

Now before I talk about Murni's Warung, let me tell you a little about Bebek Betutu.  Bebek Betutu is a traditional Balinese Dish. Bebek means duck *quack quack* and Betutu is a popular dish where chicken or duck are wrap in banana leaf, slow roasting with a lot of spices and herbs for at least 4 -5 hours. 

So, naturally, that's what we ordered. We also had their satay lilit, a chicken dish, a vegetable dish and spring rolls. I have to say that the food was very tasty. There were several comments that I had read online that said the place was overrated and that the service was slow, however, I personally didn't quite note the service as we were having a very leisurely dinner. We enjoyed the food tremendously and I had an awesome time trawling through the knick knacks that were sold there. Do enjoy the photos of the odds and ends at Murni's as well as the photos of the food that we enjoyed. A good place to eat - 8.5 stars!

* The chicken dish *

* The satay lilit *

* Bebek Betutu - yums *

* Spring Rolls*

After a scrumptious meal at Murni's, we decided to walk to Ubud town where our pickup point was located. The walk was slow and we "oooo-ed" and "ahhhh-ed" at the architecture and the little restaurants and cafes on either side of the main Ubud street whose name I don't quite know... *snicker* Truly a pity to not be able to hangout at these cafes or browse the delights in the little shops. T'was a good day with good food and friends *grins grins*

* Note the different coloured Starbucks logo 

to fit into the Balinese theme I suppose *

Bali Adventure #2 - Villa Sarna & Ubud

Villa Sarna... serene, calming, green, secluded, friendly, relaxing.

That's how I would describe this little hide away in Ubud. 

Before settling on Villa Sarna, I trawled the internet for possible places to stay and somehow nothing quite seemed to fit our budget and our liking until I stumbled upon Villa Sarna.

Villa Sarna is located in Ubud, very very close to the rice terraces that are so popular. It's not near the central Ubud town area but a good 15-2o minutes drive away but it was worth it to me though the road to Villa Sarna was a little daunting since the villa is located on a hill and one would need to go up hill and down and a little ways to reach the villa. Don't worry though, the staff at the villa will see to your transportation needs. Other than that, I loved the tranquility, the sounds of mother nature and the friendliness of the staff. I also enjoyed the privacy and the fact that there were no children running around (not that, I don't like children, just that peace and quiet were very much welcomed for our trip). 

If I could stay here again, would I, you ask... Yes and Yes again, though this time I would stay in the villa longer instead of just as a place to rest my head. This place is uber calming and its really a respite for me, a city girl. Besides that, the simplicity of the villa and of the greens, flowers and statues around the villa grounds made me feel happy. The breakfast they served was pretty tasty too I have to say. So, all in all, 9 stars to Villa Sarna *smiles smiles* Enjoys the pics!

* A lovely area to sit by the pool. 

You can also get a massage here *

* We sat here in the night, just staring at the stars - 

I felt so close to God then *

* A creative bookshelf made from wood - 

I would like one of these *

* Whiskey the resident doggle 
was a very friendly lovable dog  *

* The little balcony from my room that overlooked the villa *

* On her way to make the daily offerings *

* The pool at night was cold and inviting *

* We played Monopoly Deal by the pool. It drizzled when we were playing and one of the staff from the hotel, came and offered us mugs of hot green tea. We were surprised by this thoughtful and kind gesture and welcomed the drinks gladly - it was great just sipping hot green tea, playing a card game I enjoy heaps and just listening to the sounds of nature around us. We also had a surprise guest, a little froggy that jumped on my friend and hung around a little to observe us as we played our game *

* Views from our room *

* Breakfast 1 @ the villa was simple and delicious. 

A great way to start the morning! *

* Pretty flora and fauna at the villa *

* Breakfast #2 - equally as good *

All too soon we had to leave Villa Sarna as we were going to Seminyak which was located about a 2.5 hour drive away from Ubud. Seminyak is a more touristy, noisier and more commercialised part of Bali. 

To be honest, Ubud is the real Bali. You get to see how the Balinese people live and you see their real life without any glamour and glitz. 

Now, if I had any regrets about my stay in Ubud, it would be that I did not allocate enough time to wander around the streets in Ubud or to poke around to look at the different shops and the architecture or to just enjoy the simplicity and calm-ness of this place. 

For my next trip (whenever that will be), I will definitely be spending more time in Ubud. This is real must visit place when you holiday in Bali.

Bali Adventure #1 - Ibu Oka, Ubud

I you have been following my blog (which I hope you have - hehehe), you would have known that I went to a trip to Bali (read here for my post about planning my trip to Bali). I had always wanted to go Bali and the preparation, packing and getting myself on the plane was great - finally, a 'One Day' achieved! 


Note: I will be posting up several posts about my trip to Bali and the things that we did there complete with photos - hope you enjoy the pics as much as I did taking them.

At the LCCT, while we waited for the flight to whisk us to Bali, we had our breakfast at McDonald's (horrible service) and played Monopoly Deal to past the time. During the flight, some of us snoozed or read or a combination of both... and before we knew it, we arrived!

The shots below were taken at the Denpasar airport where B and I began clicking away on our cameras like the eager beaver tourists that we were...

* YAY!!! Finally I am in Bali *

* Traditionally attired Balinese women *

* A photo taken on our way to Ubud from the airport *

Before checking in to Villa Sarna, our choice of accommodation in Ubud, we decided to stop by for the famous 'babi guling' (roast pork of sorts) at Ibu Oka. The rice and pork were delicious and I wish that we could have had more of the fried pork skin (I know it sounds gross but really, its just awesome - like crispy crackers of sorts and there was no oily fat with the skin) but they told us that they had sold out on that. Note that if you aren't hungry but just want to try this dish, one plate would more than be sufficient for two people.

I have to say that the 'babi guling' was quite expensive, but then if you want the best, I guess you gotta pay for it and to be honest, I didn't quite mind. It was a good experience as well just sitting crossed legged on the floor chomping away on the 'babi guling'. 


I had read on various sites that you had to go early to get your plate of deliciousness but we were fortunate that they were still dishing them out when we arrived at about 3pm-ish. Perhaps it was a weekday, so there was not much of a crowd... anyways, I would recommend this place *yums*

* I liked the Joy Tea that they  had in Bali *

* The famous 'Babi Guling' dish which in my opinion rocked my socks *

* Shots of the Ibu Oka restaurant *

* Resident doggles that were running about playing hide and seek *

Girlfriends

I don’t have many girlfriends.

I don’t know why but it was always tough trying to hold on to a friendship with the female species. It took extra effort and sometimes I was too sensitive or jealous or just not good enough friend material I suppose or we drifted apart or we got involved in friend politics as I call it.

So over the years, I never had very many girl friends, though the ones that I had made are all very precious people to me.

And then somehow, when I started working, I happened to make some pretty good friends. Friends with whom I could talk to about work, life, love and everything in between. These friendships made me smile and I was happy to have people to share my life with other than my boy friends who sometimes never really understood what it was like being a girl. 

I really do think however, that it would be so awesome if I had more girlfriends because I don't think you can ever have too many girlfriends *smiles*

Anyways, as fate would have, I was able to catch up with some of my girlfriends - which was just awesome.

I went with Val to Empire shopping centre where we talked, had lunch at Italiannis, scoped out the Empire hotel ballroom for a possible wedding dinner venue, shopped for clothes at Dorothy Perkins, looked through fashion magazines and chit chatted and lastly but not the least, having a good cup of coffee and cake at Whisk!

I hungout with Jilly Bean and we went to the Curve for book browsing, shopping for this and that and then having tea at the Apartment.

I went for Tooty Fruity yoghurt with Jess and Debs whom I had not seen in months and we talked about the old hovel that I used to work in and we caught up with each other. It was good to just meet up with them.

I had a good time with Mel during our little CHOICE retreat (of sorts). We managed to talk quite a bit though the environs was not conducive for a full on gossip session.

I guess I can’t quite count lunch with my boss and another colleague of ours, but I will. They aren’t ‘friends’ per se, but it was still fun to have lunch with them, talking about clothes, and gossip at work and blablabla. We had lunch at Dome in Pavillion and they were setting up for a big fashion show, so we got to see these bizarre fashion pieces being carted in on silver clothes racks. They were just… ODD! I wouldn’t have touched them with a stick!

So yea… I still need to make time to see some old high school friends and Meows and perhaps even Dira – its been more than a year since we met.

Girlfriends – Love thems!

Chasing Cars

I love this song by Snow Patrol
 "Chasing Cars" especially the question;

"If I lay here, 
would you lie with me 
and just forget the world?"

Would you?

~*~*~*~

Chasing Cars ~ Snow Patrol

We'll do it all

Everything
On our own

We don't need
Anything
Or anyone

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel

Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see

I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world? 

3 glorious days

We have a long weekend - 3 glorious days - as it is the Deepavali celebration for our Indian brothers and sisters. I had big plans for these 3 days and so far... its been good.


Here's what I have been doing:
- Read several books (am book hopping)
- Had a pizza party with my family
- Dyed my hair jet black
- Played with Belly
- With to church for a retreat of sorts
- Player poker and monopoly
- Had yum Creme Brulee ice blended from Starbucks (buy 1, free 1 till tomorrow)
- Watching TV series (The Vampires Diaries and Gossip Girl)


Ok... so I didn't do everything that I had planned but I think I did make the most of these two days so far *snickers*


I don't know why but sometimes I have so many topics I want to blog about but then when I sit in front of the laptop, my finger freeze on the keys and the words don't come. The words come at very inappropriate moments, such as in the toilet, during office meetings, when I am talking to people, during lunch... you get my drift.


Anyways, its a really humid day and I feel sticky and hot all over which is very unattractive! I best hole myself up in my room and read. Tonight, I hope to be able to catch a DVD/movie or hangout with my friends. There is a Monopoly Deal tournament tomorrow and I am tempted to join just because I want to play and have a chance at winning something and besides, even if I don't win (which could be the case), at least I will be playing a game that I enjoy and who knows, there may be a chance to meet new people as well - I am ever hopeful.

restless

I feel restless. So much I want to say but I don't feel like writing...

Belle the beagle has just got her crimson rivers and am worried.

Worried about how I am going to handle this, how she will be 

and hoping she will be well .

Oh, my first online class on mini books has started.

It would be so awesome if I had more time to really follow it a 100%.

So instead of words from me, here is a photo instead of my Bali trip last month.

~ Sunset @ Tanah Lot, Bali ~

Unprepared

I am unprepared for Monday and November.

October passed too quickly...

yet I find that October was too full.

Full of emotions, relaxation, pampering, fun, 

talk, friendship, possibilities, new beginnings...

November has begun now.

I am excited as each new day passes...

yet I feel in a way unprepared.

It could be that I have not packed my bag for work

nor had enough of sleep this weekend *snickers*

Well much to look forward to...

The mini workshop is starting today,

I got to Kuching in 2 weeks time,

and I get to edit more photos,

start on my new project 

and celebrate the love of my life's birthday.

Its going to be another busy, full and hopefully good month ahead.

oh yes...

Happy belated Hallows Eve folks.

and Happy Monday and November!!!

P.S: Belly is sleeping in a very odd position. 

She is so adorables.