Thursday, March 19, 2015

Singapore Part Two:Indonesia

So after the whirlwind of flights just to get us to Singapore, we left a day and a half later for Indonesia; by ferry, thank god!  

It's a quick 45 minute ferry ride from Singapore to the Bintan Resort area of Indonesia. The entire Bintan area is full of resorts and vacation hotels. 
We left Monday morning, and stayed until Wednesday afternoon. All that luggage for just 2 days, 7 people of course, but two days!

The ferry was specific to the Bintan area, and very clean with a friendly staff. We sat on Emerald Class, which was their version of first class. We waited to board in the Emerald Class lounge

With preferred seating, access to the outer stern of the boat, and free soda or water. 




We were picked up by a bus from our resort, Nirwana Gardens. It was a quick bus ride from the ferry docks, and this was waiting for us after check in:

We had our own access to a private beach, with our own infinity pool, which is where we spent 75% of our time. Because, well private infinity pool. 
I'll leave the rest of the pictures for the end. 

We had dinner our first night at the Thai restaurant down the street from our villa. And it was really good. We had authentic Thai cuisine, outside next to the water. It was much less humid in Indonesia than I Singapore, so it was nice to sit outside next to the water. 

Mostly we spent our time in our own pool, but did venture out to the pool for the entire resort, mainly to take advantage of the swim up pool bar. Keep in mind, we were there Monday-Wednesday so the crowds were low, and there weren't many people. It was almost as if we had the place to ourselves!

The second night for dinner, we arranged for their "BBQ Party". They brought a grill and an assortment of food to the villa, along with a personal chef!  And Chef K prepared our meal that night. We have salad, fresh vegetables, roasted potatoes, beef and chicken satay, grilled steak, grilled chicken, lamb chops, and lobster. With a fresh fruit platter for dessert. 
The food was amazing, especially the satay; if my five year old willing eats it, you know it's amazing!

I never in my wildest dreams imagined going to Singapore, let alone Indonesia!  This was by far the best part of the trip, and I wish we had an opportunity to go back. I can tell you this, if I ever have a chance to go again, I won't hesitate!!






Tuesday, March 17, 2015

We Sail Tonight for Singapore





At the end of 2013, my parents were told they wouldn't be moving home to the states from Germany, and they would be moving instead, to Singapore!

Singapore!?  I knew nothing about Singapore! I barely knew where it was, aside from Asia...somewhere. 

So it was worked into my dads contract that the company he works for would pay for me, hubs, honey, and my sister and brother to fly (business class!) to Singapore and back.   For over a year we have been planning this trip; it seemed like it would never come. I mean, who goes to Singapore!?

We just got back last week. My sister and brother took Honey with them a week earlier than hubs and I went. The flight schedule was as follows:
•Milwaukee to Detroit
•Detroit to Tokyo
•Tokyo to Singapore. 
24ish hours of travel 

Well that was SUPPOSED to be the flight schedule. We got delayed four hours in Detroit and had to stay overnight in Tokyo before flying to Taiwan and finally Singapore. We missed a whole day of vacation but finally got there in one piece!
                                                         Breakfast in the Delta Sky Club before leaving Milwaukee

                                                     Next stop Detroit 

                                                                                           So much leg room in business class 
                                                                                                       With fold flat seats!

Business class is where it's at. I've only ever flown coach, with one exception. Flying first class from MSP to LAS for my wedding. 
But business class! Lay flat seats, gourmet meals, unlimited wine (or beer or cocktails). Look at all that leg room!!
I mean if you have to be stuck for 4 hours on an airplane at that gate, I'd rather be in business class than coach. 

So after the delay due to a mechanical, Delta put us up in a hotel with dinner and breakfast before leaving the following day. 

                   Breakfast in Tokyo before our flight out

So we flew to Taiwan, where I finally beat my dad to a country!  My dads been all over the world, but not to Taiwan yet!  Had an authentic Taiwanese lunch, but I'm not exactly sure what we ate...

And were rewarded with business class on Singapore Air. Singapore Air is one of the highest rated airlines in the world. Their business class is top notch, you can even get your own suite!  
We didn't have suites, but we did have larger seats, and they lay flat like Delta. 
                                                                (Photo from Pinterest)
With the same accommodations as Delta, but with amazing service.
                  A couple of Singapore Slings and we're off!

We finally landed in Singapore. About 18 hours late, but better than never!  
       
More to come!

New Year, New Me



Exactly like the title says!
 Welcome to the new blog, with a new title, new web address, new layout...and new posts! Finally!

I decided to take the blog from mainly blogging about polish and reviews of beauty products to blogging about, well everything.  I still spend a lot of time with nail polish and beauty products, but there is so much more to me than that!

From now on, I'll be blogging about daily happenings.  Meals and recipes, beauty regimines and products, travel (theres a lot of travel going on here!), and much much more (did someone say new house?!)!

So come check out the new me, and stay along for the ride!

~Kat