22 April 2022 Friday - extra supplements

After Brandon's wedding, Sam and I drifted off to Ubud to be alone

Sam got extra supplements for me, and it made all the difference - she got them when taking mom for mom's second booster. They are quite strong so she will decide when she wants me to take them; I am ok with that arrangement. 

Early this morning, AS drove us (LH and KSC) to his resort in Lundu for our office to measure the existing buildings for BP submission. It was not a difficult task so we thought the office can treat it as a holiday. I gave them Friday and they gave us Saturday. AS gave us 4 rooms and assured me that he will pay for this service, though I had earlier decided that I won't be charging him anything. All part of building business relationships. 

We left them to their own resources and left for Kuching before noon, in time for me to chat with SL whom seemed a little overwhelmed with work. So much so that she is not designing (no time), choosing to 'draw up' first and detail later. We have a little chat about dates and workloads, and ended with me promising to adjust a few things to give her time to immerse herself into design of her projects. 

Revisiting Bali

We spent an interesting evening with my clients who are also my relatives (or it is the other way around?). We meant to check on the lighting levels of their new house but as they were still having dinner, we sat with them and shared drinks and conversation. We have worked for the last 10 months building a new house for their 4 sons, one of whom was getting married in December (now).

A tight work programme, many meetings on site to draw, mock up, approve and build elements of the new house - we have been spending plenty of time together. As we were not able to attend the wedding party in Kuching, they suggested that we should attend the ceremony in Bali.

We declined, and the suggestion became a request and yesterday evening, the request became an instruction, with a suggestion that hotel rooms might be available for Sam and I. He 'warned' that if we did not attend the Bali wedding, he is liable to harp on it for the next year when the project enters Phase 2..so it looks like we are going to Bali this Christmas.

bali re-visited

Having experienced Bali before with Sam; we wanted the kids to share the same - we decided to go rural and found a small hotel near to some padi fields in Ubud.
It is called the Bali T-house and was developed by architects using a timber construction module. This is the view from our first floor bedroom - which is essentially an open platform with bamboo blinds when privacy is required or to stop the rain from coming in.

There are only 12 or so villas; we share views of the 'sawah' as well as a lap pool which is only 15 feet from our dining terrace. Our villa is named 'Jahe' (ginger in Bahasa Indonesia) - and while we laze in silken hammocks, Sean and Sara explore the pool and the surroundings.
Perhaps it is the romance of being in Bali once again; the green of the padi fields is one I have not seen before; changing in hue and form as it catches the sun and the breeze. The buildings beyond are for resting and worship; we see the workers having their lunch there.

travel sketches - bali

the barong, a mythical creature found in traditional dances based on Ramayana



early Sunday morning, sara and I stole outside to have a look at Ubud before the tourists woke up for their continental breakfasts.


balinese doorway



at the T-house, the sleeping quarters are open, with only the mosquito netting to keep insects away. it was very cooling as the breezes blow right through, ocassionally the lowing of a cow can be heard amidst the chirping of crickets.


this is the view from our T-house terrace; acres of 'sawah' or padi fields. the locals take a short cut ocassionally and wandered pass, with a smile and a 'selamat pagi'


our pool - the kids swam while we swung genty in silk hammocks.




the T house plan - the people who owned the place were very thoughtful - leaving books and music for our enjoyment. there were even paints and a sketch pad for the children.