Taichung park

After a whole week of hectic work schedule, I chilled out at the Taichung park today. 

After, I got myself a Starbucks green tea blended and enjoyed the free live music. 

Having a break from work is really GOOD !!! 

Trevi fountain

Last stop before heading home where vacation is officially over !  

The famous fountain in Rome - packed with tourists: 

Last checkin before the cruise

In Rome before heading for the cruise tomorrow. 

Then, there will be no access to Internet and phone. 

Roman theme room @ Hotel Alexis, next to a Pinoy restaurant. 

PS: Most Singaporeans will buy branded bag in Europe but I got none! 

No time for shopping :( 

My all time fav - jamon con melon

I can never have enough of this: so yummy! 

I am not a pizza person but this is surprising good, especially the artichoke.

Lastly, Here's a view of ponte vecchio (@florence) 

Bali & it's black magic

Head out to Bali on 12-12-12 with 2 girlfriends.
It was a R&R trip.
Sightseeing, water sports, rafting, body surfing, shopping, massage & EAT.
Before the trip, I was pretty stressed between work and family.
After the trip, I am still stressed but at least I have decided to talk to my manager.
And, we had agreed on some sort of arrangement which I hope will improve my work life balance.

Anyway, back to the trip.
One interesting information was that Bali is still pretty much fascinated with magic - white and black.
Driver told us that there are men using the black magic to hypothesis foreign women.. Especially ladies from Japan.
Not sure how true was that but if you google online.. You may find many links on black magic in bali.
*WOW* ...

Photo of monkey forest:

Great flight

Had an early Xmas present - SQ finally decide to give me an upgrade for my Sydney to home trip.

A380 has been in service for 5yrs but this is my first time in the business seat.
Shoik !!!

Manly beach

The last time I was at this beach, it was with Jes, Pris and princess lotte.
Environment has not changed;
The ice cream store is still around;
Except that I don't have them next to me ..
I missed those days.

Anyway, manly beach is not as crowded and touristy as bondi but provide the same breeze.
Love it.

Bubble bath

Business trip is not all about work.
I give some time for relaxation too.
Ahhh ... Soak myself in a hot tube :)

Honey, it's over!

Yes, holiday is over.
Too fast !
Too short !
Start planning for the next .. Where ? Mmmm...

Last glimpse of Maldives:

R & R @ banyan tree Maldives

Despite the flight delay at the beginning of the trip, I am glad that we came.
Clear water and white sand beach,
Blue greenish sea,
Great snorkelling at door step,
First class view of marine life (include sharks) from the water surface,
Endless of breeze,
Mixture of rain, sun and fair weather,
Soak into the private pool and jacuzzi,
BBQ lobster meal by the beach,
Laze by the sea and slip some wine while watching the sunset,
Good food,
Feed bread crump to fishes,
Excellent conversation and great company make these feel extra special.

Ahhh.. Life is great

Tokyo Disney

I Had a fabulous time at Tokyo Disney.
This is a great trip that I can really forget all about work and stress.
But now, I gained weigh; so i am not sure how I am going to fit the dress and this mean stress again

Wedding is all about stress :(
Wish every can be just like in Disney (happy wonder land)
Ya, it only happen in my dreamland

Arrived .. And found the long lost feeling

Felt like home when I arrived.
Weather is great and air was super!
This is life and where I once belong.

First time - took a train to the city instead of drive.
Wonderful ...

2012

I just watched "2012" on the HBO. Interesting show.
I wonder how many people think it is true?
The Mayan predication? Do you believe?

While touring Spain, we walk by the exhibition - photos and photos of the nature around the world. Great photos on display!

Taiwan大甲媽祖

I have been trying to disciple myself - make sure that I visit a place whenever I spent the weekend in Taiwan.
So far so good :)
The very recent one is 大甲, where they have a yearly celebration for the 媽祖 temple.

How to get there? Take a train from Taichung and the ride is ~an hr.

Full of activities and the entire event is like Chinese New Year celebration.
You can spot and hear firecrackers every few minutes. The streets are full of foods and game stores.

Great timing and luck have brought me here:

Winter = Lazy to move

It's pretty cold out there... which makes me lazy to go the gym :(
Here's me... enjoying a hot Mocha (which taste more like chocolate) at Starbucks; and of cos - people watching.

Importantly, I get to wear my boots once more!


Sunset of Taiwan:

Phuket. Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, my friends!
I am enjoying my holidays so far - been to great dives and saw leopard sharks.
Phuket are packed with "Farangs", when I mention packed...it is seriously PACKED.
Walked down the beach, almost 99% of the sun tanner is whites.

As for the night activities, the Thai girls are sooo aggressive and can be spot almost everywhere.
The indians are here, working as sales or pimps. Guess because they have a better command in English?

As for the shopping, shops are literally every corner. Phuket has expanded way too much for its own.
Store owner has to compete for customers.
And they have raised the price by at least 3 xs.
I bought a bangle for 150bt, when initial quote was 450 baht.
Some purses are price as 79bt, later they will sell it at 2 for 80bt.

Shopping is stressful and not that great anymore. It's the fault of the farang!! They just paid so much and make people raise the price to rocket high.

Holiday ended

Holiday is a good break from work stress but you probably received other stresses such as navigating the direction, watch out for pick pocket, handling the oversize bags, etc.
Anyway, we survived so we are good!
I love the mountains but trying to do trekking, does require training. I have not done much exercise for the past few weeks so the uphill walking has almost killed me. But am glad to make it afterall – the reward of the view is awesome.

Milan, disappointment

Think I must have too much expectation of Milan - Not a great city afterall.
Maybe because I have been to better such as Barcelona.
The city is packed with tourists and expensive (not nice) food.
Oh, but the ice-cream is GREAT and the other best part was I did not buy a single item from LV or gucci.
The designs are either outdated or SOLD OUT!!!!!
So, that save me some money to buy shoes and jean...
Yes, I whacked on Camper shoes and Miss Sixty again... these are my favs.

Heading to Chur tomorrow. Keep the finger crossed that the weather is be good.

Ching Jing Farm

Colleague and I went for a day trip to ChingJing Farm.
It was a warm weather which leaves me with a sun burn at the shoulder.
It was a nice place, giving me a break from this rowdy city.

Happy woman

Head out to a great Saturday.
Drove to Blue mountain - Jenolan Cave, ~3hrs away from Sydney.
The day was perfect! Awesome!

I saw rainbow, nice cave, breath-taking scenery, beautiful sunset, shooting star, colorful fireworks... I really cannot believe how lucky we were.
And all in a day..

Life is beautiful and precious. Yes, I am recharge and a happy woman :-)

Who can resist this?


Cave: