Life in between Travels

I had a few weeks of good rest after SSEAYP and before starting work the beginning of this year. The few weeks of rest were good, immersing myself in the festive and celebrating the new year. Of course, this kind of life has its optimal time frame, too long I don't think it is good, especially for the pocket, hahaha.

So, I got myself a job (as planned) while waiting for Chinese New Year to arrive (the reason why I choose to stay in Singapore instead of leaving straight for New Zealand) Though work life is kind of boring (this time I didn't choose an exciting job (barista) like what I did the previous time because of the short time I will be in Singapore), life outside work is still very much enriching and fun. =)

I still visit cafes.

Did picnic and kite flying.

Participated in the WWII Bunker Tour organised by NHB

Together with like minded friends, we did our own Chinatown Heritage tour

Participated in Terry Fox Run as usual

Cycled from Woodlands to Changi, nearly breaking my old bones.

Amidst of all these, I have met quite a number of friends from SSEAYP as well. Through these meet ups I realised SSEAYP is not just about making friends onboard but also keeping them after that. 

Before I know it, Chinese New Year holiday is over and I am at the last week of my work. Now, I am waiting for March to come, where I can have a bit of time to try other things before heading to Chiang Mai and Pai, and then New Zealand in April.

Today a friend shared a newspaper article with me, here are some extracts that encouraged me once again. Maybe it can encourage some people as well..

人在世间，只拥有有限的时间，能自由自在的使用它，是人活着的证据吧。

Purposeful Traveller - 人生有很多阶段，但不一定要按部就班。

Thoughts after Hair for Hope

This year after deciding to quit and travel, I signed up for Hair for Hope because I thought I finally can do something I have always wanted to - shaving my head and what's better, for a good cause.

Was I nervous? YES!!!!! But the moment the shaver touched my head, I know there was no turning back. This moment signified the moment I decided to let go of what people will think of me. 

I am grateful for family and friends who supported me. They gave me tremendous courage and to those who have donated, I know God will bless your kindness. =)

While there are people who appreciate what you have done, there are some who don't understand and I am learning to deal with it because while I have already forgotten I am bald, people will remind you that you still are. 

Then I realised the toil of cancer is not just physical, it is mental and emotional as well. May those needing encouragement find comfort in this action of the thousands who shaved their heads.

Hair for Hope is not just an event in my life, it is a journey.

Purposeful Traveller - Be bold, be bald.

Travel - What's SSEAYP (See-yap)?

SSEAYP stands for Ship for South-east Asian and Japanese Youth Programme.

I was first introduced to SSEAYP by W when we were having a conversation at Doi Suthep, Chiangmai. I noted SSEAYP down and checked out about SSEAYP when I was back in Singapore, however registration was not opened then. It then slipped off my mind until I was in the midst of planning my various travel trips in May and I chanced upon that memo note which I wrote "SSEAYP"

I was so so so close to application deadline and the toughest part of the application was to have a referral letter by someone of social authority (????) who can write in reference to my character and ability to work as a team. The first and only person I can think of is W, and she was so kind to write a don't-choose-me-also-cannot kind of referral letter and gave it to me within 2 days!!! She was the God sent angel.

I received notification of the interview when I was in Turkey! The interview/selection is from 9-5pm with team building activities, group interview and group discussion on a cultural performance which we need to put up at the end of the day. Seriously. -_- I felt like a student, no joke.

I attended the one and only selection when I was back from my travel, the date of selection was perfect (because SSEAYP selection date cannot be changed, if you cannot make it, you are out. -_-)

Team building activities which made me perspire like crazy!

My KIWI team during the selection!

After a week of the selection, a few of my team mates already received notification of being selected! After refreshing my email like every second for entire week. I thought I was most probably out of this and so I worked on my NZ trip and decided to bring it closer to November instead.

And guess what....?

I AM IN.

Dilemma.

I received the email notification TODAY and I literally could not focus at work because my friend has just gotten her air ticket to NZ to join me for a holiday, I felt so so bad that she has to cancel the ticket. T.T

So, what's SSEAYP all about??? 

In short, it will involve about 50 days of sailing on Nippon Maru with youths all over ASEAN countries for cultural exchange and I will share more when I experience more. 

As of now, I know the sailing should start in Japan, then to Brunei, then Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia and back to Japan. 

 Wish me good luck.

Credit: http://sseaypsg.tumblr.com/

This opportunity came by because of prayers, help and sacrifices of many people. I am thankful to be selected and given the opportunity to go. 

Purposeful Traveller - Let the sailing begins.

When you can't have a vacation....

I rarely do staycation because personally I think with the same amount of money I can go for a 2D1N holiday somewhere nearby in Malaysia. 

Nevertheless, I tried it out for the first time and I really enjoyed myself! It was supposed to be a birthday celebration cum "holiday" for 4 of us! My friend managed to bake a strawberry shortcake the day before upon birthday girl's request and thanks to lunnieah, the birthday cake box was beautifully decorated! =))

Anyway after some research, I booked Dorsett Hotel for $175++, the location was awesome because it is within walking distance from the MRT and the CNY market, yet it is situated slightly away from the buzz so it was relatively quiet at night! 

We got a room on the 7th floor!

We figured that was a door bell! Cool!

Cozy looking room with fluffy beds and pillows!

We watched 2.5 movies on the HBO channel. LOL. Slacking our day in the room!

View from our room!

View from the roof top garden~

Another PLUS point about Dorsett is that there are plenty eateries around the hotel! We went down and there is a cafe there! We walked around the hotel and spotted this Irish Pub serving affordable set lunch and we had our lunch there!

Potato & Leek Soup~ Yum

$12.80/$15.80 nett for main course, drink and soup!

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I pretended I was overseas. Hahaha.

We headed to Cityhall by MRT to visit Public Garden before going to supermarket to buy our dinner! We randomly decided to Lou Hei (we bought the Salmon Yu Sheng for $33.80, not bad!) and have a sushi dinner! =)

Then of course we celebrated the birthday, the prank with inextinguishable candles nearly freak us out with the smoke they produced! We panicked for awhile, thinking if the smoke will activate the smoke sensors!! LOL! 

We headed to CNY market only at 1am! The streets were much quieter and I could take a good picture of the CNY decorations (I was tempted to stand on the road to take a closer picture, tempted.)

Love the colours of CNY!

Because of the awesome location, we were able to have our brunch at The Plain cafe the next morning (@ Craig Road) which is nearby the hotel too.

This staycation was awesome and memorable because of the people and I must say that the location is fantastic especially during pre-CNY season! =D

Purposeful Traveller - A staycation to consider......

Travel - Lobong Cooking Class in Ubud; Don't miss it!

Have you tried a cooking class in Bali?

I just did one in Ubud for my holiday and it totally blow me away! At first I was quite worried that we need to cook 7 dishes! *swallow saliva* But with the guidance of the chef, all was good and I felt like a pro at the end! hehehe.

The tour started with a local market tour, and from the tour I learnt so much more about the Balinese culture as the guide explained to us!

This is the locals' fast food. Solid.

The traditional Warung, like a food stall cum provision shop!

Below are some pictures of the market and I find them so colourful that I did a series in my instagram - Colours of a Balinese Market!

The guide brought us around to show us what were the ingredients needed for our cooking.

The veggie stall

The spices

Fruits stall

Flowers for Balinese ceremonial rituals.

They have huat kueh for offerings too!

The Auntie in red was jokingly telling us she blended in with the flowers. hehe. Friendly souls we met!

My thoughts: To know one's culture, one should visit a local market.

After a good tour, we proceeded to the owner's house for the cooking class but before the start, the guide brought us around the house and explained to us some interesting things about a traditional Balinese home!

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Rocks outside the Eldest house, which is situated in the North of the compound, it represented the number of children they have!

This (rice) storage represented wealth in the olden Balinese culture. 

We witnessed the making of coconut oil!

Then, cooking begins!!

The ingredients!

Making of peanut sauce.

Making of Kare Ayam, braised chicken leg in coconut sauce.

The boiling of the soup - Cram Cam Gedag Mekuah (Papaya, mince chicken, crispy shallots)

Sate Lilit Ayam, to go with peanut sauce which we made!

Jukut Urab (Mixed vegetables, grated coconut garlic chilli dressing)

The dessert - Dadar Gulung

Not to forget, we spent 1 hour 15 minutes to cook the sweet potato rice!!! *gasped*

After ALL the cooking, we were even showed how the Balinese will have their offerings done before a meal and I followed the owner's mum into their family temple and took a look! =))

After we were done, our food were presented to us beautifully! OMG!!

We were guided to our seats while they served us the fruits of our labour!! I felt as if I was in a fine dining restaurant!!

The souvenir is a bottle of coconut oil! So nice of them!

I really really enjoyed myself and I think this cooking class is definitely worth a try when you are in Ubud men!!! It was one way that made me know Bali more (than just a beach/diving/sea activities vacation)!

Website: http://lobongcooking.com/

The cost of the class: Rp 412,500 (S$44) and it includes everything!

Purposeful Traveller - Good stuff must share!