I’ve gone to Bangkok many times, with either 1 girl friend, or a group of friends; but i never attempted it with a group of girls before and i don’t know why! Bangkok is the PERFECT place for girls to holiday at together… it’s all SHOP + PARTY + EAT.
We bumped into some acquaintances at the airport. “Where you girls going?” “Bangkok. Bachelorette party.” “Girls… go to Bangkok for a hen’s night? I thought it was just guys…”
Wow so sexist! Why can GUYS go to Bangkok for a stag’s night (ala The Hangover) but girls can’t? Noone says we can’t. And we all definitely say WE CAN.
I was gonna be rooming with Cammy for the trip and we were kinda each other’s ‘buddy’ as well. Too many girls.
I was not looking nor feeling my best thanks to the Topshop event the night prior. Some of the other girls started early on the plane…
Practicing my paparazzo shot
Couldn’t help taking these pictures cos i was just APPALLED at how dirty the plane was. All i can say is we did NOT take Air Asia. Probably should have.
Cammy and i stayed at Maduzi (which i’ll blog bout later!), while the other girls stayed at Tenface, or with family in BKK.
We bought 4 bottles of bubbly between the 9 of us, and Jacie popped the first bottle with her famous words – “Why not now?! I thought the champagne is for moments. And THIS is a moment.”
It’s a HOLIDAY when you have bubbly and it’s light out!
How long does it take for 9 girls to constantly meet up and get their butts out to somewhere? A pretty long time. Tina’s bro cracked me up when on the last day he called and said, “Late again ar? Sure late la. So many girls.” He’s based in BKK and knew of all our going-ons most of the time.
Cammy tryna keep her locks under control in the tuk tuk
We went to Healthland Spa for massages, which is the biggest spa i’ve ever been to. Even the building looked surprisingly regal from the outside, that i didn’t guess it was the spa we were heading to at first! They’ve got a system where you choose your treatment, pay at cashier then wait for your number to be called. The massages were insanely cheap in such a nice place (300 baht for 1-hour Thai massage) and really good too. They’re quite popular so if you go, you should call and book beforehand. I wanted the Ayurvedic massage but it was fully-booked so went with the Thai one. Considering i’ve tried Thai massages a handful of times and still prefer other types, i have to add that the masseuse did her job very well!
After the massage we went to Ruen Mallika for dinner (which i’d totally recommend to anyone, especially if you’re in a group). Huge Thai restaurant that serves authentic Thai cuisine for a reasonable price (don’t think about street food price ok).
We ordered all sorts of dishes – lobster tom yam, catfish salad, steamed fish with lime, glass noodles, salads, roasted pork. In hindsight we ordered too much, cos one would expect the pictures in the menu to turn out 1) smaller or 2) the size you expect, in real life. But this was an exception. All the dishes came out a lot LARGER than i thought @_@
Picture of me since i took the group shot
Oh i’m so grown up.
After dinner we returned to our respective places we’re staying at to ‘see if we felt like going out’ and get ready. When we reached our hotel room, Cammy put on a bathrobe and snuggled in bed. I looked at her and said, “Oh no… this means we’re not going out.” “I’m sooooo tireddddddd” “Yeah i know… we’ll urm chill for half an hour and see how.”
After THREE HOURS of messaging the other girls, we obviously were not going out at 2am so we just stayed in, showered, and laughed till 4am. I even had to say to her: “Stop. Just stop talking. If you think something is REALLY funny, TELL ME TOMORROW. Else we’re gonna DIE shopping and partying all day tomorrow! We need to sleep NOW!”
This was a really last minute trip but an awesome one i didn’t want to turn down! A bunch of media from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia were invited to Brisbane to attend its edition of Future Music Festival, and prep everyone back in our region for the madness that is to come to Kuala Lumpur this March 17th!
The only flights they could get us were on Thai Airways, so after a transit in Bangkok and an 8 and half hour flight from BKK-Brisbane, i arrived feeling pretty mucky. I was quite lucky to have the seat next to me empty so i managed to lie down and sleep like a curled up kitty.
We had a couple of hours to kill before the press conference was being held for the Asian media at Novotel Hotel. Kevin managed to have his friend Dan, who lives there, drive us around for quick tour before having to head off for a meeting. I really appreciated it and don’t think we would have had time to see that much otherwise! The flights and festival got us dead tired.
Meow
That night we had the press conference where i met High Commissioner Dato Salman Ahmad. He said Future Music Festival is working with Tourism Malaysia to ensure that a festival of the same standards WILL be brought to KL for the first time in Asia. He was also stated that they hope revelers from the neighboring countries will come for it, as there are no plans to hold it in the other South East Asian countries and FMF will be working to hold it in Malaysia continuously in the coming years.
The next day i managed to squeeze in some breakfast and light shopping on Queen Street before heading to the festival with the other members of the media:
me; Jin of Hitz.FM - the official radio station for Future Music Festival Malaysia; Kevin YEOH
Marlz from Livescape Asia - the organizer for Future Music Fest Malaysia, giving us instructions lalala
We were ushered to the VIP/media area where everyone organized their interview and shoot times before running out to the festival stages. Thought i’d take pictures with the other SEA media i met before we all lost each other after:
Next to me is Jason from Milk PR. Bottom is Alif from Juice; and Aidil from The Star (he’s also in the Malaysian power pop and rock band Couple )
With Tony, GM of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau
Kevin and i were joined at the hip like old times. Twas great.
Future Music Fest was just as crowded as i imagined, with what i heard was 40,000 peeps showing up this year
There were many separate rooms i didn’t even explore, there just wasn’t enough time if i wanted to catch as many acts as possible too!
There were so many stages and areas that i just know i was mostly going back and forth between three main ones. And that’s tiring shit okay! But it’s amazing how music just pushes you to plough through and walk without feeling pain. At this point of time there was minimal pain cos our day just started on the festival grounds at 2pm.
I wore a sheer floral top with tail from Topshop. Sunnies from Le Specs x Henry Holland. Accessories from Johnny Ramli Bali, thirtyfour, Thomas Sabo *sponsored* and Comyns Royal Selangor. Watch from Toywatch *sponsored*. Bag from Jim Thompson. (i can’t wait to buy more JT bags at the Bangkok airport later cos i’m blogging from Bkk now!)
Jessie J was up. She’s pretty tall in real life and i thought of taking a picture of her when i saw her in the Artist Communal but she looked like she was having an exclusive shoot so i didn’t dare!
Make sure to catch Chase & Status when they’re in KL! They’ve just been nominated for Best British Group at The Brit Awards 2012.
At one point when we were trying (we gave up halfway) to make our way to the side and front of the stage, there were just TOO many people and i overhead some Ozzie guys say to each other, “Chick are rough!” I wanted to laugh but stopped when i got shoved by some girls after that and ended up falling on other people. Insane. Kevin and I ran to the VIP section right after.
I took some pictures of some looks i liked at the festival. There were heaps i missed cos people were walking too fast, or they were too far, or i just couldn’t be bothered after some time!
If i had an award for Best Dressed at the fest, i’d give it to this girl called Michelle. She was calm, collected, and funky.
Kevin was randomly taking continuous shots of me when these guys photobombed it and RAN AWAY. So many of them at festivals, but they’re harmlessly funny.
I heard from Jin that Tinie Tempah‘s performance was ROCKING and he’s just too cool. I didn’t get to watch it tho, don’t know which other stage i was at the time! At least i got to meet him briefly and WILL DEFINITELY CATCH HIM IN KL!!!
Catching bands i listen to regularly at home is like entering their world. The music is me. The fashion is me. The people dancing crazy happy is very me.
These girls reminded me of how Yishyene and i would jump and dance like mad people
I used to follow Die Antwoord years ago and haven’t really absorbed their latest album, but was always fascinated with their history and was really glad Kevin gave me a little push to catch them. Had to choose between watching them and Friendly Fires so i got greedy and went for half of both shows.
Die Antwoord gets a bitttt too crazy scary for me sometimes but because i gather there’s a little bit of freaky in all of us, you can’t help being drawn to them and watch the car crash. Their stage presence was fantastic energetic. I just had to watch them cos they’d never come to Malaysia and i think the government would never let them either. I walked past Yolandi in the artist area and SHOULD have taken a picture but OH WELL IDIOT ME.
After being in the tent with Die Antwoord we ventured back out to less freaky and happy sunshine. And lots of mud.
I danced the MOST that day when The Rapture performed. I never aimed to see them live before but considering we used to party to House of Jealous Lovers back in the TAG days… i have to say it was one of the highlights of that day to GO FUCKING MAD. I put my bag down and kept my accessories in my bag from flying in my face so i could go Completely Insane. I even had what i call my self-moshing moment where i flung my head and what little hair i have and body parts, but just with noone around me so i don’t get hurt. Hahaaaaaa.
Right after The Rapture, we ran to the stage next door to catch a bit o Fatboy Slim.
I wish i was more drunk then.
Ran back to the other stage cos right after the Rapture were The Wombats - who will also be in KL this March 17th! It was crowd spillage when the Wombats were on, so i crept back into the VIP section where i could enjoy them from afar.
After staying for the whole Wombats set, i went back to the OTHER stage to catch Swedish House Mafia. Again, i wish i was a lot more drunk to dance to it!!! After that it was pouring with rain and i realized i hadn’t eaten since lunch so went back to the Artist Communal to grab some food.
Twas a really sweet ‘communal’ i must say!
I HAD SUCH A BLAST and watching all these Ozzies scream and dance with all their friends just got me kinda jealous but REALLY EXCITED about the KL one! There hasn’t been a FESTIVAL of this proportion in KL EVER and just knowing i’m gonna PARTY all day with all my best friends is going to be EPIC.
Where: Sepang International Circuit When: 17 March 2012 Time: 2pm till late Admission: Early Bird RM138, Pre-sale RM158
#34 We usually get Jose Cuervo but the airport didn’t have it. This is usually our 2nd choice. Any other suggestions for great tequila? We love our tequila!
#35 Clem
#36 Steph
#37 Nick
#38
#39
#40
#41 <3
#42
Thought i’d share some of the facial products i took with me to Pulau Weh! (Disclaimer: these were all sponsored). Brought some Swiss Line mist which activates cell regeneration. And a couple of products from Kiehl’s new Clearly Corrective line, which eliminates dark spots. The key ingredient, Activated C, is the latest generation of Vitamin C.
If you’d like to try it, you can drop by any Kiehl’s store to get some samples. You can leave a product review on their Facebook page, and win one of 4 bottles of Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution worth RM200 (the star product of the range which i’m using now). They’ll be giving out a bottle every week in March!
After spending 2 nights in Iboih, we called for a taxi and traveled roughly 45 minutes to another area in Pulau Weh. Pantai Sumur Tiga is supposedly the longest beach in Pulau Weh and got its name from three wells that lay along its stretch (sources say there are actually five wells). It’s also reputedly the best beach in Pulau Weh, with guesthouses and hotels that range from affordable to high end.
We stayed at Casa Nemo – a pretty nice guesthouse with 8 bungalows/rooms perched on the hill overlooking the beach and ocean. The beach was practically a 4-minute walk from our doorstep. A slow walk. I’m not one of those cheaters who tell you it takes 5 minutes when it actually takes 15 cos they’re running a marathon or something.
Our spacious room had no air con (but we didn’t need it cos it’s cold at night) just fan, but had hot water shower, fridge, nice porch with hammock, taps to wash the sand off our legs before we got in the main door (so important for crazy OCD people like me who love the beach but HATE sand in the room!). The bed was okay, think they need new pillows and beds and there’s no mosquito net; but i love the ambiance of the place and the BEACH just made up for everything. Room cost 250,000 rupiah/RM87 per night.
In fact, reason i’m writing a fair bit about Casa Nemo is cos i would totally recommend you to stay there (Disclaimer: if you’re half the backpacker type) but i forgot to take pictures of the place. I don’t even have a SINGLE picture of Casa Nemo cos i was too enraptured with the beach that was just outside our doorstep.
LOOK.
JUST LOOK AT THAT BEACH.
Incredible! And to think it only cost us RM87 a night to stay there… SO WORTH IT OKAY. To see pictures of Casa Nemo’s bungalows *click here*
We spent the late morning hanging out on the beach (OF COURSE). Clem immediately jumped into the ocean to play with the waves. I thought i’d try it later on. Big waves scare me. Tell you why later.
I was so intent on getting as MUCH SUNSHINE as possible that i lay on the beach reading Norwegian Wood while we waited for the food to come. Casa Nemo only served breakfast and beer when we were there so we walked next door to Freddie’s, another guesthouse + restaurant:
Like i mentioned in a previous post, we went to Pulau Weh just as the rainy season was over, so there weren’t many tourists then. Fab, really.
You can’t ask for a better lunch view.
Steph & Nick
Thanks to Steph for taking pix with my camera that holiday, i always whine that there are never any natural shots of me but this time there are!
Here’s a very natural shot of us. One moment we’re all lovey.
Next moment we’re fighting, pushing each other, wrestling, etc.
It usually ends with Clem saying, “STOP before someone (you) cries.” Or him handling me too roughly and i start screaming like he just did a Tyson on me.
Clem thought i was so disheveled to eat with sand all over me but i love it. It’s the big grainy kinda sand that dusts off easily, not the fine one that sticks with your sweat and makes you blah.
After lunch we went straight back to the beach!
The waves are so forceful that it can easily wipe the pants off Nick. Or me off my feet. I almost got a picture of his bum but wasn’t quick enough. Steph thought i was being a pussy for being scared of the waves but when they knocked her over too… I SAY HA! I tried going in earlier and a huge wave knocked me a-tumbling, big stones and coral the seasonal tide hadn’t brought out to sea yet crashing on my feet and legs, and sand getting into my swimsuit… which was just magically trying to come off. And all while i was trying to pee. Dammit.
You can see Nick underwater! It’s that clear! And Clem fighting a wave! In the end i HAD to go in the sea (with Clem making sure i didn’t get knocked over too much) cos i really had to pee again. This time Clem held me while i peed. Haha. This is why you need a big strong man – to help you pee in the sea.
I managed to get over my wave phobia the next day and was a big girl and went all by myself! Or maybe at that time the waves were a bit tamer…
ANYWAYS.
OK my chest just looks like that because of this great bikini Serena gave me for Christmas. It miraculously LIFTS in all the right places. LOVE IT.
There are heaps of other pictures we took with my phone (which i’ll post separately just cos the look and feel is so different! OCD…) We drank tequila, played on the beach, bla bla bla then fast forward to dinnertime!
We went back to Freddie’s for dinner
I just HAD to post this picture to show Clem that SEE? I’m not always hitting you! Sometimes i place my hand lovingly on you too!!!
Do you like my dress?! I saw the fabric in Kamdar, loved the ‘melting’ print, and made myself a long beach dress
This is me too tired to hold Clem’s hand but i still want to touch him so i was touching his knee -_- Hahaaa thanks Steph for taking these pictures!!!
Freddie’s Santai Sumur Tiga Address: Pantai Sumur Tiga, Iemeulee.
Ph: 0813 602 55001,
Email: santaisumurtiga@yahoo.com.au www.santai-sabang.com
Casa Nemo Address: Pantai Sumur Tiga, Iemeulee.
Ph: 0813 6299 9942.
Email: casanemo@yahoo.com www.casanemo.com
After spending our first night in Acheh, us four got a morning speed boat which we rode for 45 minutes to get to Pulau Weh. Cost about RM20 per person.
When Clem and i made our decision to go to Acheh, we had no idea about Pulau Weh. Or we just didn’t remember Steph and Nick mentioning we were going there. It’s only after i told some people i was heading to Sumatra, that they asked whether i was going to Pulau Weh. And i was thinking, what’s this deal about Pulau Weh? Now i HOPE we’re going to Pulau Weh… and searched our history emails to check. Turns out we WERE going there so i google imaged it and got mighty excited then!
There are different class tickets you can buy for the boats from Acheh to Pulau Weh, and the difference between executive class and the normal one is USD1. It may seem little but that’s significant for an Achehnese. The exec class had sofas, tvs and air con compared to the non-air con one!
Once we docked at Sabang (as the island is referred to by locals) we took an hour-long car ride (RM17 per person) to Iboih – Nick’s favourite area on the island. It’s got a more backpacker and local family feel to it.
Steph got burnt by a motorcycle and Nick was applying medicine on it. I just HAD to post this picture. It was part of my whole trip experience, y’ know. Keepin it real.
The stark irony of beautiful mosques being built amidst poverty all over Acheh.
There’s no vehicle road going into where all the backpacker inns are, just walkways through the forest. Clem had to carry his and my bag (mine was too full of toys for me to manage :p) and wondered aloud why there weren’t any boats that would go straight to the guesthouse doorsteps. I think door-to-door shuttle service in 5-star resorts has spoilt him. Steph and Nick must have thought we were such divas.
We stayed in a wooden chalet with fan for RM50 a night. Or RM53? Something like that. It was really cheap!
Steph and Nick in the chalet next to ours.
Practising my paparazzo shots
Cassi & Henry
I used a Colgate box to transport the black charcoals i needed for that holiday’s drawings, so i wouldn’t risk breaking the whole set. Most of them broke in the process anyway.
Between our chalets were natural stone steps leading down to the sea. If you think the picture looks cold, that’s cos it WAS. It turned out a tad rainy that day.
Steph, Nick’s feet, Clem. After i took this picture, i joined them. For 15 minutes. Then i got out of the cold water to look forward to DRINKING. And eating. I’d already had breakfast and lunch, around then was 4pm and tea time! I had spicy noodle soup while playing Monopoly Deal and drinking Bintang.
Golly gee i’m so attractive
We graduated to local whiskey (RM35!) when it started raining an hour later.
Lots of animals around Iboih, cats…
Giant monkeys
Dogs.
Because the locals are very conservative Muslim, dogs are frowned upon and mostly kept only because the tourists like them. They’re not usually fed as much as the cats. This old Muslim masseuse lady fed a bunch of dogs like her own before the locals poisoned them just because they’re dogs.
When Nick asked her about her dogs, she confirmed they had died, and said she didn’t want to talk about it anymore, and that it made her too sad. (((SAD!!!)))
Later that night Clem pointed at something flying and said, “Look! Eagle!” (He gets really excited about eagles.) I watched this huge thing with swooping wings and said, “It’s not an eagle… it’s a bat holy shit.”
A huge mothertrucking fruit bat, the biggest i’ve ever seen in my life. The span of one wing was the measure of my fingertips to my elbow, or more. It crawled up and down the branches of the tree right in front of us. Quite fascinating. It’s like Nat Geo. But in real life. (Listen to me, sound so city girl can die.)
At night we just hung out and played this question game which was quite interesting, till Nick tried to get us to guess the word ‘microbe’. -_-
Convinced Clem to let me draw on the part of his leg that got shaved at Matt & Serena’s tea ceremony torture event. I used 5 out of the 8 comic boxes then got tired. He insisted i not waste the space so i wrote ‘OK. THE. END.’
Next morning was bright and shiny yay! It’s best to go to Acheh any time of the year except Nov-Jan when it’s rainy season. We were there early Feb so we were pushing it.
Despite this restaurant’s humble appearance, it has food the standard of a 5-star resort! I kid you not.
The fries and cheese with this was an amazing composition i couldn’t stop eating.
This is the best picture i have of myself with no make up. #win
Steph was semangat enough to set the timer on my camera…
She called us posers. I said what did you expect.
After lunch, we took a boat to the island next door, which is owned by a local family.
Clem is like a little kid. Ask him to smile and this is what he gives me.
Nick
Nick and Clem making a moat for my pony
OK yes that’s me. You might think it’s silly but i swear once you try it, an umbrella is a GREAT IDEA to bring into the sunny sea with you, next to a beer.
I don’t feel as stressed out sitting in harsh sunlight. I don’t mind getting darker (i’m not one of those pro-whitening girls) but i just get so HOT. So being able to chill in the warm water without sun burning me is all good.
The mosquito bite on Steph’s forehead fascinates me
Hermit crab we made friends with, but didn’t hurt in the slightest bit, i swear
That night the electricity went out, along with the water that came out of the shower head. I pacified Clem that it was like camping.
Thank goodness for the mushroom light Yishyene gave to me!
Since we couldn’t depend on the electricity and water there, we shifted to another part of the island the day after!
Clem and i try to step into unfamiliar territory every time we go on holiday. This time we went somewhere most haven’t ventured to, but we did especially because Nick has been living there for 6 years. It’s always a kinder experience when someone local takes you around a new place!
Flights to Acheh were cheap – i bought our flights a month ago and they cost RM400 per person, return, with baggage. Flight was 2 hours, not too painful. And for the first time in MONTHS, there wasn’t a delay on our AirAsia flights!
Nick moved to Acheh after the devastating tsunami in 2004 and worked for an NGO. Still is actually, besides venturing into a coffee business of his own. Also saw some cool algae experiments he’s carrying out in his house but didn’t take a picture damn.
This is the graveyard where many tsunami victims are buried…
Tyre felt a bit wonky so driver stopped to change it
Acheh’s landscape is really beautiful. You notice the difference from when you’re landing in the plane… there are a lot of fields and trees and mountains. Nick pointed out which parts the tsunami washed away back then, and the new buildings that have/are being built. It’s sad and mind-blowing to see how far the water came up to.
A scattering of new houses and buildings have been set up since then, with some halfway done. Apparently the Achehnese are not mindful time masters when it comes to building. Their new airport has been ‘building’ for the past 5 years and all i see is its skeleton. It’s quite funny.
Steph wasn’t feeling well the first night, ahlala…
Nick said Joel’s Bungalows at Lampuuk beach is the nicest place for us to stay in Acheh and i totally agree! The place is beautiful with the sea and cliffs right next to us, and individual cabins with decently-decorated bedrooms and bathrooms.
I tried searching it on Trip Advisor but there are no ratings for it, instead, i found a glowing review on how Joel took many orphans and homeless kids under his wing after the tsunami. Read it yourself *here*
There’s a cabin right on the pond where you can stay in too (pictured above) but looking at the walkway that leads to it above the dank water, i doubted our ability to stumble back safely after a night of drinking with them at Joel’s restaurant. Didn’t help that Nick mentioned the pond is a water buffalo grave too! Fascinating.
I so so badly wanted to chase these ducks. I also saw for the first time two steady streams of BATS that flew out to feed in the evening, both streams being wavy lines that started at the cliffs and ended as far as the eye could see.
We stayed in a cliff cabin like this, but the one that was closest to sea. It costs 250,000 rupiah/RM88 a night.
Not for careless people!
The view from our balcony – FANTASTIC. You can see mountains,cove, sea, forest, beach and cliff all at once!
I really appreciate how Joel made the bathrooms open air and au natural against the cliff’s rock side.
While i was running last minute errands in KL before leaving for Acheh, this bright purple kid-sized hula hoop caught my eye and the words TAKE ME WITH YOU ran in my head loudly a couple of times. I decided not to fight it and just bought it. Christened it Henry (short for Henrietta) and brought it to Acheh.
See, it came in useful to mark where the drinks are so we don’t knock them over!
And to lean on when tired from day at office, flight journey and drinking! I ended up giving it to the 2 small kids that lives next to Nick on the last day we were there. Felt that they would love it more than me… and i can always buy myself another one that calls out to me next time at Star Enterprise.
Clem took this picture in the morning
Clem, Nick and Steph
Nick bought us his favourite local breakfast. It’s like nasi lemak and beef rendang. SEE, this is why it’s great to go somewhere a friend is! They get to feed me the best food HEH
