Balkans Day 2 - 082018 - Old town Zadar (Croatia)

It's Friday! Not sure what people do these days on a Friday. I guess, this is what I do or what I can do from now onwards. Be more active and be more hardworking updating this so that I have stories many years to come. 

Picking up from the previous post about my vacation back in 2018, we woke up here, sunshine! 

Bonn Appetit! We have carbs over there. I like carbs haha. My body might not like it.

Or some healthier options, the fruits haha. Let's get the stomach happy before leaving.

The blue sky, leaving Dubrovnik. Until we see you again on our last day. What's the best thing doing road trips like this? Blast those classic Malay songs! haha. So Malaysian right? haha. Yes we are, of course.

After a couple of hours of drive, here we are at Old town Zadar. Roughly 3 ish to 4 ish hours depending on traffic. 

Read some really good reviews about Pet Bunara, so here we are

Just us two. Honestly, I can't remember how the experience was 4 years ago. I shall then not comment about it.

Walking around, from one alley to another, waiting for sunset. It's a nice place to walk around for some insta-worthy pictures and yes, remember to grab some gelato while walking around. Not sure how that works with Covid now if we can walk around eating ice-cream.
 

Location: Old town Zadar, Croatia

Day 1: Langkawi 122520

Since the pandemic started, I have not gotten any break, vacation, getaway or even a staycation. The last getaway I had was just before I started this job which was August 2019 to Penang. During this difficult time, let's not talk about overseas vacation. Let's face the truth and be practical.

Finally, I managed to get a super short albeit something I really needed for a long time now. All our vacation plans had to be canceled, put on hold, or delayed for God knows how long. My assumption is for another year. Even a staycation sounds like a luxury these days.

So, let's not talk anymore. 2 weeks before Christmas, we have decided to cruise to Langkawi. It's not the best bet for an island, but this would do for now.

We drove to Kuala Kedah, held one night in Alor Setar (or in fact, it was just a couple of hours) before we headed over to the jetty.

Right after we picked up our car for the next few days, we headed here. The Scarborough Fish & Chips. It's recommended in Trip Advisor. Have your fish and chips overlooking the Andaman Sea. Why not right?

Here you go, my snow fish. This place is kinda secluded, so you need to search for it with their little humble signage. It is made to order, so you might need to wait awhile.

So when I go to places like this, I have this habit of ordering mango juice. Haha. 

We stayed in Tanjung Rhu in Langkawi. It is the opposite end from Kuah. Check in time was 3pm. The rooms were not ready at that time. I want to understand from a hotelier's perspective but at the same time I can't when 3pm is a commitment. 

We supposed to kayak that evening but due to peak season, there were no slots for us. So what can we do? ATV it is. 

We had a volley ball session after that. Haha!

Here we are at the comfort of Tanjung Rhu beach for the sunset. I must say that it's a very pretty sunset.

We then went over to Kuah for dinner. I have never done anything like this before but everything has a first time, right? It was just the 4 of us but holy cow! We finished 10 dishes with one big jar of ice lemon tea and chinese tea each. Obviously, we had food coma. haha!

It's time that we explore more domestic traveling. It's not that we can right now, but this is the chance during the pandemic whenever the government ease the restrictions. We are lucky that we have beaches and islands in Malaysia.

Let's Cuti-Cuti Malaysia!

Happy New Year 2021!

I don't think there was anything great to look back to for the past year. It's not the typical year, but it's a year full of learnings and adaptations. It's our first time doing this together, regardless if you are a citizen or government. 

I hope 2021 will be a way better year than the last. At least, we try to be responsible as adults, as a citizen of a country, caring for the people and the planet. Of course, we have to find a balance between safety and sanity.

If you are having a hard time, please reach out to someone.

This is our quiet celebration from PNB Hotel and Suites NYE. There was no fireworks or anything like that. Heck, it wasn't even any kind of party. It was just 4 people with nothing better to do, ended up having a nice, pleasant dinner and just chill out in the room. 

                                                  

Getting ready to go for our dinner. HAHAHA.

Our buffet. It was good, except that the guests there were not really compliant.

If there is nothing exciting going on, we create one. The older we get, it's less parties, or none. The way we define a chilling session would be very different from how we used to see life a decade ago.

I know I will not be able to adapt to non-traveling life for a very long time. So let's all hope together that things will be much better soon.

Here is to wishing everyone a blessed year, stay in good health, find stability, happiness, and everything that you wish for. At the same time, be thankful for all that we have been blessed so far.

Cheers! Or, we say tschüss!

Thank You!

I haven't visited the temple since the last I went when I was in school. Just because I did not put much effort in studying and being a student, procrastination is to the next level. We all know that, we have all gone through that. haha. Except, if you're studious, then it's a different story all together. It's best to pray if you fall into the former. 

For the first time in SO many years, I stepped my foot into the temple. Since 2019 was the year of retrenchment, aside of whatever I have, I still need luck to be on my side.

I'm not sure if I haven't been here for a really long time, or any other reasons, I find this really pretty. haha. In the end, I got the job. Congratulations to myself haha. Of course, I went the second time to say thank you! 

To be honest, I really like visiting temples. My current goal is Laos. haha. Hanging out with the monks sound cool. ✌

Venue: Thean Hou temple which became a tourist attraction now. 💗

Amber Beila Review -100

I know I haven't done this for awhile now. Back to reviews.

I know, I have done this review in Instagram, in Facebook. But, that's not sufficient. So, my friend bought this Groupon voucher because it was cheap. Call us cheapskate, but, we wanted to try it since it's like hundreds usually and you get like 39 bucks. Who wouldn't want, right?

This is based on my personal experience, it wasn't told by someone else. I wouldn't label anything right now, let me review and we will come to a conclusion then.

We bought a 3.5 hour full body aromatherapy and lymphatic massage, together with facial. I didn't know what to expect from a lymphatic massage but I read on it after that that it is supposed to be gentle, not painful and does not have a stimulating effect.

We entered the center, expecting to see some pretty ladies. What I saw was some bare-faced "beauticians." Proper beauty centers like this, I really expect them to speak English but they came with Chinese. o.O So there were 2 sides to sit, one on the left and another on the right. So, she just said, have a seat. She didn't bother when I sat at the other side because there's a form I had to fill which I wasn't aware of. Another came out with a cup of tea asking me to sit at the other side. I was then asked to fill in the form. Honestly, in centers  like this, this isn't my first time. There were no consultations. Instead, all they did was to ask you to fill in the form if you have any allergy and stuff like that on the form. Okay, in you go for a massage.

The moment I lied on the place they prepared for massage, the lady came in, asking if I wanted lavender or ginger oil. I said, I didn't want because from what I would have known, that is an additional charge. Then, she sounded like, I have to take. I told her politely I wanted lavender. The moment I said lavender, she said it's an additional charge. I am not commenting, yet.

Then, the masseur came in and she started doing it. She asked if the strength was okay, which it was. In the middle of it, I felt like she was marinating a cow. In particular, in the end of the massage whereby it was so painful, it was so poignant I hope that it ended at that very moment. I am someone who loves massage, by the way.

Then, I had to change room for the facial. She started to condemn my skin, saying that tsk tsk you have really dry skin here, and oily at your T-zone. Lady, I am fully aware of that, stop condemning. She said I need to do this and that treatment, which I refused of course. It's an additional of almost 200 bucks for that. I said no. She then offered a serum which was cheaper, but it's also almost 100 bucks. Again, I declined that upsell. She started doing all kinds of nonsense like she just puts stuff on my face without telling anything, left the room for a really long time until the room temperature became so uneasy and uncomfortable. There was no clock in the room and I wasn't supposed to wear a watch too. I don't live in stone age, aunties.

When I was finally done, that took about 3 hours instead of 3.5. Again, I didn't want 3.5 anymore. Oh! She brought me to the consultation room. I know, it's not something I can avoid because they will try to sell you their packages. For obvious reason, it has been declined again. We rejected them. Once we said no, she showed her black as a wok face, put down the brochure and walked out without a word. That's great customer service!

When we wanted to leave, Dwaeji's slipper was hidden God knows where. That  lady, with all the rudeness in the world, said that it's in one of those cupboards, look for it. That's very polite, I think I like that a lot. She can be nominated as one of the best serving customer service in the whole universe, like really.

The next day, my back turned to be that way in the picture. I was in pain, nobody could touch my back at all. Someone actually slightly tapped my back, and I was screaming in excruciating pain. Mind you, that was just a tap.

For all the good stuff they have put on their website, even with all the purchasing power that I have, I wouldn't even go, ever. It's all untrue, it's all just at their surface. If, these people refuse to serve the Groupon customers, by all means, withdraw from Groupon. Nobody is forcing you to advertise there. If you cannot cope with the volume with such minimal payback and you can't even cover the cost of your products, please, I request you to withdraw. It is not your customers fault that they do not want to sign up packages with you. The reason people patronize is because there was a promotion, and it was cheap, and most of them, they just wanna experience it. If you manage to catch them to sign up with you and scam them all the way, good for you but how many would? In addition to that, if you showed your bloody annoying face, being outright rude to us, tell me, in which logical sense, would a sane person wanna sign up with you? No way in Hell.

Today, November 21st, it has been a month since I posted a complaint on Groupon's FB. I checked back to see. Not everyone will do that, but I apologize that I am from the service background, I do follow ups in whatever I do.

Groupon freaking removed my complaints from their FB page. If one wonders, there were no profanities or vulgarities, just facts. Being rude is something a lot of people cannot tolerate. It is simply unacceptable for someone to be rude, especially working in places like that.

Signing off, this is to declare, Amber Beila is to be prosecuted and blacklisted, for life. They are located in Taman Sea. If you want to be tortured, too loaded, like people being rude to you, wanna feel the marinated feeling, I wouldn't stop you, go ahead, and of course, enjoy~ This is, epic failure.

Score: -100

The first gel manicure

Finally, I went to his place called BeeQNails Salon. It was recommended by Dede when she went to do her nails few weeks back. I had a hard time choosing which design I wanted. Honestly, this was the first time I did a gel manicure. So, I had to ensure I go for a good one, instead of the ones you find at a mall which you're unsure if they are good. Yeah, all the designs were all so pretty and beautiful. I was in a huge dilemma!

I have done countless manicures over the years. But, this is the first time I did a gel one, and with designs. Totally awesome and loving it.

The color is so radiant. Instead of the normal air dry, there's something called LED. Omg, I feel so countryside.

It takes longer than the normal ones of course. The people are so friendly, so professional and so skillful. You feel so at home. I love the whole ambiance there too. I will definitely be back.

It may not be the normal 35 ringgit manicure, but, for a slightly higher price, it's worth every single extra you fork out. For sure, I guarantee that. The result? Gorgeous! If you have Instagram, just hashtag them and you get a little discount. Nice! Oh did I mention to remove the gel manicure, it's actually complimentary? :D

I have been admiring my own nails since :P

Lombok Day 7 & 8

Omg, did 8 days just passed like that? This is already Day 7&8 and off we went back to KL, back to reality. There's always a post holiday blues each time we are out of the country for holidays. Regardless, but you feel it more if you're out of the country. I know I felt it really badly, til the point I fell really sick and I needed to MC 2 days, and it was then Chinese New Year. What a luck I had.

It's time to go home. Goodbye Gili Trawangan

Yup, the speedboat came to us 15 minutes after we called them

Yeah, there's even Harry Potter here in this hotel haha. We stayed here in Praya and the main reason was because it's located very nearby to the airport.

That's what I bought back home. Everything was so cheap. Hair mask, scrub, toothbrush and etc. We bought all. So, we literally did our shopping inside a mart which is just like the size of a 7 Eleven. haha, how cool is that.

Our last picture while still breathing in the air of Lombok.

Sunglasses - Find the perfect one

The weather is getting hotter and hotter these days. If you check the temperature, it's increasing each day and it's not even funny anymore. Each time you're out, you can never go without sunglasses. Personally, I have always liked wearing sunglasses. Ensure that you pick the right sunglasses for your face shape of course. 

Sunglasses are the accessories for women to cover their eyes from the sun and still appear stylish anywhere they go. If you're like me, lazy to put on make up, this is the way to go. Put on some sunglasses and strut the street without looking ridiculous. However, it might be a problem for some girls as not all sunglass designs could suit a person’s face. Different people have different face shapes where some are heart-shaped, oval, round and square. The wrong choice of sunglasses for your face will definitely make your face seem peculiar and you don't want that.

For a woman who has heart shaped face where the forehead is wider with narrower jaw line and high cheekbones are suitable to wear cat eye sunglasses as it will accentuate the face shape. Celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Love Hewitt are heart shape face ladies who love wearing those fancy sunglasses. Meanwhile, oval shaped faces ladies have the most advantage as their face shape is suitable with any designs of sunglasses in the market because their face feature has balanced proportions. Lucky right!

The cute round face women should definitely opt for rectangular or square sunglass frames to enhance their look. Round face celebrities such as Kristen Dunst and Emma Stones balances out their face by wearing square frames and still look amazingly stunning. Other than that, the technique works vice versa with the squared shape face ladies. A round sunglass frame will be the perfect choice to highlight the best features. It is seen that women could look fabulous and pretty by selecting from the various sunglass brands offered in the market. With these simple tips, you could never go wrong with your sunglass selections. If you are wondering for the fastest way to get your stylish sunglasses, Zalora offers you a wide range of sunglasses at an affordable price. You could browse through their website and have it delivered right at your doorstep!

Low maintenance guys

Okay, I've just read the 11 signs that your bf is low maintenance. Oh my gawd. I really know guys like that.

I feel that it really shows and the worst of all is when you wear the same damn shirt over and over again. You see the same shirt every single week. I see that as a turn off, like as if you do not have any other shirts? C'mon, a shirt is not exactly that expensive, right? It cannot be costing you hundreds for one shirt. It's fine if you are not into brands, or fashion, or shopping. But, I believe, when you need to shop, you just need to. You don't have to go to a shopping mall to shop. You can do it online. I know guys who are way too lazy to shop in a mall. They do everything online.

The other one is, not having a facial cleanser. Like, seriously? I can never accept this, no facial cleanser. Then, how the hell do you wash your face? Either they do not wash, or they use soap to wash. Saying things like it's just gay to be using. Let's see in the end of the day, whose skin is better? The ones who use facial cleanser vs the ones that use water/soap. Yeah, some individuals actually pass that kind of low derogatory remarks. That shows how narrow minded people can really be. People can tell.

At this time of the day, of this era and generation, you are just so far lacking behind, dude. Buck up. Nobody likes people like that. I know I don't. :D

Being Repetitive

It is very important to dress appropriately for occasions, places you go to and stuff like that. You don't go wearing some unique sense of fashion with all that fats bulging out to show to the world. That's exactly what I saw 2 days ago :O I was shocked!

Okay, that's beside the point. I just don't understand how, someone can be wearing the same damn thing to meet people. Not everyday, but it's the same thing every week.

Wearing the same each week is a real turn off. Let's just be honest. We are humans, and humans love beautiful stuff. I personally do not appreciate or just don't know how to appreciate someone who wears the same every single day or every other days. Not talking about uniforms. But rather, clothes.

What is wrong with dressing up decently and nicely without being repetitive? I am not asking you to be a fashionista or fashion disaster, it's really not necessary. We don't need that around us either. Just don't be so boring? A guy once told me, I ain't no gay to be dressing up like that. Damn, I just don't know how narrow minded can people be. It leaves me speechless and well, just stay where you are because it makes people lose interest on you really easily. Trust me on that. If you're talking about personality? That's bull shit, people don't look into that these days :D Furthermore, only if you have a great personality :)  

Deprived of Clothes or Cheapo?

Recently, I came across a picture of a girl in Instagram. I don't have any Instagram account, yeah being outdated or not, it doesn't really matter, but someone sent that picture to me.

The moment I saw the picture, I was so disgusted and grossed out. A picture of a girl with her skimpy inner wear, putting up on a public place like Instagram. Wow, really? I'm not sure what she's trying to show the world, like how beauti-fool her ass is? Nobody will be attracted. Instead, people will look lowly on people like you.

It's nothing to do with me absolutely. But, it has something to do with me when girls like that that contribute to the society where the reputation of girls gets lower and lower. That the mindset of people will eventually start to think that we are here, born to please a certain species called, the guys, which is untrue. It makes me mad.

Furthermore, being born in this society and culture, with a religious background, you should know how to act decently. Ooh did I mention that this thing has a bf too. God, what's happening to the world.

So, when losers and desperados start disturbing girls like her, they will then start to whine and rant as well as start complaining why guys love to disturb her. I'm sure of that. Guess what? You asked for it. If you don't trigger a certain something, things won't happen. There's a reason behind everything that happens. Like, cheapo, seriously? Deprived of clothes or just plan cheap? It is definitely the latter. What a shame you bring on to your family. I pity them.

Konichiwa Day 6 Part 2

Yeah, all good things have to come to an end. This will be no exception. My holiday is over. It means, I gotta work for another half a year without any leaves. Oh god~

We are all aware of Japan and the shopping streets with the overwhelming fashion trends. This is the place. Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku. Choose one. hehe.

You may not see many guys stuff in KL, but it's different here in Japan. The weather is as good as ever. It's windy, it's chilly and there's nothing like in KL. I mean, it's winter. C'mon. haha.

We are back at the airport, it means sayonara Japan. Boo~

New Specs

Well, last weekend I did my specs for 2013. Haha. Oh it's time to be nerdy

I quite like this specs except that even though they had made it tighter, I still feel it's a tad too loose. Ahh~ I was in a rush so I could not fix it to the right feeling. 

Heh :D haha.

Welcome to Langkawi Day 2 Part 2

All these pictures were taken in Pantai Cenang. Since the weather was great, we decided to spend our time a little longer there. As long as we have the time to have our breakfast later back in fatCupid, then it's all good.

I love the blue sky. Though it looks cloudy, but it was actually quite sunny. You know how pictures don't justify the brightness and the actual sunshine

Despite not having anything for breakfast yet, we manage to preserve the energy to jump

That's me. haha. I love it that there's sunshine yet windy.

Strolling along the beach haha

Blue blue sky :D Though I know sunshine is good, but I am a little afraid of it at the same time. I do not have naturally fair skin. The tone I have is based on hard work. Once I get tanned, it takes months and years to have my original color back. Once upon a time in Langkawi 4 years ago, it took my skin just 2 hours under the sun and it became black & white. It needed one whole freaking month to get my skin to be completely peeled off. It took the next month to just have my skin grow back. Needless to say, it took at least one year away from the sun to get a tone where I can at least accept. At least accept meaning there's no huge difference between my face and my shoulder.

Validation

My life is always filled with some very interesting people that I will not have a chance to actually say "I'm bored" as I am always entertained by these people.

As interesting as they are, it makes me wonder sometimes what happened that they become like that, or they are naturally like that? You may be naturally be in a certain way, but it can be changed.

I realize many many girls have the tendency to get validation from their bfs or the close guy friends. "Am I pretty?" "am I fat" this and that. The second question is a very dangerous question though. You may want to play around with the words before answering her because tsunami is just about to happen.

I see they have been putting so much into beautifying themselves, dolling themselves up so that they stand out in the crowd. But, what they don't realize is that they have put too much in their appearance. They have forgotten about being interesting, being someone with qualities, instead of just being another pretty girl.

You will not be able to compete in that world. For sure, there will be someone prettier, someone taller and etc. What makes you feel worse is that, they do it so effortlessly and you need to spend hours in front of the mirror daily. Is that worth you time and energy? Putting layers and layers of make up will not make you look better. It's not a competition of the thickest layer of make up you can put.

Well, okay let's just say you are the prettiest girl on earth. But, if you do not have the characteristics, the personality, the confidence, that is completely not justified. Look at a flower, it's pretty, it's nice, people look at it. After awhile, they get bored, they will look at another flower. It's the exact same thing with you. If you cannot carry a deep conversation, and all you talk about is a surface kinda thing whether you are a guy or a girl, people's interest will eventually fade off. Think again.

This is not so much of an issue with the past generation. However, it's not a complete zero percentage. There are some who are in their 30s who act like that, STILL. It's shocking but they exist. It's just so common with the ones from Generation Y, sadly.

You get what you deserve

I know that there wide selections of clothes selling out there in the malls compared to years back. As you have noticed and realized, girls are wearing lesser and lesser, shorter and shorter, thinner and thinner.

I believe that when you work, go to the office, it's only wise and professional to dress in certain way. That means not too short, not too thin, not too exposed like as if you are revealing your body to the public. If you are working in certain industries of course it is acceptable. But, if it's a corporate office, dressing up in that way does not portray you are a qualified employee. That's how usually people see you as. That also leads to self-respect. If you respect yourself, you do not wanna have remarks like "geez, look at that woman wearing so skimpy to work, that's an absolute disgrace." I'm sure no person in the right mind will want that. Don't be surprised if there are people who want that. Instead, they will interpret it as "Omg, so many people are looking at me, I'm a star." God, give us all a break.

There comes the guy. No, not them dressing like that. If they do, I rather not live anymore. You know which kind of guys deserve a respect? Not those who says "you look so beautiful" or that says "let's have a date." Not at all those kind. Instead, the deserving kind is those that when you see other girls dress in that offensive manner, you don't pass on remarks like "it's better not to wear" or "phewittt the bod is hawt" or "check out that chic." Instead, they keep quiet and decide not to say anything. That deserves a respect. He who does not bother about how a girl dresses and does not go crazy for her just because she's wearing shorter than most girls. He who knows what to say and what not to say. He who when in the company of girls, watch what he says. No sexist guys.

I know guys who are like that. "Phewitt" or "wah that skirt is so short" so what? You telling other girls that? You gotta be kidding me man. You should learn how to shut up for once. If you don't, get lost from my life and that does not affect me even one bit. First of all, imagine if some other guys on the street say that towards your own sister, or gf, or wife whichever that is applicable. Or better still, your own friends say that. Heh. Now, how that feels?

If you think you want to be respected like a rightful human being, then act as one. I am not asking you to act noble, posh, vogue or any of that sort, or even swag haha, but yeah, be respectful towards others. Human beings appreciate beautiful people. So, be beautiful inside. That also means, acting in a courteous manner deserve a respect, at least from this human being. We in general don't like rude people, right?

My New Hair

I have been loving short hair for as long as I live. It was true that I did have long hair. Both lengths have its own advantages and disadvantages.

Finally, after 3 years, I am back to short hair. The fact that I can do things that I like, the fact that there's nobody saying "you are not allowed to cut your hair short" and the fact that it's just all about me makes me really really happy.

Who says short hair means ugly and long hair means pretty can just get the hell outta my sight. Honestly. Just because you want to judge someone from the hair? Really, then just do what you are best at, judge every single person out there because honestly, there will be someone who will be worse than you, judging you the way you do to others and that will not be me as I have more important things to do.

Calling guys with long hair gays? Oh please. They look so damn awesome. Criticize more, judge more if that's what you are good at :D

Long to Short Soon

The time has arrived when I am gonna cut my hair short again. For those who have that perception that girls with short hair is ugly, it will not stop me. :D Yeah, I'm actually quite taken aback with that kind of derogatory remarks. How can you, right? But, that will not deter me from doing anything that I like ^^ whatever one likes and feels like thinking, it's all just in your head. Also, especially those who have short hair with boy cut, it's even worse. It become totally unacceptable for people like that. How many girls can actually accept that style? So when you meet one, you should appreciate okay! haha!

Short or Medium?

After having long hair for quite some time now, I guess the time has come to cut my hair short again. I love short hair, just don't ask me why.

But I don't know how short would I wanna go this time and which style. Ahh dilemma all over again.

I guess I will pick one our of these 5 pictures. Even though maybe in few days time I would have picked the one I like the most, I will still maybe end up in a different one. I am indecisive and fickle-minded like that and that makes me a typical Libran ;)

The Bread Casing

Thank you for this bread casing. I'm always hungry now because of the smell. To the one that gave me, thank you :)