First class service, food was great, and I had one of the most dramatic candle/sparkler I’ve even seen on a Awfully Chocolate cake.

Wearing my new dress I got through Sloane Elizabeth Robertson.

Race Day breakfast at the flat.

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendol.

Foot reflexology at Komtar. Exactly the same shop too!

Mannequin Janice at Komtar.

Dim Sum at Restoran Zim Sum.

Nom-ing at Macalister Road

The Fangs

Me and my Chee Cheong Chook!

# of Bedrooms : 5
Total Living Area : 1000m2
Total Grounds : 2200m2

Villa Azaya is a contemporary-styled, five-bedroom, Bali rental villa, located just 50 metres from the beach in the Petitenget/Seminyak neighbourhood on Bali’s southwest coast. Covering 2000 square metres, the property comprises a large two-storey building complemented by a fully independent two-bedroom guesthouse, stand-alone gym, poolside gazebo and 20-metre swimming pool, well integrated within an expansive, flat-lawned garden.

The five air-conditioned bedrooms each feature ensuite bathrooms, there is also a living room, dining room, feature kitchen, and guest office/library, while the guest house incorporates its own living & dining room complete with small kitchen.

Ipods have been installed in every living area, and a Bose 321 home entertainment system provides sound in the living room, dining room and pool bar. WiFi internet access is available throughout the property.

Master bedrooms
The two, sizeable, master bedrooms are located on the upper floor of the main building. Each is air-conditioned and each features a teakwood floor, a dressing area and an ensuite bathroom; each is complemented by a rooftop terrace with a lovely view of the garden, the neighbouring fields and a glimpse of the ocean. Each spacious master bathroom is fitted with a bathtub with handheld shower, a double vanity unit with a large wall mirror and twin washbasins, and a toilet.

Guest House
The self-contained guest house offers independence and privacy; it is quite separate from the main building and accessed by a wooden bridge over an ornamental pond. This single-storey building incorporates two bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom, and a centrally positioned, open-sided, living & dining area complete with a small kitchen. The living space is furnished with segmented sofas and a glass-topped coffee table, and equipped with a satellite TV/DVD player, Nintendo Wii game system and an iPod dock.

Each bedroom is complemented by an ensuite bathroom with an open-air shower, a bathtub, a vanity unit with washbasin and mirror, and a toilet.

There is large open-sided ‘bale’ pavilion in the garden, with a raised wooden floor and a high roof, rattan sofas and a dining table for eight. It is cooled by natural breezes and two ceiling fans.

Gym
The air-conditioned Gym is a single-storey stand-alone building, located close to the swimming pool. It has a mirrored wall, sliding glass doors and is fully equipped with a treadmill, upright exercise bike, Concept2 Indoor Rower, multigym, free weights, adjustable bench, stretching and yoga mats, and an exercise ball. There is also an iPod dock.

Staff at the villa
The villa is staffed with one full-time Villa manager, Two cooks, Four maids, Four security guards, Two gardeners and One pool attendant.

Courtesy of Villa Azaya

More posts of Bali coming up where you can see pictures of the villa in the day.

2 months ago, I get Kimmy msn-ing me in a frenzy about cheap flights to Bali on Air Asia.

www.airasia.com >> Select date & destination>> Personal particular>> Submit>> DONE!

In no time at all, about 10 of us were booked on a flight to Bali at the beginning of November. It was just a couple a months back I was in Bali with 2 other friends for some ‘me time’, but this time round it was the complete opposite. This was a time to socialise, have fun, party and emerge back into society with a more confident, happy and steady head on my shoulders.

We all met up at the airport in the arvo to catch our 7pm flight to Bali, and while buying duty free, someone brought up the idea of having a free shot at the Absolut bar. Oh well why not!

so Zileena, Kim, Marisa and me had a shot to kick start one of the best holidays I’ve had all year.

If you were wondering why we were pouting in the bottom few pictures, Kim swore by this lip gloss she got from Boots UK called ‘Mother Pucker’ which makes your lips tingle and plump up!

First evening there and we decided to head out to some beach club. Wasn’t that great so we ended up coming back to the villa to continue the party. More blog posts to follow on our Bali holiday.

Day 2 – Race Day!
5:45am: Wake up, shower, wiggle into cycling shorts, get water bag out of freezer, breakfast, pump tyres, check bike, spray lube, check I have all supplies in bag: spare tubes, tool kit, hand pump, energy gels, happy food.

And we’re all set to go!

We stayed quite close to race central, so it was a 15min warm up cycle to the start point. Met up with the rest of the crew and before you knew it, start horn begun our several hours of torture.

This is the first year I was doing the Penang Jamboree without Wayne, and I did feel anxious knowing there was no one but myself to rely on. For the past couple of Jamborees, it was always comforting to know that he was just a phone call away. This year, I spent most of the ride solo.

It was Me Vs Penang Hill.

As usual, if you don’t manage to get in the front pack, you quickly get bottle-necked at the climbs. What you will see are hundreds of people pushing their bike up 30 degree tarmac climbs with the hope that every hairpin turn would reveal a flatter gradient or downhill section.

Here’s an elevation map from Ming’s bike computer.

At every checkpoint, marshals will give you a little sticker on your race plate to indicate completion of that section. And only if you complete the whole route do you get to be entitled for the grand lucky draw.

A few picturesque highlights of the ride would be at the top of Tiger Hill. There was one point of the ride I just stopped and watched the fog roll in between the hill peaks, nature’s air-con at work.

I finished the race broken and humbled. Clearly my inactivity was showing at my poor performance especially on the climbs. As usual, the hill claimed many victims; riders with cramped legs were sprawled in pools of mud, scattered on the side of the trails like litter. And every now and then, you can hear screams of pain and agony in the distance. Ah, another cramper!

For me, I went home with chaffed inner thighs – friction from my cycling shorts. It’s not pretty and definitely not comfortable especially in the shower when water touches the raw skin.

Again, as I say every year, I’ll be back Penang!

Here it goes…please remember this was written in 2007
It’s been one year since the last Penang Jamboree, and I don’t know what possessed me to do it again!

We booked out a 21 seater coach that left on Friday night from Singapore. I’ve been on these coaches before, so I knew how cold it could get. Thank goodness for the IKEA throw that Wayne and I bought the day before.

10 hours later and I’m back to the motherland!

There’s just too much to write about the Jamboree, best way would be to just describe the trail and include a video below.

On Dec 2nd, the main event, the “Beyond Limits!” challenge will start at 8am from Penang Municipal Park(Youth Park). The first part of the event is the “Pain-nang Hill Challenge”, where riders will race to the top of Penang Hill via the Jeep Track. Top riders will complete the climb in under 40 minutes while the average rider will take 1 to 2 hours.

This is probably the toughest mountain bike hill climb in Malaysia. The reward is not in cash but the pride and bragging rights of winning this event.

At the top, riders be greeted by the cool air and spectacular scenery, weather permitting. From there it’s a wild roller coaster ride down on another hidden Penang State treasure, Woodcutter Trail via Moniot Road(more of this later), back down to Air Itam Dam.

Then it’s a scenic and breathtaking ride back up Penang Hill via Len Chiau Yen/Die-ger Hill trail to Summit Road. Feeding/watering stations will be provided at the Die-ger Hill/Summit Road junction rest stop with cold drinks and snacks courtesy of our sponsors.

Then it’s back to the winding trails via Moniot Road which was constructed over 150 years ago for the use of horse carriages up and down Penang Hill. This surely must be the oldest Mountain Biking Trail in Malaysia.

A second feeding/watering station will be set up at Point 84 to replenish your burnt glycogen and spent legs by then. You will be treated to our famous Penang Hill Chic-Pie and other popular Penang Nyonya snacks.

After that riders will have a hard time holding down their food as they take on the challenging Moon Gate Descent before finally exiting at Taman Perbandaran MPPP via “Staghorn” Trail.

The total ride, lasting from 4 to 6 hours for the average rider, will push him/her beyond his/her limits of endurance.

from the KOTRT site

Here’s a video Ming put together which sums up the whole Jamboree 2007!

I have to say, it has to be one of the prettiest beaches in Malaysia.

Where to stay
Most people, especially those going with families, would usually opt for the Berjaya Hotel on the busier side of the island. But if you’re looking for something quieter and more rustic, stay at the Coral Redang Beach Resort on the other side. The rooms aren’t great, but honestly, you won’t spend much time in there anyway.

Things to do
As touristy as it may seem, it’s still worthwhile to go snorkelling at the marine park just 15mins boat ride away. Don’t forget to bring your underwater camera, because you can take some pretty amazing photos on a sunny day. If you don’t have one, don’t fret, the dive centre rents out underwater cameras too.

If you dive, I heard they make two trips out a day to wrecks.

If you just want to chill, do what I did, park yourself on a deck chair for the day, read my book, tan and swim. And if you’re a geek like me, there’s free wifi resort wide.

Getting there
Another tip if you’re planning to go to Redang… take a flight! The 10 hour journey there on bus and boat was truly painful!

You can actually find most of the information you need on wikitravel.

Loved loved LOVED the balloon arrangement outside the shop as opposed to the usual congratulatory basket of flowers. I reckon those the balloons should be a permanent fixture! Too Cute!

So I was expecting to be standing for the whole course of dinner, but to our delight, they bring out high-chairs at dinner time. So after standing for about 10mins trying out some sake, we sat down for dinner. You can either order ala carte, or opt for the Omakase dinner.

Haven’t heard of the term before? It’s basically food roulette! You never know what you’re going to get. You pretty much leave it to the chef to come up with the night’s menu.

The omakase is based on your budget. You specify what the budget is and the chef will create the menu accordingly. It begins at S$50 per person. Omakase is by reservation only and the more advance notice you can give, the better – gives them time to talk to their Japan supplier and get special items for that omakase.

I did tell myself I’d be more adventurous this year with my food choice. “I’m game… bring it on!” The minute I said that, I just wanted to take it back and shove a sock in it.

First dish, Japanese sea snails!!!! *facepalm*

The Japanese Sea Snails were served chilled with a small slice of lemon on a ceramic plate. I made sure I had a dish of soy sauce and my green tea on standby.

“Tastes like squid… tastes like squid, it’s all in the mind Angela, you can do this”

Dug it out of the shell. Drown it in soy sauce. Pop. Chew. Chew. And Chew. Swallow.

Ok, that wasn’t bad at all… it does kinda taste like squid?! A bit chewy, but sweeter.

The next dish was the Hokkaido King Crab Leg with chef Roy’s home-made Miso paste (Joan said this was the must-try dish). The chilled crab meat was so sweet! And that miso paste…I’d buy a pot of that and stick my fingers in it like Winnie the Pooh does with honey. Nom nom nom.

Next up was the Sashimi Moriwase which consisted of Maguro (Tuna), Sake (Salmon), Mekajiki (Swordfish), Hamachi (Yellow Tail) and Hotate (Scallop). Fresh! Although I must admit, I would have loved it if they threw in a slice of Otoro in the mix just to bring it to the next level.

I wish the next dish tasted as good as it looked. Karubi Beef Tataki with Bonito Flakes and Spring Onions. The meat was slightly chewy, was gnawing away for a good minute or so. I love bonito flakes with anything, especially on my takopachi balls.

After that jaw exercise, I was too tired to sink my teeth into anything solid. Thank goodness next dish was Egg plant. Seemed like it was boiled, served in some soy sauce and grated ginger. Chef Roy mentioned that it’s a good palate cleanser.

Three more dishes to go, and I’m starting to feel full.

A little cup of Steamed Hotate Soup was a little too hot to handle, so I had to wait awhile for it to cool down. Soup/broth was very ‘scallopy’ and comforting. I could just imagine myself in snowing Japan, sipping a hot cup of Hotate soup. I’d imagine it would be as amazing as a frozen Margarita on Cottesloe Beach in summer.

Just when I thought the worse was over with the Sea Snails, a plate of Maguro, Hirame (Flat Fish) and Anago (Boiled Salt-water Eel) was placed in front of me. I guess I’m just not an Eel person, but that didn’t stop me from trying a corner.

Dessert was my favourite dish of the night: Matcha Ice-cream with Green Tea Cake Roll and Red Bean Paste. Chef Roy mentioned the roll was just flown in from Japan, which makes it feel even more special and exclusive to Omakase diners.

I liked the fact that everything was not too sweet, especially the matcha ice-cream. A lot of other restaurant’s matcha is mostly sugared too heavily, and they lose that green tea bitterness all together. If I wanted something sweet, I would have just ordered vanilla.

Overall verdict, food was fresh, tasty and affordable! Now you don’t see that combo often: Fresh and affordable.

And just as I was about to leave, I got handed over this cute Standing Sushi Bar badge. It’s like getting a sticker at the Dentist, but in this case I actually WANT to come back again!

The Standing Sushi Bar
1 Raffles Place
#B1-02B OUB Centre
Singapore 048616
www.standingsushibar.com
Follow them on twitter: www.twitter.com/thestandingsushibar

UPDATE:
They have just revamped the menu to offer more lunch sets and easy add-on’s like sashimi (for cheaper than a la carte price)

The revamped menu also features the special cargo they get in from Japan a few times a week (basically makes it more discoverable so you don’t have to ask the chef)

PROMOTIONS
Click here for the MSN Coupon promotion that gets you 1 free glass of sake

Here’s something a little more fun for Blursotong Blog readers:
Say “blursotong” at the register and get 15% off any ika (squid) nigiri or ika sashimi from their in-house a la carte menu. Valid during December!

Instead of trying the same ol tuna and salmon sashimi, try the squid! Be adventurous

If you haven’t seen this restaurant before, it’s probably because it’s obscurely located at the Pan Pacific Service Apartments on Grange Road (Just behind the Youth Park).

I went online to read up a bit more about this place, and the more I clicked, the more excited I got. The ratios looked promising, with almost every review giving it the thumbs up. Owner Keith Loh also owns Aerin’s at Raffles City, Spruce at Tanglin Road and started Whitebait & Kale at Camden.

The restaurant is beautifully designed by New York based interior firm AvroKo. Dimly but warmly lit made it intimate and cosy.

Before tucking in to dinner, we had cocktails at the bar with some Oysters (3-kinds). I’m not an Oyster fan at all, but I must admit it was amazing. It wasn’t fishy/Oystery, but fat and juicy!

After we were seated, we were first served warmed flat bread with a whole clove of oven roasted garlic. On a first date? Who cares… you can’t NOT try it at least.

The waiters possess good knowledge of their dishes, which made ordering much easier. I’m trying to recall what we had, but the dishes that definitely stood out was the truffle mac & cheese and the rib eye cooked which was cooked to perfection. The truffle mac & cheese was sensational, I don’t think I’ll ever look at it the same way again.

So if you’re looking for a restaurant with great steaks, I’d highly highly recommend Bedrock. I liked it so much I recently celebrated my birthday there with a dinner for 18pax. That shall be another blog post altogether!

Bedrock Bar & Grill
Address:
96 Somerset Road
#01-05 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites

Operating Hours:
Lunch: 12pm – 2.30pm
Dinner: 6.30pm – 11pm
(Closed on Mon)