A family vacation

It is coming to 3 years I finally took the kids for a vacation on my own. Kids have been lucky to have great aunties, grand parents who love them very much. I planned for this family vacation since February and kept it secret away from the children. Two months ago, broke the news about the vacation to Bali.

We were away for one week vacation at beautiful Nusa Dua beach. How do I describe the trip ? It is fun, lots of laughter, also tired and stress coping with kids all day long ! Overall, my rating is a wonderful one. It is wonderful in many ways, children are seen very happy, the bonding is stronger which I could feel it wasn't there for awhile. Everyday is a learning day for me. Understanding everyone around me, coping with their moods and whatever that comes by.

It wasn't just vacation, I worked too trying to close a deal. But it is all worth it, the vacation seems like a paradise to us, sitting by the pool almost 1/4 of the day, and enjoying evening cocktail (not much of sunset) but enjoying the sea breeze and just relaxing.

Kids wanted our attention so much that Joelle sent a note to our room stating the time for UNO game...hahahaha. How could we ignore their request !? Such a great family bonding effort from her. I starved the kids without lunch on one afternoon, and they had no choice but to open up the mini bar and consumed the Oreo, but worrying how to inform me as I was out for an errant.

Little things that kids have done to make a man happy through their personal feeling and writing on a special card. It is a great feeling and I look forward to more of such family vacation !

One year ago

It was this day in 2009, I went on a solo vacation to some very romantic resorts in Kota Kinabalu. Two months prior to departure, I booked the flight and hotel for the complimentary stay that I won during my quiz and lucky draw session. The booking is for myself and weeks before the trip, I wanted some friends to join me but unfortunately no one wanted to come with me.

I think it is fated that no one was supposed to come with me. I took a midday flight and almost missed the check in time. I arrived at the airport and a local friend picked me up and sent me to the resort which is 45 mins from the city.

Checked into a very large room, a big bed enough for 3 persons but I was all alone. Not really sure what to do on solo vacation, simply sat by the bed, turn on my laptop and started to blog. I sat lazily looking outside the balcony and decided that I should just go down for a nice dinner. I was the only one who sat alone at the restaurant. I felt very odd and strange alone and I should have just ordered room service. No, I wanted to do something different and I enjoyed 2 hours dinner at the restaurant. Almost 10pm, decided to sit by the lobby lounge to enjoy the live music. Ordered a Mojito and reading some magazine under a dimmed light.

Seating not too far, there was a gentleman dressed smartly in light coloured shirt and a dark coloured slack. There was no conversation till I think when he asked me about Mojito. I moved closer to him upon his invitation and also the music was loud. We started our conversation and not till very late, we had the live band to play us a lovely "Besame Mucho" on clarinet. It was very romantic....

After that I left...I went back to the room, wondering to my self, why am I here at such a romantic resort but all alone ?

Next morning, I woke up early went to the gym and had a good breakfast and chatted with a few guests who were traveling to Langkawi next. The trip to BKI was meant to be purely vacation but since I was pitching for a job, I took some of my personal time to inspect another resort. I left in a hurry and came back only after lunch. It was a sunny afternoon, and I booked a pampering massage and finished around 6 pm. Not really sure what to eat,I walked past all the F & B outlets and I decided to try the buffet. It is really not the best choice.

Went back up to the lobby to listen to the live band and supposedly to meet him again, but he didn't show up. Guess he couldn't remember after so many long island tea. As I was leaving the lounge, I saw him. He invited me for a drink and we sat and chat with few other guests. We had another drink we decided to go back to the room. We walked to the lift and he gave me a good night kiss...and he said this "I think I will love you" and he stepped out of the lift on 3rd floor and I was on upper floor.

We had a date the next day to go to STAR taking the shuttle service as I was checking out from RRR to stay one complimentary night in STAR. Unfortunately he changed his mind and decided to stay in the resort for other activities. We bid farewell...I thought we will never meet again and it would have been just a memory of this man that I met in RRR.

Now, one year later we are together and relationship is getting stronger day by day! Our love for each other is eternally and we want to grow old together ! It is now our lives and planning for two !

Happy Anniversary !