Another Day In Paradise

Breakfast was at the same place that we had lunch the day before. It wasn't as good as the one at Nirwana Gardens but it's a buffet so I could really care less about how it tasted as long as I ate enough to keep me full till dinner!

We went past the Mini Zoo again and met these...



There were feeling slightly more friendly but I think that's because there was food.

We made our way to kayak and it was damn fun. I really love the work out that it gave me and not only that, the view was awesome. I went really close to these expensive-looking villas. I think I'm not too bad at paddling having had a bit of experience in it. I enjoyed myself tremendously. It would be great to wake up every morning to kayak... park myself in the middle of the ocean and look at the sky...



We rewarded ourselves with a drink from the Pool Bar. I know that it's purely out of novelty but we grabbed a drink from there every day afterwards! The staff was really friendly, especially this guy called Budy. He was exceptionally nice to us and our drinks were delicious. At $8 a drink you'd expect it to be good though!

We went out to the beach and collected a couple of shells as well. Despite the clear waters I'm not very good at spotting the good stuff!

We went back to our Cabana room to wash up and wanted to make our way to the Dino Restaurant at Nirwana Gardens. We're a bit boring and didn't venture out of the resort much but I think they planned it in such a way that it was too good and we'd want to stay and spend all our money there any way!



And the epic sunset... wow. Everything took my breath away, from the skies to the textured patterns on the sand left behind by the low tide.



It left both of us speechless and we just stood there, staring and admiring its beauty. It's hard to describe with words but it was just really relaxing and it made it hard to think of anything else. Overwhelming... the feeling of being there in the moment was just overwhelming.

We had our $80 dinner at The Dino Restaurant, which overloooked the inifinity pool and the rest of the hotel. We also managed to catch a glimpse of the sea from where we were seated.





The food was top-notch and the ambience even more so. There were performances, hearty laughter, soft conversation and an even softer breeze coming from the sea... I could have saved up all that money, but to me, that was all my happiness encapsulated in that very moment... Chilling out and going all out to enjoy myself.

It was interrupted by some other tourists from that country who demanded to be seated out in the balcony. They gave the staff a hard time which we thought was abslutely disgusting since they were really nice to us. The appalling behavior didn't go unnoticed by the other patrons but they were oblivious to the attention around them. It didn't exactly spoil my evening as it made good bitching fodder.

We walked back and went back to our own little corner of beach at the Nirwana Beach Club, laid on the platform, and looked at the stars. Now I know why the song goes "Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are.". Scientifically they are balls of fire undergoing combustion. However we see them for more than what they really are, mysterious lights in the sky, hinting at life and activity from further than we can understand, evoking all the myths and lengends that pay homage to them in some way.

We even saw the moon get bigger and bigger and set beyond the sea.

And as we looked deeper into the sky we saw more and more stars, appearing and disappearing, enthralled like a fairytale promising an everlasting ending.

Just Chill

I've been there before and I was looking for a different experience. Surprisingly, what I got was more of the same, just that I enjoyed it more. I did more planning than I ever did and I learned a lot from it.



We stayed 4D3N at Nirwana Beach Club. It belongs to Nirwana Gardens, but instead of hotel rooms we stayed in quaint bungalows that were split into two rooms. There were forty such rooms with a view of the pond which was filled with lillies and fish. Occassionally we'd catch a glimpse of a monitor lizard. The biggest surprise came when we saw a kingfisher dive into the water for breakfast. It was really handsome but it only paused on a nearby branch for a moment before deciding to head elsewhere for a little more privacy.



Lunch was at this outdoor place which reminded one of Cafe del Mar. It's part of Nirwana Beach Club and can be seen from the reception. It had a great sea view. Despite its less-than-luxurious decor and a menu with prices equal to Cafe del Mar (at Bintan Resorts everything is in Sing dollars), just being there made me relaxed.

We had lunch there. The curry chicken and BBQ chicken cost about $11 each. I'm no expert on food but they tasted awesome!

After that we made our way to Nirwana Gardens to check out their swimming pools and to book trips as well as massages. On the way we came across Nirwana Mini Zoo.



The zoo wasn't there when I visited three years ago. It was thrilling to get up-close with the animals but I felt quite sorry for the birds of prey though. Although they were enclosed in a relatively large cage, it would hardly take them seconds to travel from one end of it to another.





When we arrived at the Nirwana Garden's reception, we tried to book Gunung Bintan Adventure Trek, which would take us through the rainforest and to the mountain itself. I'm guessing it's more of a hill though. Anyway they were fully booked for the weekend. I was desperate enough to try Monday, but it clashed with our ferry departure time.

I guess if I were to go early I'd really book in advance!

The booking for the massage went smoothly but if you are interested in going to Pasar Oleh Oleh, it might be better to book a massage there. A full Thai body massage costs about $31 while one at the hotel for head, shoulders and neck costs $25. The massage parlour might even pay for your trip down to Pasar Oleh Oleh, which, if you choose to make your way down yourself, would cost $6 per person.

In the evening we made our way down to The Kelong Restaurant. I didn't have a pleasant experience there the previous time. All I could remember about the food was that we complained non-stop about it! This time round though, the food was much better. We ordered Frozen Red Snapper, Lemon Chicken, Tom Yam Soup and two bowls of rice for $52. The Kelong Restaurant was on a kelong, obviously and we had our meal next to the wide open sea. It was absolutely surreal. After eating we were visited by a Gar - this fish with a head that looks like an alligator. I can't remember what kind of Gar it was though other than the fact that a curious ang moh couple asked the waiter about it!

We then made our way to Calypso Bar. I like the name "Calypso". It reminds me of that character in Pirates of the Carribean. It is in fact one of the sea nymphs in Greek mythology.



The bar was an extension of the Kelong. As a result it felt like it was right smack in the middle of the sea.





We ordered by two Irish Cream and we were the only ones there! There were a few curious souls who walked all the way over but didn't stay. The two of us sat there and looked at the ocean, feeling the breeze on our faces. The view itself was something magical. You can't see much out there other than a couple of ships on the horizon. Despite the limited vision, the knowledge of the sea's vastness and that incredible distance made me feel like I was looking into infinity.



And this is the view of The Kelong Restaurant from Calypso Bar.

After that one drink I was very very high. I think they put extra rum because we were the only ones who patronised the bar that night! Hahaha...



Don't want to let you all see my face la, so damn red just from one drink. How pai seh.

Bintan

Bintan was absolutely gorgeous.

Refresh

Okay... I know things have been stagnant. It's that need for a total break, a chance to hit the refresh button. I'll be going overseas till Monday. Hope I find what I need.

Till then.

In Control

I got persuaded to take IPPT tomorrow with my platoon. It's not peer pressure okay, it's called team spirit. Unfortunately something went wrong and my name was not inside, so not only do I not have to take IPPT, I don't have to book in early tomorrow!

Because of that, I went for a 10km run in my brand new Brooks. I thought that I wouldn't do it justice to run the usual 3-4km. It was really good and I had a lot of fun. There was the awesome view on the way to Sembawang MRT, meeting my uncle and aunt along the way and great music that got me going.

The best thing of all was the fact that I was enjoying the moment. I wasn't thinking of the past, I wasn't planning for the future. I was there, controlling every breath, every step. And it felt really good. I stopped quite a few times along the way though as most of the time when I reached a traffic junction, the lights weren't in my favour.

When I ran back to the fitness corner at my place and started on my cool down, I stared into the distance and admired the sunset and Woodlands MRT station basked in a warm orange glow. It was then that I realised that I live in a rather nice neighbourhood and it would probably be a mistake to move out too soon.

I stank like mad though... I think the last time I ran such a distance was about a year ago.

I like the feeling of being in the moment and in control. I guess it's something that I'm aiming achieve with regards to what I do in time to come.

PS I've bought the tickets for Lady Gaga's concert at Fort Canning, 12th August. If you're going, see you there!

Pause

I know that since I entered army this blog has sort of been on pause. So has my life. I've been bitching and complaining like there's no tomorrow. I'm so sorry that I've to put my friends through all my nonsense and the fact that I find it hard to make time for anything else because of the crazy schedule.

When I thought 0615 was early, for the past two days we've been booking in at 0545.

I'll meet up with you guys soon and yes, I'm counting down. 4 more days to end of ICT. Thurs, Fri, Mon, Tues.

OMG I can't wait.

Say It

1. Please do not act like you are a big deal when you can't pronounce "mandatory" and "consume".

2. Monday Book-In timing is 0615. Everybody say the three magic words with me. WHAT THE

RESPECT

In my head there was only one line repeating itself over and over.

"I hate fucking waiting," said Britney Spears when the fireworks wouldn't come on while she was filming the video for Circus.

The queue was long. The woman was slow. She was fucking slow. And I wasn't too fast my self. I picked out my size 8.5 Brooks and looked at other stuff and before I knew it there was an entire platoon in queue. And at the end of line was my two friends and I.

We stood there in stoned silence, knowing it would probably be 1140 when it was our turn reach the cashier and we would not get to eat the lengendary Honeydew Sago at the canteen beside this godforsaken E-Mart.

When you're in camp you start thinking of the simplest pleasures in life.

So anyway, as I was saying before bordering on the philosphical, we were there, fucking waiting, in resentful silence. My friend suggested that we took turns going for the canteen break. I turned him down, thinking it would be kind of sad to eat alone, leave a friend behind the queue, or be the one waiting in the queue.

Then, our sergeant came over. He took out his notebook.

"Eh, give me your 11B and your birthdate, I'll help you guys queue. Then you can all go canteen."

His words were greeted with a moment of silence, but not of the stoned kind. More of the bewildered and well, small fireworks of happiness bursting at the thought of enjoying ice-cold Honeydew Sago, yet apprehensive of letting our sergeant queue for us.

We declined, of course.

"By the time you guys finish queueing you'll have to board the tonner and go back to camp. So are you sure you don't want to go? DI can see it in your eyes. You all want to go."

With that we were more determined than ever to queue by ourselves. He went off to the cashier's counter and grabbed a basket, and thrust it to my friend and asked him to put his stuff in it.

And with that he demanded that we return from the canteen in 20 minutes.

It's not that difficult for a commander to earn the trust and respect of his men.

Chompin' Love

50

Babbling Idiot

A week has passed but I haven't been blogging. I'm going through that cycle. At this point I'm struggling to find inspiration. There's just no passion, no excitement. It's a temporary low point, a time for me to figure myself out. What I'm seeking and what I want. I don't want to waste my time chasing after things I don't want. I want to minimise my regrets.

It's like being in a cocoon, moving on to the next stage. I ask myself, "What was I thinking?". As Madonna said, this is one of the questions we ask ourselves when we become self-aware. I want to step forward with confidence, knowing that the past is the cushion behind me and the future is in my grasp. Growing up is hard. It's all about making mistakes and figuring stuff out. Then again, the whole of life is as such. I wish I was more sure though.

I've met with quite a few friends this week, each with their story to tell. They inspire me and for that I'm grateful. I've wondered though, why I just am not used to mingling with people in a big group. I like intimate, engaging conversations. The kind that happens more often than not with only a couple of people at a time. I do miss those noisy, boisterous huge group outings... But I guess it's not really my thing.

If I spend so much time earning money, I think it's time I use it wisely.