Only got a taste of Bali, Must come back for more

I had to go to Bali for work last month, and I must say, that short visit, just left me wanting for more. The timing was less than ideal, since it was just a few days before I had to fly to Europe. Otherwise, I would have been tempted to extend for pleasure. I've been to Bali before, close to 10 years ago, but if memory serves me right, I only got to visit the beaches.

If there is one thing that surprised me about this trip, it was the realization that Bali as an island was quite big. It's known as a tourist destination, with so much to offer. Just a trip to Ubud, in the mountain-side was already an hour away from the airport.

We stayed at the Plataran Ubud Hotel and Spa for the first few days of our meeting, and we were in this wonderful place surrounded by rice fields. I never realized how peaceful or how beautiful that would be.

Yummy Rosella Tea with Chia Seeds as Welcome Drink

The rooms have a nice view of the pool overlooking the rice fields.

View from the Room

View of the rooms from the pool.

They also have a smaller pool and a gym on the other side, again beside the rice fields.

I wasn't able to enjoy the hotel much, because I was rushing to attend a Silver Jewellery Workshop right after I arrived from the airport.

Make My Own Jewellery - Bucket List - CHECK

More details in a separate post.

We were also able to squeeze in a Balinese Massage. I don't remember the name of the place we visited, but again it was beautiful. We had our massage in huts, right beside the rice fields (again!) hahaha.

The Spa Rooms had a bit of a rustic feel to it. But it was very relaxing, complete with an option to take a shower after the massage, if you just manage to figure out which bottle is the shampoo and which one is the body wash. If you mix it up like I did, you'll just end up feeling like the oil is still there even after showering three times.

We finished our massage just in time to catch the sunset.

Another Bali Highlight, which I think I remember doing during my first visit was to have a seafood sunset dinner by Jimabaran Beach.

I am not really a seafood fan, but let me tell you that I think this was the best seafood meal I have ever had. Hahaha.

These clams were so good, I think I managed to finish a whole platter all
by myself.

Best Clams Ever. I think it was generously seasoned with Bango and Butter.

The food is not only exceptional, the place is very beautiful too.

Sadly, we moved to Nusa Dua, just in time for me to catch an early flight back home.

I would have really enjoyed spending time here.

This just means I will be back.

See you soon, Bali! That was a lovely teaser, but definitely not enough. just saying.


Plataran Ubud Hotel and Spa
Jl. Raya Hanoman Pengosekan, 
Ubud, Kec. Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
http://plataran.com/ubud/

Silver Class at WS Art Studio 
Jl. Raya Silungan,
Lodtunduh – Ubud
wahana_silver@yahoo.com
info@craftworkshopbali.com
http://www.craftworkshopbali.com/

Grand Nikko Nusa Dua Bali
Jl. Nusa Dua Selatan, Benoa, Nusa Dua, 
Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia
http://www.grandnikkobali.com/

Su Esthetic Boutique Spa in Bangkok

As part of Jem's Bachelorette Weekend in Bangkok, which you can read about here, we looked for a boutique spa, which was much nicer than the dime a dozen massage place you see on every street corner, but wouldn't break the bank like the hotel spas do. For an ordinary person, just looking at the hotel spa prices can definitely induce stress, not reduce it. Hahaha.

Of course, we wanted good service too, and for that part, we had to rely on online and tripadvisor reviews, and my other criteria was it had to be centrally located because I wasn't willing to go to the middle of nowhere in Bangkok in search of a spa I have never heard of before.

One of the spas I really liked was Su Esthetic Spa located in the Sukhumvit Area, walking distance from the Emporium where Sof and I stayed for a month when I had to go to Bangkok for work in 2010. 

Su Esthetic Spa was offering a package online where they had a 90 minute treatment which includes a facial and a massage among others, for only Baht1,000 (discounted from the original Baht1,800 price). Sucker for a sale that I am, I knew this was the perfect spa for us. I just emailed them from Manila to book our treatments, which they confirmed - with the condition that I call them to confirm at least a day before, which the hotel concierge helped me do when I arrived in Bangkok.

The place did not disappoint. It looked as beautiful in person, just like
the pictures.

Totally unplanned, but the spa matches the bride!!!
As if I planned it that way. Hahaha.

The place feels like you're a guest in a cozy renovated old home.

We totally skipped brunch in order to make it to the spa in time for our treatments so we were all starving.

Too bad the A la Carte Menu did not have any food on it!

We had to make do with the tea, which was served in pretty cups.

They also sell personal care products, as well as handmade trinkets.

You need to make a reservation prior to coming because they can only accommodate 6 people at a time.

We asked for a room for 3 because we were doing a Bridal Shower Activity,
so they just put up a curtain to separate Tim from our side.
This is our before picture.

It's not really clear here, but this was our after picture.
It was really one of the best facials I ever had, and the massage was good too.

True to his role as slave of the bride, Tim is helping Jem remove the lint
from her butt!

It should be more visible in the following pictures how fresh and rejuvenated we were after our treatment.

The only catch is that you need to pay in cash, so make sure you bring enough Baht. They will also encourage you to tip at least Baht 100 for a Baht 1000 treatment which I think is quite reasonable since the service is good.

Su Esthetic Spa is located on a side-street off- Sukhumvit Soi 26, so it's not that easy to find it, but once you're on the correct street, you can't miss it.

Ironically, it's a Korean Spa in Bangkok, but I love it so much, I can't wait to go back for work so I can schedule another treatment. just saying.


Su Esthetic Home Spa
Soi Thanphuying Phuangrat Praphai, 
Sukhumvit Soi 26, Bangkok 10110. 

In Thai: สุขุมว‘ท ซอย26, ซอยท่านผู้หญ‘งพวงรัตน์ประไพ
http://www.suesthetic.com/

Jem's Bachelorette in Bangkok

My best friend Jem is getting married soon, and while we see each other much less AS (After Sofia), AI (After Ivan), and ATmtS (After Tim moved to Singapore), we still remain to be a tight trio, getting each other into trouble... or out of it, in whatever country we find ourselves in. Hahaha.

Since we've traveled together much less after all the acronyms I created above, we decided to plan a trip, with just the three of us one last time before Jem's big day. We originally planned to meet Tim in Bangkok, but with my changing roles and all that, I ended up with a meeting in Singapore, so I flew to Bangkok directly which gave me time to set up the place before Jem and Tim arrived.

I prepared all our favorite Thai snacks, and eco-tote bags from Ikea for our shopping.

We prepared wine, bridal shower flowers, and the magic box for Jem's shower.

The set-up was supposed to include a handmade paper flower bouquet, but
I was rushing too much to catch my early flight to Singapore, I left it at home.

Good thing the hotel room came with orchids that I just decorated with
lace garter headbands.

The labels on our pillow includes the Maid of Honor and Slave of Honor.

Jem knew it was our last trip together, but I don't think she realized we'd pack it with Bridal Shower activities. Good thing my new camera unwittingly took a video of our still pictures. Hahaha.

Welcome to your Bangkok Bridal Shower Jem!!!

To welcome Jem, we prepared #Taken PJs for her in the magic box,
which we told her she needed to return. Hahaha.

For the first day task, she was given a bride top (which I hand-sewn myself),
and we just told her to be ready by noon.

We woke up earlier than expected, so we were able to grab some breakfast
from The Canary Cafe, which you can read about here.

Another possible alternative for breakfast is this place, also across the
street, if you fins yourself up before 10:00am.

Since we had time to spare after brunch, we were able to relax by the pool.

Ready to leave for our first task.

This bride had no clue where we were taking her. Hahaha.

Our first day activity was learning how to cook Thai food at Silom Thai
 Cooking School, with a market tour included. More details in a separate post.

Let's just say, most of the things we cooked were delicious, but the Tom Yum could be better... but clearly we were too busy taking photos. But it was definitely a great experience. Hahaha.

The Day 2 Task Cards said it was a free day for shopping, with a
Bye Bye Condoms dinner planned for the night.

Since we love making everything into a game, Jem gave us a Chatuchak
Shopping Challenge! We all had to buy something for Jem and Ivan's
new house, spending only 100 Baht!

Chatuchak was so chaotic, I just got reminded why I never go anymore.
We were so hungry, we bought buttered bread on sticks and it was so good.

When we finally found the eateries, we chose one where there were a lot
of locals (and the prices were a fraction of the tourist trap ones). 

Hello Carbs overload, memories of SR Thai, with a side order of
Minced Pork and Basil. (Sobrang Rice Thai from our University days)

After lunch we immediately bought our entries,
so we could get out of the chaos known as chatuchak market.

And the winner is... my pillow cases!!! Hooray. We nagged Ivan to judge.
Jem bought 6 metallic coasters, but only entered 4 because they were 20baht
each, and Tim just grabbed a set of wind chimes because we all wanted to
go home already.

For dinner, we took Jem to Cabbages and Condoms, one of the restaurants
we used to visit (before I started blogging- so I will blog about this soon). 

Jem kept wanting to go for a massage, and we just kept ignoring her...

Because our third day task was to get pampered! 

We got the works done at Su Esthetic Home Spa and we were very happy
with the cozy place and the service. More on this soon.

It was a very wholesome bachelorette for Jem, but since this is Bangkok,
I just has to post some of the things we've seen, like what is allowed and not
 in cabs, plus it's only in Bangkok that sex toys are sold on the sidewalk!

That was just part 1... can't wait to see what we come up with for Jem's Bachelorette in Manila with the rest of her friends and family. I'm sure it will be equally entertaining. just saying.