Cake pops

My first attempt in baking cake pops. It is simple but it took up quite a bit of time. The end results seem worth it especially the good reviews from friends and relatives. I guess the curious ladies were attracted to the colourful decorated ball of cake and ribbons. As for the guys and CK, they were not sure why we can't just eat the cake as the way it is ... well...I would say their creativity is rather limited ...LOL

Waiting for the cake pops's chocolate coating to dry

Wrapped it up ...

I got the cake pops stuck into a pot ... looks more interesting and visible.
For those who are curious about cake pops, check out Bakerella's beautiful website.

巴厘岛的回忆录

The anticipation and excitement of this trip with 1B18 was overwhelming ! We booked the air tickets in early 2011 and were rather impatient that we have to wait at least another 3, 4 months before we could realized the trip !

Anyhow, time flies ... the trip's date drew nearer and we started to feel that excitement again !

First of all, a hearty thanks to Fang for coordinating the free and easy package with the agent from Indonesia whom we have met during the NATAS show. We were rather skeptical whether would they picked us up at the airport on the first day ? Yes, we have decided to take the risk with the deposit already made !

Hmm ... our first "entertainment" from JL at the airport! The custom officer extended his hand to JL and guess what the boy did ? He extended his hand and shaked the custom officer's hand, thinking that the custom officer wanted to wish him a good journey. Soon after, the officer asked him for the passport ! Lol ... this is Singapore, ok ? Efficiency counts ...

Thanks to LL for the faceshop mask ! We were talking about masks and skin care during the journey back to villa when she told me she actually bought her mask along ! She has shared one with me. BC and Min Min paid a sudden visit with my mask on! Min Min asked me if I was a ghost ? I told her "yes, I am" ... Lol ... very cute ! I think she kind of believe me, but I'm not too sure if she exactly knows what a ghost is ?

This was one of my best holidays ever ! Even though it was a very short trip but everyday was a gem ! There was laughter and jokes amongst us ... there was cooperation among the trip members. Everyone just did their best for everyone. BTW, where are we going next year ? Hhh ...

可爱的巴厘岛 Day 4 (Farewell to Bali and hope to visit you agan !)

We had a really good dinner at Made's Warung which was just a stone's throw from our villa on day 3!

The open air restaurant was huge with some shops. Upon checking, they have accommodation too, no wonder the compound is vast !

There is a bakery shop and LL bought this lovely Tiramisu cheesecake for the May and June Birthday gals and boys ! Thank you !

Day 4 in Bali was more like a free and easy, however we requested the guide if they could bring us to a shop that sells titbits and kueh lapis.

This was the shop that the guide bring us too. No bargaining on the titbits.
Yes, everyone bought something back from the shop to share some goodies with friends and relatives ! Our luggage have doubled !

可爱的巴厘岛 Day 3 (Coffee Domba and Tanah Lot)

A visit to Domba Coffee ... we had such fun tasting the cold and hot coffee !

Female beans and male beans ! Did not know that even beans got gender ...lol. Anyhow, female beans are priced cheaper than male beans as they are more common.

If you have money to spend, Kopi Luwat is the perfect coffee for you ! Priced as one of the world's most expensive coffee, it have to taste great ! (Yes, they even have a certificate to show it's authentication) I was so tempted to buy one packet home but looking at the steep price, I decided that normal coffee tasted equally as good !

Coffee tasting ! Surdup ! Unfortunately, Kopi Luwak is too expensive to be part of the tasting session. We were drinking ordinary Domba coffee, but who cares ? They tasted great!

Yeah ! We all have to bring this coffee back !

If you have noticed the wall, they were covered with Coffee Domba papers. Presenting our creation for their wall!

If you have been to Paris, you could not have missed visiting Eiffel Tower. If you have been to been to Bali, you have to visit Tanah Lot !

Yes, before you even reach the main attraction itself, you would be greeted by rows of stalls and shops !

Pura Batu Balong, the less featured temple from a distance ... it was about 4:30pm in the evening when we reached there.

A closer look at Pura Batu Balong.

The more well-known sea temple affectionately known as "Tenah Lot Temple" to most tourists.

A group photo with the famous sea temple as our backdrop !

Simple pleasures in life !

On the rock island where it houses Tanah Lot!

Let's dance !

CK was the only one who caught this glorious sunset while we went shopping ! Oh well ... never mind, will make sure I catch this sunset in my next visit to Bali !

可爱的巴厘岛 Day 3 (Jatiluwih)

After the guys have refreshed themselves from the exciting sea sports, we went to Jatiluwih area for a Indonesian buffet lunch.

We did not know what to expect of this buffet lunch but it was indeed a wonderful surprise !!

We were first greeted with this breath-taking view even before entering the restaurant ! Tourists have halted their footsteps to take in the view first ...

Almost reluctantly, we entered the restaurant ... especially for me. The lunch has somewhat became a meal just to re-charge my energy. The food in this restaurant was not too bad.

The view was even more awesome from the restaurant. We were so lucky to have tables just next to edge of the restaurant overlooking the paddy fields and private villas ! It was such a leisure and beautiful lunch ! This is life and this was a great holidays !

These little neat plot of paddy fields looked rather deliberated but alluring ... a private vila was nestled around them.

After a satisfying lunch, we headed to view the paddy fields. On the way to the paddy fields, we passed by a true balinese village. This village is so beautiful ! There are villagers just outside their houses talking or walking along the lane. The personal touch in the kampong could be clearly seen which is lacking in most cities ! Our guide told us that this was the first time he was leading a chinese group into Jatiluwih ! Normally, the Europeans are more interested to explore this area. I was surprised, I thought this was an interesting itinerary especially for city folks like us !

The guide mentioned that for the Hindus, they will have this temple in front of their home. Bali is a religious place for the Hindus and a good chance to know their religion better.

Can't help but to show you another photo of the village taken from the bus! It does have some feel of kampong life back in Singapore when I was still a child ! The guide loved his village and he was extremely high and happy during this journey.

A quick snap of the village securities !

An exciting winding joy-ride to our destination ...

Finally, we reached our destination !! We were not very near the the paddy fields as there were too many of us ... however, the view was nice and the air was fresh ! We all feel so great and blessed to be part of this natural surroundings ! I could sense this feeling of happiness in everyone !

The guide was kind enough to take some group photos for us !

We really could not resist to take more photos ...as you could tell from the series of photos below.

We decided to try something different ... asking all males and the driving crew and guide to join them ! Pose manly! Yeah, they did well ! A great chance to show their fist ! Woo ...

Now for the ladies with the guide, driver and assistant ... what did we end up with ? A "blooming" flower pose from the gamely guide and "non-blooming" poses from driver and assistant ! I think this must be the first time they were requested to do such poses ! Nonetheless, we all enjoyed this session a lot !

Such a nice early afternoon spent before we headed off to Tanah Lot ! I still missed the Jatiluwih ! I could imagine myself coming back to this place and going right onto the paddy fields if I could !

可爱的巴厘岛 Day 3 (Tanjung Benoa)

A beach with marine sports at Tanjung Benoa!

This morning of fun was dedicated to CK, Ryan and JL !

As what I have told the guys, we were truly happy that they have enjoyed themselves.

We have also enjoyed walking on the sands, cheering the guys and snapping hundred of photos of them doing the water-sports ! Check it out !

Our 3 big spenders ..just kidding here ! In fact, the charges were pretty reasonable as compared to other places.

Little Min Min was very supportive of the guys ! She was quite excited especially for his brother and cheered when they have accomplished their tasks !

Oh well, while we were waiting for the guys to fly the sky, why not take a few snaps of the little girl ?

Alright, here we were ! The first to be "thrown" to the sky ! Presenting CK and JL on the "Flying Fish"! Brace yourself and held tight to the ropes ! Releasing the rope would land you straight into the sea !

The speed boat drove the guys further out to the sea and their flying fish began to escalate into the blue sky !

Coming back onto dry land and cheers for the guys ! Clap clap !
CK said he enjoyed this sports tremendously. I have encouraged him to take up parasailing as well which he did.

Ryan has been feeling very sleepy before he took flight. Now, he has woken from his sleepiness ! Look at his happy face !

Take me to the sky !!! Jump jump jump !!!!

Yes, yes ! That's me in the sky enjoying the breeze ! Awesome !

Coming down ... that's too fast ! Someone commented that this picture looked like National Day Parade parachuting exercise ? Lol ...

Next adventurer ... an older one though ...

Up up and away ...

Two parasailers .... they looked like their para-strings were going to be entangled but they were actually quite far apart, as CK later mentioned.

Landing with the help of the experts !

JL getting ready for his flight !

There you are ! A flying bird !

What goes up must come down ...

A BIG cheer to all our heroes !