Impromptu Bali Trip May 2023 - Night 1 + Day 1

So about more than 1 week ago, the missus and I made an impromptu trip to Bali.  It was a last minute trip as one of our houses there was finally going to be sold.  I'm so relieved that one of those "burdens" is finally gone.

Some Shophouse Installation in T4 - A7RMk3 + FE20mm F1.8G

Bali Holiday 2019 - Day 7

Last day in Bali…  We unwillingly left The Apurva Kempinski.  Unfortunately, responsibilities beckoned and we had to return to reality. 

The Apurva Kempinski's Courtyard Pond - Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Bali Holiday 2019 - Day 6

On Day 6, we didn't do anything much.  We just had a whole lot of good time in The Apurva Kempinski.

The Apurva Kempinski From The Beach - Galaxy Note 9

Bali Holiday 2019 - Day 5

I can safely say that day 5 officially started after we checked-in at The Apurva Kempinski.  By the time we entered our room it was already half past midnight. 

As soon as we opened the door into our 2^nd floor room we were greeted by a sculpture of a Javanese Candi (Hindunese or Buddhist temple).  

A Scultpure of a Javanese Candi Adorned The Entrance Into Our Room - A7R2 + Batis 2/25

Bali Holiday 2019 - Day 4

Day 4 was our last day in Padma Resort Ubud.  We had planned to checkout at 12 pm and transfer to Novotel Benoa near Nusa Dua.  Our package with Padma came with a complimentary transfer which we happily utilized for the transfer to Novotel Benoa.  Unfortunately the Novotel Benoa stay was going to abysmal, which I will elaborate on later.    

Before leaving Padma, the kids had one last chance to visit the Animal Garden which we did right after breakfast.  Lincoln & Lindsay really had a great time feeding the rabbits, guinea pigs, Kimi & Kumi and the pigeons.  

Linc & Lind Feeding Rabbits in Padma Ubud's Animal Garden - A7R2 + Batis 2/25

Bali Holiday 2019 - Day 3

For day 3 of our holiday, we decided that we should go beyond Ubud Centre.  Our morning started with the usual breakfast, followed by the kids enjoying themselves at the pool before we set out for Ubud Centre at noon. 

Lincoln & Lindsay Morning Swim - RX100 Mk3

Bali Holiday 2019 - Day 2

Day 2 started with this magnificent view from our balcony as we awoke in Padma Resort Ubud.

Such Wonderful View From Our Balcony - A7R2 + FE16-35mm F2.8 GM

Bali Holiday 2019 - Day 1

During the March school term break, we set off on a family holiday to Bali.  It’s been 4 years since our last trip to Bali back in 2015 and we were eagerly looking forward to this trip.  For this trip I was fully armed to the teeth, carrying my A7R2, a Batis 2/25, a newly acquired FE16-35mm F2.8 GM and also a newly acquired DJI Osmo Mobile 2.     

Let's Go! - RX100 Mk3

Balinese Holiday 2015

We really enjoyed our Bali trip back in 2014, we decided to have another holiday there in 2015.  This time we brought Lindsay along to join in the fun.  The holiday lasted 6 days and 5 nights, we stayed 3 days 2 nights in Jimbaran, 2 days 1 night in Nusa dua and another 3 days 2 nights in Kuta.

This time I decided to travel light and brought only my X-T1 and 3 lenses: XF 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 R, XF 14mm F2.8R & XF 23mm F1.4R. I could fit them into a medium sized National Geographic sling bag - it was surreal that the bag felt lighter when compared to bringing my 5D Mark III and just one EF 24mm F1.4L lens....  I definitely got wider focal length and longer range at lesser weight although I had to sacrifice DOF, AF speed & accuracy (esp at low light) and some ISO.

I also love the colour and white balance from the X-T1, I almost didn't have to adjust any saturation, brightness or contrast of all my photos; only a select few which were taken under harsh sunlight or extreme dark conditions. 

For the first part we stayed in Ayana Jimbaran.  This resort is absolutely stunning.  One of the best we have ever stayed in.  The pools here are absolutely amazing and the Rock Bar offers quite an amazing sight - its almost impossible to get a table during sunset.

 

One of the pools with the best view in Ayana

Balinese Holiday 2014

How to define Bali?  Sea?  Mountain?  Mystic?  Culture?  Art?  Tegalalang rice field?  Mount Agung?  Mount Kintamani?  Tanah Lot?  All of those and more perhaps.  Bali is so beautiful; beautiful beach, beautiful mountain, beautiful sunset, beautiful art, beautiful nature, friendly people and so much more. Even Indonesians are absolutely mesmerized by Bali. 

Soccer playing beach boys in Kuta as the sun sets

What Comes After a Wedding - Part I

Is a honeymoon!  We chose to go to Bali, Hong Kong & Macau for our honeymoon.  Sounds like much?  Not really..  My wife & I took 2 weeks leave to complete our wedding and honeymoon.

This post will cover our honeymoon in Bali. 

Soo..... As soon as we finished the wedding, we headed straight to Bali from Jakarta for our honeymoon.  First stop was at Four Seasons Jimbaran.

Oh my.... what a beautiful place..  no words can describe how beautiful and wonderful this place is. 

The Four Seasons Jimbaran Entrance