Maldivian Honeymoon

We really glad we had this opportunity to go to Maldives for our honeymoon destination..

Anyway, due to my hubby forgetfulness, we go to Balikpapan early on the 21st of Oct which actually our plane scheduled on the 22nd of Oct.. So we stay overnight in a hotel in Balikpapan due to he left his passport in Jakarta.. So he asked a guy from Jakarta to bring it to Balikpapan.. LOL..

On th 22nd, my dad text me that when we arrived at Singapore, I need to see my uncle as he is diagnosed with a cancer.. Thus, when we transit for about 4 hours at Singapore, we're in rush to meet my sister to get some pocket money from her, and then go to my uncle's house.. At night, we finally fly from Singapore to Male City..

Arriving at Male City was a shock for us.. Jakarta's airport is much much better than their airport, especially due to some renovation going on.. We're picked up by our hotel representative to be send to the hotel using somekind of old minibus without aircond... Along the way, we saw nothing.. Everything seems so dark, only some small houses on the roadside.. Hubby said it was like we're inside the horror movie where we'll be discarded soon in this unknown island.. Thank God we arrived at our small hotel safely.. This hotel is facing the sea, a small brand new budgeted hotel.. We then served some welcome drinks and we went to our room to clean our self.. After that we go to the lobby to surf the internet.. Luckily they have a good WiFi there..

On the 23rd, we planned to see the Male City.. Our hotel representative and another hotel guess come along with us.. We use a ferry to cross get to the city from the Airport's island.. When we arrived, we saw the city map.. Well, I should say I'm so lucky I lived in a big city like Jakarta although its always jammed everyday.. Male city is so small, and they have nothing for their place of interest.. Only one national museum, one big mosque, one Sultan park, and their traditional market.. Some houses in Pantai Indah Kapuk were nicer and bigger than their President office building.. Thus, we decided to shop for souvenir rather than having the city tour..

Anyway, the shocking things were, there are a lot of Indonesian product in here.. When we go to a place to have some lunch, we saw the menu and from there we saw a lot of Indonesian dishes like Gado-Gado, Bakmi Goreng, Bakso Soup, Soto Ayam, Rujak Buah, Ayam Goreng, Ayam Penyet, Daging Rendang, etc (although they have some mistakes on spelling of those food's name, and they wrote that Soto Ayam is a Japanese soup, I'm so proud of being Indonesian!) We also check their minimart, which have a lot of Indonesian product such as Susu Bendera, Indomilk, some product of shampoo, soap, tissue, etc.. A lot of it! Until we saw an advertisement on Indonesian cement's product "Portland Cement Made In Indonesia" (Yes, they wrote a big Made in Indonesia there!).. Well then, we went back to our hotel and had some dinner and pack our things up for tomorrow journey to ClubMed Kani..

Early in the morning in the 24th, we woke up and getting ourself ready to go to the airport.. We arranged the meeting with ClubMed Kani's representative in the airport.. Around 2pm, finally we travel using 20minutes speedboat to Kani island.. It is such a beautiful paradise on earth! We went to the Lagoon Suites accompany by Japanese GO.. She explained a lot on the benefit of lagoon suites and all activity we could do in the island.. We then took a picture of our beautiful room and hanging around in the Manta Lounge and finally swimming in the ocean directly from our suites.. In the afternoon, they're having a seaside cocktail party.. Then we had our fine dining dinner.. After that we watch their Bollywood night dance and followed by cultural night where there's a lot of stand from countries around Asia showing their culture.. Indonesian were there, teaching people on doing the Balinese massage.. All of them are from Bali, working in the spa boutique in this island..

Second day in Clubmed, we served by breakfast in room.. We ordered Japanese breakfast.. then we decided to see the snorkeling activity.. Hubby can't swim, and the snorkling activity requires swimming test.. So we decided to cancel it and just swim around the suites again.. On the afternoon we go to the central of the island, searching for activity to do and having ourself the island tour.. At 5pm, they have a unique sea-side tea-time, with a beautiful decoration (we even thought there's someone getting married there) we then meet Indonesian GO there.. and finally he had a lot of suggestion for us to do in this island.. On the night, there's a beach party.. So we decided to go, and the Indonesian GO accompany us.. He then introduced us to the snorkeling team, and he ask us to do the snorkeling lesson to be able to snorkeling tomorrow..

So the next day, we're ready to have the snorkeling lesson.. we found that it's actually easy, you don't even have to be able to swim to do this.. You just need to learn on how to breath using the snorkle and how to swim fast using the fin.. We then enjoy ourself in their infinity swimming pool and hanging out in the manta lounge.. We had our lazy time, sitting on our bed, watching the TV.. Unexpectedly, we saw their TVs're using Indovision Cable.. So their HBO,etc have the Indonesian's subtitle..  At the night, we then join the Michael Jackson Show which is incredible!

The fourth day we're in ClubMed Kani, we finally have a chance to snorkle.. We went to Coral Island using a speedboat, and we snorkeling around there for an hour.. It is such a beautiful place! Lot of corals, colourful fishes, etc.. We even meet a big group of small fishes swimming nearby us..What a wonderful experience though! Too bad, after that hubby feel not in his good condition, so we decided to take a rest and feeding some fish nearby the manta lounge while sipping our drinks.. It's a perfect day for us.. At the night, we watch the couple show in the theatre and have a little party a while, then we decide to go back and pack our things up..

The last day we're in Kani.. We try to take a lot of picture.. Too bad the weather is not that great which is very windy and a bit dark.. So we just took several pictures, saying goodbye to the GO we know and then directly go to the jetty.. The wave is so big due to the wind, its so scary to travel at this time actually.. The speedboat become so bouncy and the water could easily come in to the boat.. Anyway, we finally reach the Maldives' airport and waiting for our plane to board to Singapore..

We should stay a night at Singapore due to we arrived quite late in Singapore and our flight to Balikpapan is on the 29th Oct.. So we decided to stay in Changi Airport..

This honeymoon is the best experience in my life.. Feeling so happy I could meet and becoming friends with the GO, and can't wait for the next vacation with ClubMed team.. Thanks to everyone that help us to create this wonderful experience.. It is really an unforgetable journey!

Starting a New Life

Soon after the wedding day, I should move out to a small city called Samarinda, place where my hubby works since 2 years ago..

We arrived quite late due to plane delay.. So we directly fallen sleep after we touch down the house..

First day moving in.. The room terribly in a big mess.. Can't imagine how he lived in this room.. So this few days become my time to clean the room up.. From his cupboard, tv rack, and the table we found lots of papers, unused things which directly moved to the trash bin..

Weekend with no water (blame the PDAM), and Sunday (the day to have a lazy day filled by Dangdut music from the neighbour who're having thanksgiving for their newborn child).. So, we went out to shop our daily needs.. Bought some kitchenware, my personal needs, medicine etc..

The 6th day here, still busy cleaning out the room and house.. Thank God the water heater is on now! Anyway, today we caught a quite big mouse in this house ~.~

I can't wait for next week! the honeymoon week (22th Oct - 29th Oct)!

The Day

October 4th 2012
We're having family dinner with my daddy's family in Jun Njan Central Park

October 5th 2012
Soon-to-be-hubby having his own time for his forefather and I'm having my own time.. doing the nail art in nearby mall.. Around 5pm, we go to Merlynn Park Hotel with our bridesmaid and bestman.. We had dinner at a Chinese restaurant in the hotel lobby.. Then we arrange the flower decoration for our wedding car and wedding room, brought by LilyVicky Decoration.. Around 10pm, we go back to our room.. Our bridesmaid and bestman gave us a present.. It's a Scrapframe!! It's soo sweeeett and beautiful.. On 12am, me and my bridesmaid go back to our room and have a little sleep over..

October 6th 2012
02:15 I woke up, check my phone with lots of messages.. My cousins done with her decoration for our wedding chapel.. WO checking my schedule, MUA said she was on her way..
02:30 Start bathing until 3:00, the MUA arrived very on time
3:00 Start make up
5:30 Changing clothes.. I'm wearing my wedding gown!
6:00 Soon-to-be-hubby time for make up
7:00 Event starts! (Pictures, cultural ceremony)
9:00 Prayer to soon-to-be-hubby's parent
11:00 Wedding Blessing Ceremony (Thank God its went very well)
15:00 Retouch (though its a bit too late, due to traffic jam and the late from civil person)
17:30 Arrived at St.Moritz, TeaPai time
19:15 Wedding Reception
22:30 Back to Merlynn Park Hotel
We're so tired! Hubby says he's so damn sleepy.. and I need to take a bath for more than 2hours to get rid of my hairspray and foam.. Everything went well, but not for the late from the civil person that creates a big chaos in TeaPai and the late of handbouquet.. Atrina sent it around 19:00 which the event almost started due to changes of flower (from tulip to peony).. Food left quite much and suddenly gone nowhere (my cousins complaint on WO's works)
Anyway, I feel so blessed The Day is done beautifully..
Thanks so much to God, all vendors, church, families, friends and anyone who help us to manage this day.. We are so grateful for this day

Preparation up to September 2012

A month and counting.. Been so busy preparing the "small" A to Z things for the day..
We recently add some vendors again..

We got our handbouquets from Atrina (Colours Floral Studio).. She's the pro on making the handbouquets.. We ordered 2 bouquets for morning and evening.. In the morning we choose some white and pink Calla Lilly, and Cymbidium... On the night we choose fuchsia and some purple tulips, roses and some statice lavender.. Can't wait the result from Mrs. Atrina :D

For make up family, we had  arrange with one of our WO's partner.. her name is Sherly..

Then for the church, we had arrange the choir with Glorious Choir, and the decoration by Flora Florist (which is my cousin).. As well as the Civil person on the day.. The lunch catering will be brought by Ny.Hendrawan and early dinner is Nasi Bogana..

Anyway, finally our invitation has been done and its time to distribute it :D

Preparation up to July 2012

After came back from my trip to Europe, he came down to Jakarta to help our preparation.
First come first, we settle down our Holy Matrimony things with our Pastor..
We did our consultation with pastoral minister and fulfilling letters that need to be given..
Then we have a technical meeting with our WO (Excellent), follow up the souvenir and invitation (as a draft) as well as the decoration (we finally chose the dusty pink-broken white and silver colour)..

Anyway, we finally chose Antheia as our Photo vendor.. Simply because they offer us their special price, as the photographer is my fiance's university friend :) Anyway, we also got a special box for our album later on..

I found an additional wedding shoe for me.. Instead of having my pre-wedding shoes (which actually can be use for the day), I bought a new pair of sandal.. I need this sandal or else he'll be shorter than me on that day.. I choose Donamichi, Mangga Dua.. Its quite cheap (compared to the one I bought in Singapore back then..)

Oh, I also settle down my the civil requirement which are N1, N2, N4 forms that need to be given to church as soon as possible..

Now I'm still stuck on our invitation draft.. Growing up in Chinese family without any background of Chinese language is one of the most problematic thing to settle down this invitation. Our family requires Chinese language invitation, and our vendor should give those draft to their Chinese intepreter (which will take quite long time to wait).. Naming is the most difficult thing at this moment.. Hopefully before the Eid Al-Fitr, we could finish our invitation draft perfectly..

Europe Trip

I'm back from my family Europe Trip 3-14 July 2012.

However, it does not involve him (as it only with my family)..

3July12: We gathered at Soekarno-Hatta Airport at 10pm.. We had a flight with Emirates to Dubai and transit for several hours before continuing our flight to Rome on 4July12. We use the biggest plane Airbus A380 for our flight from Dubai to Rome

4July12: We reached Rome, and directly having a city tour around Rome, especially Vatican. We visited St. Peter Basilica, Colloseum and the Travi Fountain. There's a myth in Travi Fountain. If we throw a coin with our right hand, through our left shoulder, we will come back there again. If we throw two coins means we'll getting married soon (Yes, I threw 2 coins).

5July12: From Rome, we traveled to Assisi. We went to St. Fransiscus Assisi church and traveled to Florence, an art city. We stop to take picture in Piazzale Michael Angelo's with his famous statue. Then we walk down to the Pensione Pendini, bought some drinks (The weather was 37 degree Celsius, and we are in the middle of sun for 3-4 hours there!) and took some picture with Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower, the beautiful Cathedral of Florence.. After all, we travelled to Pisa

6July12: In Pisa, we took some picture of Pisa statue. It was a great thing! I love their greeny grass around Pisa statue. Perfect place to take some picture here. We had lunch at il Gourmet – Sestri Levante with teh view to Luna Blu Beach.. Then we travelled to Monaco. I love this city so much! Not the road (It's the hardest F1 Grandpix route, so complicated!), but the view of this city. We could see a lovely beach from the top of hills.. We went to Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III 's Tomb inside Cathedral de Monaco and walk up to the Palais Grimaldi to see the perfect view of Monte Carlo city from top. Then we travelled to Nice, accross the Rivera Beach, we stop down for a moment to see the beauty of the Rivera Beach..Then travelled again to Cannes

7July12: From Cannes we travelled to Lourdes. We stop at Marseille, to go to Notre Dame de La Garde first to took some picture of Marie holding Jesus infant statue. On the way, we got an accident. Luckily no one hurts. A Fiesto (Ford) car hitted on our bus got severely damaged. Our trip postpone around 3hours due to this problem. We reached Lourdes around 9pm, and on the way, the rain fallen not in term of water, but as an ice. We postponed our candlelight procession in Lourdes.

8July12: In the morning, we went to Grotto to have a mass, then we have a station of the cross. Followed by lunch, then we went to the back of Grotto to queue for Holy Water Bath. With a long queue, we tried to survived, until our turn, oh well! I'm freezing! The water was so freaking cold as ice water. Then we shopping in nearby shop to buy some souvenir. At the night, we went to the candlelight procession. Its such a beautiful procession. Everyone holding a candle walking around the field, while shouting the Hail Mary prayer, singing Ave Marie in different languages (Including Indonesian!)

9July12: From Lourdes, we travelled to Nerves, and we stopped at St. Gilbert Church, whereas St. Bernadette's body is still there perfectly.. We had a mass there and we continue our trip to the hotel at Magny Cours Circuit de Neverse..

10July12: We continue our trip to Paris.. I love this city so much from their heritage building to their city of romance.. We took a river city tour by boat with Bateaux Mouches (Seine Cruise).. Then we stop to take some picture of Eiffel tower, Arch de Triompe, The Louvre (too bad its not at the night) then we go to Benlux Duty Free and Galleries Lafayette to have some shopping time!

11July12: From Paris, we were going to Amsterdam.. We stop for a while at Brussel to see the Atomium and Maniken Piss statue (a very littly boy that pee for hundred over years) and we bought some delicious Belgian Homemade Chocolate here.. Then we walked down to the Markt Square and continuing our trip to Amsterdam.. When we reach Netherlands, we went to Madurodam to see the miniature of thier city.

12July12: In the morning, we went to Volendam, to visit the cheese factory and Klompen (the clog shoes) factory.. Then we took some picture with the windmills and took a picture using their traditional clothes (including their Klompen!).. Then we take the canal cruise (It's so boring as we just using a boat travelling from one canal to other canal) and finally we reach Gassan Diamond Factory.. I bought a pair of diamond ring for our proposal (although until now we hadn't get the official proposal from him).. Their diamond rings are very magnificant!

13July12: We then travelled to Germany to take our flight going back to Dubai.. Before that, we stop at Cologne to had some lunch and saw their oldest Cathedral that survived in World War II.. Then we ride our Trafalgar Bus for the last time to Düsseldorf International Airport and catching our flight back to Indonesia..

 

Preparation up to June 2012

Things went up so fast. It's June, and I'm celebrating my birthday alone in the middle of my last exam period, while stuck in the Lion City..
Thank God, I'm done with my last exam and I'm officially graduate from MBA.
Anyway, our reparation up to end of June were not much. Since I'm still busy with my university things and family trip to Europe, thus, we only down-payment for:

MC-Entertainment: Ruby Herman Entertainment. We choose Ruby due to he is my fiance's collage friend. His price quite attractive (Yes, we got special price from him). We got one MC (with himself, Ruby), baby grand piano, singer 1 person, bass, saxx, bubble and confety.

Wedding Ring: We order our wedding band from House of Hungs (Singapore), and we are so excited to see their final result. It's such a beautiful pair of wedding ring. We love it so much. Though the price is quite high, they paid off with a lovely diamond rings for us~

Chapel: We book the venue for our holy matrimony in a Chapel inside Maria Kusuma Karmel church. It's a small chapel actually, but its a brand new chapel (yeah, until today, they haven't done with the renovation).. Anyway, since we can't get the big church and our holy matrimony invitation on church is a small number of person, thus, we choose this chapel.

Preparation up to March 2012

Bad luck for us.. We are having problem with one of our vendor.. We definetely disappointed with our pre-wedding vendor. We’re down payment them due to their promotion season.. When we ask for our bonus (as what they have written to us), suddenly they said, “Oh, that’s promotion is only for the bridal full package one, if you’re only using the photography services, we’re unable to give those bonuses” WTF! Some more, when we ask the total budget, they still haven't confirm the total for us (I'm sure will be off-budget sh*t!) I surely will not ever recommend this vendor even though their photos are good enough.. 

Wedding Organizer: we use Excellent WO.. I met the owner last month actually, but we down payment them this month.. A little disappointment actually also occur in this vendor, but it’s just a simple things.. Due to we cancel the entertainment that we’ve booked with them and they do charge in it L Actually at that time, they haven’t sent us the contract, so it’s supposed to be OK to cancel their entertainment. Yet, they insist to charge us for our cancelation fee.. 

Souvenir:  we’ve just down payment Fine Gallery.. We choose to little salt & pepper love bird shakers for our souvenir. Quite interesting, they did gave us simple bonus due to their promotion season..

Preparation up to February 2012

Venue: We've down payment St. Moritz Ballroom on January 2012.. Everybody says, no doubt for its taste.. Well, we do believe on it with respect of their food presentation which is so elegant.. Place was not so big, it suit for our 500-600 guesslist.. However, the marketing representative is quite disappointing us due to their "busyness"..

Make Up Artits: After wondering should we take a package from bridal or having  separated things for MUA, Gown, etc, we then decided to separate it one by one. So we try to look at some MUA from their Facebook pages and try to select the best one.. First we try to contact Adele MUA, unfortunately she's not available for our date. Then on February 2012, we contact Yurica Darmawan (as she is one of the good rate MUA at Weddingku.com). Luckily she is available for us.. So with our recklessness, we give the down payment to her..

Decoration: First I meet Grasida Decoration in Mediterania Apartment. Mom doesn't like their decoration.. So we plan to look for other decor vendor on the next day. We plan to visit Lili-Vicky in Pasar Baru and Evlin in Sunter.. When we reached Lili-Vicky, Ms. Ida and Ms. Yuli introduce some of their previous decoration. Mom looks excited and she agreed to use Lili-Vicky as our decoration vendor. So we directly down payment Lili-Vicky at that time.. However, some problem comes when suddenly St.Moritz told us that they did not recommend Lili-Vicky.. This issues haven't solve yet until this time.

Video: On Friday 24, I went to the Wedding Expo by Cantik at PRJ. I found that Precious Moment by Scorta. This vendor has the most reasonable price and quality of video. At this moment, we just down payment for their video without photo as we still think to use other vendor as our photographer.

Invitation: We deal on the expo with CC Card. First I saw Sehati Card that his family used to use but it's just seems so usual. Until we saw CC Card, we decided to make a down payment with them. Reasonable price with attractive design of card.

Cake: As I read from some blogs and forum, Kopaka has its best taste for wedding cake. Indeed when they gave their free sample, its provide a unique composition of Brownies, Lapis Legit and Lapis Surabaya. My mom fell in love with them. They then create our custom made cake so that it will be always different from the other:)

Groom Shoes: Due to our height problem, we decide to use Keeve.. He fell in love with one of Keeve's shoes but finally he bought 2 shoes. One for the wedding day and the other casual one for the prewedding day.

Prewedding Photo: He made a deal with Brides on 22 as they offer to lend the wedding gown on the prewedding day. The other vendor were unable to give this offer to us, as we need it for our prewedding in Singapore.

Venue and Venue..

As we plan to marriage end of 2012, we starts to do some survey of several venue located in Jakarta.
First we gathered some possible hotels and buildings, then with our limited time of December holiday, we decided to utilized our time on several area such as Sudirman, North-Jakarta and some West Jakarta's venues.
First we went to St. Moritz, the nearest venue from my home. It is kinda small and the access to the ballroom is using the mall's elevator ur 2 lifts on the back. Well, still on our list caused the food are best! Culture Royale plays role on it.
Secondis the The Golf PIK, the security explain lots of things to us, he better become the marketing than just a security! Even, the sales marketing can't explain as well as him. We considered there will be 2 parties on a day and the packages is not so suitable for us, so we drop this venue.
Third we went to Grand Sahid Jaya. Old building, Old room, and more into traditional wedding. We drop it.
Fourth we went to Le Meredient. Kinda old building but, nice ballroom, it will be renovate until mid of 2012. The package is nice for us, but we still need to look for other offers.
Fifth, the Intercontinental Hotel. It is more for high capacity, whereas our capacity will use their others rooms instead of the ballroom. The ballroom was good, but the other room is quite horrible, a very low ceiling indeed.
Sixth, we went to Alila. Did not managed to meet the banquet manager, but we saw the ballroom already. It's nice, but the parking was so horrible.
Seventh, the Thamrine Nine. We're in love with this place. New building, new ballroom, lots of parking place, Culture Royale was there, as well as Bali Indah. Up to this point, we this is our first choice.
Eighth, Swissbel Hotel Mangga Besar. New hotel, nice ballroom, but quite unreasonable price of the package. We loved the room, but the package is not that suitable for us.
 Ninth: Mercure Hotel Ancol. Old hotel, quite good for outdoors, but we keep thinking about the rain and the coastal air. A very nice marketing person, thanks for the drinks treated:) Reasonable package, We'll consider this place.
Tenth: Putri Duyung, Since we're in Ancol already, we see their new function hall, it is a good building, with reasonable package as well, but we are not sure about the taste of their in-house catering yet.
 Lastly, Bapindo Plaza. We considered this after we went back from our holiday, so we haven't see the actual room, but their packages was very interesting. Will find time to see the actual place.
Additional Aston Paramount Serpong: He is the one that interested with this hotel. For me, I dont really like the location. I still prefer Jakarta area. But their package is so attractive. 

To rank up the places:
1. Bapindo Plaza: very attractive package
2. Thamrine Nine: attractive package with brand new building and rooms
3. Putri Duyung Ancol: new building, but unsure catering
4. Aston Paramount Serpong
5. Mercure