Farewell, the 5 paddlers

Posted on November 30th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Memory Lane.

It was such a sad news -the 5 who perished in Cambodia after the Dragon Boat race.

They are so young, so promising and optimistic. And yet they have to go in such a manner. Life is so cruel. :(

May all of you rest in peace…….

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Bali - Day 4

Posted on November 30th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Places.

It was our ‘last day’ in Bali, and is considered our free time. We decided to hang around the Kuta area and the beach. We went shopping ( yes, more of it!) nearby and after that, we went to Kuta Beach.

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I was quite disappointed that the beach was dirty and full of dead shells and corals (perhaps) as the waves rushed to and fro the shore. No different from Msia’s Port Dickson. It was after that we decided to go to Dream Land further south of Bali. Heard the beach is cleaner and beautiful there.

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Finally after 1 1/2 drive, we were there. The car stopped on top of the cliff and need to climb down. Woah liao eh…….need to exercise before we reach Dream land.

The beach is definitely better than in Kuta. The sand are cleaner and water much cleaner too. BUT…..the waves are much much stronger here and geez…..no swimming :( We were at the shore waiting for the waves to hit us and wow…….we all nearly get dragged back!We all turned havoc and threw sand bomb at each other…..yeah…….it all started with J………eerks!

It was turning dusk and we all have to leave. After cleaning ourselves, we stayed and enjoyed the sunset before we headed off for dinner.

waiting to upload pix…

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Phew!

Posted on November 30th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Everyday life.

Phew, what a drastic change of events for the last 1 1/2 weeks!

Been so busy after assuming my new position in the company that I have no time to breath as yet! So much that my bali blog post was not completed.

Shall continue!

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Bali - Day 3

Posted on November 6th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Places.

I had planned to go to see the volcano in Bali. Yesterday our driver discouraged us and say ‘there is nothing to see there’. But somehow, we did plan to go up north. And so we went: oh a 3 hour drive - along kampung roads. Hmm…I keep wondering: how come no highway?

Everybody become restless and most sleeped on the journey, including myself. Such a looooooong and draggy journey…………….

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Finally, the car drove up the hill, with roads similar to the old Gentings road. And there it is… the Volcano!

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the sneak preview: Batur Volcano

Having never seen a volcano in my life, this is a breathtaking view! It last erupted in 1964 and still remain active. I was praying hard that it don’t show eruption activity (actually I was hoping there is! :P )

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Wow…this is not a mountain but a volcano!

This peak is Gunung Batur at 1717m, and this is one of the 4 peaks of the volcano. Ah? there are 4?? Oh my god, this peak is resting on one BIG crater rim of 11km. GASP!

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The crater lake:Danau Batur

This lake is very important to the local Balinese and the temple nearby worship Ida Batara Dewi Ulun Danu: the goddess of the lake. It is known that the goddess control the irrigation of water for agriculture (Rough Guide). Still, it is a stunning view from afar.

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Could this be the lava flow of the previous eruption?

I did plan to climb up the volcano, but that was shelfed. But the view from afar is satisfying for me already. We couldn’t resist taking a group picture. haha!

 

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All of us

 

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We headed for lunch after staying for about 1 hr. We came by this restaurant.

 

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Hmmm looks interesting!! And there are lotsa people in there! Look like it is a popular restaurant.

 

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 The whole restaurant is about ducks. Really all about ducks. Even the entrance are lined up with stone craving ducks.

 

 

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The toilet sign is not spared! But is cute!

 

 

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 My mouth watering lunch

 

Hmmm…..this is my portion. Yummy! Yummy! The best meal I had in days. The cripsy duck is similar to the one I used to have in England, but this is fresher. Ooooh…now make my mouth waters as I typed it.

 

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We now head on to the temple of Gunung Dewi (I think- gotta check the name again).

 

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At the entrance

 

 

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Purifying

 

Entering the temples have a strict rule. The need to purify, wearing sarong etc. We decided not to go in but took some pictures before we set off.

 

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 wow…one of the altars………look at the gold cravings!

 

 

 

 

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Side entrance

 

 

 

 We went straight to Sukawati market place to buy souvenirs. I bought bag for my niece A, 2 t shirts for my nephews D and S; and necklaces. Though the prices are bargainable, X told me that the prices have increased through the years.

 

 

 

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^^^^^^

 

After a long day, we went back to hotel first to take shower and then head to Japanese restaurant for dinner. We ordered a bottle of wine, with courtest of J’s bro in law B and we all got tipsy after that. So much that……….we decided to take crazy pictures.

One of them………..

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Ohhh….how I fear you….. :P

 

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