All my bags were packed and I'm ready to go. I was already anticipating this trip for a month!
To where, you ask? Thanks to Papulex Asia, I was off for a weekend retreat back to nature and tranquility in the lush outbacks of Malacca.
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Waking up early on a Saturday morning for this roadtrip
After two hours on the road, we arrived our destination – The Philea Resort & Spa, Melaka – at noon.
It was a enormous and superbly furnished eco-resort which boasted authentic pine-log architecture and rustic interior design.
Here are some photos I shot of The Philea's interor :
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Lobby/waiting area/drinks area
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Bar/Lounge Area
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Outdoor concourse
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There was a water feature fringing the resort with the MOST amount of Koi fish I've ever seen
These fishes respond to vibration and sound very attentively, as it was their cue to feeding time.
We teased the fishes and tapped the glass walls at different spots so as to confuse them teehee!
Me standing by the pond. You can hardly see the Koi but the school of fishes came in massive numbers.
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Jessicat wears : Leopard print laced-back tank by TopShop | Denim shorts by Forever 21 |
Cap in nude by Hard Rock Cafe | Accessories from a bazaar in Bangkok |
Tote Bag from a bazaar in Singapore | High Top Sneakers in white by Converse
It was time to begin our day in Malacca with an ice-breaking and introductory session.
A light brunch was provided before Papulex Asia started the ball rolling.
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So happy there was a wide array of Lipton tea!
I'm such a tea fag I almost wanted to take all the sachets to drink later
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A picture with the girls, Shazwani and Ivy during the ice-breaking session
After the introductory session, we were all required to play a game which involved teamwork.
That ever-popular form the longest line with everything and everything you have on you.
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My team mate QuaChee and I forming our line
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My other team mate Hafiz and I continuing our line!
Being one to be competitive, I removed all my bangles, rings, earrings, parts of my clothes and more LOL
Here are some of the items from our team and the other team
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Lining them all up!
When it was all over and done with – well almost, as nobody wanted to strip their clothing off haha! – the longest line was measured and our team won!! Hurrah!
We did well; I'm so proud. The three of us hit it off well in pushing for the longest line. Think EVERYTHING : cellphones, belts, socks, and yes, even shoelaces haha!
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With my team mates QuaChee and Hafiz posing by our line of items
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Fun times had to come to an end. It was now time for the more serious part of this session.
The sharing session, the experience, the history and our past with regards to this campaign and more.
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My essentials for the mini seminar provided by The Philea
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Me sharing a little bit more about myself, my point of view and the battles I fought against acne
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All of us Papulex Truthseekers – Team Malaysia!
Once that was over, it was already mid afternoon and our tummies were growling.
Lunchtime was at one of the restaurants in the hotel, with a continental concept – Cravo Cravo
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Hafiz and I goofing around while walking over to lunch
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Spotted this giant wooden throne with a ship steering helm at the entrance of Cravo Cravo!
Couldn't resist a photo with it.
The continental and Asian fare in Cravo Cravo left me spoilt for choice.
It was amazing how endless the selection can get. Here are some of the dishes from the buffet :
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Bite-sized goodness
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Carved roast beef
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Desserts
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Here are some of the stuff I took for myself
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I didn't bother taking photos of the main meals as I was already hungry and couldn't wait to dig in
Lunchtime at the long table saw us catching up with each other and talking about everything under the sun.
Before we knew it, it was time to check into our rooms.
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Got our room key-card and guest booklet!
The Philea sent us a chauffeur to take us to our rooms which was located at another zone of the resort.
We occupied two buggies to be driven off further into nature!
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Bye! We were about to adjourn!
As the buggy drove deeper and deeper into what felt like a secluded bay of pristine forest giants with waterfalls cascading along stone walls and gigantic, lush greeneries engulfing me, I knew this weekend would be the most serene and tranquil one I've had so far this year.
Here are some photos of the short journey to my room:
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Along the cobblestone walkway towards the chalets
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Beautiful pine-log cabins fringed the gravel path
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Roaring waterfalls at the bridge and swimming area
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Steps leading towards the bridge
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An aerial view of the swimming area (adult and children)
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Weather-worn, wooden fence posts covered by damp moss from the morning drizzle
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Approaching my cabin shortly!
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What I'd typically do the moment I arrived
Wow looks like they know me pretty well, putting a giant convex mirror in front of my cabin
Haha kidding! It's obviously a security measure to allow buggies to see each other lest they collide at one of the many bends in this nature resort.
Quite coincidentally, my cabin was right in front of the gym and the spa. Can they read my mind or what?
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My home in the woods for the weekend!
I climbed the wooden staircase; they didn't creak as I had expected it to, and no gnomes were in sight.
Okay, I think I get taken away by fairy tales sometimes.
The moment I stepped into my cabin, my jaw hung with astoundment and I knew for a fact that my eyes were gleaming in delight. Was this really where I was going to be put up for the next two days?
Here, be amazed for yourself!
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My king-sized bed!
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My desk!
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My bathroom! (It had a giant bath too, so you can be sure that I had a hot bubble-bath thereafter)
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I jumped on the bed, stretched like a yawning cat on my comfy bed and watched some telly
What am I doing? I don't even watch telly. At all.
Perhaps its the holiday mindset that's doing this to me. Haha!
We were required to gather at the outdoor concourse for a treasure hunt game.
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Being briefed on the rules before we set-off on our hunt
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Here's my task!
I was brimming with energy and adrenalin caught me on a choke-hold the moment I read it.
Always up for a good game, I had one goal in mind – to win this challenge!
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The fastest, most alert and smartest player will win. I hope it'll be me.
(Okay, I didn't know this is how I look when I run. So unglam LOL)
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My closest rival was QuaChee.
We always found the next clues at the same time and as a fellow fitness buff, he was pretty darn quick too
We raced to the finish line and sprinted all the way! In the end, he won the challenge.
Great job! Good game, mate Image may be NSFW.
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Perspiring heavily and sapped off our energy levels,
I reckon we were looking like zombie grub by the end of the afternoon
Game over. That was a good exercise. It gave me exactly the rush I needed.
I think I pretty much crashed on the bed by the time I trudged all the way back to my cabin.
But I recharged quickly and dressed down for an evening dip at the giant swimming pool!
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It's time to work the cardio in the swimming pool today!
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The swimming pool was mine and mine to dominate!
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Waddling in the pool like a duck, swimming like a puppy and
lying on my back floating allowing the world to pass me by
Hey, it isn't everyday I just take a weekend away from the busy city to do absolutely nothing but relax.
The team behind Papulex Asia are amazing. Knowing that stress, tension and dirty/dusty city environment does contribute to acne and pimples, this weekend getaway to be one with nature was perfectly what we needed.
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QuaChee and I in the pool
Walked back to my cabin after that fulfilling swim and had a long, hot bubble-bath.
I think I fell asleep at some point. Aromatherapy and relaxation does that to me.
We set off for dinner at another one of The Philea's restaurants – Bayu Cabana by the scenic river front and pool side. We had a warm and scrumptious steamboat meal altogether!
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All of us!
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The desserts stole my heart Image may be NSFW.
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All of us enjoyed the dinner which seemed to keep coming and coming!
The chef kept refilling our steamboat pot and even helped me break open my crab. Yeah, I fail on all levels peeling crabs and prawns. How sad, I know. But he was nice enough to offer!
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What's a weekend without good music and a few drinks? I had my favourite
White Russian at Chiillout Bar with some of the rest who was up for sprucing up their Saturday night
I headed back to my cabin a little after midnight.
Spent some me-time writing a few blog posts and surfing all my social media channels before I said goodnight to my fluffy pillows and crisp white sheets. I had the bed all to myself!
Had a good sleep, I must say, as I woke up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
For once, it felt different to wake up to the sweet melody of the birds in the morning, chirping of crickets and opening your windows to the smell of fresh, moist dew instead of being rudely awaken by cars blaring their honks or clanging from a nearby construction site.
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Breakfast at another one of their restaurants – Nusantara!
Their fare presented an impressive choice of both international and Asian cuisines.
There were so much to choose from and I had breakfast like a King!
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My breakfast! I couldn't finish it all Image may be NSFW.
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We gathered at the al-fresco lounge and waited for the session with Dr. Hew Yin Keat, a professional skin specialist.
He's also the owner and Medical Director of M.A.C – Malaysian Aesthetic Clinic.
His clinic in Bangsar Shopping Center offers medical aesthetic procedures, corrective skincare and rejuvenation treatments without surgery, fusing science and aesthetics together! Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. So you know where to go now, aight?
That's M.A.C (Malaysian Aesthetic Clinic) for you. Call for appointments : 03-20936136
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The Question & Answer session was so enlightening!
Dr. Hew was patient, informative, explained so well in layman's terms and had a great sense of humour too
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It went on with a rather intense discussion and sharing-learning session from Dr. Hew
Apart from the basic causes of acne, he also imparted us the knowledge of different types of acne, ways to prevent it and how to treat the infection if it spreads out of control.
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Dr. Hew also showed us samples of procedures and their before & after results
Why we look so solemn and serious in the photo, is beyond me. Most likely he's showing us one of the most horrible skin conditions he has treated before and our minds were like "OH MY GOSH THAT'S SO DREADFUL".
After the sharing session, they held a quiz for us to test how much we know and have learnt about this entire campaign so far. Then it was time to check out and leave The Philea. I don't wanna go! I'll be fine living here forever LOL
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We all headed to Malacca town to do a little bit of shopping and food hunt
I had a wonderful time being a Papulex Truthseeker. It was one heck of a ride!
View my previous blog posts here :
——> Part One
——> Part Two
——> Part Three
…and you're reading Part Four now!
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All of us! Team Malaysia consisting of us bloggers and the Papulex Asia representatives
From knowing and understanding the history of my skin condition, the true root causes of acne, spreading the truth and busting myths about acne, propagating confidence to other acne-ridden people, and introducing Papulex to our readers, of newfound friendship, good food and a fun weekend getaway, I would do this all over again, if I could.
Thank you, Papulex Asia! Image may be NSFW.
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