The Ring of Life

How many of us living life with grateful attitude? Are you one of those...? (Part 1)

2008-03-27T16:19:00.008+08:00

I believe you have heard the word “CHANGE” from someone, somewhere, somehow or you are murmuring the word in your head when something you did went bizarre, or your inner-self kept telling you that you have to be a better person after having been in a big storm in life! I personally put “CHANGE” in my mind as my first solution weapon when I felt I did something horrible.

Life is a series of metamorphosis
I would take you back into my life when I was a happy and passionate single woman. Living my life away from my family since 15-years-old had made me to learn to live life from the street (famously people said “Street Smart). I know since I was kid that I want to live life at the fullest. I believe that success is when good decision was made at a golden opportunity.

I am very self conscious I know my dark side and there are many, let’s counting from being really stubborn, self-centered, over confidence, very ambitious, want to have it all, last but not least, I complain about almost everything in my day to day activities. Can you believe it? However, with this stuck up attitude my career has grown faster compare to others co-worker amongst my age group or even older than me. This career success mean I got higher paycheck, more power which enables me enjoys life at the fullest. Not too mentioned I have wonderful friends around me who I spent almost everything in daily life and of course there were never boring weekend. But, sadly, I am still the old me who is unlikely to feel grateful just yet.

At night secretly I cried and I keep asking myself “What I did miss?” Then, one expected night I realized I miss my family means my relationship with Mum, Dad, Grandmother, Brother & Sister or distance cousin seem to be so far away from my grip. I hardly recognize each of their characters; I realized that something needs to be “CHANGED” in me. I only familiar with the word “CHANGE” but not 100% understand of how to use it or whether I am in the changing stage.

Daddy Girl and toughest decision
You can call me a “Daddy Girl” because since I was born I am his little angel and we both were very attached to one another till I was 15 (I used “were” because, it was the PAST). Living separately from my family for 17 years had put us in a distance and cold attitude. That is all because I hardly knew how they lived life. But I surely know that as someone who used to be daddy girl has lived her life irresponsible in regards to her family or specifically to her dad.

In September 2006, Doctor diagnosed my dad has suffered Heart & Kidney Failure plus others complication which he only has 6 months to live unless there is miracle from the above. Me and my family was all shocked and left with no word to say except hoping, tomorrow will be better. I got the news by a phone called from my younger sister as I don’t live in one city with my family.

This piece of news had made me to take the toughest corporate decision, I resigned, the letter was submitted to CEOs and they did not let me go easily because they believe that I can reach much higher position in the organization. I told them that “An angel has touched my conscience to take care of my dad before I regret it”. They respected my wise decision as well as my reason of leaving to a filial daughter before it is too late.

It’s a short meaningful moment
I flew back home to take care of my dad, my tears starts to fall when I arrived at the hospital seeing someone like HIM who used to be very strong, optimistic and sweet at the same time laying there with all the medical equipment being put on in his body. But yet, he still could make me laugh and smile after all those tears.

Day by day, he seems to get better and even the doctor was surprised with his condition. At last, he can go home except he has to come back twice a week for blood transfusion for his kidney.

I flew back to look for my dream job and I did got the job. But less than 2 months, suddenly my dad’s condition was back to zero. On that rainy Monday morning, I intend to apply for short leave to fly home; my mobile phone rang and it was my little sister, She told me “that our Father had left us just few minutes ago“. Just like that, we lost our beloved father. Everything seems to stop for a moment. Everybody has given their best condolences and one of the sweetest thing was my closed friends gave me a card with the most beautiful word written on it. Those words mean a lot to me and had given me the strength to face this reality bites. I remember I told my friends that love and show your passion to your family as long as you still have them in life.

Now, I understand the meaning of “CHANGE”
Since that moment onwards, life has CHANGED me to become a better person and be more grateful in life. June 2007, I married with a wonderful man and again HE has CHANGED me for the second time for the last 1 ½ years to be grateful with I have in my life. There are many more that I would love to share with anyone who read this.

For today, firstly, I am also grateful to Jakartass for visiting this modest blog leaving comment to motivate me to write more often, secondly, I am definitely thrilled knowing what I wrote has given you an inspiration to write in your blog. Once again, sincerely thanks to Jakartass (I read your blog, wow hope one day I can write like that).

What I wrote today is the result of positive blogger’s motivation. This writing is also in memoriam for my Father 1 year’s anniversary.

Let’s be grateful each day because no one knows what will happen in the next few second.

Commitment....how's good a person can commit?

2008-02-08T11:35:00.000+08:00

Recently, our company decided to hire Accounting Staff who can work permenantly as part of our team due to expansion plan for the year 2008 instead of outsourcing like what we are currently doing. I want to do this recruitment personally so I put up an advertisement in the local No. 1 national newspaper Manado Post, written all the standard criterias like most companies expected for that particular designation. With 100% full confidence, the advertisement is on for almost 2-weeks on the row.

Interview stage and result

Many CV and sound promosing introduction letters were received daily, each one the CV was read thouroughly and carefully to ensure the best candidates for this position. I called the candidates for interview and it has been going on for almost 10 days. My enthusiasm and confidence are slowly to sinking because most of the candidates I interviewed are none that fit in to my criteria or expectation. Here is a few category I summarized from the interview:

1. Fresh Graduates Candidates

From 20 persons, out of 18 people are wishing to work in the Bank or Government Foundation with unbelievable high salary requirement for city like Manado, Indonesia. Once again, they are fresh graduates but their attitude is just like proffessional who had worked for ages.

2. Well-experienced Candidates

From 10 persons, out of 9 persons did not even write down their expected salary on the column I prepared for them. So, I asked them on the interiview and they all seem to be grateful enough to be able to work in new company, new environment, new challenge, and all kinds of others reasons. It makes me wonder, what is going on in here? Anyone can give me some clues?

3. No Show Candidates

The most annoying and dissapointing of all kinds, I have arranged nicely in my interview agenda to interview this candidates but they did not show up at all and the number is 15 people. So, then I learnt again.

Half Journey
That is only half of my journey to find this one good Accounting Staff to make sure that our Balance Sheet and Profit & Lost could run and done proffesionally. Surprise, on the 11th day of the advertisement, I received an email applying for the job, she sounds good and currently still working for quite a good company. Suddenly, I am fully recharged after those unpleasant experiences.

Whilst interviewing with this candidates, me and my others partner decided to hire her as she seems to be the most suitable candidates among all. The working contract is signed and commitment is made. It is such a big relieve for us so I can fly off on next Monday morning with ease.

She is on time on her first day at work, show graceful attitude and dedication. She will not go home if we are still in the office. All the works and assignment given to her are all done with commitment and meet the dateline. Even though, she only works merely for 3 days, I am happy with this newly appointed Accounting Staff. I am so proud to prove that I manage to find good quality people around Manado.

Thursay, we are off to celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year 2008, eating, singing and laughing enjoying the best of our time.

Bad Commitment and Attitude confirmation
Then Bam on Friday, she told me that she is resigning today because there is a company is willing to pay her higher salary and not just for the higher Pay Cheque but the job description is more suitable with her ability. Me and my partner are really upset with this incident because she could not commit to her commitment even though the contract has been signed. We actually hold her Original Certificate of Bachelor Degree and it can only be given back to her after she completed her 1-year-contract.

Personally, I have learnt that in Manado there is no such a thing as commitment. This is not my first time having my staffs quitting from their job for a better one when I was still working in Jakarta but this time the experience is diffeent. This whole experience has taught me a lot of things until I could not explain it anymore in here.

Although, many fellow friends of mine who are from outside Manado ever told and warned me regarding people's bad attitude and commitment in Manado. I told them everywhere is the same in Indonesia but really, it is worst in here. I forget to mention that in our ads we wrote "Woman Only" sorry guys. Gender is not a guarentee anymore for keeping commitment because this person who can't commit is a single mum and woman.

But, I still have that faith and belief that there must be someone's good out there. My experience proved me wrong but again, I will never let this kind of attitude people brought me down.I just have to do another hunting and searching with different media and expectation.

Why is that so hard for people to make commitment? Sigh, I need all your good positive motivation right now from all of you. Oh, what's a day?

Glad that I am taking holiday on upcoming Monday to Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta and Bandung.

Welcoming the Year of Rat....the year of Mickey Mouse

2008-02-05T11:59:00.000+08:00

As an Indonesian Chinese, my family is still celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year. This tradition is one thing that I am really proud of, I love every single elements in it from the decoration, special food, red package or famous for "Ang Pao" and the philosophy behind it.

All chinese around the world are welcoming the year of Rat, the year of Mickey Mouse on 7 February 2008 in calender is the first day of chinese lunar new year.

Ang Pao, Orange and Decoration
Without Ang Pao, Orange and red color decoration around the house, celebrating chinese lunar new year would not seem complete and fulfilled. When I was little, my favorite day is the day of receiving Ang Pao from my mum and dad, grandmother and anyone who has married. For those who had married is an obligation to give angpao as a token of sincerity and forgiveness. In return, a pair of oranges are given as a token of gifts to the eldest one with a bestow gesture.

The Joy of forgiveness

It is not just the Ang Pao, yummy cookies that I love about this festive season but the joy of forgiveness, love is all around the house and guests who visited. I always get carried away when I woke up in that particular morning, wearing my new cloth, new jewellery, new shoes, last but not least NEW SPIRIT - the spirit of joy, happiness to get ready to give bow to my parents for respect and forgiveness with orange in my hand.

Later of the day, expecting relatives, friends, neighbour to come to the house for giving thanks and exchange thought, stories of each others' life. For me, this is the day of rememberance of who we are as a daughter, son, friend in life. Cookies and all are just a symbol of thanks to guests so they can feel the joy of our celebration.

I will preserve this chinese tradition to my children even though I am catholic now. Good tradition is meant to be preserved by us who valued. As Indonesian chinese, I am delighted that after so many years of silent, we can celebrate this ancient tradition openly and proudly. Most shopping centers are decorating their malls with lots of chinese new year element.

Let's feel the joy of Chinese Lunar New Year which full of laughter, forgiveness, reunited with family and friends, happiness and thats the meaning of life begin for me personally.

Wishing all you Happy Chinese Lunar New Year 2008 and Gong Xi Fa Cai is the most said in this celebration to each other with the meaning of it is "Many Prosperous Year Ahead".

Let's celebrate!

Big Puzzles in my thought right now.....are you having one?

2008-02-04T12:23:00.000+08:00

After reading other's blog, some bloggers are friends I know, some I don't even know them in person but I like them instantly when I read they blog. Somehow, now it keeps me wondering in a big puzzles in my thought that when we visit someone's blog, does the blog really telll us who they are or not at all. I probably had visited and read blogs approximately 25 blogs, there are still more to read.

However, a friend tell me that a blog will tell us who he/she is and even ourselves. I wonder.

My modest analysis

In short, from my analysis and observations, some bloggers really bluntly tell others off straight from their heart whether it is personal or not.

So, I wonder to myself " do I want to write something in my blog that might hurt others or should I write my own blog as the media to deliver a peace of mind instead of a write something that might caused a cold war? I do not say that it's wrong to write things that might hurt others in our blog. There is never right or wrong.

Now I am wondering and asking myself, what kind of blogger I want for my readers and friends?

Anyone interested to comment on my blog so far? Anything that I can improve? Speak up your mind.....who knows the big puzzles in my thought might melted after getting some answers.

Our Boutique House

2008-02-02T12:20:00.000+08:00

This is our boutique house that I have been dreaming of since I was 21-years-old, expected to build this before I am reaching 35-years-old and currently I am at the age of 33. I aware that it's still a long way to go to prove its existency and success in fashion business but I have faith in me, my partner and God.

MEL & JEN is a name chosen as the birth of our dream come true, the butterfly represents beauty, as Asian believes that when there is butterfly in your house, it is a sign that you are expected to have a lot of guests coming to the house therefore we hope that MEL & JEN will experience that Asian belief.

We designed the butterfly with balance wings are the integrity we hold to serve our guests in fairness with good design, fair price and excellent service whilst visiting us in our home.

Second of all, we hope to give our staffs a better living and lead them to grow with us.

You will find various line in our boutique house which are chosen with hand pick and good fashion sense and values for money, some are hand made in hoping that our guests will become highly confidence in her own body when wearing our collection from clothing, accessories, bag and shoes.

I am happy when woman dress nicely and take good care of how they look. I like this qoute "It is not what you wear but How you wear it" and one more quote "Fashion is temporary but STYLE is forever. Our website is in the progress of launching so watch out for the launch.

Breaking News

Mel & jen is opening soon its second store at Manado Town Square

Our 1st store located at

MER "99" Furniture Center Building.

2nd Floor. Walanda Maramis Street No. 166

Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Phone (0431) 869099 or email at melnjenstyle@yahoo.com

Seven Things I Approve.....& You?

2008-01-25T16:52:00.000+08:00

Hah, Ecky had a little homework for me and honestly, I never even thought about it all because seem like I am kinda approve all kinds of things. Well, after some soul searching, thinking and mumbling to myself....it takes me almost 2 days to figure out though, surprisingly it is not easy.

SEVEN THINGS I APPROVE

1. Wine Wine Wine
This drink definately makes me so relax, smile all the times, I can becomes really friendly after few glasses. I only need three glasses of good wine to wash away all my bad and boring day. Sometimes, when I am enjoying wine with my love one, I am dramatically romantic. So, a real good quality glass of wine is strongly recommended. It adds spices in life for me.

2. Shopping Shopping Shopping
I can't live without shopping, I am loving it. It makes me feel sparkle, happy and don't be surpise I can forget a tiring day easily when I do shopping for accessories, shoes, bag and dress or even others small item. Recommended ZARA, MANGO, Charles & Keith for shoes, sylish design, there are lot more to mentioned, last two Frank & C0, SWAROVSKI for accessories. Well, there are too many brands to mentioned.

3. Spicy Spicy Spicy Food
Never ever I have my breakfast, lunch and dinner or even snacking without this yummy friend "chilies" I am totally a spicy food lover. Favourite cuisine, Padang food, Thai, Indian, and SeChuan for chinese.

4. Multi etnics cultural cross marriage
I believe in the beauty of differences. Each culture, country, etnics are different and have their own uniqueness so it is always gonna be interesting and fun to marry someone which is different from us. Some says that it is harder but for me it is an escape from boredom and welcome to exciting new path of learning each others rich culture.

5. Free Thinker
I myself could not believe that I am fine with this. Well, I guess each individual has the right to choose what they believe in or not believing at all. Religious for sure is one thing that is very personal. For anyone that is free thinker I am totally fine with it as long as he/she is behaving as a good human and respect other religion.

6. Day Dreaming
Maybe I read too many motivational books, those books are advising that all big achievement simply begin with a Dream. So, I am a living proof of dare to Dream Big and achieving it even though it will take a lot of courage, hard-work, self-motivation and most importantly the support from your family, friends and god.

7. Monogomy
I hate couple who cheat on their love one. I do not take any kind of reasons of not being faithful to your commitment especially for those couple who is already in marriage. You make that commitment to God and yourself. Stop Poligamy ! If you can not commit in a marital status then Do not commit ....let yourself be Free as a bird.

Nah, I did it and personally I am surprise with my own anwers.

All photos are from FreeFoto and thanks to Finally Woken for sharing this FreeFoto's website.

Behind the scene of cigratte's ingredient.....how much do you know about clove?

2008-01-07T14:26:00.001+08:00

Since living in Manado which the exact date was 18th June 2007, counting till today January 7, 2008...it will be 199 days long. I have learnt so much about life in a very different perspective. I wrote Manado about Exploring Manado..... part 1 for its holiday destination but I know there are still so much more to explore for as long as I lived here.

Famous for high-quality clove
Manado is not just well-known with its seafood, sambal dabu2 (tradional chili) or diving spot. Somehow, not too many people actually knew that Manado is famous for its clove in Indonesia supplying high quality cloves to cigaratte's company domestically as well as internationally. Almost every household in Manado will collect cloves to sell to distributor before it is shipped to real cigarette making player. I personally surprised to find out in my own line of business, my employee will have a big amount of cash in the month of July toward December mostly. Of course, Manado is a rich land and blessed...those 6 golden months are harvest time where clove is the cashcow for Manadonese.

All business transaction are still in a very old-fashioned way, No Money No Honey is proudly used in this business. I will show you the ugly side of this business. However, it is an interesting topic and also a very good way of making big bucks for those of you enjoy collecting the profit only but care less for the beauty of working environment or who are you dealing with.

Despite our government has loudly & firmly made all the new strict rules & regulations to protect the small farmer from being bullied by trader. It has come down to big zero in the real life business situation. It is just so hard to CHANGE way of doing business because the one who decide the price level of clove daily or sometimes weekly is the buyer/cigaratte company. Yes, it is still monopoly business and each buyer will point out only one particular big trader to collect from the medium to smallest trader/seller and also farmer.

Harvest Season
For harvest season, US$ 160.000 per day is the amount of transaction can be made in clove trading business. The real big guy (cigarette company) will only receive the clean washed clove from the Big Trader before shippment is made. 1 Kg of clove is traded at about US$ 2.80 to US$ 4.70 based on the Big Guy's price and also their need, of course harvest season is counted. Price can be fluctuated just merely in 1 hour extremely or it can hold up to 1 day or even 1 week even when the low season arrived.

I personally would named this whole clove trading is the real chain, real life formed of stock buying in Stock Exhange Board. To become the Big Trader, A strong heart condition is highly recommended to be able to survive this business, heartless sometimes are needed to be applied as well. Cheating in term of mixing the rotten clove with the best quality clove considered normal and expected, that is why the Big Trader needs player with good business instinc, 100% best sales attitude, poker face is a MUST have quality in order to keep every trader want to sell their clove to you even though you know mostly the human quality is a big question mark (?) but the profit and money making are so good till it is too hard to resist this business for the Big Trader. In 1 year, 12 months, for January to June, are low seasons months where everyone is happily enjoying with their earns and ready to take the ride again from July to December where the flow of money is unstoppable mostly. Sometimes, the ride is rougher and wilder than the angry coean.

Warning Sign
No wonder in the cigarette box and of course came along with world wide government policy written clearly "Smoking can caused lung cancer, heart attack, impotency, and disturbance for pregnant woman & the child's bear".

Now, I really understand those written words in those boxes as it is not just for smoker but also for the Clove Trader.

When you fly to Manado one day, almost every meter of the land you will find clove's tree and lastly, all cloves must be hand-picked only. I do not think that it is wise to write further all the negative side of Behind-the-scene as I still wish to learn to be a writer and love to see this blog of my own.

Interested to try to pick your own clove?

Your emotion and mine....

2007-12-27T17:15:00.000+08:00

Being happy is a decision and choice, it is an emotion, feeling, attitude, response when he or she had a wonderful moment which can be varied from one person to another.

Today, I decided to make my choice, I want to be happy every second of the day. For someone likes me is not an easy thing to sit back and relax when I am really working on a project, even I am not doing one. Grumpy and long faces, being too sensitive, worrying too much, complaining every details, agitated, well i have long lists which i realize that i have just ruined every second of my life.

However, I was inspired by a book who is written by a good friend of mine, this amazing friend is Stefanus Indrayana whom is also the Marketing Director for PT Samsung Electronics Indonesia; with book title Best Life (This little book works wonder on me and my life, this book is a wedding gift from him to me, the best gifts ever).

Let's be happy as I believe all of us are blessed by His Love and Glory, Life is beautiful when we choose to perceive life as it is, good or bad are a process of getting through the day. Change ourself and the changes from others will eventually happen. So today, let's share our joy, happiness and love to everyone.

We are human, we make mistakes, the next steps we plead for forgiveness and forgive others. Mistakes are a past it's meant to be forgiven and let's live for the present moment.

Love yourself, love this life, love God, believe me the whole universe will sense the vibe and love you back.

Happy messange from Manado....muach muach :)

Human's heart is as deep as the ocean....I believe

2007-12-27T17:08:00.000+08:00

Every morning when we wake up is actually a miracle therefore it is important that we have to embrace this life with full of hope, gratefulness and enjoy every minute of it. Fill any given day with a meaningful moment for ourselves and others' as well.

I always believe that wherever I am, I have a special mission. I have to inspire people around me in a positive way. At the moment, I am trying so hard to figure out the human's heart (I am not a doctor or a scientist, so of course, I am not talking about the human anatomy).

Recently, I am in the situation of living my life in a new place where most people are pretending to live their life based on what others expect them to live. Yeah, I know you must be thinking, oh how's sad, isn't it? However, I do have faith that some are not living in such in a way.

So, for all of my friends out there, I want to tell you that all of us including me, we are the luckiest and blessed human on earth. Now, everything seem to make senses to me and each day I even want to thanks God for showing me others' life which are totally the opposite from mine and my friends. There is a saying "you will only can taste sweet better when you have had bitterness".

I am so glad that I have friends, relatives and mentors from all walk of life whom always honest towards me. Whenever I made mistakes, taking the wrong direction, making bad decision, saying harsh and hurtful words that might caused damaged in my life and others, those peoples will keep an eye on me to make sure I don't fall but keep growing and blossom each day. Likewise, I will give advise as well to others when I know that this piece of advise might do good for my friends or sometimes, I was being asked for advise.

I do not know how to share this here but I guess, all I have to do is keep on writing.

At the moment, I live in a situation where is the opposite way of all the above mentioned. That's why, at the end of the day I believe that human's heart is as deep as the ocean. Some people will never ever tell you the truth from their heart, they will just let you fall, never want to give you advise but wait, they themselves do not expect you to give them any advises as well....hah, so how's individual that can be.

I do know that no one likes people who gossip about others or care unneccessarily about things that are not important but warning someone you love that she is not going into the right direction, I guess is a responsibility. Trust me, for us who live in the lane of positive root will find amazingly shocking in here. I know you must be thinking, what's kind of place I live in right now.

I am thinking again, do we have to tell our love ones when he/she is in a dangerous situation? I don't know in here but for sure I know that in where the place I used to live I will try carefully to tell that someone....it is all because of the name of love and care. But, will it be appreciated in here? I don't know but I know that when you are in Rome, you do like the romans do. I do not agree with it but I have to temporarily live with it now but not for long because I know it is not right to let your love one fall over to the cliff.

I mentioned earlier that I always have purpose in my life wherever I am. So, it is so obvious that there are many souls that are needed to be heal and touched....a broken soul I mean. Amazingly, just merely few months, some secrets reveal itself to me. I am smiling when I am writing this because I just can't believe that I am surrounded by people with heart's that as deep as the ocean. There must be something that needed me to do otherwise the secret would not have leaked out to my life.

So, I did a little investigation, in my surprise playing safe is the right word to describe this situation. So, should I let this situation go with the flow? No, of course not.

Confrontation has been made and the situation is slowly showing the color of rainbow and I believe that only time will tell the truth. The moment we wake up, it is our calling to make this world a better place and hoping that sun shine is all around us.

That one fine day seems to be so long and far away but actually it is not when we have faith and keep inspiring others. From my heart I know that at the soonest possible time ever, everythig will turn out to be one fine day.

This writing is not meant to hurt anyone but to motivate others to tell the truth and to love others as much as we love ourselves. Sometimes silence does kill a good heart so speak up when you have to keep the soul blossom. Always believe that when you are saying the right thing and words to someone, you actually have safe one soul I believe.

Human's heart is as deep as the ocean can be. I feel so much better in pouring out this here so I will keep loving and advising in my entire life.

How's about you?

Exploring Manado (Part 1).....who know it might be your next holiday destination

2007-12-17T16:19:00.001+08:00

"Work Hard, Play Hard" are the key to enjoy this wonderful life.

Enjoying life for me is travelling by exploring anywhere that have exotic beaches are in the world. Not to mention that right now I am living in paradise that offers mouth-watering seafood and breath-taking sunset. So, are you interested of exploring another new holiday destination? Manado?

Let's explore the "Many Faces of Manado"

This is my first holiday destination travel note but I guess it is my hometown now as I live here. The destination is Manado located in North Sulawesi, Indonesia which famous for it's under-water world...Bunaken. Like a friend mine ever mentioned to me when he flies he can see the masterpiece of God from above and when he dives, he can exprience the joy of appreciating the creation of God from under-water world.

However, this time I would not share with you the beautiful under-water world, but instead I will take you on to exploring the gorgeous and exotic island resort located in white-sandy beach, some people called it "virgin beach island" for those who had visited. Some are located on hilly land couture over-looking Manado Tua Mountain...I promise it is a breathtaking view.

Well, as a new member of Manado City as people address it as a "city" but I prefer to called it as an island because not to mentioned the little and virgin island spreading around Manado but also the bright sun shine everyday except on December. Therefore, wearing a hot summer outfits are highly recommended, coconut trees are easily spotted around the island so juicy coconut drink is a must try baverage. For those are yearning for island life, most probably you will love this resort recommendation given here.

Kima-Bajo Resort & Spa is merely an hour drive from downtown Manado. This is the place where you can still hear the sound of the birds in the morning, where fresh air is everywhere, not too mentioned the peacefull resort and laid back life offered.

Siladen Resort & Spa located just nearby the famous diving spot Bunaken where you actually can see the resort from there. It will take about 1 hour boat drive from Manado port to Siladen Resort. It is a sanctuary experience because you are totally surrounded by beautiful beach but yet the resort is offering both garden and beach view. Love, love the resort....should you are expecting quiet moment, doing star glancing and day dreaming only are totally the best indulgence. I bet you will forget the busy hastle city life for a moment by enjoying resort's surrounding.

Insterested in our one more resort Gangga Resort & Spa definately different from those two resort above. White-virgin-sandy beach is most unique beach offered when you arrive. So, this resort designed in a more island living achitectural house concept.

Of course, all those four resorts offer diving facilities for those believe that diving is the new indulgence in life. Manado has a couple more resorts to offer but I will share it on my next holiday destination's writing.

So, ready to pack your bag for exotic get-away? Silk Air flies to Manado 5 times a week from Singapore.

As a new comer in Manado, I guess I have done little tourism promotion for the island expecting to see more visitors to make this life merrier. Don't forget to share by putting travel note when you had stopped by as your holiday destination spot.

Feel like flying over?

To be continued.....