✈ Lombok, Indonesia x Jeeva Beloam x "Off The Grid"

My birthday this year was the most unforgettable and special one yet. There were many firsts - first birthday spent overseas, first time in Lombok, first time being somewhere so close to nature.

With the location being a surprise destination, the only hint I got from C was that it was "off the grid", which made me even more curious and anticipative of where he was going to bring me. Upon reaching Lombok International Airport, we were whisked off to the secret location. The journey was about 2 hours. By the time we arrived at the destination, the sky was pitch-dark and I was told to retire early for the night. There was very minimal light, we used a lantern lamp to guide us back to the resort and I could barely make out the surroundings.

Snapped a quick picture before we rested for the night

What greeted me the next morning was a sight to behold. Opened my eyes to this amazing view! I could really get used to this!

And so, it was finally revealed to me that the secret location was Jeeva Beloam, deep in a 55-hectare nature forest preserve and facing the Timor Sea. Our resort, home for the next few days, or Beruga Pantai as they called it, was one of the eleven Berugas in Jeeva Beloam (yes only eleven, for the exclusivity as well as preservation of nature).

As the Beruga is built using wood, bamboo and alang-alang roof, it provides a cooling shelter from the afternoon sun and allows the sea breeze to waft in. The sleeping area is actually air-conditioned but most of the time we loved to laze round in the terrace on the daybed, feel the sea breeze and listen to the waves crash against the shore, over and over again.

Due to the exclusive location of Jeeva Beloam, all three meals were provided for daily with a varied selection of Western and Indonesian cuisine. The menus were rotated regularly and for the period we were there, we got to try different varieties.

The chefs were also very accommodating to special requests. As a spicy food lover, I have to highly recommend the sambal chilli, it is spicy and provides a punchy kick!

And off we went to explore around Jeeva Beloam!

Oh glorious sun, sea and sand! This place is an untainted paradise, where we truly experienced the beauty of nature along the beach facing the Alas Strait, so untouched and clean.

For two days, we took a short drive to Pink Beach and set sail on a local fishing boat into the blue to the nearby islands for snorkelling and water activities!

The waters are so clear that we could see the corals and sea bed just by looking in. How precious are these clear blue waters, I hope this little piece of God's creation will remain unpolluted for the longest time possible.

Our guide brought us to a sand bank, which is a deposit of sand forming a shallow area in the sea, seemingly disguised as an island. What a surreal experience being the only two persons on it!

Here's a photo I googled for better illustration:

Photo credit to Source

On our last night, the staff at Jeeva Beloam arranged a barbeque by the campfire. I did not manage to capture any stills, but it was a night full of stars. So beautiful. My heart was filled with so much gratitude that night.

It has been an incredible experience. Many thanks to Jeeva Beloam for the awesome hospitality and C for planning this surprise birthday trip!

Jeeva Beloam Beach Camp - Lombok

+62 (0) 370 693 035

res.beloam@jeevaresorts.com

Jalan Pantai Beloam, Tanjung Ringgit,

Sekaroh, Jerowaru

East Lombok - Indonesia 

23

Universal Studios Singapore!

With a penchant for doing touristy things, I was really excited about going to Universal Studios on my birthday! Applied for my first annual leave despite barely passing my one-month mark at work to avoid the weekend crowd but it was surprisingly still very crowded on a Monday morning. Nevertheless, I was all psyched and raring to go!


Got our one-day passes!

Taking the river boat ride
We love to move it, move it!
This was our first ride since friends strongly recommended it! I have to confess that being a scaredy cat I actually wiki-ed the entire flow of the ride so that I could expect those sudden accelerations and plunges but it all happened too fast for me to react! Very fun and thrilling I would say!



Shrek in 4D was awesome! I'm not a huge fan of 3D but the effects for this animation were good! Love those cheeky physical effects too (pardon the blur pica taken using phone)
Dino-Soarin'
The most thrilling ride of the theme park but unfortunately I only had the guts to take the Human track of Battlestar Galactica. I think we stood there for the longest time watching the roller coaster go up and down over and over again, while trying to muster our courage and prepare ourselves for the ride. Almost chickened out when the ride was delayed due to technical difficulties and had to go for 5 test runs! So proud of myself to have conquered it!



I was genuinely impressed that USS Singapore have a queuing system in place for photo taking with mascots. Having been to Tokyo Disneyland where they only paid attention to kids, I was delighted to be able to queue for a photo with my favorite people! It would have been a complete experience if I was able to catch hold of Puss in Boots and Kungfu Panda!

♥ these mascots who played their characters really well.


Marilyn Monroe!
The ever cheeky Charlie Chaplin who has SO many different poses!
Frankenstein! wahahaha
Missed some of the shows due to the timings but I know I'll definitely be back for the Transformers attractions this coming December. It was so much fun packed in one day. :)

22

As with last year, this year's birthday also falls during my internship stint, where many of my friends are interning as well. Being in the same position as them, I know exactly how it feels to be mentally exhausted after work. In fact, I must admit I sulked a lil over how I had to push myself to go out every night for celebrations even though I am tired, just because this internship has robbed away all my day time.

Yet for the same reason, I felt so much love from my friends, because I know they had specially taken their time off their precious after-working hours just to celebrate my birthday with me. These dinner celebrations, though simple, have certainly warmed my heart. I could see all their efforts from how they chose japanese cuisine over others and how they have tried to make the dinners less like a meet up or gathering even though I really don't mind at all. And my colleagues whom I knew for less than 3 months but still made me feel special and treated me like their little sister. All the smses, facebook wishes… I will remember. And the presents which coincidentally were all gotten for my overseas exchange, I will certainly fully utilize it! Thank you each and every one who made my 22 such a heartfelt one! :)

First day of study week, which marked the final day of letting loose with the interns:

Let the girl power unite!




Till after the exams, after which I'll be leaving for my business study trip right after my last paper! Exclusive visits to prominent companies, good food and shopping awaits :) Despite everything, I hope for the trip to be a good one!

A Mexican Affair

Shu Ann's 21st birthday party @ el toro


& her actual birthday celebration @ Giraffe Restaurant & Bar over at Istana Park