Darling's Surprise Birthday treat!

Sometimes it is truly a challenge when it comes to celebrating the birthday of someone important in our life.
What is the best birthday gift that will ensure a memorable celebration?

In the end, I decided that no gift will ever take the place of people in our life. Knowing that only people will be able to create a jolly whimsical evening of FUN for him... I decided to give him a surprise!

Decisions made and now the challenging part is the planning... I only know a little handful of his friends...
How am I going to plan a jolly night with just a handful of contact? 
How about the location of the party? 
What else to prepare for a surprise birthday party?
Oh no... my first time as a Surprise-Birthday-Party Planner with limited resources!

Thank god... with the help of a few good friends, I solved the above issues... managed to get the people...and secured a venue for the party... Now...
How do I bring him there without him knowing it's a surprise birthday for him????

Party details -

Venue: The Hill @ Damansara Heights

Date: a week before his actual born date

Time: 7.30pm (Arrival for his friends)

Theme: Happy Birthday Old Man!

 I think I did ok for a first timer... the party was great! All his friends were there on time and shouted "Happy Birthday Old Man!" as instructed. He was truly surprised and although he kept saying he felt something not right but he didn't managed to guess what was going on til we were there! *smile*

Special thanks to E-Chien who *pakat* with me and arranged all his friends there... but no photos of her with me... Have to wait for our official photographer of the night, Mr. Kenny KK to upload those photos...

Thanks to Barry, Abby, Vincent and Joanne who came to surprise him!

 And Diana, his little sister joined us for the surprise...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my darling!! 

Another year older but still as charming and attractive to me...

 They fed him with so many drinks that night...

 Sipping Coco's Nutz...

Downing the hardcore Wheat Killer... ughh~

And ended up being dragged out of the place... half alive! 

But... it was certainly an awesome night!

Ole-ole Bali!

Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. It is one of the country's 33 provinces with the provincial capital at Denpasar towards the south of the island.

Bali was also the place Loreal chose to go for the company's annual convention! Woo-hoo!

We were sent to Bali for a 5 days paid holiday!

 We stayed at the huge Grand Hyatt Bali.

 Breakfast was wonderful as we were surrounded by nature...

 Tanah Lot

One of the most important sea temple; Pura Tanah Lot ("Temple of Land in the Middle of the Sea")

The tiny island was formed by the gradual erosion of the ocean tide over thousands of years. The temple of Tanah Lot is said to have been founded by the 16th-century priest Nirartha, one of the last priests to come to Bali from Java.

 After visiting the sacred temple at Tanah Lot, we travelled another hour to LAKA-LÉKÉ for lunch.

LAKA-LÉKÉ means “hideaway” in Balinese, is the sister restaurant of Café Wayan and Bakery on Monkey Forest Road, Ubud.

The name “LAKA-LÉKÉ” is appropriate since the restaurant is literally “hidden away” between two well know places in UBUD, the famous Monkey Forest and the unique wood-carving village of Nyuh Kuning.

Since it first opened, Laka-Leke has become known for its attractive, spacious design, with separate, tree-shaded pavilions offering beatiful views of gardens, lily ponds and rice fields. Fine food, friendly service, and a aromantic atmosphere in the midst of Balinese culture all serve to make Laka Leke a place to visit and experience.

 All of us had the famous bebek!

FAMOUS CRISPY DUCK Rp. 75.500,-
Half a duck boiled in balinese spices and then deep fry for a crispy finish. "use your fingers"served with rice and sauteed vegetables.

 The decorations at the restaurant was worth it too!

Come day three, it was the most important day of the trip. Started with an hour of ravishing RED team review. About 700 Loreal-ians wearing identical RED shirt in a hall...

One Goal

One Heart

One Team!

*love*

 Our boss, Andrew Stanleick - CEO of Loreal Malaysia, giving us a short yet inspiring speech...

Then we were dismissed for another hour to prepare for the big night where all the crabs, prawns, mermaids and jellyfishes make their grand appearances!

 Dinner was so-so only but we were more interested to pose for any cameras available!

 

It was such an exhausting night filled with dancing and bottomless beer... crazy night!

Early the next day, the company break into brands and division for a short briefing or meeting.

 For Lancome, it was a short meeting plus a fun training session filled with entertaining yet educational and challenging game...

 The best team to win the challenge!

 Lancome Malaysia

After the morning session, off we went to taste the best local cuisine...

 About an hour plus drive to Dirty Duck Diner aka Bebek Bengil.

Bebek Bengil ( Dirty Duck Diner ) was first opened in 1990. Since then we have been serving delicious foods and providing good services in a friendly, comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

Many people have asked us how we got the name 'Bebek Bengil',well here's the story..

When we were building the restaurant, we thought long and hard about a name. Many good suggestions came from our friends, but none seemed just right.

We knew we wanted a Balinese name that translated well into English. However, for a long time the metaphor eluded us.

One tropical monsoon morning, when the restaurant was very close to being finished ( we had the concrete floor down, and the tables in ), a flock of ducks from the rice field across the road ( yes, there were rice fields all around us then ) ran quacking and squawking into the restaurant and across the floor and tables. They left muddy webbed footprints all over the place. They were our first guests - those dirty ducks !

How can one leave the land of Bali without undergoing the therapeutic hands of the masseur in Bali.

 Massage time!!

 This is not my first time in Bali.

My first visit to Bali was when I participated in the Miss Asean 2005 pageant. However, it was only a day trip and I did not managed to visit the gorgeous Bali beach. Although I did not managed to spend a lot of time at the beach during this trip as well but I managed to catch the sunrise *smile*

Marked my name on the sand...

Bali... I will be back!!

Chilly Hong Kong for training

After four months, I return again to the busy city of Hong Kong! However, traveling alone for work is nothing spectacular...

 Landed in freezing Hong Kong after hours of flight delayed and I was extremely hungry and tired. Milk saved the day!

 Was welcomed by a little souvenir at Lanson Place at Causeway Bay...

 Where the bed was the best!!

I then walked around the corner for dinner and a little shopping. Managed to get myself a fluffy bag and a pair of leather boots... First night victory!

 The next day, was so surprised to see some of my colleagues from all over the world staying at the same hotel. Plus, the training centre for Lancome was just a few blocks away from where we stayed... Approximately 15 minutes walk only...

 We had delicious Japanese lunch at Wasabisabi at Timesquare Causewaybay.. The service was exceptionally wonderful! Made us all feel like VVIPs!

 I had their special lunch set with tender Teriyaki Chicken, Softshell Crab Tempura and Salmon Sashimi...

*Thumbs up!*

 Not only lunch was great... after such exhausting day with our brains cramped tight with information, we were again wining and dining at a local fine dining Restaurant...

 The restaurant overlooking the harbour with charming and relaxing ambience... It was certainly a night full of laughter and FUN!

 Cheers to the Lancome team!

Finally! Graduated with pride... 

 Happily walking around the chilly streets of Hong Kong after work... Linda who is based in Hong Kong took us for a delicious dinner at some hawker area...

 Highlight of the trip! 

The atmosphere of the place is like a scene out of a gangster movie of Hong Kong!

Only the locals are able to find such traditional local cuisine... 

 We ordered a lot of food!

Food + Beer = Relaxing evening

Hong Kong... 

No matter when I go or why I need to go... It will always managed to entertain me...

til we meet again... Adieu!