Golden Palm Tree Resort Weekend Trip!

Finally we had our long awaited weekend at the Golden Palm Tree Resort! Their villas were much more relaxing than I expected, and I absolutely loved their interior designing. Matching white with wooden furniture made the whole place look so breezy and refreshing!

The balcony was rather spacious, leading to a view of the other braches of villas and a nice wide view of the sea and the beach some distance away. The sea wasn't at all deep- we could see translucent, odd fish swimming below out villas; in fact the next day when it was low-tide the water was all drained away, leaving the brown firm mud-bed out to the sun. Surprisingly there was no muddy smell of swamp.

The balcony had a set of rattan table and chairs that was great for 

stoning at night listening to sea breeze.

You could see the sea from your shower stall- if you 

don't mind the fish looking at you while you bathe!

The resort had bicycles that guests could freely use- though it was incredibly hard to be able to get any since many people tend to keep those bikes in their villas, though you weren't supposed to. My cousins had a great time riding them in circles whenever they managed to find an unoccupied one. It's a brilliant idea, if people had the decency to leave those bikes back at the bicycle racks for other people to use and not hoard it for themselves...!!!

After checking out the villa, we went out to the extreme park where they offered paintball, all-terrain vehicle rides, archery and of course, the go-kart.

Obviously, I finished last, because I'm a safe driver like that.

It was relatively fun, (if you're not the one paying for it lol) and then after that we went for a dip in the pool back at the resort.

The pool opened up to an unobstructed view of the sea, so it was as though you could fool yourself into thinking you're in the sea, which is actually really cool.

We chilled for a bit then went out for dinner. We were lucky to find a Chinese restaurant, the seafood was really good!

After dinner we went back to the resort where they had a live band playing at the poolside. Music was playing, and the stars were out. The sea breeze was cooling and the night was spent relaxing.

We woke up in time to make the buffet breakfast, which is typical hotel food. Lunch outside after we checked out, however, made up for the lack of good food. I have a biased view that small towns always have better food, and I was not disappointed. Pretty much had the best curry laksa with its own taste, paired with gloriously refreshing longan drink.

My uncle looking gorgeous in a sun hat.

I finally got my red dragon fruit drink after so long of wanting it! It's locally produced, and they don't skimp on real fruit. I recommend to shake the bottle before drinking otherwise by the time you get to the bottom all you get is pulp, not juice.

We dropped by the beach first, because what's the point of going so far to the sea without having fun on a beach? It was low tide when we got there, so we walked quite a distance into the seabed. We chased the little red crabs scuttling about- they were about the equivalent of the ants of the land, I suppose. There were swarms of them, a shimmering carpet of red on the sea bed.

It felt good to just spend the weekend totally relaxed! Can't wait to come back here again!

Roasted coffee fruits!

Fastest Holiday Ever; and How It's All About the Company

In preparation for our weekend at the Golden Palm Tree Resort, we had our bags packed and ready to go by lunchtime. Suffice to say we were all really excited, when six people are packed into a car on the way for a vacation. With beaches. Sun, sand and swimming. (And sunblock!)

And then everything changed when the fire nation attacked. I mean; we should have seen it coming. Haha! What is this it? ...MAGIC. I wonder, if any of us have contemplated the worst that could happen, would anyone have figured we might actually not even have our holiday?

The drive took about an hour and a half, maybe more since we stopped somewhere for lunch. Along the way Waze reported numerous traffic jams; that should have been the first clue. The roads should have been clear all the way- this is the stretch of no man's land between the airport and the city we're talking about. 

The second clue was when we turned into the resort and saw cars lining up at the drop off/pick up point  and the people that swarmed around the place like ants. It was the school holidays, so I saw all these high schoolers in their little packs hanging around the lobby. And families. With babies. Or extended families and their twice-removed aunt. Basically there was a lot of people in the lobby and there were no fans. We sat there on the lobby floor sweating and running low on battery because I was busy playing Wind Runner while my mom and aunt went to check in.

I even brought Danbo and took a picture, which was supposedly meant to convey the intense boredom and unease at waiting with the clever play of lights and reflective surfaces.

We weren't the only ones. Like I said, the crowd was incredible. Families sat around; kids were engrossed with their iPads and iPhones and PSPs, mothers waited impatiently with haggard faces, older kids on their phones talking and gesturing with a hard line to their mouths as though they were much older than they're supposed to be. They all looked like they either really, really needed a vacation, or they just had a shitty one. Family vacations aren't supposed to suck. If they do then it's time to really look over your family chemistry.

In the end it turned out that there were some communication problems and there was no reservation for us. So we had a good laugh about it and turned back. It was like a one-day trip in a car.

We got home in time to jump into the pool. I whined about being fat for a good while but forgot about it as I splashed water around like a beached whale with my uncle and his family in the crowded pool. After a while my mom and sister appeared; my sister in swimwear, ready to jump in as well (with much persuasion from us) and my mom in casual clothing, refusing to join us. She's not fond of swimming.

After swimming we went for a fabulous dinner of great Indian food. I've seen Sagar restaurant many times as I travel home but never thought of eating there. I'm glad we did. 

The exterior of the place was rather grand in a subtle sort of way; with surprisingly witty elements of a glass walkway. The moment you opened the door pretty much the smell of India assaults you. My sister who has spent a considerable amount of time in India said the smell was very authentic and then "I can't wait to try the food." This is a good sign. I love indian food.

We ordered simple, typical dishes. Curried mutton, cauliflower, tandoori chicken, briyani rice, mashed up spinach, naans. The food was fantastic. 5/5 for everything except the other sort of chicken (which isn't really in the picture) but the tandoori chicken made up for its mediocracy. (The other chicken wasn't bad, but next to the variety of brilliance it didn't shine.) We even had a second serving of tandoori chicken, and the second serving was even better.

The atmosphere was great, the service was great, the food was great. Company, even better.

I'd like to say, at the end of it all, that really it's the company that makes the difference. Even the most mundane of things, like going to the bank or buying groceries can be just a little more fun with the right people around. And I'm blessed to be surrounded by the best of the lot.

ERMAHGERD BUSES

I'm high! No actually I'm just lacking sleep. It happens that I get really restless before I crash so right now I'm just at that bit where I can't keep my eyes open and can't keep my mouth shut. This is also why everything I'm typing! Ends! In exclamation marks!

Currently sitting on the bus to Penang with Eu Jin, Andrea, Wei Lim, Sheryl and Nelson! :D Eu Jin and I are having fun trying to make Andrea miserable, not that she isn't already. But more so. HAHAHAHA!

Oh dear god I'm so tired...

Missing people already. Le petit ami, for one, but more of my mom. :\ the Snickers she bought just makes me miss her more. What nonsense is this tho, I won't be seeing her for the weekend. Ugh! >_<

This broadcast is disturbingly noisy and unintelligible. And so long! Ugh, #rude! == tsk. Please,
1. Better speakers and
2. Better microphone and
3. Better broadcaster, generally.
I'm not sure which of problem 1 and 2 is the main issue but problem 3 is a definite big issue here.

Oh at least the blankets are really soft and nice.

I'll sleep. I gotta sleep otherwise I will not be able to function properly past the weekend. >_<