- Premature death
- Illnesses
- Accidents
- Loss of work/ income
- Hospital bills
- My share of the household expenses
- Kids' education
- Inflation
- Liabilities
- Emotional anguish
After having a great dinner and getting back to our villa, I had asked my wife where she wanted to go the next day and she mentioned Uluwatu. A quick surf on the internet revealed it was on the southern tip of Bali. Google maps also revealed Jimbaran was along the route to Uluwatu. Made a quick plan that we will visit Uluwatu and have lunch at Jimbaran before heading to Kuta for some shopping. Keyed in all the places into my GPS. Continued surfing on the tripadvisor on which warung to go for seafood on Jimbaran.
Did I mention I love the internet. The whole trip have been planned online. The places recommended by peers on trip advisor. The journeys planned on Google Maps. And the new google on Android (and maybe the iphone) is fantastic! It knew I was overseas. It immediately gave me 3 very important 'cards' on my google homepage.
1) the places i have searched before: tells me how far I am and how long it will take me and if there are any delays along the route
2) gave me the exchange rate for rupiah to sing
3) gave me a card to translate from english to bahasa indonesia and vice versa!
It also has recommended place to visit on the page. i was blown away, whatever you need as a traveler is there on google homepage! Well done google! All shopping and dining bills is immediately converted back to Sing at our finger tips! If only google Navigate can also be available there, would have been fabulous.
Morning came and after breakfast that was served in the villa we set off to Uluwatu. From the GPS it said it was about 25km and will take about 40 mins. We walked over to the scooter turned the key and started the bike to warm it up. In the mean time my wife was putting on her shower cap before putting on the grubby helmet they provided. Guess being a guy I did not bother or I have been through worst at SSDC when I was getting my bike license before. But the plus point was it did not smell.
Off we went on our 2nd day's adventure!
As a financial planner, I plan for people's future and ensure most unpredictable moments becomes predictable. But on the 11th of October 2012, as I sat in the office, opened up my Google calendar, it hit me! I have been so caught up with other people's planning I totally forgot mine! My 1st year wedding anniversary is a month away and I haven't started planning! (Ling, if you read this, sorry I know I should have started earlier)
At least my plan of having my wedding on 11/11/2011 have worked! I remembered the date. Scambled on the internet, went on one of the budget airlines website searched for flights to Bali, it cost $580. Was about to click 'buy' then I remembered Zuji. Went onto Zuji and found Garuda to Bali was only $596. Duh! No brainer $16 more for 2 pax on a regular flight, bought! Zuji rocks!
Went onto Agoda website searched for a private villa, read the reviews, bought! Agoda rocks too! In fact, I love the internet! We can be our own travel agent! The next one month was a balancing act to plan for my 4 days 3 nights Bali trip and my clients' entire life. No guessing which should take more time. (Sorry, ling :p)
Anyway, the day came for our Bali trip. Alarm clock did not go off. Woke up at 6am which was the time we should be at the airport. Mad scramble to get dressed and get to the airport. Glad we stay in Simei.
Arrived in Bali, saw the whole line of drivers holding names of their guest they have to pick up. Did not find my name. Die! The resort screwed up what a start to our trip! Alarm clock didn't ring, now this! Walked up and down the terminal, thinking of finding somewhere to buy a pre paid card to call the resort.
This whole time I was kicking myself in my head for not confirming with the resort the night before. What an idiot! But its a resort, this is one thing you don't expect right?
Cannot find anywhere to buy the card walked back to the pick up area. Just then my wife saw this guy holding a sign with a name that resembles mine but somewhat distorted. I realise most people see my surname TNG and they think I must have forgotten my vowels.
And for those who still think I have forgotten my vowels, let me set the record straight. TNG is hokkien means soup. Like in cheng tng, the dessert. In chinese 汤. Hanyu Pinyin: Tang.
Got onto our van and we were on our way. And when we finally got to the villa, I heaved a sigh of relief. Now to enjoy some lunch. I have told the resort to prepare a scooter for me, and I had recce the route we came in and saw a nice little quaint warung. I was thinking: later we can take the scooter here. My receptionist said: Sir, your scooter will be coming at 3pm.
Oh no! Not again!