Bali Bachelorette Weekend

TGIF!!! So its been about 5 months since that fabulous weekend in Bali with my gal pals! How I miss it and as much as we'd said that we would do it again, many things have changed and all of us have commitments and responsibilities! Now more so than ever. So this is a post dedicated to the lovely ladies who took the time out for my Last Fling before the Ring and a long overdue review of our adventures there.

Our trip was a short weekend trip from the 7th-10th of August, 2014. I'd spent a good few weeks looking for Villas that could accommodate us and was lucky enough to be introduced to Semua Properties by a friend of mine. What amazing service! After weeks of liaising with Peni and her handling all our different queries and requirements, we finally settled on Villa SDR323. Initially, it was a little bit beyond our budget but when we broke it down, it was actually affordable and a steal for what we got! Do note that a TT of the amount due has to be made to the bank before the Villa is considered booked.

So all of us flew in to Bali of the 7th, some from Singapore and some from KL. After a misadventure with a missed flight, at least 5/6 girls were gathered by the first day and the last one finally arrived on Friday! Do note that for those with passports from ASEAN countries, there is a special queue hidden behind a pillar. Keep your eyes peeled for the sign!

Yay! Back in Bali!

We were received at the airport by a driver from Semua Properties to take us to the Villa. 2 cars for 4 girls- feeling uber special! I was super happy when we pulled up and Peni was there to meet us and personally show us the villa. WOW...when I saw the place it was like a dream! The pool, the rooms, the staff (yes we had staff!) the WOOOOOOW!!!!! Needless to say we were ALL VERY HAPPY! The villa is called Villa Aramanis and centrally located in Seminyak, just off Jalan Sunset. 

After filling in our breakfast requests, we asked if the staff could help us with a few groceries (mixers for drinks and snacks) and they were so obliging. A trip to Bali wouldn't be complete without a visit to Warung Made. And then its pool time!

First night dinner was at Metis, food was amazing and the drinks did their job! Their cocktails are really potent and a must try when visiting. Do make reservations as their reputation precedes them. See what my kind friend booked us under!...Itchipussi indeed!

Day 2

With 2 weeks to the wedding date and doing the final preps for the big day, I wanted my Bachelorette's to be a spa getaway and not something I would need to recover from! Prana Spa was chosen as the Spa for us because they actually had a maternity massage for my lovely mum-to-be friend (who has since given birth). With a Moroccan theme to the Spa, all of us came away rejuvenate and refreshed at the hands of their capable masseuse and staff at hand. Prices were a bit on the high end but it was all worth it!

Then it was a night at Naughty Nuri's! I even got to participate in their "Shake, Shake" dance! The food was good and the environment a little more casual. What a great way to end an easy day.

Day 3

As for most of my girls and I, this weekend comes after a week at work, all we wanted was to relax. After breakfast at the villa, we lazed by the pool with gossip magazines, wine or beer and tanned! It was nice to sit around telling stories of "Remember when...". Ahhh, crazy times indeed.

Sunset was a trip to the W Hotel, Bali for cocktails and pictures! Very therapeutic.

That night, we got all dolled up in red (because its a foxy colour) and headed to Sarong for dinner. Before dinner, the girls did the mandatory crowning of the Bride to be and champagne all around. 

After dinner, half the party went back to the villa for more chatting and a bit of dicking around...

Day 4

Sad sad day,time to go home. After packing our bags and checking out, we dumped our bags in the drivers cars and got him to drop us off at the shopping street. With space in our bags, we knew exactly what we could buy and how much we could carry back. I had a very fruitful time shopping and managed to get some amazing pieces from boutiques like Magali Pascal, Buddha Wear and Religion. I even picked up some nice shirts from Ralph Polo for the hubby.

As we head back with gorgeous tans and overflowing bags, it was definitely a trip to remember and I wouldn't have done it differently. My ladies- if we ever get a chance to do this again, even in 10 years- I'M IN! Thank you all so much for making the trip and leaving me with lovely memories. 

Here is a write up that was done by Semua Properties blog as ideas for people wishing to rent their villas. The trip was a 5 star experience and highly recommended for Bride's to be, its the best way to send off your singles life and prepare for a new chapter!

Warung Made

Br. Seminyak, Kuta, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 732130

Metis

Jl. Petitenget No.6 Kerobokan Kelod,

Kuta, Bali

Tel: +62 361 473 7888

Naughty Nuri's Warung and Grill

Jl. Batubelig 41 Kerobokan Kelod,
Kuta, Bali 
Tel: +62 361 847 6722

Sarong

Jl. Petitenget No. 19 X, Kerobokan, 

Kuta, Bali 
Tel: +62 361 4737809

And in case you need a driver:

Bapak Wayan (super patient and nice!)

Tel: +62 812 386 7022

Time to Give Back...Looking for a Charity to contribute to!

So my annual sick period is here...that miserable time of the year when your body finally breaks down and all you want to do is NOTHING! 

All at the same time, I have been thinking about nothing but how to downsize! Let's face it, most of us have more than what we actually need and I for one have been blessed beyond my needs.

I have been trying to find a charitable organization here in Singapore but it turns out that most charitable organizations here have way too much. So much that the Salvation Army is able to "re-sell" what they don't actually need. I believe that most people in Singapore donate to the Salvation Army with good intentions, but how many of us really know what happens to the stuff we donate and is it really going to those who need it the most?

As a working woman with no children (yet), I can honestly and openly admit that like many others out there, my closet is brimming, choking and about to burst - how much of these clothes do I actually wear? And why does it seem like I NEVER have anything to wear?

So starts my journey to look for charitable organizations within Singapore that has use for ladies clothes. Also, I do realize that most organizations, despite getting a lot of contributions from Singapore, have difficulty in bringing the contributions to the recipients, hence I am expanding my search to places like Thailand or Cambodia whereby I can personally bring the clothes to the needy there. 

So why exactly am I posting this? 

Because if anyone has any suggestions or can think of an organization who could use some help, please please leave a suggestion in the comments below (a link or website towards the cause will be greatly appreciated too). In the meantime, I will continue searching and post my finds here.