Melbourne April'17: Great Ocean Road Day Trip

"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us."

I've never once felt that travel was a form of escapism. Setting foot in an entirely brand new foreign land, soaking in new sights and sounds.. It's an experience like no other. 

As you know, life has been kind of a rollercoaster lately. It was no better time, really, to get some fresh air, take time out and clear the mind, so I booked a ticket on a whim and flew out seven hours to Melbourne - A city that I've been meaning to see for the longest, longest time.

Thank god for BFFs too, because Tammi (who stays in Sydney) readily agreed to take a few days off to spend together with me in Melbourne! We booked a nice, cosy hotel room in the middle of the city and had so much great fun catching up, exploring Melbourne, shopping and eating.

Our initial idea was to do a road trip along the Great Ocean Road, but had to scrap those plans because Tammi had to return to Sydney for a couple of days due to last minute work commitments, which was quite a bummer. 

It must have been serendipity, because Tammi and I stumbled upon a little travel agency along the streets one day, and I ended up walking in and booking myself a day trip out to the Great Ocean Road with Bunyip Tours! 

Greatest decision ever.

1 Day Classic Great Ocean Road Tour - Bunyip Tours

I didn't do any research prior to booking my day trip/tour, but I went with the Classic Great Ocean Tour which is really really affordable at AUD130 with lunch inclusive. 

I took the following information from Bunyip Tours' website for easy reference!

***

HIGHLIGHTS

Beach stop on long golden surf beach with glorious views
Coastal towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay
Iconic Cape Otway Lighthouse dominates towering cliffs where Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean collide. Learn the ancient history of the Aboriginal owners, the Gadubanud people.
Look for koalas & native birds in the wild!
Aussie lunch provided
Rainforest Experience - Take in the luscious green surrounds of Otway Rangers rainforests and some of Australia`s tallest eucalyptus trees. Step down to the beach at Gibson`s Steps, gateway to the 12 Apostles
Loch Ard Gorge the history of the cruel Shipwreck Coast unfolds on a stroll along this historic beach
World famous 12 Apostles - This is what you've been waiting for! You'll be dwarfed by the soaring cliffs and the mysterious limestone towers that were created by erosion of the cliffs.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

All park entrance fees
Aussie lunch (sausages and salad)
Tea / coffee / biscuits
Friendly and informative tour guide

***

After much consideration and indecision, I paid an additional AUD145 for a 15 minutes long helicopter flight over the Twelve Apostles because YOLOOOOO. Might as well go all the way and enjoy the Great Ocean Road to the fullest, yes? AUD145 seemed like a reasonable price to pay for a bird's eye view of the 12 Apostles and a cool heli ride. Leggo! 

I woke up bleary-eyed and sleepy at the ungodly hour of 5am to prep and get ready on the day of my Great Ocean Road Tour - The tour bus was to depart at 7.15am from Bunyip Tour Office along Flinders Street. No breakfast provided so I grabbed a sandwich from 7-11 along the way from my hotel to the pick-up point.

The weather was SUPER foggy in the morning and that made me so worried. Fortunoa the weather cleared up in the afternoon! Remember to check the weather forecast before booking your day trip/tour because you wanna get good weather, ideally.


Off we go!! Expect a fair bit of travelling time in the tour bus along the course of the day which I gladly welcomed, it was the perfect opportunity to catch up on some shut-eye haha.




First stop at Anglesea Lookout! Some biscuits and hot tea did a whole lot to warm my tummy and keep me in good cheer despite the cold, dreary morning.


Here's the famous "Great Ocean Road" sign where the road officially begins!






I signed up for the tour alone which I was slightly apprehensive about, but happily made a couple of friends along the way! If you're taking the tour alone like me, just be friendly and strike up a conversation with your fellow tour group mates, it'll make your day a lot more enjoyable :)




We spotted lazy sleeping koalas along the way at Kennett River, but most of them were so high up that you really don't see anything more than a clump of fur in the trees lol.






Lunch was provided for us at the Cape Otway Lighthouse - A light lunch of sausages, salad and pasta.

I'm always worried about getting hungry so I packed along some chips and also brought my own water along that day, which proved to be a good decision because I did get hungry along the way lol :D




Cape Otway Lighthouse is mainland Australia's oldest lighthouse and overlooks a magnificent view of the coast!










The best fifteen minutes of my day was the heli ride at Gibson's Steps, where I got to admire the 12 Apostles from a bird's eye vantage!






The helicopter seats around 7 passengers, so I requested to sit at the side so that I had a better view to take pictures :)

It was so magical! The cloudy and foggy skies from earlier cleared up slightly, leaving behind a misty, surreal veil across the 12 Apostles that made the gorgeous panoramic view look like it came right out of a fantasy setting.

Did you know that there were only ever nine "Apostles" limestone stacks? Right now, there are only eight left due to erosion from the waves. 

The heli ride was super fun and I was really sad that it lasted only 15 minutes :( For AUD145, that works out to be almost 10 bucks a minute lol but the view was so worth-while.

Loch Ard Gorge, another scenic stop along the Great Ocean Road. The rock formations here are amazing! This was the site of a tragic shipwreck in 1878 where only two teenagers survived.




I really enjoyed the one day Great Ocean Road experience and I'm glad I didn't miss the Great Ocean Road despite not being able to drive out on my own road trip! Highly recommended if you're travelling solo or you just don't want the hassle and fuss of taking your own road trip.

I booked my day trip via a walk-in at a travel agency, but I think you can also book directly from Bunyip Tours' website here.




Ending off with pictures of the cutest possums chilling at a park on my way back to my apartment after my day out at the Great Ocean Road ;) So cute aiyoooo.

It was a really good day, and sometimes, we just have to go through life, a day at a time.

Look for me on my other social media platforms here:

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The Beginning of an End

I don't really know where to begin, but I know I want to put something down into words about this.

Over the past few months, a lot of people I know and probably many more that I don't know have been asking and speculating about what has been happening with my personal life.

I don't care about the gossip mongers, but I do care about the friends and readers who sincerely wish me well and are genuinely concerned for me as a person.

I'd rather you all hear it straight from me than other uninvolved parties, so let this serve as closure.

We've officially separated.

The decision has been extremely hard to make, because it doesn't just impact two lives majorly, but also the many people around me like family and mutual friends...

I wish I could speak unrestrainedly about why our relationship broke down, but it probably isn't a good idea to do so.

All I can say is, I think we both tried to make our relationship work over the years, but there were too many fundamental issues that were swept under the rug over the years, and these seemingly little things eventually festered and grew into huge, painful sores that could never go away.

No matter what, please remember that you should always love yourself first, no matter what kind of a relationship you're in.

No one is perfect, that's for sure. But make sure you know what your deal breakers are, and what kind of shortcomings you want to deal with.

I saw a quote on IG the other day.

The quote was "You don't give up on someone you love."

I really wanted to agree with this quote. It sounded damn bloody romantic and oh-so-sweet.

But is it really really true?

I don't know la. For someone who's been in one relationship for 9 years, I'd say that there's a breaking point somewhere when it becomes irrevocably damaged.

I'm sorry that it didn't work out.

I'm especially sorry to my parents, to my dad who doesn't know how to break the news to relatives and acquaintances who are asking him "几时抱个孙子?"

To my in-laws who treated me so very well and were a second family to me.

And to the man I took my marriage vows with and whom I thought would be my forever.

I'm sorry that we didn't work out.

-

It's been almost three months since this happened, and now you know why I've been posting much lesser on social media the past few months.

I also took the opportunity to travel and do more of what I love, and spend more time with my dearest friends who have been such a constant source of support and love.

I'm blessed, really.

And now, I'll put myself first, love myself more.

I'm telling myself this: It's okay to fail in relationships and even a marriage.

A failed relationship or a divorce does not mean that you're a failure. Everyone deserves to be truly happy and to be loved in the right way.

PS. I won't be affected by hate comments and trolls because you anonymous keyboard warriors totally don't know anything at all and your absurd accusations are just laughable, so go ahead, say whatever you want :)

Thank you for reading, and for your virtual hugs and kisses. ❤️ I'm okay!

Bangkok May'17: Staying at Park Hyatt Bangkok

Hello, Park Hyatt Bangkok!

Leaving on a jet plane yet again - Bangkok is one of those cities I never tire of, but checking into the brand new Park Hyatt Bangkok made it even better and was an exceptionally amazing experience!

Located right in the heart of Bangkok, Park Hyatt Bangkok feels like you're in an exclusively secluded space made just for you - every single inch of this five-star luxury hotel is tastefully put together, elegant and posh, and yet feels utterly welcoming.

The best part? All it takes is one elevator ride and you find yourself at Central Embassy, a luxury shopping mall that's home to huge names like Hermes, Prada and Chanel, alongside high street labels, local Thai designers and lots and lots of food choices! The hotel is also directly connected to Chidlom BTS Station, which makes it convenient to get to anywhere via BTS.

Staying at Park Hyatt Bangkok

I stayed two nights at Park Hyatt Bangkok to attend the gala opening of Park Hyatt Bangkok as well as the completion of Central Embassy and it was legit one of the best stays I've experienced in Bangkok - Every aspect of my stay was nothing short of impeccable.

Let me share a personal anecdote. I "lost" a pair of socks that I carelessly left rolled up inside one of my used bath towels that got cleared away by housekeeping on my first night and expected never to see those socks again in my life. Housekeeping miraculously recovered the socks a couple days later and even sent me an email to personally inform me of the good news so that I could collect my socks back. Hurrah!


If you like tall, airy, spaces, you'll love Park Hyatt Bangkok and its minimalistic and refined interior decor that is classy chic without being overbearingly ostentatious or opulent.

Everything feels discreet and exclusive, from the minimally-furnished hotel entrance to the modern, polished-looking reception and common areas, as well as the top-notch service of the extremely attentive hotel staff who greeted me warmly everywhere I went and assisted me during my stay.






My room was stylish and spacious - Most importantly, the bed was utterly luxurious and comfortable.
With universal power sockets and USB outlets located beside the bed and at the study table, I didn't once have to worry about charging up my devices (cameras, phones, power banks and the likes), which was a huge convenience for me.

I particularly adored the motorised curtains that I could control with the touch of a switch even while lounging in bed half-awake. It may seem like a small detail, but feels like the most luxurious thing on earth on a lazy morning ;)

Did I also mention the fantastic surround sound system (there are speakers even in the bathroom!) and BlueTooth-enabled speaker that allowed me to connect my phone wirelessly and blast my Coldplay tunes on repeat?




The bathroom area is a dream come true. You can't get any better than two sinks with two mirrors, separate cubicles for the (huge) shower area and toilet as well as a huge bath tub, topped off with a spectacular view of Bangkok city.

La Labo amenities were provided, and I love love love the bergamot fragrance in them!


Woke up to this view on Day 2 - And yes I drew those curtains electronically while I was still lounging in bed!

Breakfast was such a delectable affair. You get to pick your breakfast of choice from a menu, as well as a wide array of offerings from the pantry area - there was parma ham, fresh fruits, yogurt, cold pressed juices, freshly-baked bread, and the likes!

I was very very happy with the breakfast - Everything was delicious, and I ate so much that I hardly had space for lunch! Some personal favourites include the rice congee, eggs benedict as well as the selection of different fresh fruits available every day.

There's also a bar and a grill located within Park Hyatt Bangkok should you choose to dine in the comfort of the hotel, though we had most of our meals just downstairs at Central Embassy.




If you have time, take a soak in Grand Hyatt Bangkok's infinity pool as well. The view is lovely, it's decently-sized, and better yet, the pool is heated, so you don't have to dread the icy cold water!

There's also state-of-the-art gym facilities as well as a spa (soon to be opened) at Park Hyatt Bangkok, but I was too busy luxuriating and lazing about to even step into the gym - I'm sorry!

I highly recommend Park Hyatt Bangkok for those looking for a tranquil and exclusive retreat in the middle of the city - One night goes for 300SGD and up (depending on your booking dates) and it may be pricier than the standard Bangkok accommodation but you're certainly paying for your money's worth.

Gala Opening of Park Hyatt Bangkok & Completion of Central Embassy

I was looking forward to attending the gala opening - It was a black tie event with 700 guests made up of celebrities, media, well-known personalities and affluent society all coming together to celebrate the completion of Central Embassy and the opening of Park Hyatt Bangkok!






On the red carpet with my fellow ladies from Singapore, gorgeous Francesca and Rachel!


Just for the occasion, I got my hair styled at a salon just downstairs in Central Embassy, and dressed up in this piece from Sheike, an Australian label I like very much!












It was a spectacular night despite the achy feet from being up and about all evening in my heels - It has been some time since I last savored such an agreeable time with the loveliest ladies. What great fun!

Thank you for hosting me, Park Hyatt Bangkok! A special thank you to Eclair for extending the invitation and taking such great care of us. I'm looking forward to the next time I'm back!

 

PARK HYATT BANGKOK

Central Embassy, 88 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok,  Thailand, 10330

Tel: +66 2 012 1234

http://www.park.hyatt.com/en/parkhyatt.html

Review: Shu Uemura Petal Skin Fluid Foundation

The modest-looking Shu Uemura Petal Skin Fluid Foundation got me sold immediately the first time I tried it. For my normal/dry skin, liquid foundations work best, and I love my foundations natural, radiant and light-weight. Shu Uemura's Petal Skin Fluid Foundation checks all those boxes and more!

Ok, I admit it. 

I was already sold the moment I saw my idol Pony (a Korean makeup blogger turned celebrity) use the Petal Skin Fluid Foundation in one of her makeup tutorials HAHAHA! The foundation looked absolutely flawless on her, and I couldn't wait to try it out on myself!

Why is Pony so perfect?? You need to watch this video to see what I mean. This is what I call an effortless-looking natural finish!

Shu Uemura Petal Skin Fluid Foundation (SPF 20 PA++)

Inspired by the beauty of petals, the new petal skin fluid foundation features a unique and innovative combination of semi-matte and semi-glow characteristics in one beautiful formula. The unique petal skin technology within the foundation contains mineral fine-pigments with high skin affinity, hence offering a natural poreless coverage that emits soft radiance.

Shu Uemura Petal Skin Fluid Foundation comes in 11 shades - I wear shade 564 (medium beige sand), which is a perfect match for my skin tone.

Available in 11 shades \\ $68 (30ml)

Texture-wise, Shu Uemura Petal Skin Fluid Foundation is amazing. It's extremely light-weight, and spreads easily, with no cakiness or settling into lines. It also feels moisturizing and comfortable, almost like wearing nothing on your skin at all!

Look at how the Shu Uemura Petal Skin Fluid Foundation blends into my skin so imperceptibly!

It contains mineral fine pigments that have high skin affinity to achieve a thin and smooth layer with natural powerless coverage, evens out complexion and signs of imperfections.

Petal Skin Fluid Foundation also contains the following plant extracts: 

*Botanic oleo-veil (soothes skin)

*White jasmine extract (boosts skin clarity for a bright and radiant complexion) 

*White lily extract (hydrates skin).

Shu Uemura Petal 55 Brush \\ $80

For best results, I highly recommend Shu Uemura's Petal 55 Brush together with Petal Skin Fluid Foundation for seamless coverage with just a few strokes.

The hairs on this brush are so incredibly soft and luxurious! Its unique ergonomic shape also allows for both precise and even application on your entire face, even around the eyes and nose.

Using the Shu Uemura Petal 55 Brush is really easy, just use long sweeping strokes in the directions indicated by the arrows in this picture. It's quite intuitive, really.

This brush can also be used for any foundation texture, regardless of whether it's liquid, cream or powder. I love how the brush feels so gentle on my skin, and it does such a good job with application of the Petal Skin Fluid Foundation.

Before/After: My overall skin tone has been evened out and redness around the nose, as well as my dark eye rings, are a lot less pronounced. One pump for my entire face gives me a natural-looking medium coverage.

The breakthrough petal skin technology also diffuses light from skin to give the appearance of a soft, poreless finish! It looks almost like my skin got magically airbrushed to become petal soft and radiant.

I'm in love with the semi-matte, velvety and poreless finish that feels and looks like second skin! The lightweight finish is perfect for everyday usage.

As I have normal/dry skin, I find that the Shu Uemura Petal Skin Fluid Foundation looks great on its own, but I recommend setting it with loose powder if you tend towards combination/oily skin. 

Shu Uemura Petal Skin Fluid Foundation has also been tested in Singapore weather to ensure that it's humidity and heat resistant, and I was impressed with how the foundation held up throughout the day with no oxidation or "sliding off"! 

Finshing off my everyday to-go look with a light touch - A bit of concealer around my eyes, eyebrow pencil, subtle eyeshadow, eyeliner, blush and lip color! 

Wearing Shu Uemura's Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte Lipstick in shade PK 354!

And here's my completed everyday look with petal soft skin, thanks to Shu Uemura Petal Skin Fluid Foundation!

Create Your Petal Skin Canvas \\ 1-On-1 Free Tutorial This April

Learn how to create your perfect petal skin canvas! 

Shu Uemura is conducting a month-long activity where their highly-experienced makeup experts will show you how to create a look just like Pony (!!!) with a semi-matte petal soft radiant finish with natural poreless coverage in 3 simple steps! What's more, you get to bring home a FREE petal skin canvas trial kit after attending the tutorial!

To sign up for a one-on-one session, register to pick a preferred date and time slot here: http://www.shuuemura.com.sg/whats-new/petal-skin-fluid-foundation/

xx