Second Year Anniversary (with a plus one on the way)

Diversion: Actually hor, didn't realise that I have a few fans silent readers who have been following my awesome humble blog despite me not updating frequently, don't take nice photoshop pictures, and having contents that are of no real substance. With those shortcomings, you unknown people still drop by and for that I would like to say thank you. :)

Ok.. enough of self-praise. Let's get straight into the topic.

This year, for our 2nd year anniversary both me and Bear decided to just have a simple dinner and basically to spend quality time with each other. Will most probably be this Friday, hopefully he doesn't get stuck in the usual Friday after-office hour jam * fingers crossed*. Our actual anniversary date 10/10 falls on a Wednesday and Bear felt badminton on that day was more important. Hmmp~ Men~! 

Regardless what some people say, anniversary is very important and ought to be commemorated. Can't stand people who gives me the BS "he loves you everyday what, why need to have a special celebration on a specific date" crap. Please la. That is an overused phrase for a kiamsap person. To me, dates are extremely important and that includes birthdays and anniversaries. And soon-to-be Mother's Day and Father's Day too. I don't expect extravagant celebration, just a simple dinner (and preferably a gift) would suffice.  

Anyway... I managed to coerce convince Bear to get me some bling-bling for my anniversary present. The story goes like this, I asked Bear to set a budget for my birthday present and he gave an X amount. Then, me and my Mum headed to our usual jeweler shop in lala-land Sungei Wang and for a very very good value managed to purchased not one but TWO items. 

So conveniently, I took it as one was my birthday present and the other my anniversary present. See?? To that particular person, I am not a psycho materialistic wife ok! *roll eyes*

And here are my very beautiful blings! Love it to bits and pieces! Here's a tip girls, ask the men to give cash/budget and with that, choose something that you really like! :)

Pretty or not??? :)

Of course, naturally being the loving and understanding wife that I am (I don't condone to taking things for granted), I surprised Bear with a expensive wallet. I think he likes it kua cos he is currently using it now. :)

Almost the same cost of my two blings

So yeah.. there goes our simple anniversary celebration. I guess the biggest gift of all would be the arrival of our little baby bear in about a months' time. :)

Love;

Mummy Geri

Review: Le Spa @ Le Meridean Khao Lak

The treatment rooms

The experience at Le Spa was truly one of a kind. Extremely good service (in the spirit of true Thai hospitality), great ambiance, and awesome massages. One word to sum it up - PERFECT. :) Todate, me and Bear can vouch that this is the best spa experience ever!

The waiting lounge.
We were served chilled lemongrass and cold tower to refresh ourselves



On the pricing, it is on the high side - on average about RM350 onwards for a spa package. While we were there, it was off-peak season so Le Spa was offering pretty good discount. For 60 minutes of heavenly massage, it cost us RM120. You may choose any massages that is in the brochure. In total, we had 2 sessions throughout our 4D3N stay. Awesome I tell you!

Inside the beautiful treatment room.
It is almost as big as a mini suite.

I always choose Swedish Massage as it is the least "painful" one and Bear chose the Sports Massage (deep tissue) and Swedish Massage for each session. All massages will start with a salt foot scrub. The salt is infused with lemongrass essence and coconut. Smells good. :)

The foot scrub area.

The Swedish Massage was sooo00oo good!! Prior to the treatments, you will be asked to fill in a form at the lounge on the pressure which you prefer. That way, Le Spa will select the masseur that will suit your specifications. Before starting the massage, the masseur will asked if the pressure is ok for you before proceeding. And then .. that's when the magic begins. She will drip warm oil onto your back and in a swirling motion spread it over your back like peanut butter. The feeling was quite sensual shiok! Tak sampai 10 minutes into the massage, I was dozing off already. Most imporantly, it doesn't hurt and irritates you like how the unprofessional masuser does in Tru Spa.

For the second session, me and Bear went all out and took 90 minutes of massage instead. The receptionist in Le Spa was kind enough to allow us to utilise the discounted pricing (me and Bear to take 30 minutes each to make up 90 minutes). Basically, instead of paying for the full 90 minutes pricing of RM290 we only paid RM180 (60 minutes=RM120 + 30 minutes=RM60). Talk about honesty when they could've easily asked us to pay the original pricing. 



Lovers' Bath



That was 1 hour and 30 minutes of sheer bliss I tell you *in love*.  Because it was my birthday, we took the Lovers' Bath *ahem* where you soak in milk flower bath and is being served champagne, fruits, praline chocolates, and tapas. Yes, we felt like royalties. Ultimate pampering. In case if you are wondering, the refreshment was sangat sedaps!

We wanted to have another massage session just before flying off to KL, but it was just too rush for us :( So we didn't had a choice but to forgo. :( :( :(

All in, I would highly recommend Le Spa. I would think that the Le Spa in KL is also equally as good kua cos the standards have to be maintained right? Just that you won't have the ambiance la. :p

Caution: Pricing is steep. We were quite blessed because when we were there it was off-peak so pricing was rather reasonable. But then again, for those who intend to make a trip to Le Meridean Khao Lak, I would suggest you try the massage there. Just once. You will not regret it. Promise. :)

Love;

Mrs Lee

Happy First Anniversary Love

They say that time flies when you are having fun. Couldn't have agreed more. It is quite unbelievable that me and Bear is already married for 1 year (prior to this, was courting for 7 years!). I can still remember vividly our wedding day and our 7 years of courtship .. it all seems only like yesterday. Of course in this past year, we do argue and have our disagreements because we are still adapting to each other idiosyncrasies. How do we manage so far?  Well here is a 101 on marriage - based on my own experience, the top 5 items in the order of what we disagree the most.

Church Wedding @ 09/10/2010

(5) Household Chores.

Yes, believe it or not we do sometimes bicker about this. Honestly, I for one do not like household chores who does? but I will still do it anyway at my own time. Yes, the key word is at my own time. Sometimes, my husband will come back and pass a comment like "Eh, the clothes are not folded yet.. can you do it soon?" or sometimes "We better mop/sweep/vacuum the floor today etc". If I don't have the mood for it, I won't do it because I simply don't feel like it. Having said that, I would always make sure that whatever that is needed to be done, is done. Eventually. 

Mount Cook, NZ

Solution: Communication! We talk about it. The husband is also kind enough to understand where I'm coming from. To me, most importantly, no matter how I procrastinate I will still get the chores done because it is what I've promised to do. Eventually. :) 

Phi-Phi Island

(4) Habits.

This is something that is unavoidable because you have two different individuals staying together. There are bound to be frictions. There are bound to be things which I find extremely irritating about. Likewise for the husband too. For e.g. he loves to drink straight from the carton, I don't condone to that because it is unhygienic. Or for me, I am quite careless and has a habit of leaving things lying around, yes he does lecture me quite a few times.

Goofing around in the house

Solution: Sometimes it is good to overlook on trivial things. After all, your husband comes in a package deal - you take the good, you take the bad also. However, when there are certain habits that is impossible for you to overlook, it is good to bring it up and discuss about it. But most of the time, you just close one eye and ignore la .. focus on the good attributes only.  

Singapore

(3) Priorities. 

Before marriage, both of you have your own things to do in your spare time, which doesn't include your spouse. For my husband, it is his Monday futsal and Wednesday badminton time with his boys. Of course, I don't oppose to it. But initially when I was married to him, he comes back home really late after his sessions curi go to the mamak I presume. Also, due to the nature of his job, occasionally he tends to work late on weekdays. It came to a point that was so bad that I actually spent more time with my parents (thank God I stay real near to my parents' place) than with my own husband. He also had this weird habit of sleeping outside in the living hall. -_-"

Church

Honeymoon in Jeju Island, Korea

Solution: Before I meletup at his face, I sat him down and explained the situation to him. He was really understanding and tried to make a change so that he spends more time at home. Now he still goes for his boys' thingy but he would regulate his timing as well. Word of caution: NEVER EVER STOP YOUR HUSBAND FROM HAVING HIS ALONE BOYS' TIME!!!  

Lake Tekapo, NZ

(2) Submission.

We've been taught in church that the wife is to submit to the husband as he is the head of the house. Likewise, the husband is to love the wife as how Christ loves us. And let me tell you, submission is not easy especially if you are a working career-minded woman who is used to having things her way. Also, sometimes when I wanna go clubbing with my colleagues he may not allow me, but I will usually die-die also go wan la. Yes, I am still learning ok!  

Wedding dinner in Putrajaya Marriott @ 10/10/10

Solution: In this category, I don't think I fare that badly. To me, it is important to discuss everything with your husband first, not to seek approval, but to get his concurrence and his views/opinions on the subject matter. Remember, there can only be one decision-maker in the house. 

12 Apostles, Melbourne

(1) Finances 

Really really sensitive issue. Every couple will fight and argue over it. Who is to handle the finances of the house? Who is to pay what? Are you suppose to split right down to the middle? Can you trust your spouse with your money? Is he hiding anything from you? Is he spending for his own personal consumption? All these questions do plague me once in awhile, I can't help it. 

Honeymoon in Seoul, Korea

Random Picture

Solution: Talk about it. When it comes to finances, be open and discuss your concerns. Share your thoughts. It is very important to nip the problem in the bud than to let it escalate. The issue of finances can break a marriage.  

Engagement Shoot

All in all, communication is the most important thing in a marriage. Trust comes a close second. We both are still in the first leg of marriagehood, there would be many more joy, happiness, tears, and arguments that will come our way. But, I am confident that we will be able to sail through them because through these experience, it will make only make us appreciate our marriage more.

Phuket, Thailand ... 

Where he proposed back in 31 May 2009 <3

To the most loving, understanding, goofy, and snoring husband of mine. Here's to a long happy marriage and I love you despite the weight gain. Happy First Year Anniversary *muaks~!*

Muaks .. Love you lots busuk bear :)

Love;

Mrs Lee

wonder if I will have a dragon baby or not? 

Secret Getaway at Le Meridien Khao Lak

Yup, there's where we went for our secret getaway. It was such a pleasure planning for this getaway when Bear was totally clueless on where he was going. He was so sure that we were heading to Phuket but obviously yours truly me won't plan something that is that obvious ok. I'm the self-declared queen of surprise ok! 

Reason for a secret getaway? My birthday weekend and to have an early celebration of our first year wedding anniversary *heart*

Our romantic hideout for 4D3N was none other than Le Meridien Khao Lak. Thinking about that awesome place brings a smile to my face. And it was indeed a perfect choice for us to be with just only us, to spend some quality time together, to be in each other's presence. It was totally relaxation bliss.  

Now where is Khao Lak you may ask? It is a small town which was hit by the tsunami back in 2004. Khao Lak is about 1 and 1/2 hour drive from Phuket. Away from the hustle and bustle of Phuket's sleazy nightlife, this area is THE area for honeymooners. 

Why Le Meridian? Because I got it cheap on AirAsiaGo. A 5-star resort plus flights was only RM1,700 for two persons. Comes with awesome buffet breakfast too. What more could you ask for? :) Here's a tip: It is much more cheaper to book flight+hotel on Air Asia than buying only the flight alone.

Day 1:

The minute we were ushered into the resort, we were sheer-shocked by the architecture and most of all by the hospitality of the staff there. Such beautiful resort. All in all, it was really a pleasant stay and we thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of it.  We are jakun we don't get treated with 5-star hospitality nor could we afford to stay in a 5-star resort as and when we like

Caution: No doubt we got a good deal to stay in Le Meridien, however please take note that everything else that is in the resort is also 5-star pricing. That means food is expensive and shuttle/transfers are expensive too. One way out to Khao Lak town is RM20 per person and it only starts from 5:30pm to 9:00pm. Taxi is RM75 return. Mind you Khao Lak town is only about 15 minutes away!! 

Try to book during off-peak season like September. Le Spa is cheaper (this will be separated into another post) and it is not too crowded. Yeah, upon arriving we checked ourselves into the spa for a 60 minutes massage. Bliss~!

However, bear in mind that it is rainy season around September and snorkeling/diving activities around Similan Island and Surin Island is off. Throughout our stay there except for the last day, it only rained for a short while in the evening. So yeah it was a blessing to us. :) Not to worry, Le Meridien does provide you with an umbrella should the need arise.

Our room was to die for!!! It is so romantic it's even better than our bridal suite back in Putrajaya Marriott! Really beautiful. Loved the combination of green, yellow, and brown tones .. such earthly and warm colors. 

As mentioned food in the resort is not cheap, the cheapest is around the range of RM25 per dish. On the first day, we were rather hungry and was lazy to walk around, so we settled for simple Thai food by the beach at Bamboo Bar & Seafood Grill. Food was not too bad but nothing to shout about. The view and the sea-breeze however was fantastic. :)

That night, we had really AWESOME Thai food at Baan Thai. Expensive but really really mouth-watering dishes! So good.. thinking about it makes me drool. Ambiance was secluded, quiet, and pretty romantic. 

After dinner, we headed back to Bamboo Bar & Seafood Grill where there was live singing from a duo-team from the Philippines. Nice voice and nice choice of song. I had a cup of latte whereas Bear had his Singha Beer.

Did I mention that the staff at Le Meridien actually has a full itinerary planned out daily for their guests? You may choose to participate - most of them are free, some you are required to pay at a nominal sum of around RM20 for say Thai cooking class. 

That night at 9:00pm all guests were ushered to the beach where we released paper lanterns into the sky. Really good experience. 

Day 2:

We booked from the hotel via an outsourced tour agency for a half-day elephant trail in Supaporn Elephant Sanctuary for RM160 per person. The excursion includes an elephant ride, bathing the elephant, bathing in the waterfall, and lunch. Not too bad eh? 

Tip: You may book other excursions in the town. It is much cheaper.

The elephant ride was fun! Our 40-year old elephant is a female and her name is Khayala. Real gentle giant *hugs*.

Thereafter, we gave Khayala a goooooddd scrub! She loves bathing time!

We also had a fun time bathing in the cooling and refreshing waterfall with the other British couple from our group ... until the Russians invaded. urgh ~ 

A simple lunch followed thereafter. Not too bad.. but would rather the curry chicken be a little more spicier.  Food was plenty and we couldn't finish them.

That night we decided to head out to town to try their local and authentic  Thai food. I highly recommend Jai Restaurant. Clean, decent food, and reasonable pricing. One dish costs approximately on average RM6.

That night upon returning to the room, the staff sent an anniversary cake to our room. It was really thoughtful of them *heart* 

Day 3: My BIRTHDAY~!

Today was a free and easy day for us. Total relaxation and nothing planned. Basically to just go with the flow. And to me, that is the epitome of a great holiday. Our daily buffet breakfast was served in Cafe Lilawadee. Fantastic array of food and not to mention really yummy too. 

Took a leisure stroll around the resort to kill some time before heading to Le Spa again for a full-on 1 hour 20 minutes of sheer pampering. 

After the spa session, we took a walk on the beach cos I read on Trip Advisor that there is a good restaurant just about roughly 500 meters to the left of the resort which serves fantastic and cheap Thai Food. 

The place is called Rim Lay and true to the recommendation. It was really good food! I had fried flat noodles extra spicy and Bear has a Thai Fried Rice. It costs us RM6 per dish. We were told by the owners that the entire stretch of beach was swept by the 2004 tsunami and it was a pretty devastating sight. Water was swept 2km inland!

After lunch, we took the shuttle to the town for a quick walk. Before that, we stopped by Ban Niang, another small town before Khao Lak to see the police ship which was swept inland by the tsunami. We were totally taken aback. The driver told us that there were 7,000 people who lost their live that fateful day.

We headed back to the resort just before sun set to shower and decide where to go for dinner. Finally, we settled for Baan Thai again. Can't get enough of those Thai food! That night the Italian restaurant, Bangsak Grill was serving Italian buffet for RM99 per person. Yes, very steep pricing right? That was another reason why we opted for Thai. :)

Again, dinner was perfect, I couldn't have asked for more. And the sticky mango rice was heavenly! Didn't regret one bit choosing Baan Thai over Bangsat Bangsak Grill.  

Upon reaching the room after dinner, I was surprised that the staff actually arranged to send a birthday cake to the room~! And we didn't even mentioned that it was my birthday. Just that when we signed in our details on the first day, an alert staff took note and wished me. That's all! So sweet of them! Could someone shout first class service please??? :)

Day 4: We left for home. It was such a pleasurable and memorable stay at Le Meridien Khao Lak. I would highly recommend them. No flaws at all except for the hefty pricing and they do take the meaning of service a notch higher. Amazing!

p/s: another post on my birthday pressie from Bear.

Love;
Mrs Lee