OBITUARY

In Loving Memory Of

Buffy Look Low

(Oct 27, 2002 - Aug 31, 2009)

Buffy will be dearly missed by Ah Yong, Ami, Michelle, Roxy, Ma, Me and those that loves her.

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As Buffy's hind leg was beginning to give her problem and pain, it was also starting to produce liquid. We brought her to Dr. Thiru today to see what he has to suggest. As expected, the situation was pretty drastic. Although, the first operation saw to the removal of most of the lump, the tumor came back with vengeance this time around and it has spread even further up her leg. The 2 options - to amputate or to put her to sleep.

I have been debating with this since before the wedding and I felt that if I was given these 2 options, I would choose the latter than to put Buffy through the pain of recovery. It might sound selfish to end it all like that but amputating (as Dr. Thiru also mentioned) does not ensure that the tumour would not grow in other areas, lest to mention the pain of recovery and the lack of her full potential to be the active dog she once was.

I couldn't bear to see Buffy put to sleep with my eyes so I had to leave the task to the nurses and doctor at AMK. I could tell that everyone had a sense of loss in them and I am truly thankful to them for making it much easier for us. We had tried our best in keeping her and helping her recover from the lump but I think her time is up.

Buffy will always remain in my heart as Kenny has.

She will always be missed by all who loves her.

Bali - Mt Batur, Hot Spring, A&W and Carrefour!

Our second day started really early. Our guide, Mr. Nyoman, came to pick us up at 2am in the morning. We were scheduled to climb Mt. Batur, Kintamani to see the sunrise of Bali. Batur is one of the active volcano which is 1,717 metres (5,633 feet) and the last eruption was in year 2000. The most devastating eruption was in 1963.We can still see the volcanic rocks that created a black area in the base area where the lava flowed into. The other active volcano in Bali is Mt Agung (3,142 metres (10,308 ft)).

The drive from Seminyak to Kintamani took approximately 2 hours. Some roads were in total darkness and we had to go winding up and down a hill.

As you can see, this was the clock in the car. Other than this, everything else was pitch black. We arrived at the base of Mt. Batur at 0356 and there were groups of people already gathered there. It was way too dark to take any photos on the way up. The roads were sandy and some portions were full of rocks. I haven't been training at all for a long time and this was pretty tough especially when we were at the last stretch of conquering the peak. It was pretty steep going up the peak and the mentality was to keep going so as to see the sunrise (there was no way to go down as there were many people behind us). The trek took approximately 2 hours to reach the peak. It was freaking cold up there!

The horizon while we were waiting for the sunrise.

As it gets brighter.

Enjoying a cup of warm tea. Please note that this had to be paid for. Notice the coke next to Yong - a boy that was in his teens trekked up with us and sold us coke when we hit the peak! It was crazy - why would we drink gassy stuff after exercising? Anyway, we bought 1 bottle from him at a hefty price tag. Our guide took 1 too. Well, that's the way they work.

The sun was coming up.

Having breakfast - banana in bread and a hard boiled egg. There were dogs up in the mountain so they obviously beg for food while you eat.

Sunrise!

The peak in the far end was Lombok and the one nearer the front was Mt Abang.

We walked slightly further to see the sun rise in our face. It was just beautiful..and cold.

Behind us was a crater that was created. We could still see steam coming out at parts of the mountain and some parts were still warm which shows the volcano was very much active. The eruption was devastation to the villagers around the volcano but it also makes it really fertile for farming. People in these areas are able to grow tomatoes, cabbages, rice, oranges, watermelon etc which allows them to be self-sufficient. I've heard from Nyoman that in other regions, there are strawberries too! However, down south, as the land is what they called laced with 'white rock' or limestone - there was no vegetation there whatsoever. It's amazing how within an island - there are such drastic geology. Not only the land but even the temperature. Up on the mountains, it would be cooling even in the day but at the coastal areas it is hot, hot & hot.

Time to descend the mountain. We took the direct route down which took us about an hour and half instead of going round the mountain to look at other craters etc.

This was how steep the climb up and down was.

Reaching the base. Behind us is Mt Batur.

Leaving to go to the Hot Springs.

At the hot springs pool just 5 minutes from the base camp. The water here doesn't smell as sulphuric as what I've experienced in Taiwan with Ami. *I still miss Taiwan!!!*

After the hot springs, behind me is Lake Batur. This caldera was caused by the most terrifying eruption of Batur Mountain in 1926. People in Bali are mostly Hindus and they believe in Gods of the natural (i.e. mountain god or sea god) so in Bali, you'll see temples built around these areas. Near Lake Batur is the Holy Spring Water temple where Balinese go to cleanse their souls. We did not make the trip to the temple or the famous monkey forest around Bangli. We decided to go back to the hotel to rent a bike and visit the places around our villa instead.

As I mentioned, it was pitch black in the morning when we passed this other mountain to get to Mount Batur. On the return leg, Nyoman parked his car to the side to allow us to take in the beautiful view we missed out in the morning.

On our way back to the villa, we passed by the famous rice plantation area of Bali. This scene is seen in many postcards of Bali. The area was really huge. Nyoman mentioned that he has his own plot of land given by one of the King of Bali (they had 9 previously) to his father. He uses it to grow rice for his own consumption as well as for trade. There are 2 ways of planting rice. The one in the picture was the 'step' method and the other more commonly seen was the 'level' method. For plots that were not near mountains which provided regular flow of water all year round, they had to pay for water during dry seasons to irrigate their crops. It was really interesting for me to hear all these from Nyoman. I guess I never paid attention in school. =P

After visiting the rice fields, Nyoman wanted to go home to put down his jacket. Since it was nearby and on the way back to the villa, we agreed. He was so kind to show us his house! This was the first time, we've been into a Balinese house (duh!). We passed by many houses and I found that they really looked like a temple from the outside. Nyoman explained to us that in each house there was a temple. This area housed the ancestors and the gods. It was a symbol that all houses had in Bali. The compound also consisted of another 5 houses which represented different parts of the human body. Each house was to be built facing a certain direction and in a certain color. Also, the owner's body had to be measured so as to have the compound distances built accordingly.

Gate to the temple in Nyoman's house.

The center of the house where it can be used for sleeping or for rituals etc.

Me enjoying the hospitality of Nyoman and his wife.

The compound was really huge as it housed a backyard too! On top of the rice they planted, they had a coconut tree (amongst other trees such as pineapple), reared ducks and chickens too. Nyoman explained that these are the items regularly needed for rituals and prayers so rather than purchasing them, why not rear of grow it themselves. Totally made sense to me. On a daily basis, they pray once to twice a day. They create these little trays out of leaves and they put flowers, biscuits or rice with an incense in it. Balinese people will pray at the door steps, nearby temples, in front of their shops etc to bring the God to them. They also put these trays in their cars or use the rice to put on their foreheads to bring God along with them as they move around. They had special days for praying at the temples, cremation, getting married etc. They also have a day called the 'Quiet Day' where there will be no cars on the road, no shops open and no one talking (or to the minimum). Even guests/tourists will be advised of this day some where in March as they need to observe the silence too. So if you are planning a trip to Bali, do check out when this date is!

Back at the villa, we decided to take a dip in the pool and head out for a massage! What better way to relax after climbing a mountain.

I had to sit out as the pool was pretty cold despite the hot sun shining over our heads.

The blue sky from our villa.

We went to a home based massage place just around the bend from our villa. It was really cheap! An hour massage cost only Rp 60,000 which translates to about S$8-S$9! The masseur was really good too. It started with a warm wash of your feet and a simple technique to warm up your muscles before the massage begins. We were totally relaxed after walking out from this place! They even had a promotion - 3 body treatments will entitle you to 1 free manicure or pedicure! I had come back to this place for another massage and body scrub before we left Bali.

After the massage, it was time to rent our bike - we found this the only feasible way to get around Bali as the sun was hot and the roads were really and seriously long. On Sunset road, there was Carrefour (I remembered as we went pass the road a couple of times). So, I told Yong I had wanted to go there to get some Lulur scrub as well as tidbits. I saw A&W at the 1st floor and we had that for lunch.

A&W root beer from the tap, onion rings, fried chicken, fries and a fish burger!

Filled stomachs, we headed up to Carrefour. We had wanted to cook dinner but in the end, we couldn't find stuff to cook as we remembered there was no condiments in the villa.

I managed to get the Lulur and the Cassava chips I was looking for. We also saw that the durians were huge there! I think these were local products too. They had durian trees in the forest areas. Seriously, they were huge!

After Carrefour, we headed back to the Villa and we were pooped. We changed and we went to La Sol, a spanish restuarant near the villa for dinner. The food was ok but the place was crowded by the time we left. The crab chowder was a tad bit watery to be considered chowder for me but maybe it was their recipe.

Bali - Seminyak, Seiryu Villa.

Our flight was at 945am so we had to check in 2 hours before that. We were contemplating if we were going to go on the cab or the mrt. In the end, we managed to get a cab and we were on our way!

Singapore's sky at about 720am on Aug 24, 2009.
Luggage tag that Ami got for Yong and me from US when we were there last Dec.


This is mine - Mrs. Always Right!


On the traveler enroute to our boarding gate.

Me shopping with the KrisShop magazine.

Onboard SQ942 on our way to our honeymoon destination - Bali.

The pick up at the airport.

They served iced aqua and a ice cold towel. The sun was scorching hot at 12 noon!

The ultra blue skies with splatters of fluffy white clouds of Bali.

The Seiryu which means quiet dragon at Seminyak, Bali.

The reception area. Apparently, this place just opened up less than 2 years ago. The place is really serene.

The walkway to the 8 villas housed in Seiryu.

Yes, only 8 villas here.

This is the explanation of why this place was called 'Seiryu'.

Inside our villa, which the 'butler' ushered us to and also explained in detail what was offered in the room as well as where all the switches were.

The villa offered a lap pool and also a deck for suntanning in your own privacy.

The living room area of the villa - looking in to the deck.

The kitchenette which was fully equipped with a rice maker, microwave oven, coffee maker, water dispenser, pots, pans, cutlery, plates, bowls, cups, wine glasses etc etc.

The shower area with a jacuzzi bath tub that leads straight to the lap pool. There was also the walk-in wardrobe as well as bedroom. This villa was as big as our flat!

After being wow-ed by the villa, we went out for a walk. Since this is Bali, how could we give the beach a miss?

Me at the beach. The sand was grey or near black. I have no idea why. The waves were huge though and it was really hot!

Time for lunch and we walked and walked to a place called Warung Made which was supposedly famous for the roasted pig. Of course, we didn't order roasted pig because we had to order the whole pig!

I had Gado Gado which was different from the Singapore's version but tasted similar. Yong had the nasi goreng with his Bintang. I ordered extra fries =P

Cleaning my hands before eating!

The streets of Bali. There was really a lot of walking to be done. It was really crazy. In the end, we took a taxi back to the villa in the late evening after walking. I realised that walking to do shopping in Bali is not really possible if you want to cover great distances. Unlike having shopping malls, the shops are all housed individually side-by-side on the streets. The weather in Bali is also a factor as its scorching hot.

This was me at night around 7pm preparing for bed as we were going to have to wake up at 130am to head out to Mt Batur for the sunrise trek. Yong said I look small on the bed but I told him the bed was huge.