Batam: Montigo Resort Nongsa

Today's post is going to be about the Montigo Resorts @ Nongsa. Early in the morning, we took a early timing ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Nongsa. When we reached Nongsa, staff from the Monitgo was waiting at the ferry terminal to pick us using their in-house minibus. And after a short bus ride... Here comes the paradise!!

Welcome to Montigo Resort!!!

We were greeted by their friendly staffs with welcome drinks and dance. While our friend went to check in to the room, their staffs offered to do a free shoulders massage for us. Very nice of them!!!!!! 

Soon after we checked in, we followed one of the staff to the buggy and here we went to our villa. Because the resort was big, they offered buggy service to transport us around the area.

  After we opened the door and walked towards the hall.... HUH!! Am I dreaming?  The hall was so BIG and it comes with kitchen. And there was a mini swimming pool that called yours! Look at view!! I was totally sold by the mini pool. Ohh.. Where is the bedroom? Actually, they are at the second level! 

On the second level, there were 2 rooms. 1 with double bed and the other is the twin bed. 

Now let's take a look at their bathroom!! And their lovely big and deep bathtub.

And the 3rd levels was a open space for chilling out. Love the view so much!!!!!

Because our villa was near their inhouse restaurant, we walked there the next day to have breakfast.  The spread was good too. 

If you don't like their spread, they also have menu to order other food and drinks.

Montigo Resorts

Address: Jalan Hang Lekir Nongsa, Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29465, Indonesia

Phone:+62 778 7768888

Website: www.montigoresorts.com/

For booking, click here to Agoda 

* Photos were taken by Canon DSLR without photoshop except the first picture.

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Caratell made our Wedding Bands

Different couples, have different wants for a wedding and within the couple, there are different things that are important to each. And to Ron, the engagement ring, and the wedding bands are the few important things in the wedding for him. So many years in his mind, he always wanted a Mobius Strip design for the wedding bands. Mobius Strip means having a strip and do a single twist at one of the ends and then joins the 2 ends together. If you use a pencil and draw on the strip, it will still start and finish at the same place. With this, he wanted to made this idea into the design for the ring. It also means there is no start and no end in our marriage. I really like the idea. 

So we started going around the jewelry shops in Singapore and hopefully we can find one so we can get it off the rack. It will be cheaper. However, after searching for months we still couldn't find. 

We concluded that we needed to custom made it. 

Caratell is the shop that Ron went to do the engagement ring and they mentioned that they do customization/ designing of rings too. So they were one of the choices. However, we really want to shop around first and our idea was we might find better jeweler. Honestly, shopping around was the right choice because it made us decided on Caratell instead. 

In terms of customer service, they are one of the few good ones which Ron agreed. The thing we like about them was they listened to us.  Even the lady boss knows what exactly she is talking with good understanding of the material used in the ring. We really need somebody like them to understand how their service can help us. And not trying too hard to sell us their stuff. And i really want to thanks our designer, Serin. She is very down to earth and humble person. She listened to all our ideas on how we wanted to do. Whenever, we ask her about her views, she is honest and give us her best whenever she can. When the rings are ready for collection, she takes the initiative to take pictures and watsapp us. We really appreciate that alot. 

Today, we are very happy to be in Caratell to collect our wedding bands and both of us really like it alot. 

The whole process from drawing, fitting and collection of the rings took about 2 months. 

The left is the actual ring and the right is the mock up.

Top is the mock up and below is the actual ring.

Ron's ring: The left hand side is the mock up and the right hand side is the actual ring. They did one ring mock up so that we have an idea how would the ring look like.

 This is my mine. 

Proudly present our wedding bands and together with the engagement ring. We have to agree that they were nicely done.

*All photos here are taken by my Iphone 5. 

Caretall Pte Ltd

Address: United Square 101 Thomson Rd Unit 01-47/48/49,307591

Phone:6251 2292

Website: www.Caratell.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caratell-Diamonds/159311192063

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Things to do in Bali - Kuta, Legian, Seminyak

1. Chilling out at the beach

Nothing beats better than just doing nothing and chilling out at the beach. The best thing here is going to the beach is free of charge. I love going to beach because it just give me the best time to slow down my pace and start observing the people around me. By the way, the sunset at Kuta Beach is beautiful.

2. Surfing

I have not tried surfing in Bali. However, Surfing is one of the attractions in Bali. I noticed that there are many people doing this activity. Just rent a surf board from the surf shop along the beach and you are good to go.

3. Shopping

Bali is a shopping heaven for beach wear. Whether you are in Kuta or Legian or even Seminyak, you will never failed to get something home. I did bought alot a few sun dresses home because they are really cheap and nice.

4. Massage/Cream Bath

Massage parlor is everywhere in Bali. Its not difficult to find one and their price are quite comparative. And yes, we went massage every single day when we were there. I did cream bath too which is a kind of hair treatment. Apparently, we can only get cream bath in Indonesian. I quite like it because my hair feel alot smoother after the session. Oh.. i am missing it again. 

5. Waterbom

Waterbom is a Water Theme park in Bali, Kuta. Waterbom is rated as the top Water Theme park in Asia. 

If you love water theme park, this is the right place for you. Its also a perfect place to spend a whole day there. Check out their webby: http://waterbom-bali.com/

Bondi Beach - Trio Cafe for Brunch

Trio Cafe - This is the right place for brunch if you are looking for something nice in the morning. It is abit pricey but its totally worth it. We had a good time over in the cafe and we promised to revisit again when we pop by Bondi in the future.

The cafe is located along the road and after you across the road, that's the beach. So technically, you can say that the cafe is along the beach. So you wouldn't miss it.

The inside of the cafe gives a very simple and yet modern look.  I really like how the way they match the white table cloth with brown furniture.

The staffs are really very friendly. I have to say that they do provide excellent customer service. 

Here comes my favorite Eggs Benedict. This is for sure a MUST to try. Its very rich and tasty. Initially, i thought the portion is very small when it came to my table. However, i realized that is not true because i felt full after my very last bite. And i was very satisfied after eating it. Thumbs up for this!

 Nutella French Toast which comes with caramelised bananas and hazelnut crumble. I am not a fan of Nutella but this is really very good and i love it too. I guess the bananas and the crumble help the texture of  the bread with the Nutella.

Butter Coffee, apparently its a very healthy drink according to Ron. However, i am not really a fan of it. 

Overall, we concluded that this is one of the best cafe we had ever been.

Address: 56 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach NSW 2026, Australia

Phone: +61 2 9365 6044

Website: www.triocafe.com.au

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney Review

Given a 5 Stars hotel, i have to say that Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, really live up its name. The location of this hotel is situated in CBD area of Sydney. Walking distance to the famous Sydney attraction like The Rocks, Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanical Gardens. I wouldnt say that the hotel is right outside any train station, however it is 200 meters away from Wynyard Station and 500 meters away from Circular Quay Station.  I think it is acceptable and the hotel is considered near to the train station. We got off from Wynard Station and walk to the hotel. Initially,we were quite worried if we can find the hotel but our worries went off after we saw flags hanging outside the hotel and we knew that we have found the place. So its pretty easy.

We were greeted by the classy reception. The receptionist was nice and always putting a smile. We booked a Studio Spa Suites from http://www.wotif.com/ and the price is very good. Highly recommend to use this website if needed to book hotel in Australia because of its amazing price.

Yes. this is the room. Its exactly what we are expecting. The room is neat, big and spacious. I think the only downside was that view is not very good. The room is facing buildings instead.

The giant bed that both of us enjoyed sleeping on it. It was so comfortable and clean. Out of curious, we happened to find out that the bed we slept on is from the brand - Sealy.

It was nice to see coffee machine here. And the coffee capsules were complimentary.

The toliet is very spacious and classy too. Look at the generous shower gel, shampoo and conditioner.

Ron loves bathtub and we were happy, there is one here. The bathtub comes with Jacuzzi feature known as Spa bathtub. Beside the bathtub is the showering area and this is what i love about this room. I really dont like the idea of standing on the bathtub to bathe because of safety reason.

1. Address: 27 O'Connell St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

   Phone:+61 2 8214 0000