Back to saddle

We were very pleased when our daughter decided to start horse riding again. After being away from it for a while, she finally thinks that riding is her passion, and we can tell that she is very good at it. As parents we have always encouraged her to find sports that she really likes and to master them. Sport is not only good for her body and mind but also helps to build her character in positive ways. Whatever sport it is, I believe her involvement in sports such as soccer and horse riding have had a good impact on her social life too. For example, soccer has taught her how to be corporative, to respond quickly and be supportive. In horse riding she has learned patience and how to interact with animals. Apparently with her natural riding talent it is possible that one day this hobby could turned become a prospect career – as long as she practices consistently and takes the sport seriously. I took some shots of her jumping sessions yesterday. After the session finished she said “It felt so good to be back to saddle again!”

 

Captured sweet moment a mother and sons

I always enjoy Autumn colours. So beautiful and warm. Especially when the leaves changed colour and fall. The colour looking so amazing. Last weekend at the garden for a family photo shoot with mother and two boys. I also captured Alissa doing a handstand pose (she is a yoga instructor) while the boys were playing in the background. Sweet!!! 

Back to Bali

Whether we are away for a few days, a few weeks or a few months, at the end of a holiday we often feel that it just was not long enough. It’s true that time passes so quickly when you are having fun. I thought that with a week off and nothing to do but relax, I would have more than enough time to write for my blog.  In fact, the days passed before I had even started one story!  But don’t get me wrong, of course it was a blessing to have quality time with my family and to be able to discover some new places.  Here are some places that contributed to us having such a full holiday.

The Villa Prana in Seminyak is simply beautiful. Open space, a beautiful garden and the minimalist design of this place made it seem like a hidden treasure. Although the villas are new, they are in kept in excellent condition and the grounds are very well maintained. I strongly recommend this place to those who want to stay in Seminyak area. It’s in a good location being within walking distance to the better boutiques and restaurants. The friendly staff and the excellent service made our stay so enjoyable. The Prana Spa is really something that you must experience when you stay – as a villa guest we received a 50% discount.  I spent my “me time” having a great three hour treatment. It was one of the best spa sessions I have ever had, and it only cost $56. The Balinese lady who attended to me, Ibu Sudiani, is excellent therapist.   If you like yoga, they offers a yoga package too.

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Karma Kandara beach. Located in Uluwatu area, this place is only a 45 minute drive from Seminyak. The view from the cliff top there is stunning – quite breathtaking.  You can enjoy this beautiful panoramic view while having lunch at the Al Mare restaurant. If you would like to go to the beach there is a charge of roughly $25  (two hundreds and fifty thousand rupiah) but that includes umbrella rental, use of beach towels and a substantial part-payment for your meal. The prices at the beach side restaurant are reasonable. 

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Another heat place for lunch was Sisterfield in Seminyak. I really loved the simplicity of this place and the food is great.  Friends had recommended Sisterfield for breakfast or brunch. The service is very good and the staff are well-trained, friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely this place became an immediate family favourite eating place.© Nita Strudwick Photography © Nita Strudwick Photography

I found the Feather and Find Boutique quite accidentally. The boutique is actually located next to Sisterfield. It is owned by a Swiss lady who has been living in Bali for many years. I liked everything in this shop, especially the dress collection as all were elegantly simple and well made. The collectable trinkets there are all one-of-a-kind.

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Halooo … Hanoi !!!

Recently we visited Vietnam and spent more than a week exploring Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Danang. It was an amazing trip, especially when we stayed on a boat for a few days in Ha Long Bay. The scenery was simply gorgeous. So breathtaking!  The city of Hanoi is quite something, with the activities in the markets day and night. But believe me, the traffic there is worse than Jakarta. The motorbikes seem to come from every direction – absolute chaos, quite unpleasant for  any pedestrians. Other than that, I really liked the city, there is so much happening. It’s so dynamic. After Hanoi, we flew to Danang, and I visited My’So’n Sanctuary, located about 70km (43 miles) south west of Danang. My’So’n Sanctuary is a large complex of religious relics, the temples and towers there connect to each other and all have complicated red brick designs. It was so mesmerising – and a good thing I hired a personal tour guide to tell me about the history of each temple. Visiting the ancient town of Hoi An was also interesting with wonderful old houses, temples, and pagodas, and the shop lined streets (I wrote detail about Hoi Ann and Danang in different page). At night, with so many beautiful lanterns hanging everywhere the town really came alive. Beautiful. Hoi An is listed as a world cultural heritage site by Unesco. I have also added some photographs the interior of the Sofitel Metropole in Hanoi.

HANOI


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Sofitel Legend Metropole, Hanoi, Vietnam

15 Ngô Quyền, Hoan Kiem District, Hà Nội, Vietnam

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A Portrait of her

I first met Chelsea Islan at an exhibition of Estu Susanto’s work. Frankly, my first impressions were that she was a smart and very friendly person with a fabulous complexion that I really wanted to photograph!  We talked about her acting and her latest movie, Street Society (already showing at Indonesian’s cinemas). She also shared with me her thoughts of what’s new in Jakarta; much appreciated, as I have only been back in Jakarta a few months. Then a few weeks later we bumped into each other again in Starbucks and we made an arrangement for a photo shoot at my studio.

During our session she was simply great and provided some really stimulating ideas. I loved her look and her expression. Here are some of the images, I tried to created a vintage look which I then edited with soft colours.  With her modelling skills and talents I have no doubt that Chelsea’s presence in the Indonesian film industry will be a long one. Thank you for my make up artist friend, Jasmine who helped me during the session.

MUA Jasmine J Kaligis

Model Chelsea Islan

Photograph Nita Strudwick Photography

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Glamour look

Oh gosh, I feel bad that I have been neglecting my blog for weeks. I guess it is not right for me to say that I was too busy to keep my blog up to date. I should have managed my time better and put more effort into uploading my latest work. Anyway, I’m sorry and here is some of my recent work – some glamour shots that I worked with Santi Sutedja (a make up artist) and Yunidithia (the beautiful model).

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Semai Buku Nusantara

I worked together with Anne Luntungan for Dompet Dhuafa’s project to provide some images to be used for a promotion called “Semai Buku Nusantara”. The program targets people with surplus reading books, asking that they donate them for the most disadvantaged schools across Indonesia. School books are easily available in urban and semi urban areas but are much more difficult to get hold of in the poor, rural and remote areas.  Although the program already reaches 20 of Indonesia’s provinces, there are still many kids who could benefit from this program. For more detail please check website: http://makmalpendidikan.net/id/program/gerakan-semai-buku-nusantara or http://www.dompetdhuafa.org/2012/08/06/dompet-dhuafa-luncurkan-gerakan-semai-buku-nusantara.

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Singapore at a glance

I did not recall how many times I have visited Singapore but this time was very special as I travelled with my friend Linda who took me to some unusual places.  Foolishly, every time I go to Singapore I almost always spend my time around Orchard Road. Never too far from the shopping or at Sentosa Island or at the zoo. But actually there are so many places I have never been to, Chinatown, for example. I was amazed to see that all the building there were still being kept in good condition. it was clean (after all it was Singapore) and pleasant to walk around and do shopping too. Singapore is a huge city with several district that are famous for sightseeing, restaurants, nightlife and great accommodation  Combining the skyscrapers and subways of a modern, affluent city with a medley of Chinese, Malay and Indian influences and a tropical climate, with tasty food, good shopping and a vibrant night-life scene, this Garden City makes a great stopover or springboard into the region. No surprise, Singapore is so well known and is one of the most prosperous countries, not to mention that is now the world’s busiest port.

Singapore is an island state with just over five million people.  It’s a fairly crowded and is in fact second only to Monaco as the world’s most densely populated country. However, unlike many other densely populated countries, Singapore – with more than 50% of its area covered by greenery and with over 50 major parks and 4 nature reserves – is an enchanting garden city. Unfortunately we did have not time to go to the Botanical gardens. I hope next visit.

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When time passed quickly

Sometimes it’s so hard to say good bye especially when you are having a good time.  For this family, three years seem passed so quickly – now it’s time for them to go back home to Japan. But they were excited to go home and see their family.  I can  now feel what they felt, as in few days my family and I will be moving for three years to Indonesia. We are so excited with the new place, the new home and the new environment. But most of all I am excited by the reunion with my parents, sisters and brother. Here’s some photos that I took for Yukika and family.

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My daughter and I

Precious Gift

© Sherri Lawrence
When times seem too hard to bear and I feel like giving up
I vision your beautiful face, the twinkle of your eyes and things of such
The bond we created from my womb to the day you were born
Is a mother and daughter bind that can never be torn
With the strength and guidance of God and the blessings he pours down from above
I want to be the best mom I can be to you and embrace you with all my love
You are as precious as a flower and as gorgeous as a rose
You have been specially made to the very tip of your nose
You are as sweet as honey; such an innocent young child
You are brighter than any star in the sky every time you smile
I want you to be proud of who you are and strive to be the best
Put forth your efforts to achieve your goals and let God do the rest
I will always be your mother first, but I’m also your friend
Your are the most precious gift, that I’ve ever been given
With All My Love,
Mommy

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