Nikko Bali Resort and Spa in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia

In my previous blog post, I told you my side of the story of how and why I was able to join PAL's Manila to Bali inaugural flight. 

PAL Inaugural Flight to Bali (My Story)

It's been a day since I came back from a 5-day all-expense-paid-Bali trip and I have to say that I have mixed emotions about it before, during and after. I know I can just tell you how wonderful PAL's inaugural flight to Bali was, how much I enjoyed every minute of it, how thankful I am for this opportunity, etc. etc. But I wouldn't be true to to myself and to my dear readers. So here goes...

I was invited by Philippine Airlines (PAL) for their inaugural flight from Manila to Bali on April 28-29, 2012 (Saturday) and then back to Manila on May 3 (Thursday). From what I understand, this trip was supposed to be my alternative token/payment for helping them out with one of their campaigns last year. But due to the strike that happened and all the problems that went with it, let's just say that I never got my token/payment until I was contacted for this Bali trip. 

Kuta Beach and Nusa Dua Hotel Hopping

 For those who would like to read my Indonesia travelogue from the start, click these:

Indonesia

~~~oOo~~~

Sunbathing Galore

My third day in Bali was the only time I enjoyed swimming at Harris’ pool while waiting for Jowi to finish breakfast.  It was also the only time I got to take advantage of  their public beach which was just right across our resort. Lora prepared such a tight schedule full of activities for us and hopefully, next time, when I visit this place again, with Peter in tow, we can fully relax at this beach and even take surfing lessons. ^_^

Indonesia: Ayung River Whitewater Rafting, Temple Visits, Beach

For those who would like to read my Indonesia travelogue from the start, click these:

Indonesia

  ~~~oOo~~~

Are You Afraid of the Rapids?

It’s time to go whitewater rafting!!! My heart was racing the whole time we were on our way to Begawan, a two hour ride from Kuta. I remember the last time I did this kind of activity, I was only 28 years old, I had very strong knees and Peter was with me. The serpentine and wild current of Padas River in Beaufort, Malaysia was frightening and I didn’t even have a “live action” picture to remember that accomplishment of mine!  If it wasn’t for my goal of having my photo taken while whitewater rafting, I would’ve probably let this opportunity pass. My knees were still a little sore from my little Valentine accident at Subic’s Balloon Fest, and I was still traumatized by my near drowning incident in La Union. Furthermore, there was no Peter to save me!  Oh well, Jen’s gotta do what Jen is born to do — to be wild & carefree! Teehee.

 

Walking with a nervous smile all the way to Sobek station…

Bali, Indonesia Here We Come!

For those who would like to read my Indonesia travelogue from the start, click this:

 Indonesia

 ~~~oOo~~~

And Off I Fly Again

   

As usual, pre-departure time made me anxious. All flights do, especially when Peter is not by my side. Our flight was at 10:30 am via Air Asia so we made sure to be checking in an hour before that. The flight turned out to be uneventful, thank God! I was asleep the whole time coz…well… I had to be! Otherwise, all these gory images of  turbulence & plane crash will just keep popping in my head. *gasp!*

 

Come touchdown, I started feeling excited. Oh my God! I’m almost in Bali!  The view of its surf was awesome!!! It’s one of my dream beach destinations and I was finally there! Thug, thug, thug… my heart went.

Jakarta Mall Tour, Indonesia

 For those who would like to read my Indonesia travelogue from the start, click these:

Indonesia

~~~oOo~~~

Back to School

Sunday was spent lazily checking out the hip and happening malls around Jakarta. But before we did all that, Lora showed me the school where she teaches grade 2 students, Sekolah Mentari.

Her classroom was very big and colorful (Lora is an artist after all!) and was very reminiscent of  the classroom I used when I taught prep boys at Ateneo Grade School ten years ago. Hers is just much bigger though. Like she said, it is her  happy little kingdom and she’s the queen. She even has her own toaster & small pantry! ^_^

 

How Grand is Grand Indonesia?

Jakarta Arrival & Visit to Taman Safari , Indonesia

For those who would like to read my Indonesia travelogue from the start, click these:

Indonesia

~~~oOo~~~

Diary Entry March 20, 2009 11:45 pm

I’m here sitting on my designated seat in an airplane that’s bound for Jakarta. I am trying to calm myself down, given the fact that I just had my period which makes me an emotional wreck, at the moment, listening to some random songs on my ipod and missing Peter a whole lot.

Earlier today, I thought I can handle traveling alone. Well, I guess I am surviving it coz I’m here right now typing these words while  I am 3000 feet above ground, right? But it’s not as easy as it looks. When I asked Peter to rationalize why I am on the verge of panic earlier this evening, he replied that it’s because I was so used to having him around anytime, anywhere. He’s been my partner in  everything, especially when we’re traveling. He’s been my baggage boy, my guide, my yaya (or is it yayo?), my driver, my bodyguard,  my best friend, my hubby.  Peter is definitely my all-in-one package kind of man. I feel simply lost without him…

 Diary Entry March 26, 2009 at home

 I am proud to say that I survived all that. Thanks to my girlfriends Lora and Jowi for showing me a great time around Jakarta and Bali. I will definitely come back with Peter in tow. ^_^ 

                                                                                      ~~~oOo~~~

Good bye Manila, Hello Jakarta!

I arrived at around 12 m.n. of Saturday, March 21 in Jakarta (which is an hour behind Manila time).  Lora and her foster father, Tito Milton picked me up at the airport. Landing in Jakarta for the first time didn’t make me feel like I’m in a foreign land at all. For one, the weather feels pretty much the same as Manila(hot and humid although they told me that it’s not even summer there yet) and the people pretty much looked the same as us Pinoys, being Malays and all.

JM let me use his room for two nights. Thanks JM!