Land of the free, home of the brave…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than 24 hours to go till I’ll be flying of to the US of A!

I still cant believe that I will finally be going there, after so long applying for the month-long course since January. Getting excited now visit all the places that I have seen only in print, tv and movies: the nation’s capital and the Big Apple. With my shiny new camera on tow, I Intend to snap all of the interesting where’s where and share it (just so to make you green with envy, hehe). Of course, what is a trip without a little shopping! I don't have a wish list per se, but I am eyeing a few uniquely American brands to bring back home . And for certain, ill be sure to make a pilgrimage to the Diesel mecca that is the Diesel Planet Flagship store @ 5th Avenue, New York. Land of the stupid, home of the brave… here I come!

Welcome to the Mother ship

After months of planning, waiting and damn right fantasising, I finally fulfilled one of my longstanding dreams of a return visit to jolly England, and set foot to the continent across the channel for the first time. On 31 March – 8 April, I and three other of my best mates went on holiday to London, Paris and Amsterdam. Fun would be an understatement... it was downright a joie de vivre voyage de la fantastique!

One of my main missions there, apart from enjoying the sights, sounds and smells, the cuisine, culture and club scene, is making a pilgrimage to Diesel stores in all three cities: Dieselfreak is finally home, baby. Talk about variety, I managed to set foot in both flagships in London, a shop-in-shop in Paris and a major downtown store in Amsterdam... and a bought several goodies along the way, of course ;p. This entry focuses specifically on my London escapades.

ps: special thanks to Yusof and Aidil for the covert (and by right illegal) pics, without them, everything i write in this entry are merely rumours, gossips and hearsay. Luv ya lots!

 

LONDON: COVENT GARDEN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L: The Convent Garden flagship… 4 floors of pure Diesel heaven. I am truly in awe. The store opens 11pm on a Sunday at yet eager shoppers and staff are already waiting patiently at the front door.

R: Somebody please pinch me, Im really here :)

The attention grabbing window displays, teasing passers-by with a sneak peak of the goodies in store

Enough about the exterior, I wanna go inside! I hear you loud and clear…

L: Welcome inside…

R: The basement floor is were the men's section is located

L: Bags galore

R: Staircase leads to the women's section upstairs

L: For a limited time only, the Adidas-Diesel sneaker collaboration. I spot something interesting here, hehe…

R: Shoes and shades for spring and summer. Note: they are ‘not made for running’

L: So what did i buy? this T-SITE T-shirt

R: As well the awesome FORUM MID DIESEL TXT sneakers

 

 

 

 

Portrait of a happy camper

LONDON: NEW BOND STREET

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L&R: PPC in the luxurious store… some of SS2011 collection in the backgrounds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L: Enjoying the window display featuring runway creations by creative director and designer extraordinaire for Diesel Black Gold, Sophia Kokosalaki

R: I Bought something, hehe…

Wanna know what I got from here? The TOMINOVY-ELOGRAM short-sleeve T shirt and the GELSOLY jacket. My annual dinner getup is sorted!

But not without a test run first…  in Paris! Because there one must always dress like une chic Parisien 

PS: Of course , one must also buy Louis Vuitton when strolling down its legendary mother ship in the famed Avenue des Champs-Élysées, hehe…

Bali Ha'i

Bali Ha'i may call you,
Any night, any day,
In your heart, you'll hear it call you:
'Come away...Come away.'

Bali Ha'i will whisper
In the wind of the sea:
'Here am I, your special island!
Come to me, come to me!'

In the 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific, the matriarch Bloody Mary sang of a mystical volcanic island, an exotic paradise that is forbidden to the US Navy sailors except for its highest ranking officers.

Fortunately the real Bali is as enchanting, yet very much welcoming to surfers, sun worshippers and shoppers who come in by the droves.

After hearing how such a wonderful time my friends had here, I have finally made my way to experience it for myself last week. This is after having booked my ticket and accommodation almost seven months in advance (the ‘joy’ that is AirAsia and Tune Hotel, hehe).

The following are some pics from my recent liburan… ;)

 

Arriving at Ngurah Rai International Airport, unmistakably Bali…

 

At Tune Hotel Kuta, just 600m from the beach… 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And speaking of the world famous beach itself… 

 

 

 

 

 

Surfs up! Even good ol’ Ronald himself is in on the act, hehe…

Downtown Kuta, home to many boutiques selling ‘designer’ items, if you know what i mean ;p.

For a more authentic retail therapy experience, there are shops galore offering local hand made arts and crafts. (Tip: Haggle as much as possible as the prices are most definitely on the high side due to its touristy location)

 I guess, someone is in Hard Rock heaven, hehe…

While Kuta beach is overly developed and commercialised (read: a bit dirty), on the opposite side of the island lies Dreamland  beach  in Bukit peninsula near Jimbaran. Here the sands is powder gold and the water pristine. But one must be careful when swimming here, as it is also renowned for its dangerous shore break: the waves are so tall it could overwhelm you!

 

Of course Bali is not just about the beaches, for the island is very much steeped in centuries old traditions and culture.  

 

 

None is more alive than at GWK Cultural Park, Jimbaran famed for its Wisnu and Garuda statues, and live Kecak and Barongan dances…

Other places of interest is Monkey Temple (Pura Bukit Sari) is located on Sangeh village. Here these primates literally run the joint!

 

 

Do be careful of your belongings, for these furry thieves are super quick with there paws…

Spa time, monkey style hehe

 

Another place visited is Pura Taman Ayun, a royal temple of the Mengwi Empire. It is still utilised by the locals for prayers.

But the highlight of the trip is definitely Pura Tanah Lot, one of the main pilgrimage sights on the island. Finally I'm here!

Touching the holy snake… for good luck ;)

All i can say is Bali has certainly lived up to my expectations. If there is anything that is on the downside is the terrible mecet. Even though the island is not to large, getting to one place to another on the road is frustrating when your bumper to bumper. As such, the five days spent here here is not enough as there are still many places I have yet to visit, such as Uluwatu, Mount Agung and Ubud. You could say that I am saving it for a later date ;)