King of Bali and Beach Hut's Journey

Goodbye Bali, Hello Next Country!

2006-09-25T00:30:00.000-07:00

To me, Bali then, was a dream, a dream land that i can be in, with a dream goal to be able to carry on in fulfilling my mission for Beach Hut. After 75 days, i can say, we have conquered it, in our own way (thanks Sir Frank Sinatra)! Its an experience worth repeating and its an experience that opens the door for Beach Hut to the world, and for me ,an international career.

Let me do a Lolit Solis here- salamat nga pala sa mga boss ko, ka officemates, mga tumulong sa Bali, Kota Kinabalu,sa mga inspirasyon ko, sa mga kaibigan ko, sa minamahal na pamilya ko, at higit sa lahat, in English, more importantly, i want to thank all of you who eavesdrop on the stories of my adventure. It doesnt stop here,in case you dont know, i just got my round trip plane tickets to... SECRET!!! :)

Back in Manila!

2006-08-31T01:03:00.000-07:00

August 21, 2006

Today I only had 2 hours of sleep, I ‘m so excited to go back to my country, that’s why even if I’m feeling sleepy I tried to stay awake. Our flight is scheduled 9:15 am, so we went to the airport around 7am, our 1st flight will take 2 hours 10 minutes going to Singapore, we will transit there for 1 hour 45 minutes and then will take another flight going to Manila, its around 2 hours and 30 minutes flight, I tried to take a nap in the plane coz I really feel sleepy, so I took about an hour of nap so I can have energy when I’m in Manila. When our plane landed at Manila Airport I can’t explain the feeling, I’m really so excited to see my family again, I really missed them so much.

Torn Between Going Home and Staying Still In Bali

2006-08-31T01:01:00.001-07:00

August 20, 2006

This day I can’t sleep anymore, its only 1 day and I’m going back to my country again, but as I was packing my clothes, I felt sad coz I’m leaving Bali, I won’t forget this place, specially my friends here, they are really kind and they treated me very nice. I really wish I can go back here. I will miss everything about Bali when I’m in the Philippines.

Farewell Party and Beach Hut Kite

2006-08-31T01:01:00.000-07:00

August 19, 2006

This day we tried to fly the Beach hut kite in Kuta, the first try was not successful but luckily on the third try we were successful, it was nice to see the Beach Hut kite flying on the beach, specially in Kuta where there are many people. This is also another way of promoting Beach Hut in Bali.

On the evening, we had a small gathering at my place, it is our farewell party, some people from rotaract Bali Sanur was present, also my friend Chingyee from Kuala Lumpur was there, its like her farewell party also coz she will be going back to Kuala Lumpur the following day.

A Monkey On My Shoulder

2006-08-31T01:00:00.000-07:00

August 14, 2006

This day we went out to see other places of Bali, Sam first took us to Bedugul, it’s a high place in Bali, I didn’t have any knowledge that this place is cold, I thought it’s hot so I just wear a sleeveless shirt and short pants, that’s why Chaw, Katz and Sam were all laughing at me coz I’m so cold when we are in Bedugul.

We went to Taman Ayun, Mengwi and Ulun Danu all of these places are in Bedugul, then we went to Alas Kedaton, its monkey forest, its really scary because this is the first time that I will be going to a monkey forest in which the monkeys are just roaming freely. There is also 1 monkey that stayed on my shoulder for almost 5 minutes. I was really

Afraid during that time, coz the monkey’s face is just few inches from my face and I don’t know what he will do. But it was fun, the monkey is tame.

After here we went to a warung ikan, we ate catfish and another fish which I forgot the name, the food was really delicious, I can’t resist on ordering another half cup of rice.

Preparing for Day Off

2006-08-31T00:59:00.000-07:00

August 13, 2006

Today is Sunday and still work day for us, went to Circle K Kuta to check on Chaw and Katz, after there I went home to fix some of my clothes for laundry and rested coz tom we will have a day off, we will take time out to see other places of Bali, Sam will be our tour guide. Thanks to him that he has time to accompany us tomorrow.

Another Day Has Passed..

2006-08-31T00:58:00.000-07:00

August 12, 2006

Another day for us on Circle K, not so many people today, just stayed with Chaw and Katz on Circle K Kuta. They also don’t have sale today.

18 pcs it is!

2006-08-31T00:56:00.000-07:00

August 11, 2006

Today I’m still at home observing the status of my stomach, it’s good that I’m feeling better now, after having lunch I went to Kuta to visit Chaw and Katz on our Airtoo Booth. It is not a good day, no sale today. In the afternoon Sam arrived and delivered 1 box of 40 ml. Beach Hut lotion to Circle K, I was happy to learn that we already sold almost 18 pcs. Of 40 ml lotion here.

I also talked to Ms. Ari, the category specialist of Circle K and asked her the best way of monitoring the sales movement of Beach Hut in their stores, and it was good to know that we can get it straight from her, so I told Sam to contact Ms. Ari for whatever details he needs from Circle K so he can report it to our office in Manila in due time.

Emotions

2006-08-31T00:46:00.000-07:00

August 10, 2006

Today is not a good day for me; I woke up around 3am because my stomach is having problems, then come 5am I woke up again to go to the toilet. I wasn’t able to go to Kuta today because I have some problem on my stomach, but I was able to go to the internet café for a while, I was able to chat to Brian, my colleague in Thailand, it’s a good thing he’s ok there, but I still feel sad coz he wasn’t able to close some deals there. I just told him to relax and don’t feel sad about his experience there, there is always a next time I said. And some words to cheer him up also.

Doing this kind of work is really difficult, especially if you are alone and working in a different country, there are so many adjustments that you have to make, so many trials you have to conquer, and especially that your love ones are thousand miles away from you. but there are so many things I’ve learned about this experience, almost ended my life on the beach, got lost several times, drive on the left side of the road, learning Bahasa language, talking to people who doesn’t understands you, eat spicy and very spicy foods etc… but the only thing I did here is to be myself, to enjoy my stay here, loneliness for me is my enemy here, even though I got used to be alone in Philippines coz I’m an only child, hehehe.. but I remember when I first chatted to my dad he just said don’t look at the calendar, it will just make you lonely, at first I laughed but I just realized it is true, now It’s only 11 days to go and I’m back in my country again.

I’m so happy that I’ve accomplished my tasks here. Even though not 100%, but I hope that my company and my boss’s and friends in my office is happy also and proud that our product, Beach Hut sunblock made it through international market. I really salute Dennis, his wife Emily, and all the people of Naturale Labs. For their great courage and confidence of bringing Beach Hut to international market. I like also to thank Dennis and Emily and also Mara, my Marketing Manager for their unending support, trust & confidence and believing in me that I can bring Beach Hut in Bali, Indonesia. I may not accomplish all the tasks here but I’m confident that my next country to visit will be better.

The Power of a Flyer (entry by Chaw)

2006-08-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

August 9, Wednesday

A nice and cool sunny day.

A little Russian girl named Karen comes to the booth clutching a crumpled and folded up week-old flyer in her hand. Her mother Elena had bought a 180 mL bottle of Beach Hut some days back but had no time to take her daughter to the AirToo booth. Until today!

After Karen had gotten her tattoo, she and her mother went on their way merrily. Before the hour was up, they were back with Karen's brother Leon. He wanted an AirToo as well!

Adorable Russian kids Karen and Leon Yankova with their AirToos!

2nd Shipment in the Works

2006-08-10T06:18:00.000-07:00

August 09, 2006

Today I went to see “Dede” our importer, talked to him about our 2^nd shipment and the processing period, etc… and then I got our discount from our 1^st shipment. After here I went back home to check on my motorbike coz there’s a leak on my gasoline tank. I tried to look at the damage and I decided to call the place where I rented and that’s in Kuta, so I told them to meet me in Kuta so I can also check on our Air tattoo booth in Circle K.

Reporting Day

2006-08-10T06:17:00.000-07:00

August 08, 2006

Today I went to the internet shop to have some updates to my office in Manila, then I went to Kuta to visit our Air Tatoo Booth. not so much sales today in our booth, but I’m confident that we are doing good in other shops that we have displays.

The Sun, Beach Hut and Rip Curl

2006-08-07T23:09:00.000-07:00

Bali' s Version of Splash Island

2006-08-07T23:07:00.001-07:00

August 07, 2006

Today I went with Amier and Sam to visit some retail prospects, 1st we went to Guardian Pharmacy, which has 11 stores in Bali, 1 in Lombok, and all around Indonesia they have 123 stores. We talked to the manager and presented to him about Beach Hut Sunblock, and gave him the proposal, he said he will forward the proposal to their head office which is in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, they will give us a call as soon as the head office approved the proposal.

Then we went to Waterbom, a famous place here in Bali for swimming pool lovers, this place is like “Splash Island” in the Philippines, the only difference is that they only have 1 swimming pool, but they have 12 slides which people here are really enjoying, most of their guests are foreigners and even on weekdays they still have lots of guests, I’m thinking what more if it’s weekends. After I presented the product and gave the proposal I also asked the retail manager if we can put the Air tattoo booth here as promo for Beach Hut, he said he will work on that. I said I will send him the proposal within the week.

After Waterbom we went to “Matahari” famous also in Bali for department store and supermarket, they only have to stores, 1 in Simpang Siur and the other one is in Kuta Square, we talked to the purchasing manager and she gave Amier choices, 1st choice is you have to rent a place in the supermarket and 2nd is 1 year contract with them plus listing fee for each product. Amier said they will still make a study for the choices given to them.

Sukawati

2006-08-07T23:07:00.000-07:00

August 06, 2006

This day we went to Sukawati, (Famous place in Bali to buy souvenirs) I’m with Sam, his brother Ronnie and Katz, Chaw wasn’t able to join coz she went to the church. We bought some souvenir items like wooden wind chimes, shirts, shorts, keychains, bags, coasters… to give to our friends, relatives and love ones in the Philippines.

After here Sam and Ronnie took as to Sanur, we ate in a famous warung, restaurant that has been there since 1970’s. They only serve fried fish and fish head in soup, I can’t remember the name of the fish but I think it’s the same as the “Maya-Maya” fish in the Philippines, the food is great, very delicious, its just very spicy, specially the ‘sambal” the chili sauce, my tears almost dripped while finishing my meal.

After here Sam and Ronnie brought us to the house and I took Katz to Kuta by motorbike. Coz Chaw is waiting for us there.

Reports,reports

2006-08-07T23:06:00.000-07:00

August 05, 2006

Today, I fixed my clothes for laundry, went to the internet to send some reports to my Marketing Manager, and fix some things again at the house, I suppose to go to Kuta but its late already, I just called Chaw re the Airtoo booth in Circle K.

Beach Hut Brand Associate Chaw Salinas Blogs In

2006-08-06T07:03:00.000-07:00

After 15 days of manning the AirToo Booth, conversing with locals and some foreigners, and watching the Bali sunset, I've come to observe the following:

1. Kuta Beach swarms with sunbathers, surfers and swimmers at around 10 am. Around the time when the sun is most harmful.

2. Indonesian females don't like the sun. I think I'm the only brown-skinned Asian sunbathing out there!

3. It's nice and cool during this time of the year in Bali.

4. The Bali sunset is always a spectacular sight.

Bali has two faces. In the daytime, it has the laidback and relaxed feel of a beach city. At night, it becomes edgier, slightly dangerous and risque. It's no wonder that people from all over come here. It's a perfect vacation destination.

Thanks to King's efforts and the company's fullforce support, Beach Hut has penetrated Bali. My mission in the month that I'm here: to spread the Beach Hut virus.

That's going to be a challenge considering the fact that character-wise, I'm not the type to make a grand entrance. But I so want to infect every sunbather, surfer and swimmer out there with the fun clear-spray sun protection goodness that Beach Hut has to offer.

Armed with, an immense love for the sun, sand and the sea, a little "kapal-muks", and a passion for saving skin from the evils of the sun, I shall walk the shores of Kuta beach and spread the Beach Hut luv.

Wish me luck!

Great Placement and Display at Rip Curl!

2006-08-05T06:44:00.000-07:00

August 04, 2006

Today I’m with Sam again, we delivered Beach Hut stocks to 1 Circle K store in Sanur area, so the total stores of Circle K is already 29! After giving flyers and stocks here, we went to another Circle K in Kerobokan, quite long motorbike ride, after checking the stocks there I decided to check on the Ripcurl surf shops in Kuta, when we 1st went to Ripcurl Legian we are amazed of the display in front of the entrance, and when I asked the crew there about the Beach Hut displays, he showed me around the store, and me and Sam was really happy to see Beach hut all over the place, all over the surf shop you can see Beach Hut products, I was thankful for the manager of this shop coz even if we didn’t have a stand or rack for the product, they placed our product in a more better place.

After here we visited Ripcurl Kuta Square, and again we are amazed when we saw Beach Hut all over the Surf shops, even the crews are happy to show us the different places where the Beach Hut display is located. I again thank the persons in charge of putting Beach Hut all over their stores. I’m very confident that this move will give us more sales!!

After here we visited Chaw and Katz in their booth at Circle K Kuta then we went home, by the way, Sam and I will have an appointment on Monday to the manager of “Water Bom” this is tourist destination also in Kuta, it is a big swimming pool with different slides, just like Splash Island in Philippines, I hope everything will turn out good. I hope Lady Luck will still be with me…. Hehehehe…

Lost and Found

2006-08-04T20:09:00.000-07:00

August 03, 2006

Today I had a long time chatting and making reports to my office; I also talked to some of my officemates back in Manila, what took me so long is sending files to my Marketing Manager, coz the connection on the internet is so slow.

After sending my reports, I went back home to prepare the flyers that I will distribute to other Circle K stores in Jimbaran, its around 30 minutes motorbike ride from my house, but when I was in Jimbaran I got lost for around 30 minutes, I tried to ask some locals there but they can’t understand English language, so I decided to call Sam about the direction, I have to cal him thrice coz I can’t follow his directions, hehehe.. at last I found the Circle K store I’m looking for after almost half an hour of getting lost.

After here I went to another Circle K store near the airport then I went to the Airtoo booth to check on Chaw and Katz the sad thing there is they still don’t have any sale for the day, only inquiries, I will think of other ways of how to make the sale go up specially with the help of the free air tattoo promo.

Good Thing I Didnt Curl My Way to Rip Curl

2006-08-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

August 02, 2006

Today, me and Sam visited some Circle K stores and we also delivered to Ripcurl surf shops, its really a great feeling if you are delivering stocks to retailers, for me its really an honor that my product will be sold in an international store or a popular store/shop in one country. Aside from that our product is displayed beside some known brand in sunblocks. Oh, what a great feeling!!! I’m really so proud I’m part of the Beach Hut Team!!

In the afternoon, we also visited 2 surf shops, 1st is “The Station” and 2nd is “Star Surf”
These surf shops is referred again by my friend, Iin of Rotaract Bali Sanur, in the station I’ve talked to Ms. Susi, she’s the supervisor there, I presented the product and gave her the proposal and she said she will ask her manager for approval. Then we went to Star Surf, looked for Mr. Kumbang, the person referred by Iin, but he is on leave, so we said to one of the crew that we will go back. Then we went to visit Chaw and Katz in Circle K Kuta. After resting for a while we packed up and went home.

Beach Hut Everywhere at Rip Curl!

2006-08-03T05:24:00.001-07:00

8

2006-08-03T05:16:00.000-07:00

August 01, 2006

Today is the 1st day of the 8th month, for me my favorite number is 8, and my lucky number is 8, I said to myself, I hope this day is a lucky day for me. And I guess heaven heard my prayers, I’m so happy to see Beach Hut sunblocks displayed already on every Circle K branch that me and Sam visits, Circle K gave us 35 stores to deliver the stocks but Sam said he only delivered to 28 branches, coz the other 7 branches doesn’t have sunblocks, and it’s useless to display sunblocks there, and very far from the beaches, anyway, we visited 19 stores today, it’s a very tiring day but my tiredness is no match for the great feeling I have every time I see Beach Hut inside a Circle K store. I can say Beach Hut is really International now!!! Can’t believe it, we only launched the product January of 2006 in the Philippines and July we are already International, Wahoo!!!!

Before finishing our visit to Circle K stores, I told Sam to visit Ripcurl branch in Kuta Square, coz I have an appointment with their management and so that he can also meet them, and when we are there, we are so lucky that all the managers of all the Ripcurl branches are also there, I presented my final proposal and they approved it! I can’t explain my feeling that time; they said we can start delivering stocks tomorrow, so I asked Sam to do the delivery tomorrow so that Ripcurl can start selling Beach Hut Sunblocks! After here we went to other Circle K stores to continue distributing flyers and checking on the stocks, I’m really so happy today, I hope this will be a good sign, 1st day of the 8th month, my favorite number and my lucky number. I hope my lucky days won’t stop!!!! Hehehehe…

July 31

2006-08-03T05:10:00.000-07:00

July 31, 2006

This day I’m not feeling fine, got bad head ache, but I still went to an internet café to make submit some reports to my office in Manila, I suppose to go to Kuta to check on the Air tattoo promo that we are having but I don’t want to force myself coz of my terrible headache, so after doing some reporting I went back to the house to have some rest, coz tomorrow me and some will check on the stores of Circle K around Bali, I have to be fit tomorrow coz it will we a tiring day.

Photos Galore 2!

2006-08-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Pictures Galore!

2006-08-03T04:45:00.000-07:00

Additional Leads

2006-07-31T20:53:00.001-07:00

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

2006-07-31T20:52:00.001-07:00

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

2006-07-31T20:52:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-31T20:51:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-31T20:50:00.001-07:00

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

2006-07-31T20:50:00.000-07:00

July 22, 2006

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

Meeting a Kababayan from GenSan

2006-07-31T20:48:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-31T20:47:00.000-07:00

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..

2006-07-31T19:52:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-07-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-22T08:09:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-22T07:46:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

Surfer Girl Meeting

2006-07-11T23:59:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-11T23:44:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-11T23:35:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-11T23:18:00.000-07:00

Picture,Pictures

2006-07-11T23:12:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-11T01:47:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-11T01:21:00.001-07:00

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

2006-07-11T00:28:00.000-07:00

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.

2006-07-11T00:09:00.000-07:00

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...

2006-07-09T23:43:00.000-07:00

Hard Rock Hotel In Kuta

2006-07-04T20:11:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-04T20:08:00.000-07:00

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...

2006-07-04T20:01:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-04T19:48:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-04T19:45:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-04T19:35:00.000-07:00

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.

Price Checks

2006-06-29T23:38:00.000-07:00

June 26, 2007

Today me and Amier, my distributor here is scheduled to have a meeting with his hotel manager friend who is Manager of Melia Bali Villas and Spa Resort, this is a very luxurious hotel and most popular among the hotels in Nusa Dua, it is managed by Sol Melia a Spanish brand as Aris said. I presented to him our product and he is interested, hopefully I can have the answer within the week. Aris Also mentioned that Banana boat doesn’t have any agreement or contract with their hotel, only simple papers like sales invoice, official receipt and delivery receipt, but it’s on a consignment basis. He also said we have a chance to get in to their hotel because our price is competitive and very reasonable.

After here Amier and I went to The BALE, a luxury hotel also in Nusa Duaisa . She is one of the staff’s of Amier in his former work also in hotel business. She said they really need a sunblock in their hotel coz most of their rooms has their own swimming pool, I wonder how beautiful it is??? Anyway, she said as of now, they are using their own sunblock, they are getting sunblock from a local factory here in Bali, they get it in a bigger containers like 1 liter bottle, here’s what they do, they order from this factory the sunblock and they just refill the smaller bottles that they have inside of each of their rooms. But the name of it is under their hotels. She said some of the hotels in Nusa Dua also do that, they have their own essential kits in each rooms like, lotions, shampoo, oils, toothpaste etc… she said if we can provide them with bigger containers it’s a deal. I also suggested that if we agree on that deal, if we can provide at least a small sticker or logo for the bottles that they will use, she said for the first months maybe no because they will have to know if there will be positive effect to their customers, I wonder if we can do this? I think it’s possible, less expense on our end coz we don’t need to use bottles, just the ingredients to ship here… what do you think boss??

After here Amier took me to my motorbike and went home, he drives with his car me on my motorbike.. after that I had dinner and slept..

Beach Hut's First Bali Sales Despite My Bali Belly!

2006-06-28T05:54:00.000-07:00

June 27, 2006

Today, I’m having “Bali Belly” this is when your stomach gets upset, but I have to go out, me and Amier has to meet some one from Circle K head office, I’m really excited now coz I’m feeling something positive is going to happen today.. and finally we met the key person from our prospect, she’s the one in charge of ordering and placing products on their stores. The good news is, they agreed to have a deal with us! They also like to place our airtoo booth in their stores for added promotion. They really like the airtoo promotion. I suggested if we can place the airtoo booth on their branch just few steps away from Kuta and she said its ok. What a great feeling I have today, even my distributor is so happy when he hear that they are closing deals with us, just imagine, 45 branches in Bali, and still growing, 91 branches all in all in Indonesia as of the moment, there are also branches in Japan and United States. Who’s not gonna be happy with that?? she only said we just have to give them the final pricelist so they can place the order right away. After this me and Amier walks out of their office with a great smile on our face. He’s really happy with the developments of Beach Hut.

After the meeting me and Amier separated, he will go back to his office and I have to do some reporting to my office in Philippines to my Boss Dennis and Mara, I really can’t help myself to tell my Boss, I can’t wait to go on line so I decided to text her about the good news. And I’m happy coz she’s happy too with the developments here in Bali.

After doing some reporting in the internet I went back home, still experiencing the “Bali Belly” maybe this is from too much curry sauce or spices, hehehe… my stomach is still not adjusted to the foods here I guess, but I’m fine no worries, I’ll take my sleep now but before going to sleep I’m gonna thank God for this great blessing that He gave me and Beach Hut. God is really GOOD!!!! Thank you….

Sunset, quicksilver, etc.

2006-06-28T05:42:00.000-07:00

June 25, 2006

Today me and Arta is going to a surfing competition composed of Japanese and Australian surfers, this is my first time to witness an event like this and I tell you I’m very excited. When we arrived its already in the semi final stage, we arrived just in time coz we can witness the finals… I took pictures also of the finalists… from the shore you can see the surfers battling and breaking waves, it was really cool watching this events, it made me interested in going to surfing too, looks like it’s an exciting and thrilling sport. The waves here are not that high coz the tide is already lowering as the clock ticks away, the Japanese in red shirt won this event. Also amazing in these beach is the sand, as you can see on the picture with the Beach hut lotion, the sand is black, but what’s nice is they are sparkling, like someone threw diamonds on the beach..

After here we went to Jimbaran Beach, this beach is like Puerto Galera and Boracay where the restaurants are along the shore, you can have a very romantic dinner here. Foods here are mostly seafoods, at last I can taste other food now aside from curry’s hehehe. Arta has a meeting with his organization here, Rotaract Club of Bali Sanur, he said he will introduce me also to the other members of this club because maybe they can help me also with my product. Luckily one of the members here is working in Quick Silver, a surf shop here in Bali. I talked to her and explained about the product, she said she will help me and refer me to their purchasing officer as well as her friends who works in other surf shops, another friend of Arta, is working in the Duty Free Shop here in Bali, he also said he will help me there. I’m really lucky to have known Arta here in Bali. I’ve chosen the right persons on the right place at the right time. I hope it’s always like this in every journey that I will make with Beach Hut.

They also said this is where you can see the beautiful sunset of Bali, so I took some pictures of the sunset here.. it’s beautiful isn’t? but for me there’s no more perfect than the sunset in Manila Bay… after here we went home, so tired and I have to take a sleep, no day off here… hehehe…

Tasty Treats in Indonesia

2006-06-27T01:31:00.000-07:00

One thing significant talaga sa Bali, Ang anghang ng m,ga pagkain dito!

Commercial Establishments / Bali by Night

2006-06-27T00:15:00.000-07:00

Spice of food and spice of life

2006-06-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

June 22, 2006

Good afternoon people, you can see my lunch is fried tofu, hotdog and rice, I just cooked those in the house, the rice I bought it outside. After having lunch I fixed my things and go to the internet shop to report to Mara about what’s happening here, while chatting with Mara I also had the chance to see my parents and chat with them on line, I got quite sad coz I missed them, this is the 1st time I’ve seen them, I cried for a while, nakakalungkot talaga malayo sa kanila but I know sa umpisa lang ito, anyway 2 months is only for while, my dad said wag nalang ako titingin sa calendar para malibang ako, after hours of doing internet I went home to take a rest, Arta, my friend asked me if I wanted to join him in going to their temple to watch people pray and dance for their God’s, I said yes but we have to eat dinner first, I’m already starving, before going out, Arta pulled 2 pieces of sarong for me to use and wear coz I can’t enter their temple if I have no sarong, you can see on the pictures, Arta said bagay pala sakin ang sarong mukha daw akong Balinese talaga, then we went to have dinner, we went to a small “carinderia” where they serves only java food, I ordered fried chicken skin and intestines and some of the spicy shredded chicken meat, its really spicy, naanghangan talaga ako dito. After dinner we went to the temple which Arta is talking about, its about 30 minutes motorbike, quite far from the house, when we arrived I saw many people carrying offerings on their heads and hands, they really pray a lot. By the way their religion is Hinduism, most of the Balinese are Hindus, almost 100%, You can see in the picture, people praying, some have dance show which they offer to their God’s, I’ve witnessed also something like exorcism, Arta said it’s a “trans” The spirit of their God takes over the body of someone there and when the spirit is already on that body he can stab himself with a small sword without any blood or pain, kinilabutan talaga ako dito coz you can hear them shout very loud, nakakatakot kasi baka sakin pumasok yung spirit, mahirap ata yun, di ako marunong mag bahasa and ayoko saksakin sarili ko, hehehe.. Kahit sino daw kasing nandun pwedeng pasukan. Scary isn’t it? We also watched women playing gongs and men doing puppet show with characters of their God’s they’re just using real flame, no special effects. I also ate 4 pcs “sate” grilled pork, bbq for short. When were going back to the motorbike I asked Arta if I can have pictures with the Balinese women who are walking on our side, he asked them and they agreed to have a picture with me, they even wipe the oil on their faces, they really like to have a picture with a foreigner Arta said. After this we went back home and when we arrived at my house Arta decided to go home also coz its already late and he is sleepy already. I’m sleepy too that’s why this is all for now folks, see you again tomorrow, Have a goodnight…

Competitors,competitors

2006-06-22T04:09:00.000-07:00

June 21, 2006

Good morning people, I just finished my food, I had coffee, noodle soup and something like siomai with crab meat insid , I didn’t like the taste of the covering so I just ate the crab meat inside. After eating I drank some medicines coz I still have some fever, and off to go to Kuta, luckily I didn’t get lost, I just put in mind the directions that my friend Arta told me, I went to Legian road, one of the shopping streets in Kuta. I entered “Rip Curl” its a surf shop with 4 branches in Bali, their main office is in Australia, their branches in Bali are all franchises. I took some pictures of Hawaiian tropic and Banana boat stands, Rip curl also has their own brand of sunblock. I talked to their shop manager named Corah Sinulingga, I presented our product profile as well as our company profile, she’s interested with our product but she wants to have a 30% from the retail price, coz this is what the company is getting from Banana boat and Hawaiian tropic products. She has an agent in Banana boat but based in Java, she also have a distributor on Hawaiian tropic but based in Jakarta. I tried to fish if she can refer it to me but she wont talk. I got her calling card and I gave her mine, she will still talk to her superior about my proposal and I will visit her shop again the soonest possible time. After Rip curl I entered Surfer Girl and Quicksilver they also have the Banana boat stand here, I’m trying to talk to the supervisor or manager but she’s outside, I’ll get back to these stores again. Then I went to Billabong shop, its also a surf shop, the manager is in their other shop so the woman just gave me the number so I can call him, they only got Banana boat as sunblock. I also entered Matahari, a department store in Kuta square, they only have Estee Lauder as their sunblock. I also took pictures of Kuta square where you can find some signature stores, you can see in the picture with big black curtain, that is one of the bomb site, there are 2 bomb sites here, I’m just praying that no bomb will explode while I’m here, I asked Arta who are the people who planted the bomb and for what reason, he said people from Java and Jakarta because they don’t like white people to go to Bali, like Australians, Americans, Germans etc.. many people died here during the blast he also added. Then I went to circle K, near Kuta beach, it’s a convenience store with more or less 40 branches in Bali only, I asked the person there where is the main office she said its in Nusa Dua, another part of Bali, around 45 minutes motorbike from Kuta, she also gave me the number so I can call before I go there, this is a great prospect, they only have Nivea and some Banana boat sunblocks here. Then I went to the beach looking for people who uses sunblocks, most of them uses tanning lotions and sprays, maybe they really like to get tanned. Took some pictures also of the crowd, there are people playing soccer, here in Bali they really like soccer so much specially the FIFA WORLD CUP is on going, even the women watch it. Took also pictures of Pizza Hut, Hard Rock Café and Hard Rock Hotel. Then I sat down on the beach for a while to take some rest, there’s this man who’s offering henna tattoo, sobrang kulit, he even thought me as an Indonesian from java. When I said no, lalong nangulit kasi nalaman nyang foreigner ako. But when I ignored everything he says he just walked away. After few minutes I went to the parking to get my motorbike, I only paid 500 rupiah, that’s P 2.976 in our money, its cheap right. Going back home is a quite difficult coz I have to use different route, sometimes I got confused of the statues that are on the roads, I thought that’s the road going back then its not, after asking to local people and almost 1 hour on the road I finally arrived home. While resting Arta texted me that he’s going to the house, after few minutes he arrived, he brought a cd which has the list of distributors, importers, manufacturers suppliers, agents and other services in Bali, he said it can help me in looking what I need in Bali. I started browsing the cd content when my other friend who I met in the internet also suddenly texted if he can come to the house, I texted him in the afternoon informing him that I’m in bali already, luckily he lives about 5 minutes from my house. His name is Made Amier, he owns the PADI Serumpun tourist and travel agency here in Denpasar, Bali. Then he came with his brother, I introduce him to Arta, they told me I’m a wise person coz even I’m still in the Philippines I already got friends here in Bali, I just said I’m not wise, I’m just being pro active. Hehehe.. I told him my purpose here in Bali and maybe he can help me also. I showed him the company profile, the product, the posters, and explained to him the sales kit and also the advantages of being a distributor and what a distributor needs to do with the product, He said he is interested in being a distributor, he also have a friend who works in Circle K and holds a high position, I told him to set an appointment with her so that I can explain further about our product. I said if we can penetrate Circle K it’s very good, coz you will have our product in all of its product, and most of the branches of Circle K is situated near the beach, they have the Dreamland beach, Sanur beach, Legian beach, Kuta beach, Nusa dua beach. These are all tourist spots, he also knows people in different hotels in Bali. I think he is a good prospect as a distributor. Specially he’s here in Bali, he said some of the distributors are in Java and Jakarta. It will be difficult if our distributor will still come to those places, lots of work and time consuming. After long talks, they left the house, its around 11 pm and me and Arta have not taken dinner yet, we went out to find a place to eat, we went to a small store around 10 minutes from the house, Arta ordered fried bean cake and rice and I ordered fried chicken and rice they call it here “Ayam Goreng Lalapan” it’s a home made fried chicken with hot chili sauce, we used our hands to eat here coz Arta said that’s what they normally do in this store. After dinner we went back to the house and Arta went home coz its almost 12am and he still have work tomorrow. I opened the laptop again to browse on the cd which Arta gave me it has 60,000 list of companies and 10,000 list of e mail address, I feel sleepy and its almost 1:30 am I guess I need to sleep now. I listed some of the possible importers already I’ll just have to talk to them or check on their website tomorrow. Goodnight people.

Sick Lonely Boy

2006-06-22T04:08:00.000-07:00

June 20, 2006

Good morning people, I just woke up, its 8:30am and I have fever, I didn’t sleep well because I cough a lot, di tumalab ang biogesic and tempra forte, I can’t move very well masakit kasu kasuan ko. Mahirap pala magkasakit ng nag iisa ka, nakakalungkot lalo, pero I need to be strong. This is my job, and I love my job. I’ll just make a soup, I bought instant noodle soup, parang lucky me..

Good afternoon people, here I am still in the house, its cold outside and I still have fever, ano ba to, ngayon pa nilagnat kung kelan malayo at nag iisa, I have to go out because I will send pictures to Mam Mara. I just came from the internet café, ang bagal ng internet connection sa café na un, I have to make the other pictures to a smaller size para mapabilis ang pag attach sa e-mail. Here I am still have fever, I’m sorry boss dennis, di ko ginusto magkasakit, ginagawa ko naman paraan para gumaling ako, may dala naman akong gamot.

Good evening people, I just had dinner, I bought 1 leg chicken curry and 1 leg chicken cooked in soy bean sauce, parang adobo, as usual maanghang ulit, I bought it near my house, its funny, kasi yung tindera wala maintindihan sa sinasabi ko, I ended up using sign language to her, para tuloy kaming pipi na dalawa, after dinner I took some medicines, now I’m taking a rest, I really need to get well tomorrow, bukas hahatawin ko na ang Kuta. Goodnight people.

My First Skype and YM Conference

2006-06-22T04:02:00.000-07:00

June 19, 2006

It is still raining outside, I feel cold and having some coughs, it’s a good thing I brought some medicines with me. Bawal magkasakit dito ako lang mag isa.. anyway, I’ll still have to go out because I have to find an internet café that may allow to use laptops, after hours of looking I decided to ask my friend Arta to help me, because some of the people who operates the café don’t understand what I’m saying, its past 12 noon so I texted Arta to meet me in the house so we can have lunch and help me look for an internet café.

LUNCHTIME

Arta took me to a local restaurant just a 10 minute motorbike from the house, it’s a small restaurant but there are many locals pouring in to eat, some are from office, some looks like messengers. Parang pares pares sa atin. Most of the foods here are from chicken meat, but all are spicy, I had 1 chicken leg, chicken gizzard and some vegetables and fanta strawberry for my drinks, Arta didn’t order because he ate lunch in his office before he met me. After eating lunch we took off and look for an internet shop and at last they allowed me to use my laptop.

INTERNET WITH MARA, BRIAN, ARDEN & DENNIS

First time to have longer chats with my superiors, disappointing lang because we weren’t able to talk using the skype and yahoo messenger, only through conference chat. But its ok, I guess next time we can talk to each other too. At least they know that I’m still alive and kicking, hehehe… after some new instructions and reporting I was feeling hungry, outside the café is a small food stall, I ordered “nasi goreng” I thought its made of rice so I ordered, but when it was served to me its made of vegetables, and eggs, plus grilled beef meat, the taste is good with little spice on it, you know I’m getting used to eating spicy food, baka hanapin ko ito pag uwi ko ng Pilipinas, hehehe… while eating, my friend Arta arrived, because I texted him that if he has free time he can meet me there. after Im done with my food we proceeded to a nearby minimart to buy some coffee, cookies and cup noodles, I didn’t know that Arta brought a mini electric stove for me until we got home, he said I will need that to boil water for my coffee. He’s really kind to me. I’m happy that I got a friend like him here. After putting my foods in place he said he has to go home because he is needed in their house.

11:00 PM I don’t know what to do, I’m having fever, I took tempra forte and biogesic already, I don’t know why I have fever maybe because I got wet during the time I’m looking for an internet café, and inuubo nako this morning, I’ll just take a rest now, I really don’t feel good. I hope mawala na ito tomorrow, Goodnight

Exploring Sanur Beach

2006-06-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

Third Day, June 18, 2006

June 18, 2006BreakfastI had fried egg, sunny side up and fried rice, some fresh fruits , coffee and banana shake.The fried rice is good, parang yang chaw rice ng hap chan, yung banana shake lang di masyado masarap, di ko alam kung anong klaseng banana ginamit nila, gusto ko kasi matikman lahat e, ayan kahit di masarap ininum, hehehe.. after breakfast I returned to my room to take a bath and fix my things because Arta and his friend is gonna fetch me.12:00 PMArta and friend Jeephy arrived at the lobby of the hotel, Jeephy also has his own motorbike, so we put my other bag at the back of Jeephy’s bike and I rode at the back of Arta. It’s a long drive to the house which I rented but the good thing here is that the roads here are smooth, pure asphalt kaya makinis, bihira lang yung lubak. Before going to the house we stopped by at a bank to exchange some of my dollars, Arta said it is the safest place to exchange money, they even exchange Philippine peso here, mababa nga lang ang rate, after this we went to the house, after fixing everything in the house I suggested we have to eat lunch.its past 2pm already I’m starving already.Arta and Jeephy brought me to a restaurant who serves suckling pig, parang package sya pag umorder ka, may fried pork blood, intestine, 1 stick sate and vegetables, suckling pig tastes like lechon, ganung ganun, malambot sya un nga lang wala silang sarsa ni mang tomas, hehehe.. the crew here are friendly, I even had a chance to have a picture with them. After eating we went to a nearby mall to have a glimpse of it, it’s a small mall, its a Sunday so most of the people here are kids and their parents, after few minutes, Arta said that Sanur beach is just a few minutes away from where we at so I said lets go there so we can see the difference of it from Kuta beach.Here we are at the Sanur beach, it’s a simple beach but it has longer shoreline than Kuta, but most of the people here are locals, no surfers because the water is shallow. But it is windy here, some foreigners go here in the afternoon to sun bath. There are many vendors here selling different foods, I tasted the “Sate” or grilled pork, spring roll, they call it here lumpia also, fried tofu, they call it here tahu, all tastes good but its all spiced up. We also met some Balinese women here, her name is Dora and I forgot her sister’s name, what an interesting name. hahaha… anyway, they are friendly but shy.. Arta said that it is the traits of Balinese women, they are really quiet and shy specially with foreigners. After spending the cool wind of Sanur beach its time to go cause its starting to rain, we go now to Kuta to rent motorbike for me, because staring tomorrow Arta is going to his office, no one will accompany me to go around Kuta. On our way to Kuta we stopped by at a restaurant to have some picture with Balinese waitress standing in front of their restaurant, they’re nice some one even told me “I’ll wait for you here” I wonder why she said that, hehehe…after getting the motorbike , they accompanied me to my house in Sanur, I gave them samples of Beach hut lotion so they can put it on their back packs, by the way I gave Arta 1 piece of 180 ml clear spray, I told him he can use it and make some test spray with his officemates. When we got home, we rested for a while, chat for a moment, they are having fun being with me because they can practice their English, Arta said he learned English language from television shows and English books, they have English subject in high school also. They supposed to go home but they decided to sleep in my room because its raining and its already late, they slept on the floor, they used the blanket on the floor because the floor is cold. Neither one of them want to sleep on the bed. That’s all for today.. wait for my blog again tomorrow, goodnight people.

Meeting my Friend Arta on my 2nd Day

2006-06-22T03:57:00.000-07:00

June 17, 20068:00 am, breakfast at Balisani padma, I had omelet, breads, coffee, watermelon shake and bacon na parang ginawang chicharon sa lutong, ok sana sya pero matigas, inubos ko pa din, sayang e. they have many guests here, Australians, Malaysians and Chinese, the front desk officer told me that almost 70% of their rooms are occupied.Lunch timeI’m having lunch at Mcdonalds near Kuta beach, this is the place where I’ll meet my friend here, his name is Arta, he is from Sanur, Denpasar. After having lunch, I went to see the Kuta beach, because Arta will be late, its sand is quite white, there are many Australians here, surfing, sun bathing and eating Indonesian foods. There are many surfing teachers also, they said in 30 minutes you can learn how to stand on the surf board. The are also women offering massage on the beach and henna tattoo, parang nasa Puerto Galera lang ako, kaibahan lang walang nag tatagalog ditto and also surfers, heheI took pictures also of the surfers and some Australians who are sun bathing in the sand, exciting, ngayon lang ako nakakita ng puti na naka topless sa beach… hehehe…Meeting ArtaFinally I met Arta in Mcdonalds, he looks like a Filipino, taller and quite darker than me, we had a little chat, explained to him what are my purpose in going here, he told me about his background also, he’ the youngest of them, he has 3 sisters, all are married, he is still single, he just broke up with his girlfriend, pero sa tingin ko hindi naman sya bading, marunong naman ako umamoy ng bading, hehehe… after some chats, we rode on his motorbike, he helped me find a house to stay, we looked in Kuta area, but some are fully booked, and some are expensive, more than my budget, so we decided to look outside Kuta area, I told him its better to look a rentable place near his place so that in case I will need help it wont be a problem, it’s a good thing he agreed with me, bait no? we went to Denpasar, he said he has a friend there who knows rentable places, iba dito, right hand drive and pag drive, and sobrang dami ng motorbikes, yun kasi pinaka maddaling means of transportation, I asked him if ever I ride a Microlet (small bus) what will I tell the driver where I’m going, he just said, better rent a motorbike, because the bus and Microlet here are only used by locals, the drivers don’t know how to speak English, they will just say Ok! Ok! To you, pretending they understand what you said but actually they didn’t understand you, He also said I might get lost and fooled by the drivers on my fare because I’m a foreigner. I asked him to find me a motorbike that is cheap, and to bargain on the price since I will rate it in a per month basis. It’s a good thing he is kind and honest to me. After 1 ½ hours of looking for a place to stay, we finally found a place, it is a 10-15 motorbike ride from his house, 30-35 minutes motorbike ride to Kuta area.It’s a good place, quiet and peaceful, the owner said that most of her guests are foreigners, Germans, Koreans, Chinese, United Colors of Benetton ba ito??? Most of them are working here, I haven’s seen anyone of them sana mababait, Hehehe.. pero ok yun sakin kasi kung mga local kasama ko dito di kami magkakaintindihan, yung owner nga di marunong mag english buti kasama ko si Arta, translator ko sa kanya, hehehe.Dinner timeWe had dinner here in “Nik Mat” a local carinderia, Nik Mat means to get satisfied, other foreigners also eat here, because they said the food is good. This is one of the cheapest in kuta area, alam kasi ni Arta I need to budget my expenses, by the way, Arta is a vegetarian, dun lang kami di magkasundo sa pagkain, kc ako kinakain ko kahit ano,I had chicken with some spices on it and 1 stick of grilled pork, bbq sa atin but here they call it ”sate” and beef soup, for drink I had this sweet tea in a small bottle, masarap yung chicken sate and beef soup yun nga lang pag inum ko ng sweet tea may ibang lasa, parang may extract ng bulaklak ng sampaguita, inubos ko pa din kasi sayang naman. After dinner Arta accompanied me to the hotel where I’m staying, tomorrow he will fetch me together with his friend to transfer to Sanur, the place where we got a rentable room.Now I’m here in my room at Balisani Padma, I had a tiring day so I will sleep na.. Goodnight people…

Day One in Bali

2006-06-22T03:54:00.000-07:00

Today is June 16, 2006, my first blog and very first day to leave my beloved country the Philippines, have mixed emotions now, sad and at the same time excited to meet other people, explore new cultures and places..Inside Singapore airlines – I’m sited at the left side of the plane, parallel to the wings, that’s why I can see the movement of the wings as it glides in the clouds…cant move freely on my chair, why? Because I’m in the middle of 2 Asian women, on my left is from Jakarta, she has a filipino husband, on my right is like an old maid, I think she’s Chinese, I didn’t talk to her coz I’m afraid she might have the wrong impression of me.Singapore lines has great entertainment for its passengers..Every back of the headrest has a tv monitor, around 6.5-7 inches wide.What’s funny about this, is that I don’t know how to turn it on, specially the controls on my left arm rest. It came to a point that a crew approached me and asked why I called for helped. I said I dint call her, I suddenly realized that a while back I was pressing all the buttons on the controller a while back, hahaha, That’s what caught her attention..Back to the t.v. and controller thing, you know what I did to operate that stuff?I waited my seatmate to open hers so I can copy whatever she’s doing, hahahaha..The FOODFood tastes good and also its served hot, I had bihon, muhlach’s ensaymada, coffee, fruits for dessert and orange juice also.Singapore AirportIts amazing, where can you find an airport with free amenities? Its all here, free internet, X Box games, free movies, you can also take a nap, spa, gym, Restaurants name it you got it.. wala ng hahanapin pa, they also have the “travelator”sa sobrang haba ng airport nila mapapagod ka maglakad, I tried it and masarap sumakay, im just wondring why other people who ride it still keeps on walking, kaya ka nga sumakay dun para di ka mapagod maglakad diba? Medyo mabilis din sya kaya when I stepped sa dulo na medyo nasubsob ako, buti nalang wala ako kasunod, airline crews are also friendly and accommodative. Sexy pa ng mga stewardess… hehehehe…FoodThe food is ok, sa dami ng choices di ko alam kakainin ko, they have Mcdonalds, Burger King, of course nag scout ako ng heavy and cheap, meron ng mga ganun sa pinas, so I ended up eating chicken curry with beansprouts and kangkong…The curry is ok, bago sa panlasa ko kc sobrang anghang, sa manila iba ang curry, ditto may spices pa na kahalo di ko ma explain ang lasa pero masarap sya it costed me 7.05 singaporian dollar, di nako bumili ng drinks coz may baon akong 1 liter na water hehehe, tipid tipid talaga…Denpasar airportDisappointed ako here, first, ang tagal ng pila sa immigration, nagpabalik balik ako coz may form palang pipirmahan pa, then wen the time im getting my baggage sa carousel may kumuhang porter, I thought kaya nya kinuha kc he wanted to help me, after nun he is asking me to give him a dollar, as in galit pa sya, of course di ko binigyan sabi ko ako nalang magtutulak ng cart ko.. sira ulo ba sya.. pinoy ata to, wais…Balisani padma hotelIt took me about 25 min to get here, mabait naman yung sumalubong sakin, very acomodative.. taga java sya, Joey is his name, kwento sya about bali and java ng konti…he’s asking if I wanted to have a simple tour sa bali syempre alam ko may bayad to pero di naman ako umoo.. I just get his calling card para di mapahiyaFirst night in baliWala ako makitang mura na makainan, the cheapest is around 200-300 pag na convert sa peso, kaya I ended up eating chippy and 1 bottle ng beer dito sa room , which is called “Bintang” Lasang pale sya, ito nalang dinner ko para makatulog ng maayos. Pagod kc sa byahe, t.v. here ndi maintindihan kasi bahasa ang language konti lang english, BBC news lang ataThat’s it for the day, ill sleep na para magising ng maaga, saying ang breakfast…

The Adventures of King Samonte in Bali, Revealed!

2006-06-22T03:12:00.000-07:00

We are a small company who thinks BIG and who wants to make a BIG difference globally.Thus, we start by sharing with you and making public the adventures of our two backpackers as they start their separate Beach Hut journeys in Asia- Brian who invades Phuket, Thailand and King , who has touchdown in Bali, Indonesia. Read on, and let's partner in this journey.This is our story in Bali...