Tree On A Rock

I did it! I created a mini-surprise for Sunsun on our anniversary! While she was flying back on Friday, I managed to get a room at Banyan Tree Bintan for one night stay over Saturday. The purpose was to twine her tension down post the rally-run of domestic responsibilities over the past month. The method, however, was discreet and evasive. Prior to our little anniversary weekends getaway, Sunsun had been bugging me for more details of our Bintan trip, which I had revealed very little to her earlier as my intention of a gift after we get reunited. Though I had mentioned two other resorts, Angsana and Bintan Lagoon, I was still undecided over the previous weekends hence mentions were merely mentions.

"You'd know once we get there," I kept answering her evasively.

I had to make up a little lie to convince her there is a plan yet not as exciting as Banyan Tree. I took up the little truth about Dad owning a room at Angsana Resort & Spa, which is true though I did not exactly arrange for the room. I had to, just to get her to board on a boat and get onto the island. My evading of her querying for information about the place I had planned did make me seemingly suspicious though. She had thought about my reactions when she asked. Even more so after she tried to surprise me with my anniversary gift (which will be in the next story) while I told her that her surprise would be presented upon reaching Bintan island.

Once we alighted the ferry, and were escorted by staff of Banyan Tree (who was also representing Angsana, since Angsana and Banyan Tree are affiliates), I revealed to her in the car about the truth. Again, the method was secretive. I kind of asked her what she thought about the plan, that we were heading to an less exciting place than Banyan Tree. I asked about her opinion of me creating our free annivarsary gift out of Dad's ownership of the room in Angsana. Her responses were neutral, saying that I've grown to be careful with how we spend, etc. etc.. I even asked her if she'd noticed the luggage tag was printed "Banyan Tree" and not "Angsana". It took her a while before she realized why I was grinning away and asking these silly questions. After getting my affirmation nod, she revealed her excitement for about a minute before changing her stance to conceal it back.

"I knew it! I had considered the possibility that we're actually heading to Banyan Tree. I could read it from your face!" Yeah right...

Our stay at Banyan Tree included an afternoon 'enjoying' the pool (ahem) and an evening of BodyScrub+Massage package, followed by a satisfying dinner before retiring for the night (end of story, b&g... go home).

Best part of our stay in such a luxurous place for our annivarsary, is not the luxury of the place. Banyan Tree Bintan is now older than it once already was when I first stayed there 7 years ago. Some of the villas and facilities needed replacement. It was the seclusion that we mainly paid for, as seclusion from urban jungle yet still pampered by the services provided. It was this seclusion that broke us away from our routine life and made us gave the full attention at each other. Though the stay was short, the redundancy of rushing really helped clear our minds from daily stress and rejuvenate our bond for this special day.