Additional Leads

July 27, 2006

Today we are here again in Kuta beach, still the same, not so many people, but there is a lady who wants to get a tattoo and Chaw explained to her she should buy Beach Hut sunblock first so she can have a free Air Tatoo, so she bought a 75 ml. clear spray sunblock.

Then later in the afternoon I went to visit Rip Curl and I’m lucky I spoke with the store manager and retail manager, they are very much interested on selling Beach Hut but they want me to revise the pricelist and proposal I gave them, but for me its same as close deal, they have 4 branches so it’s an additional 4 branches for Beach Hut, I’m so happy!

I also talked to Ms. Ari of Circle K about the stocks for other branches of Circle K, she said she is coordinating with Sam, the brother of Amier about the delivery. And also Mr. Rachmat, the operations manager for Bali faxed the store branches where Sam can deliver the stocks, I was amazed coz when I counted it, it’s 35 stores, and Sam will deliver 1 box per sku each store. Sam also mentioned that they already talked to Tiara Dewata, a famous department store and grocery store here in Bali, he said they are interested also in carrying Beach Hut. I’m really so happy to hear that. Next week I asked Amier to accompany me to go to the main office of Guardian Pharmacy and Mini Mart, also a convenience store here, Guardian has several stores also around Bali as well as Mini Mart, coz that’s the main competitor of Circle K, I’m just hoping we close all this establishments before I go back in Philippines.

AirToo Airbrush tattoo Day 1

July 25, 2006

Today is our 1st day of the Air tatoo promo, there are not so much people on the beach coz its still weekday, its Tuesday today, I put poster on the front glass of Circle K also.
We had only 1 customer who bought 1 pc. of Beach Hut sunblock, He’s a Canadian. I also distribute some flyers on the beach, but some of them thought that I was like the vendors here who always asks them so sometimes they just ignored me, that’s why I’m thinking that we have to have someone who will distribute flyers or explain about the promo that we are conducting.

Rip Curl

July 26, 2006

Today we are here again in Kuta, conducting the Air tattoo promo, we only had 1 customer again today, but we’re lucky that a mobile radio station is just beside Circle K and they have a tie-up with Circle K, so they also announce on the radio about our promo, they said they will be here every Wednesday and Saturday, I also went to Surfer Girl in Legian branch, I was happy to see Beach Hut on their shelves, I suggested them to use the sand box for the 40 ml. Beach Hut lotion so that the display will look good, it’s a good thing they listened to me.

I also went to Rip Curl in Legian branch to follow up my proposal but I was not lucky to talk to the manager there, she’s on leave they said and they asked me to go back tomorrow.

Talked to Amier also and he said he also delivered stocks in Hotel Melia, the 5 star hotel in Nusa Dua.

Touring Chaw and Katz

July 24, 2006

Today is suppose to be the first day of our Air tattoo promo with Circle K, but I learned that Circle K has not yet delivered stocks to their branch in Kuta, so I decided to cancel the promo today, we will start the promo tomorrow so that there will be stocks in their store coz its useless for usto conduct the promo there if we don’t have anything to sell.

What we did today is I asked Arta to accompany me to take Chaw and Katz for a little tour around our place, we went to some department stores, we ate Java food, which for them is spicy already, for me its not, maybe I got used to eating spicy foods here. We also ate Babi Guling or Suckling Pig, After having some tour around Denpasar and Sanur area we went home to have a rest to prepare for tomorrow.

Fly Back to KL

July 23, 2006

Good morning people! I woke up early today coz my flight to Kuala Lumpur is 9:55 a.m. I have to in the airport 2 hours before my flight. I arrived at the airport early so after I got my boarding pass I went to a nearby store to eat something coz I’m just imagining I need to have some energy for the 2 flights I’ll be doing.

After 2 ½ hours of flight I arrived in Kuala Lumpur LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal) then I have to take a bus ride going to KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) when I arrived here I was already on the rush coz its only 1 hour and I have to get my boarding pass for my next flight, the problem here is the check in area is very big that’s why it gave me a hard time to know where my counter is, it’s a good thing I talked to a person from the airport and showed me where my counter is.

I’m now here in Ngurah Rai airport, Denpasar, Bali, at last after 3 hours of flight, my ears is hurting already because of the pressure in the airplane I guess. I miss this place so much that I’m so happy to be back here.

I’m now here at my house, resting and waiting for the time to pick up Chaw our Brand Associate and Katz our Air tattoo artist on the airport coz we will start our Air tattoo promo at Circle K tomorrow, at last I have someone to speak here in Tagalog.

Landmarks in Kota

July 22, 2006

Today I went out with Ms. Elnora, she showed me some landmarks in Kota Kinabalu

Meeting a Kababayan from GenSan

July 21, 2006

Today is not raining anymore, ill go visit Tanjung Aru beach and Shangrila, from downtown I took a bus going to Shangrila resort and walked up to Tanjung Aru Beach, I went inside Shangrila Hotel, saw some guests on the pool, they also made a small space for those people who want to swim in salt water, but most people here prefers to swim on the pool and sun bath.

Going to Tanjung Aru resort from Shangrila I walked on the sand hoping to see people swimming or even sunbathing, but I was not lucky, the beach is empty, there are no people staying on the beach, unlike in Kuta, it’s very different here, for me the beach here is good but I just don’t know why people don’t like to swim here.

Tired of walking I took a rest in a small market type of place in Tanjung Aru resort, they are selling many kinds of food here, I tried some of those, I tasted the grilled chicken wings and chicken sate, it taste good, its not as spicy as those foods in Bali.

After here I went back to downtown, took some pictures of the small boats anchored near the shore, and then went home to rest.

While resting I felt hungry so I decided to look for a place to eat, I looked at the window of the hostel on the 2nd floor, I saw a small canteen and I said maybe I can try their food, as I was choosing on what food to eat, I was surprised coz suddenly 1 of the staff spoke in Tagalog, she asked the owner “kakain ba sya ate?” then I replied “opo kakain ako” then we laughed, they thought I’m a Korean or Japanese. They were surprised that I was a Filipino.

While I was eating the owner of the canteen sat beside me, her name is Ms. Elnora A. Suffayah, She’s a Filipina and married to an Indian-Malay husband here in Kota Kinabalu, she’s been here for 28 years and working as a manager in a roofing company, back home she’s from General Santos City, she asked me why I’m here, I told her my purpose and luckily she got interested on Beach Hut, she said by next month she’s planning to put up a mini grocery type of business and she wanted to be a distributor here in Kota Kinabalu. She’s just saddened because I told her that I won’t be staying here for long, I will go back to Bali on the 23rd of July. She told me she will try to have time tomorrow to accompany me to some hotels or pharmacy shops, coz she said there are no beach stores here or surf shops. I know that we lack time to search for possible retailers but she said even if I’m out of Malaysia she will work on looking for retailers here. I told her maybe in few months I can go back here, hehehe….ofcourse that will depend on my company.

Tanjung-Aru and Rasa Ria

July 20, 2006

This day I went to Kota Kinabalu downtown, I’m planning to go to Tanjung Aru beach resort and Shangrila beach resort, but on my way there it rained so hard, I was stucked under a phone booth coz I was walking when the rain started, its just sudden. After here I was planning to go to Rasa Ria, another beach resort here, but unfortunately it is too far, around 1 to 1 ½ hour drive from downtown, and there is no other means of transportation going there but taxi, I just wonder how expensive the fare is going there and going back to the downtown, hehehe…

After here I decided to go back to my hostel, I will go back to Tanjung Aru beach and Shangrila beach resort tomorrow, I hope it won’t rain.

Sick Again..

July 19, 2006

Today I wasn’t able to go out coz I’m not feeling well, I just stayed on the lobby of the hostel most of the time coz it’s so hot in my room. I’m feeling dizzy sometimes. I just wonder why does the management of this hostel didn’t even think of putting windows in their rooms, there’s no fresh air coming in, it’s like your in a sauna.

In the afternoon I called Dede, our importer in Bali and he said they will deliver the stocks to Amier tomorrow, I also talked to Amier and said he will deliver the stocks to our retailers as soon as he received it from Dede.

Kota Kinabalu, here i come!

July 18, 2006

Here I am waking up at 5 am in the morning coz Sam will take me to KTM train station at 6 am, my flight to Kota Kinabalu is at 9:20 am and the domestic airport is pretty far from Sam’s house, it took me about 20 minutes to wait for the KTM train and when I reached KL Central station I took a bus going to the domestic airport, the bus ride is almost 1 hour so when I reached the domestic airport its already 8:30 am.

When I was waiting for the boarding time, I heard an announcement saying that my flight to Kota Kinabalu is delayed for 30 minutes, so I waited on the lounge, sleepy because lack of sleep.

Finally after 3o minutes I’m now boarding Air Asia airplane, its quite small airbus, only 3 seats on each side, it took us 2 hours and 30 minutes going to Kota Kinabalu. When I arrived at the airport I was expecting someone from Borneo Global Backpackers Hostel waiting for me, but unfortunately there was none, so I called the hostel if they will send someone to fetch me in the airport, they said that I’ll just wait for their driver to pick me up after 25 minutes.

After almost 30 minutes I was fetched by the driver, I got my room already and after 10 minutes in my room an employee of the hostel knocked at my door asking if I wanted to join other guests coz they are going to the downtown with the service car of the hostel and they will pick us up on the same spot after 4 hours, so I decided to join coz I’m already starving and I wanted to look for some place to eat, on the van I met Sophia and Mikhaela, they are from Sweden and having their holidays here, they’ve been to other Asian countries such as China, Brunei, Thailand and Philippines, now they are here in Malaysia, they are still planning to go to 2 Asian countries and after that they will go back to their country. They said they stayed in Boracay for 1 week and they really liked it there. I joined them for lunch but after that they went back to the hostel coz Sophia is not feeling good, but I decided to take a look at a mall in downtown, it’s a small mall with only few shoppers inside, not unlike in Kuala Lumpur where there are so many shoppers. After strolling the mall I decided to wait at the pick up area for the service vehicle of the hostel coz I’m feeling tired already of walking and I wanted to rest at my room. When I get back in my room I rested for a while and after resting I went to the lobby to get some cool air coz I’m sweating in my room, on the lobby I met a couple from Scotland, the guys name is John and girl’s name is Kaye, they are also on holidays, they also visited Bali, they said they liked Bali so much that next year they will visit there again, after here in Kota Kinabalu they will go to Philippines, they will stay there for 2 ½ weeks so since I’m from Philippines I gave them some advices on where to go, actually they already have some places on their list, I only add some, like Baywalk, Rizal Monument, Greenhills, Mega Mall, Glorietta, and some popular Filipino dishes like Kare-Kare, Crispy Pata, Sisig, Sinigang na Baboy, San Miguel Beer, Jolibee, even the famous Balot. They said they will try to taste some of those foods, after Manila they will go to the northern Luzon provinces like Baguio, they will also visit Sagada in mountain province, after that they will go to Cebu. We had a great conversation and after that we went back to our own rooms to have some rest.

A Day in the Mall with Chingyee

July 17, 2006


Today I’ll be meeting Chingyee again to go around KL places, coz my flight to Kota Kinabalu is tomorrow, so we still have time to see other places here. We went to 1 Utama Mall, it’s a very huge mall if I remember it has 7 floors, you can see here signature items such as watch, clothes, bags, shoes, jewelries etc.. After here we went to Times Square, a huge mall also with 10 floors. Star Hill Mall, KL Plaza, Lot 10, Sungei Wang Plaza, those are Malls here in Kuala Lumpur, there are still other malls but we’re so tired to walk anymore. After visiting those malls, we went to her student for some music lessons, she is a music instructor, she teaches piano and violin, after that, Chingyee and I met Sam and we went home again separately. I really had a wonderful day with Chingyee and visiting malls here in Malaysia.

Toichdown in KL

July 15, 2006

Here I am in the airport of Ngurah Rai, in Denpasar, Bali waiting for the boarding time going to Kuala Lumpur, actually I have little knowledge about this city, I was just lucky that Butet, also from the Rotaract referred me to Sam, her friend who lives in Kuala Lumpur, she said if I need help there I can call Sam. So when I arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport I called him that I arrived already, but he said that he is so far from the airport so he suggested that I’ll take a train going to KL Central so he can pick me up there.

Here I am at KL Central with Sam, he drove me around KL Central, he showed me the Petronas Twin Towers, it’s the 2nd tallest building in the world, It’s very high if I remember Sam told me it’s an 88 storey high building. I took picture of it from afar so I can see the whole building and even took picture from the bottom of the building, it was really fascinating to see this very high building. After here Sam said it’s dinner time so we went to Chinese restaurant, we ordered pork spareribs, vegetables and steamed cat fish, I really missed eating these kinds of foods, coz I also eat these back in the Philippines. While we are eating we get to know each other, tell some things about ourselves and my purpose in going here in Kuala Lumpur. So after dinner he told me it’s ok for him to let me stay in his house while I’m getting some information about Kota Kinabalu, that is the place that I’ll be visiting here.

After here we went to meet some of his friends, they are Chingyee Hong, her sister and her mom. They are Chinese, most people here in Kuala Lumpur are Chinese, Indians, Malays, some are mixed.

After here me and Sam went to his house, he said he has a training tomorrow so he can’t accompany me to go around Kuala Lumpur, he said his friend Chingyee is free so she’s gonna be my tour guide tom and her sister and mom.

Am Flying to KL

July 14, 2006

Today I’m preparing my things coz I’m going to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow, I asked assistance to Amier since he is into traveling agency, he said he is too busy today so he sent his brother to my place to fetch me and to assist me in getting ticket to Kuala Lumpur. When we got the ticket we went back to my place and continue fixing my things to bring to Kuala Lumpur, and also prepare some things to say coz on this evening I will attend to the meeting of Rotaract of Bali Sanur in which I was invited as a guest speaker.

The meeting was held in Puri Kelapa hotel in Sanur, near Sanur beach, this hotel is owned by Andi’s family, Andi is also from Rotaract. Actually there are 2 guest speaker, the other one is Joe, he is an American and is working here in Bali.

After the meeting we went home and take a rest coz my flight to Kuala Lumpur is early.

Thinking Positive

July 13, 2006

Today is Thursday the 13th close to Friday the 13th but it didn’t bother me because I’m thinking positive always. We have 2 meetings today, Circle K and Surfer Girl, I’m confident that everything will turn out good.

I met Amier in Kuta then we went first to Surfer Girl to meet Ms. Rusma, when we met her I presented Beach Hut and she was very impressed about the product and in less than an hour the deal was closed, so we decided to look for a place in their store for display of Beach Hut. She only said she will wait for the delivery from Amier and they will be in charge of the diplay. They have 3 branches in Bali, most of them are near the beach.

After here we had lunch and proceeded to Circle K, when we we’re waiting for Ms. Ari and Mr. Rachmat I felt some pressure on myself, I don’t know but it just happened so soon. When they came my nervous went down and we started the meeting, everything was settled, the schedule of the Airtoo, the location, the pricelist, they also settled with their transactions with Amier as distributor. So everything is set and we are just waiting for the stocks to be delivered. As we walked towards Amier’s car we are like kids who keeps on giving high fives, as if we won a soccer game. After here Amier told me that we are meeting his friend who is an importer who can help in the clearance of our stocks at the airport, as we are traveling towards his friend I asked him to drop by for a while to Surfer’s Paradise coz it’s along the way, I will just introduce him to Dian, the Marketing Manager of that store. And then we entered Dian’s office, introduce Amier to her and we sat down, talked for a while, she shared to us that her boss has a 46% share at Oakley eye wear. As we were about to go, I asked her for any developments on my proposal, she said if we already have the stocks, we give her a call for the schedule of the delivery, so it means, close deal again! Amier and I just looked at each others eyes and smiled, we promised her that as long as we get the stocks we will call her for the delivery schedule.
Again, as we walked towards Amier’s car we are all smile and high fives!

Then we proceeded to Dede, his friend who is in import and export business, he introduced me to him and he promised us that he will do whatever he can do to help us for the clearance of our stock in the airport. After here Amier brought me to my motorbike which I parked at a shopping mall and we went home separately with smiles on our face.

AirToo Airbrush tattoo

July 12, 2006

Today I’ll meet Amier to Nusa Dua coz we will have a meeting with Circle K to talk about the Air Tatoo event that we will conduct in Kuta Beach. It’s another long driving by motorbike again, hehehe…

When I arrived at our meeting place in Nusa Dua Amier told me that Circle K just called him and moved the meeting tomorrow, July 13, 2006. so I decided to go to Kuta to check on the other surf shops there.

On my way to Kuta I stopped at a surf shop named Surfer’s Paradise, it’s a big surf shop with different brands of surf apparels. I looked at their counter and they only have 1 kind of sun screen, so I asked the sales person if I can talk to their supervisor or manager and they brought me to her office, her name is Dian, she is their Marketing Manager, I presented Beach Hut and she liked the product, she even tested it on her skin and she also liked the scent of it, she said she will talk to her boss about the product and she will call me if they are willing to sell Beach Hut to their store.

After here I went to Kuta, I went to Billabong surf shop but the manager is not there, I also went to Bali Barrel, also a surf shop, talked to the Assistant Manager, he is interested but the only problem he said is the location of the product, he will also talk to his manager who is on leave for 1 week and as soon as his manager gives a go signal to him he will call me. After here I spent some time on Kuta beach took some pictures of the beach and the people swimming and sun bathing, I went home and took some rest

Wanted: Importer

July 11, 2006


Today I’ll be meeting Ms. Rusma, Product Manager of Surfer Girl, but before that I’ll meet Amier first to check on the stocks in the airport we’ll see if we can get the stocks out.


I’m with Amier already at the DHL office at the airport but unfortunately they can’t locate the stocks, Amier asked for some help through his contacts here and luckily they located where the stocks is but his contact said it will take some time to process the release papers. They said they will jut call Amier if the release and clearance papers are good to go.

After here I asked Amier to come with me to Surfer Girl for the meeting with Rusma so that he can also meet our possible surf shop retailers here, when we we’re about to go Ms. Rusma called me through my cellphone and said our meeting is cancelled and it will be re scheduled on July 13, 2006. so Amier and I decided to go back home, I rode with him in his car coz his house is just near my house.

When I arrived home I took a rest and prepared my things for the following day coz we will have the meeting with Circle K people

Pictures of Boss Dennis and Boss Emily's Surprise Visit

Surfer Girl Meeting

July 10, 2006

Today I had the chance to go on line again and chat with my boss in Manila, Dennis and Mara, I also found out that Chaw, one of the Brand Associate of Beach Hut is joining me here in Bali for the Airtoo booth to be put on the Circle K branch in Kuta, we are all excited about this project, i know Circle K is also excited about this. Ive also talked to Amier, and he said he already contacted his friend who has in import and export business, and he is willing to help Amier with this project. All is going well now, I hope this will not stop until we get the Boat of Banana Boat sinking, hehehehe…

Tomorrow will be a challenge again to me coz I’m having a meeting with the Product Manager of Surfer Girl in Kuta, I hope everything will be ok. Have to take some rest now. Goodnight people.

Fransiscus Xavierus church and Sanur Beach

July 09, 2006


Today Arta and I went to Sanur beach to take a look if there are many people swimming there, coz this beach doesn’t have the high waves like Dreamland has.

When we arrived in Sanur beach only few people are swimming, some are just sun bathing, mostly foreigners do that. We saw some fisherman trying to catch some fish, I also ate a mango salad with some spices, they call it Rujak, it taste good but its really spicy. After here we went back home and I met Siska to go to the Catholic church in Kuta, Siska is also a catholic, we went to church in Kuta, this is the only Catholic church that speaks English, there are also some churches here in bali but they don’t use English, I also met the priest who gave the mass, his name is Father Hadi, he is an Indonesian and he said there are only small percent of Catholics here in Bali, I said it’s ok at least there are still few people here who are Catholics, after here we went to have dinner in a Padang restaurant, it’s a food coming from Padang, Indonesia, I tasted the Ox brain, intestine, liver and eggplant, very exotic but I liked it, I’m just happy my stomach didn’t get upset. After here we went home already coz Siska needs to wake up early tomorrow for work, it’s a good thing Siska is here to assist me also in my spiritual needs..

Rotaract

July 08, 2006

Today I woke up late coz last night I was awake until 6 AM, I could not sleep because of my terrible experience in Dreamland, I prayed to God and thank him for my new life, I really thought it was my time already, I feel like I was still under the waves on the bed that’s why I really can’t sleep.

In the afternoon we went to the wedding of one of the members of Rotaract club on Bali Sanur, to witness a Hindu wedding, the couple are both Hindus, Arie and Rury, I thought we can witness the wedding but when we arrived at their house the ceremonies are finished already, but at least I had the chance to have a picture with the married couple dressed in Hindu costumes. Hehehe…

After some picture taking the members of Rotaract went to see the newly born child of Sinyo, from Rotaract also, I feel like I’m a member of the Rotaract already coz every event they go I go also, and they are happy with that, they are all excited on their July 14 meeting coz I’ll be their guest speaker. They are excited but I’m nervous. Hehehehe..
After going here we all went home and took some rest. I need some sleep coz I’m sleep lacking of sleep.

Pictures,Pictures2

Picture,Pictures

The Surprise of My Life...Boss Dennis and Boss Emily Visits me in Bali!

July 07, 2006

Hi guys, I’m feeling better now, woke up early to join Siska and Ricky to go to Dreamland. While waiting for them to fetch me, Boss Dennis texted me to meet Mr. Fred Reyes in Starbucks café in Hard Rock Hotel in Kuta, I thought I can’t join Siska and Ricky to Dreamland but luckily Ricky decided to go to the airport in Kuta, so they dropped me to Starbucks in Hard Rock Hotel, when I went out of the car, I can’t see a man that’s waiting in Starbucks, I was expecting a businessman in a business attire is waiting for me, as I was crossing the street, a woman from inside the Starbucks waived at me, and I got the biggest surprise here in Bali, it’s not Mr. Fred Reyes I’m going to meet but who else… it’s my Boss Dennis and Boss Emily!!!!! I was really shocked when I saw them, It doesn’t came in my mind that I’m going to see them here. We we’re so happy to see each other that an employee of Starbucks told us to keep our voices down because other people in the café are trying to relax. I can’t explain my feelings that time. After few minutes I decided to txt Siska to fetch me in the café, we decided to go all together to Dreamland. Siska and Ricky was surprised also when I told them about my Boss coming here.

Dreamland, here we are at last after almost 40 minutes of traveling, Dreamland has a small beach front, like a private beach, they say here you can find the professional surfers do their stuffs, and that’s true, I’ve never seen high waves like here. All of us were fascinated with the waves so Dennis, Ricky and I changed to our swim wears and decided swim here, during our minutes on the water we already experienced pushed and pulled by the strong waves, we even went tumbling under the water for a couple of times, after few minutes here comes the most frightening time of my life, I was sucked to deeper part and all I can do is shout Dennis’s name, unfortunately he can’t here me coz I’m so far away from him and also with the loud sounds of the waves. I’m so afraid that I already prayed that if I die here it’s ok but I prayed that they will find my body, I was so helpless that time, I was really catching my breath, I was panicking coz the waves continuously pounding my tired body. When I had the chance to stand up I saw a white guy on my right side, I asked for help but he just looked at me, the 2nd time I saw him I asked for help again, and he said he also needs help, then came another big wave, when I lift my head above the water, I saw another white guy on my left side, I said pls. help me! At first he just looked at me but after I asked for another help he reached my hand and said relax, don’t panic, it’s ok, those were the words that make me calm and we walked to the shore, while me still gasping for some air, on the shore I told Dennis, Emily, Siska and Ricky what happened they can’t believe that I almost drowned because the funny thing here is when somebody reached my hand, when I stood up the water was just under my waist.. funny but still very frightening for me… I promised I will never swim there again.

My Savior
When our group was talking about what happened to me at the beach, we saw the person who saved my life, his name is Ollea, he is a student in Holland, he also have 2 friends, namely Rick and Sha. Dennis gave them bottles of Bintang, the famous beer here in Bali, to thank them for the great deed. We also gave them some samples of Beach Hut Clear Spray, and they liked it. You can see on the picture, Ollea is on the my right side. Thank God he is there if not maybe I’m not doing this blog now. Hehehe…

After here we went to a place called The Garuda Wisnu Kencana. You can see here the biggest statue of Bali, Garuda means Eagle, the other statute is made from pure bronze. We also ahd a chance to have a picture carrying a Boa constrictor, I can’t explain the feeling of carrying and holding the snake, its very different but exciting. After this we went to Kuta to have some dinner. We ate in Wadung Mare, a famous restaurant in Kuta, it’s almost there for 20 years. We ate some Indonesian food, Dennis liked the ”gado-gado” it taste like lumpiang hubad but this has peanut sauce and spices that’s why it taste good.

Shopping in Kuta
Emily also had a chance to shop for some stuffs in Legian lane in Kuta, I also had a picture at a monument for the bomb victims, the victims here are mostly Australians, its really sad to look at he names there, Emily joked at me, she said they’ll build a monument for me at Dreamland if I drowned there, heheheh… after some kilometers of walk we proceeded to Starbucks Hard Rock Hotel to meet Amier, our distributor, there Dennis and Emily had the chance to meet Amier in person. We are all happy with the progress of Beach Hut here. After some chit chats, Dennis wants to go to a place where we can have some fun and celebrate my ” 2nd life” but Amier and his company decided nit to go with us, so Dennis, Emily, Siska, Ricky and me went to Hard Rock Café to have some time to celebrate, we are proud to know that the band who’s playing is a Filipino band, the band is DV-8, they were popular before in the Philippines but now they are shinning in different countries outside Philippines.

After few rounds we decide to call it a day, Dennis and Emily will fly tomorrow to Singapore very early in the morning and they have to go Nusa Dua where they are checked in, it is still a long way from Kuta.

There are so many things that happened today, and it was really fun, specially the big surprise that Dennis and Emily gave to me and of course my unforgettable experience on the waves of Dreamland.

Visiting Old Museums

July 06, 2006

Today I’m feeling better compared to yesterday so I informed Siska that I’ll go with them in Ubud, its pretty far from Kuta or Nusa Dua, it’s a good thing her friend rented a car it will be so tiring if we go there on the motorbike. Siska also introduced me to her friend Ricky, he is from Surabaya, same with Siska, they both came to Surabaya, that is an hour flight from Bali.

Ubud, Bali, here you can find some of the old museums, where you can find old paintings that shows some Balinese history, you can also check on the souvenir items that are sold here, many tourists, mostly foreigners go here for a walk and have some picture taking also. This is also the famous place to eat “Babi Guling” or suckling pig, we tried it and it was really good, compared to the first Babi Guling I ate with Arta during my first week here.

After here we’re planning to go to Dreamland, it’s another popular beach in Bali. Along the way we encountered some traffic so we decided to go to Kuta beach, to have my pictures taken. We waited until the sunset here. It’s a very good feeling when you see the sunset on the beach. While thinking of where to take our dinner my boss Dennis texted met to meet their friend who’s in Bali, he’s name is Fred Reyes, but unfortunately I had no time to meet him coz I’m not really feeling good at that time, I’m already having fever and tonsilitis, I’m having hard time to swallow, before going home we drop by a drugstore to buy antibiotic for my tonsils and tea coz I can’t drink cold drinks anymore, Siska and Ricky decided to take me home coz I can’t drive my motorbike anymore. In the house I took my antibiotic and medicines for fever, took some rest and went to sleep hoping that I can join Siska and Ricky to Dreamland tomorrow.

Surfer Girl and various pics

July 05, 2006

Today is not a good day to me, I feel dizzy and sneezing sometimes, I don’t like these signs coz this will turn to fever. I took a soup so that my body will warm up.

And there it is, I’m already experiencing fever, it’s really sad now, I’m alone here and I’m sick. I’ll drink medicine and I hope everything will be alright tomorrow.

While I’m resting I received a txt message from Iin, she’s one of the members of Rotaract Club of Bali Sanur, she referred me to Surfer Girl, a popular surf shop here in Bali, and we will have a meeting on July 11, 2006 at Surfer Girl. I’m hoping that I can close the deal with her.

I also got a txt message from Siska, also a member of the Rotaract Club of Bali, Sanur. She asked me if I want to come with her friend to Ubud, popular place also here in Bali, tomorrow, I wanted to go there also so even if I’m sick today I said yes, I’m just hoping that I don’t have fever tomorrow.

July 04, 2006


Today I’m fixing my things in the house and preparing to reports coz suppose to be yesterday is my report day with Mara, my marketing manager and to Boss Dennis, our Big Boss.

Then I went to an internet shop with a Skype program, with this I had the chance to talk to Boss Dennis free on the internet, the voice is not that clear but its fine at least I can hear his voice. I also chatted with some of my office mates in Naturale Labs., its really great to sometimes chat with your friends on the net, it eases up my loneliness here.

After submitting my reports to Mara and Dennis I went home and take a rest.

Send off pic...

Hard Rock Hotel In Kuta

July 03, 2006

Today I’m meeting Arta’a friend, Budhi to go to Hard Rock Hotel in Kuta, he said he will refer me to his friend there who is now a manager, by the way, Budhi worked for Hard Rock Hotel for almost 4 years as a bellboy and driver.

We are now in Hard Rock Hotel but after waiting for a couple of hours Budhi’s friend called him to say sorry that he can’t make it because there is some important meeting to attend, so we just gave the proposal to the secretary and Budhi said we will just come back here and ask for another appointment so that I can clearly explain about Beach Hut.

I felt a little disappointed but still happy that there is still hope to enter Hard Rock Hotel coz Budhi has a friend there. before we went back home we stopped by a surf shop named Jungle surf, Budhi said he remembered having a friend who’s working there, when he asked the person in the store where is his friend, the person said he resigned already but they mentioned that he is connected to another surf shop which they don’t know what’s the name, so Budhi said he will try to look for his contact numbers in his house so he can contact him. After this we went back home to his house and me going back to my house.

The Boat is Sinking Soon

July 02, 2006

Today I will continue cleaning the house and fix my things and also will wash some of my personal clothes which I didn’t gave to the laundry shop, I will also go to a mini mart just near my place to buy some laundry detergents, coffee, noodles, etc…

It was a tiring week so I’m just giving myself a day to rest now and also to prepare again for the coming week, coz I was informed that the first shipment of the beach Hut sunblock will arrive. I’m so excited to see Beach Hut selling in the stores here in Bali.
I just can’t imagine that Beach Hut is coming to Bali… and Banana boat is sinking… hehehe…


In the afternoon, Arta reminded and texted me that we’re going to Budhi’s house because today is their thanksgiving day for his wife’s 7th month pregnancy.

When we’re already there, Budhi asked me if I wanted to enter also to Hard Rock Hotel coz he has a friend who’s working there, I said yes, so he will accompany me tomorrow to Hard Rock Hotel in Kuta. Thanks to Arta that he has friends who are willing to help me. I never knew that this will happen to me here in Bali.

I am Blessed...

July 01, 2006

Today I’m fixing my things in the house, specially my clothes to be given to the laundry shop and some cleaning of the house, as I was busy doing these things, Izaak, the president of the Rotaract club here in Sanur, called and invited me to join them on a meeting with other Rotaract clubs in Bali, I said that’s great coz I can meet other people who can help me spread the words about Beach Hut, and tell them that Beach Hut is already here in Bali.

Meeting other Rotaract clubs in Bali:
It is a great honor for me to meet other officers and members of different Rotaract clubs here in Bali. There are 6 Rotaract clubs in Bali, composed of more than 20 members each. I hope this will be a great help for me to spread the words and get referrals from them. They also said that sunblock product really matches this place coz Bali is really known now as a beach city.

I’m just thankful that I’ve met Arta and his friends that are willing to help me on this journey. Before I go I would like to tell you that I was invited also by Izaak to be a guest speaker on their meeting which will be held on July 14. He also mentioned that he will try to make a fund raising program in which Beach Hut can participate also, he said he will try to do this program as long as I’m here in Bali, no promises he said but he will try, just to help me. Am I lucky or just blessed??

Invitation from Rotaract

June 30, 2006

This day I went to meet my distributor Amier, in Nusa Dua, gave him some proposals and explained to him that the pricelist attached to the proposals are based on Philippine market, import and freight charges are not yet included.

I also learned from Amier that the local/selling tax here is 11% and import taxes here are around 35-40%, he also said that most company here that sells imported products doesn’t shoulder the import taxes, so I guess we will have to re compute again for the import taxes.

After meeting Amier, I went back home coz Arta texted me that I have been invited by the president of their Rotaract club to join their meeting, so I said yes and meet me at my place, on my way going home something happened on the tire of my motorbike, I had a flat tire, and the vulcanizing shop is still far from where I had a flat tire, it was a long walk to the vulcanizing shop and so tiring also. I had to ask the local people there where the vulcanizing shop is.

On the meeting of the Rotaract club where Arta is a member, I was introduced by their president, to some of their members and asked me to introduce myself and my product. Some said that they will try to help me and refer to their friends about my product. I’m really happy that there are people here who’s trying to help me even if they just know me for a while and I’m not even a Balinese

A Visit to the Cemetery

June 29, 2006

Today I’m having a difficult time coz I’m still having stomach ache, it’s like having cramps on your stomach, I already took medicines but nothings happening. I’m only drinking water and juice for me to not be dehydrated, I texted Arta my friend about this and he said he will drop by at my house and will give me a tea to drink.

Thanks to Arta, he arrived at the house and gave me this tea, it doesn’t taste good hut I have to drink it he said, its made by his mother, he said he drinks it also if he has stomach aches. After few minutes, Arta asked me if I wanted to come with him and his family to a temple to pray and give some offerings, I said ok since I’m feeling better also. So we went to the temple, I was not allowed to get inside the temple because I’m not wearing the one that you put on top of your head, so I just waited outside of the temple with his sister who is a Muslim. While waiting outside I took picture of an elderly woman who has some offerings on top her head.

After few minutes Arta and his parents went out of the temple, we went to a nearby small cemetery just walking distance from the temple, their cemetery looks like our cemetery too they just don’t have the cross sign, we went to the burial place of his cousin who died in a motor cycle accident just few months, you can see on the pictures that they also offer food to their dead, they believe that they still need to be fed with foods. I also learned from Arta that after few years they will get the bones of their dead and burn them so it will turn into ashes, this ceremony usually takes 7 days and it’s so expensive you have to spend millions of Rupiahs, he also mentioned that if they already have the ashes, they will spread it to the oceans or sea. Before going to the motorbike I asked Arta to accompany me to a nearby shore to take pictures of the waves, the waves here are high also but it is not recommended for swimming or surfing.

After here we went back home and get some proposals and sample products, we went to Arta’s friend and manager, Budhi. We met him and his wife in a small mall near their house in Denpasar. I presented to him the Beach Hut sales kit and he said he will refer it also to some of his friends from hotels, coz he also worked for some hotel companies before, I also took some pictures of Spalding and Nivea sunblocks displayed on this mall’s grocery section.

Circle Happy with Circle K

June 28, 2006

Today I’m feeling happy coz I just closed a deal with Circle K, I know that my office in Naturale Labs. in Manila is so happy too. I can’t wait to see Beach hut clear spray sunblock on the shelves of Circle K branches. I’m still having “Bali Belly” but I have to make some reports in my office in Manila.

Going on line with Boss Mara and Boss Dennis, here I am chatting with my boss’s its really great having their support and knowing that they are happy to know the developments here. I’m just a bit sad and worried to know that Brian, my friend who’s now in Phuket, Thailand hasn’t went on line or sent the office a text from his cellular phone. Boss Dennis is getting worried also, I’m just hoping that he is fine and in good condition there.

I also had the chance to let my family know that I have closed a deal here in Bali, they are so happy for me. You know, it’s really hard to work far from your love ones, especially that you’re alone. The only thing that’s giving me strength is prayers; I always pray that God will always take care of my family and that the Holy Spirit will be with me to guide me especially with my situation here.