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Episode One : Master Bedroom

It’s finally started ! The first episode of The Apartment – Style Edition ! We were very lucky to be able to be back in KL in time to attend the premiere of the show at GSC Signature Cinemas at The Gardens. It felt great to meet up with the production crew, the judges and the other contestants again ! It made us all nostalgic of the amazing experience we all shared together during the shoot of the show… And we celebrated the reunion properly with a lot of partying until late into the night !

 Now about Episode 1. It looks great. It’s funny. It doesn’t take itself seriously. We’re proud to be part of it.

Arriving at East Residences

Upon arrival, we quickly had to choose a team name for the show. This was a very easy task for us : DALI ! Dali is the name of my boat. We both love the artist, and we feel that taking part to a reality TV Show is a surreal experience. Dali, the king of the surrealists, would probably approve…

Picking up our Dali Key!

The first challenge, the master bedroom, was a tough one. We had to find our marks. Get used to the crazy rhythm imposed on us by the absurd 15 hour time frame. Go shopping. Run. More shopping. More running. What a nerve-racking task to have to choose furniture and accessories in such little time. As mentioned in the show, I hate shopping. To me, malls are hostile territory. Thank God I have Iva on my side, because she actually loves it. Being used to working together on the boat made things easy. We really trust each others’ opinion and we can sense whose instinct we should follow when we’re hesitating.

Shopping!

Back at the East Residences, it’s time to get our hands dirty. It feels very intimidating to face such a large empty space and to have to bring it to life. We love the outdoors, and very quickly came up with the idea to put the bed in the middle of the room, facing the beautiful greenery outside the window. In that way we can also create a cozy environment with the wooden bench on the balcony facing the bed. It really makes me want to get up in the morning, have a cup of coffee on the balcony while watching Iva waking up, facing me, on our giant white bed…

and the work begins…

 Putting the blinds and the curtains up was very time consuming, a lot of measuring and a lot of drilling up on the ladder. Bringing all the furniture up four stories, setting it all up was madness. And then once you’ve accessorized, and there’s only a few minutes left, you still have to clean ! All the paint, the dust, the wrappers, seemed like an impossible task ! And all of it with the cameras following your every move, the microphones, picking up everything you say, it adds up to the stress of the time factor, the lack of sleep we’re suffering from…I’m really starting to wonder if I will physically and psychologically be able to make it through 10 weeks in these conditions !

And then the judging… What’s scary is that at that point we have no idea what level of design the judges are excepting, and even more troubling, we don’t know how good are fellow contestants are…we’re all supposed to be amateurs but surely some of us are better than others…

Our finished room!

Our “island” bed

Powder Room

So as Laurence walks in for his first walkthrough I can genuinely say that I’m very stressed. We’re proud of the space we created but he doesn’t seem to be very impressed. Jamie and Yui Lin, on the other hand, really seem to like our bedroom. I straightaway felt a connection with Jamie. I knew we had the same taste, obsession with wood and plants. But Laurence feels miles away from our style…and he’s the head judge…

 The elimination room is dark, scary place. Especially the first time you walk in. you could sense the tension in the air. It’s only a TV show, but every team has put so many efforts into their design and the rules of the game have pushed us to our limits, the level of stress is therefore very high.

Tense Moments in Design Court

But we won the challenge! We feel it’s not a real win, since Bros United had it until Laurence disqualified them. While we are happy with the extra $5,000 in our budget, we hope next time we will win by a landslide and not by default!

Phil

Click here to continue to Episode 2 : Kitchen & Dining Room

Casting Call

This year has been all about trying new things.

On a visit to Kuala Lumpur a few months ago, we met up with Andy, a good friend to us both, my best friend’s boyfriend and coincidentally also the person responsible for introducing Phil and I to each other. All in all, a very important friend. In the midst of the usual exchange of news, he let slip that he had heard about an audition for a reality TV show. Though Philippe and I would have never considered ourselves Big Brother material, the more Andy told me about the show, the more interested I became. As soon as he finished saying the words “shopping, interior design, challenges” I had decided we would at least try out.

Convincing Phil was the next step.

It was the last round of KL auditions and we woke up on a Sunday, hungover and feeling less than camera ready. Despite the big night out, I managed to drag Phil out of bed and into the shower where he reluctantly agreed to get dressed to go. Our agreement that day was that he would go to the casting with me but never participate if called back. I shrugged off his averseness, and as we had little else to do that Sunday afternoon, my curiosity drove us to Subang.

Our Audition Photo

Auditions came and went and as months passed we accepted that as we had imagined, we were not reality TV material and went on with our routine. As Phil mentioned in the last post, it was after a month of non-stop work that the phone rang.

“Congratulations! You have been selected to participate in The Apartment, Style Edition! Can you fly in tomorrow?”

After five weeks of arduous work under the unexpected monsoon-like weather, the boat was just finally beginning to look habitable again when we were offered the chance to drop everything and participate in something far outside our normal realm of activities.

We didn’t have much time for decision-making. It was hard to think of leaving the boat in the marina after such hard work, but also a little disappointing to imagine passing up such a unique experience. Not to mention the possibility, however slight, that we may even win the Grand Prize: a brand new luxury apartment in KL!

After much deliberation over beers and peanuts, we decided that we had nothing to lose…

The Apartment: Style Edition will air October 18th on Star World at 8:55pm (UTC/GMT +8 hours).

Introducing All Teams

We will post more about this surreal experience soon. In the meantime, you can read more about the show here, or follow their Facebook page.

Wish us luck!

Team Dali

Dali in the News!

We were excited to be recently featured in a Travel article in the Phuket Gazette. Having spent so much time in Phuket, we are happy to see the boat in one of their main English-language publications! Thanks to Andrew for the article and his visit to Dali.

Surin Islands

Our first night in Surin was just as bumpy as our arrival. The wind and rain that sped us to our destination had some considerable consequences on the swell and despite our best efforts, we didn’t get much rest. As it was my first experience with such brusque movements, I quickly found the humour in clumsily climbing my way around the boat and feeling my stomach rise and fall with the water. Phil, not so much.

Captain Philippe et son ciré

The next day we moved from the West side, went around the Northern islands and anchored on the East. Though unfortunately we don’t have a lens that can do it justice, you can see parts of the large bay that encompasses the beautiful clear water. At the end of the bay and around small inlets on the sides, the low tide reveals some gorgeous beaches.

Our days on that side of Surin were spent relaxing, enjoying each other and some rest after the busy journey North, both of us very happy to have reached our destination. It’s a great feeling to wake up early naturally – no alarm clocks or hassling pressing matters – just the heat of the sun on the deck and a glimmer of it through the hatch is enough to wake you, rested, and invite you out. We spent the mornings snorkelling and spearfishing, had lunch while the sun was highest and wandered the beaches in the afternoon for new spots to enjoy our sundowners.

Varicose Wart Slug – yucky name but beautiful colours

On Monday we decided to take a day trip to the nearby Richelieu Rock. The description in the cruising guides spoke of whale sharks so it was hard not to be disappointed when we didn’t find any. Luckily though, we weren’t too let down as the spot provided the best snorkelling we’ve had on the trip. After a trying morning getting there (no wind and difficulty actually finding the rock under a few meters of water!) our frustrations quickly dissipated in the stunning blue. Richelieu Rock, as we saw it in high tide, was a few meters under the water and teeming with all sorts of marine life.

Lovely Pufferfish

The coral was bright and healthy and patches of bright green made it look like a beautiful underwater hillside. We saw a school of barracuda, which needless to say was more than slightly intimidating. While I left Phil to swim back and grab my camera – a group of them followed me and although I realise the ridiculous nature of my train of thought: I was convinced that they were only pretending to swim parallel to me while they carefully planned their collective attack! Naturally I was mistaken and made it back alive and with a few good pictures.

OoooOOooh,Barracuuuudaaa

J’ai l’appétit d’un barracuda !

Blue Sea Star

After our day at Richelieu Rock, we came back to Surin and decided to explore what is deemed the main beach of the National Park. Like Koh Rok and Koh Miang, the beach plays host to a campsite for tourists and in this case also includes some small bungalows in the jungle and a canteen of sorts. The atmosphere on the beach was peculiar to say the least, from the minute we pulled the dinghy up; we felt the blank and not altogether friendly stares following us. Odd-looking foreign tent-dwellers seemed displeased with our presence and even asked, “What are you going to do with the water?” when we inquired if there was a fresh water spring nearby. In short, we were much relieved to return to the boat after our quick dinner at the Dharma Initiative-inspired campground.*

Beach Bound

Iva’s new favourite activity – reading old French magazines before sunset..

We made the most of our days in Surin, knowing that as well as reaching our destination we have also come to the ‘end’ of our first trip together. As our families are visiting us soon, we need to make a speedy return to Phuket and finally Langkawi. Although we could have easily stayed around these islands for weeks, we know how lucky we are just to have caught such a beautiful glimpse.

Still in awe of the water…

*We gave the beach a second try on our last evening in Surin and as some boats carried away the white Others, we were greeted with a much friendlier atmosphere and had a lovely afternoon!

Pas facile de quitter un endroit aussi magique…après 6 jours aux Iles Surin, nous devons reprendre la mer, direction Phuket, puis Langkawi. La tête toute bleue et pleine de poissons, on repart vers le sud…quelques belles surprises devraient nous attendre sur la route. Nous prévoyons un arrêt a Koh Tachai, petite ile qu’il nous reste a explorer, puis a nouveau les Similans, avant de retrouver un mode plus urbain a Phuket… On rêve déjà d’un bon steak, d’une bonne douche a débit illimite et de soirées mémorables entre amis… A bientôt pour de nouvelles aventures…

Phuket to Similan Islands

Second Entry.

So we’re on our way.

It feels great to finally have the boat ready and Iva on board. We’ve made plans to go to the Similan and Surin islands off the west coast of Thailand, close to the Burmese border. We have about a month in front of us, long enough to anchor every night, sail during the day, and spend a few days in the places we enjoy the most. But only a few days because we have to be back in Langkawi end of March…it will turn out to be a bit frustrating not to be able to stay for a few weeks in the best spots, but then again, it’s important to remember we’re in no position to complain…

Stopover in Bang Tao

So we leave Phuket, after a few days of gathering supplies – fresh food ! A waterproof camera; a lot of water – fixing a few things on the boat, and spending some nice evenings with our friends. And we’re off. We leave behind the crowds of tourists; the bike rides on busy roads, the malls and the hookers. Feels nice.

We slowly make our way up along the coast, and after a couple of days we head northwest and finally reach the Similans.

The water. It’s Blue. But a kind of blue we had never seen before. We thought we were spoiled with the turquoise water of southern Thailand. But the water here is crystal clear. An Indigo blue. You could look at it for hours. And once you’re inside it…it’s still the same color. And then you see the fish. They are not envious of the color around them. They proudly show off their assets, shine in the sun, suddenly turn around, and speed off into the Blue.

Fish chilling on the Reef

A Handsome Member of the Jackfish Family

Iva Testing her new Snorkel

Beautiful Reef

This is the most famous diving spot in Thailand. There are a lot of diving boats around, running their compressors at night to fill up the air tanks, but after a night in a gorgeous but busy spot we find our own little paradise on the east coast of Koh Similan. A perfect beach, huge, white, empty, with a new shade of blue in the water, a bit more green, milky…almost artificial. At the end of the beach a huge rock that we climb. It’s the end of the day. We share a beer and a perfect moment in a wise place…

Similan Island

The next day the boat is happy. On the way to Surin, after a few hours of motorsailing, we’re hit by a nice little storm. It first brings rain and 25 knots of wind, but then the clouds part and it’s only the waves in the sun and the strong wind pushing the boat at 8 knots towards our destination. Iva quickly feels comfortable and learns how to steer the boat in these conditions. She seems to love it. I feel relieved. And so lucky. We have two reefs in the main sail, a few turns on the front sail, we’re powering through the water…Dali is singing in the swell, life is good.

Phil

Después de un par de días subiendo, llegamos a las islas Similan. Es difícil de explicar lo que se siente al ver agua tan clara en un ambiente natural. Yo diría que ni la mayoría de las piletas llegan cerca en cuanto a visibilidad y nitidez. En vez de usar el ancla, conseguimos un mooring, y desde arriba del barco veíamos claramente el final de la soga, unos 33 metros abajo del agua.

From one beach to another on Koh Miang

Las dos playas de Koh Miang (parte del grupo) compiten entre ellas por la atención de las manadas de turistas rusos. Desde las 11 hasta las 3 de la tarde, las dos playitas – relativamente chicas – explotan de gente que atontada por los azules del mar camina de una playa a la otra sin poder decidir cual es más linda. A estas horas, con Phil esperamos a la sombra hasta que se van las últimas lanchas.

Approaching Koh Similan – looks like a giant sleeping turtle!

La isla principal, Koh Similan es mucho más grande en tamaño y mucho menos poblada. Aunque no tuvimos tiempo de explorar todas sus playas, las que vimos nos dejaron con muchas ganas de ver más. Como Phil ya las describió, los dejo solamente con las fotos para que se den una idea.

Iva

Phil collecting some footage – videos coming soon to our blog!

Una pose para las chicas! – Two of my best friends from Argentina started a swimwear line called Hide & Seek. Here is my best attempt at doing their designs justice!

Itinerary Part 1

So far we’ve sailed from Langkawi to Phuket. With a few stops on the way.

We made our administrative exit from Malaysia in Langkawi. Our first stop on the way to our entry port Phuket was Koh Lipe, in the Butang group, where we spent a couple of days.

We then spent a night on the west coast of Adang, the largest island of the group.

The next day we sailed to Koh Rok, two small islands 20 miles offshore, where we spent 3 nigths and celebrated Iva’s 25th birthday !

Next stop was Koh Lanta where we spent a night.

We then sailed to Koh Phi Phi and anchored one night in the south bay and the next in the northern bay.
We then finally reached Phuket and spent 4 nights in Ao Yon Bay south of the island. We made our admistrative entry in Chalong bay.

We are now anchored in front of Bang Tao beach on the west coast of Phuket, our last stop on this island before heading for The Similan and Surin islands 35 miles offshore, close to the Myanmar border…