Bali Best!

I love vacationing in Bali.. There's loads to do, see, easy to explore and affordable. It's pretty safe too (so long as you don't invite trouble la). Some of the locals explained that they practise hinduism and believe in reincarnation, therefor wrongful doings would cause them to be reincarnated as something well... not so great.

They are truly proud of their traditions and are devout hindus too. Each morning you would see all the temples ( there are lots and lots of temples) being surrounded by offerings which looks like a combination of flowers and rice placed in weaved coconut leaves.

Occasionally I would catch some religious events... the ladies would be dressed in their lovely lace kebaya tops, sash around their waist, hair in a bun and sarong. Even the men had to be in sarong. If you were to visit a holy site, you must cover your leg and most temples would have the sarong available for the tourists. It seems that the cremation ceremony is a big thing and tourists are allowed to view it.. I don't think I have the stomach for it though. There's also their new year or 'Nyepi' .. however, it's more religious and everyone (yup even the foreigners) have to observe this day of silence. No traffic, no loud music/tv, no entertainment, no sex (this one for locals i guess?).. basically no one works on this day but stay indoors or at the temple for prayers.

As I got to know more Balinese, I noticed many had similar names. The tour guide explained that their first names identify the order of their birth. The first child is Wayan or Putu, the second child is Made or Kadek, the third is Nyoman or Komang and the fourth is Ketut. The following would repeat the names in order again.

The beaches are lovely (but tioman and perhentian still tops for me) and the locals are friendly. It's possible to rent a bike or better a jeep for a drive around the island.. I have gone right up to Singaraja and back down through Nusa Dua. Along the way, I have made stops at Ubud to see the old palace, the monkey forest and dances.. the Bratan Lake.. viewed the volcanoes Batur and Agung, Gitgit waterfall, Uluwatu where pro surfers go to and it's also where the famous Kecak dance at the temple is and had seafood at Jimbaran.. Stopover also at Celuk (where most silversmiths are), visits to stonecarvers and painters ( I got 2 cool paintings .. cheap!) .. even when we got lost, we stumbled upon the temple at Goa Gajah and the Elephant sanctuary in Taro.

Of course there's loads to do in Kuta and Legian but it's really fun to go off from the usual itinerary. Actually I went to Singaraja to catch the dolphins but the drive was quite time consuming and it was almost dark.. Some actually go to Bali for a dive, as this is where the Mola-Mola or Sunfish can be found. Funky fish with no tail. Hehehehe. I have found these lovely photos by Mike Johnson on the fish..

The cultural shows are mesmerizing.. I was fortunate to have watched several through out several trips I have done to Bali such as the Barong & Rangda Dance/Drama, Legong Dance, Baris, Kecak and several others (quite a few are based on the Ramayana). The girls are trained for dance from a very young age and the boys are trained to play the Gamelan instruments.

I have so many fond memories of Bali... I certainly look forward to experience more of it!

Ultimate Journey.... HAJJ

Alhamdulillah.. My mom and relatives have safely arrived Madinah last week and are now in Mecca.

Managed to speak to her a few times since her arrival.. Yesterday she visited relatives in Mecca and I even spoke to Aunty Fawziyah there. I do hope to visit them one day and do my umrah with mom too.

Mum was very grateful that she managed to get a place this year. She was excited to go and I was there to send her off.. Here are some pics of her leaving for hajj..

Hope mum will be in the best of health to complete this pilgrimage... for a haji mabrur... Insya Allah

Travel Diaries

I thought it would be interesting to share my travel experiences. Since I have been quite fortunate to be able to travel often, it would give me something to blog about when I am stumped for fresh ideas.

However, this reminiscing maybe a little jagged in terms of chronology. I will try my best to recall details of past travel (way past) and hopefully the more current ones will not pose too much of a challenge.

Travel has always been a dream for me since I was a kid (wow that seems so long ago).. and now I am able to do this ( after some scrimping and saving of course) occasionally is truly a fantastic experience. I am lucky that I haven't really had any bad experience in my journeys so far. It hasn't been first class all the way either but I guess some adjustments and flexibility would be necessary.

I have journeyed with loved ones, friends and even on my own. As I look into the past to share these amazing journeys.. I am also looking forward to new experiences.

So, let me organize my thoughts and photos.. will get back to new postings on travel soon.

Cheers!

I may be insignificant to you.

But...

I am someone's daughter
I am someone's sister
I am someone's family
I am someone's friend
I am someone's colleague

I am someone's aunt
I am someone's inspiration
I am someone's hope
I am someone's happiness

I am someone's love

I am a person just like you.

With my hopes and dreams..

My happiness and my sadness..

My laughter and my tears.

And we are all God's creation..

Aidil Fitri 2008

I would like to wish one and all..

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

Maaf Zahir & Batin

How was raya? This year I decided to drive back instead of flying.. This was the best option, seeing that I had loads of stuff to bring with and also Fluffy was tagging along too. She wanted me to play with her even in the car!

Anyways, I dropped by Ipoh to see my aunt and pick up the cookies I ordered earlier.. kuih Samprit and Hazelnut Cookies. Yummilicious....

The pre-Raya preparation went into full swing from Sunday onwards.. We got our supply of fresh meat, then the usual ingredients to make the obligatory ketupat, rendang and kuah kacang (peanut gravy). However, this year we decided against cooking the briyani and laksa.. Instead opted to make mee mamak (yellow noodles with potato based gravy).

I managed to make a few batches of peanut cookies and cupcakes (yeah i know... predictable) My sis had completed her pineapple tarts and makmur. If my dad were still around, we'd also be doing kuih loyang (a.k.a kuih goyang a.k.a kuih ros).

It was quite an adventure the three before Raya as it rained heavily almost through out.. There of course floods around the northern states. Some parts of Penang island were also affected. I was getting pretty upset because we couldn't visit my dad eve of Raya.. but somehow the weather improved on Raya and gave us the opportunity to go by Raya afternoon..

We had relatives over and this year my good friend Ogy visited us with her whole family in tow! It was really meriah and we had a good time. Also managed to visit some of dad's relative this time around... But my visit to dad's elder sis, Kak Lah (or Mak lah to me) truly tugged my heart. She is quite forgetful (senile is too strong a word) but she managed to recognise mum, my sis and I.. although I was at a loss for words when she asked where my dad was...

But all in all.. it was a good raya.