SENIORa Artz: That small yellow ball

When I created my blogspot, the first and foremost articles that came into my mind and which I intended to write about were those of my travels . However, since I started writing blogs in August last year, I never had a chance to write any of them . Also, since we have arrived from that “grand marathon vacation” last October, 2012, my time had been consumed by more pressing demands in school. Nevertheless, as the saying goes, it is better to be late than never. So starting today, I’ll share with you some of the interesting moments and experiences I have had in the recent past together with my favourite travel buddies ~ my family .

For so long, my husband has been dreaming of playing the ball with his son. For so long, I’d been wishing also that it would come true. Well, as everybody knows, we only had a daughter named Reina Andrea or Rein for short. We never had a son for twenty-four years. But last August 16, 2011, finally, God gave us our “ miracle son “ Joseff or Joe as he is fondly called. I often say he's our “miracle son “ because he looks entirely different from us ~ “ in race, in size, and even in words “ , as their wedding theme song goes.

After their stiff Olympic 2012 schedule, Joe and Rein had their two-week off from work. They visited the

Philippines

and some of the nearby Asian countries.

In October , 2012, we visited the Nirwana Gardens in Bintan,

Indonesia via WAN SERI BENI vessel

. It was just a 45 minute travel from the Bintan Resort Ferries at Tenah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore.

Rein and Joe at Bintan Ticketing Office

a littlte lesson in geography from Rein

At Nirwana Resort Hotel , we were welcomed by a team of graceful cultural dancers swaying , most probably, to the tune of an Indonesian music performed by an accordionist and a number of brass drum players in their native costumes. A glass of ice-cold "strawberry-like" juice drink was also offered to all the incoming guests.

the welcoming team

The place is awesome and far, far better than our expectations. With its back to back infinity pool(s) and the tranquil sea, the lustrous greens with a touch of summery wild flowers all around, the place gets a perfect 10 for a weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. For the first time, I felt so relaxed in the midst of the cool sea breeze and the green, shady trees with a bit smell of incense in the air.

the infinity pool by the beach

relaxed in the midst of the lustrous greens

How I wish I can bring home the fresh air . . .

The Jumbo Park where the Sumatran elephants can be found

Nirwana Resort Hotel at night

In front of the non-living Sumatran Elephants . . .

In the following morning, while we were enjoying both the warmth of the sun and the refreshing water in the pool, a small yellow ball floating from nowhere appeared and ALAS! ~ that small yellow ball from nowhere made it happen. Nonoy had the fun-filled time of playing the ball with his son (-in-law ) as we ( Rein and I ) joyfully looked at them.

Joe enjoying the sun which he barely does in London

what an awesome VIEW . . . . lol

Who do you think they are looking at ?

Why are they looking at me??

the sweet couple after a year and two months...

Joe and Rein enjoying the water massage

he is dying to have all those tan lines . . .

More tan lines, please !

our "miracle son"

Nonoy getting the small yellow ball from nowhere

They played with that small yellow ball in the pool for about fifteen to twenty minutes. It was not that long but that play was the most fulfilling one for Nonoy. It was a dream come true for him and a wish fulfilled for me.