Mai, Oh My!

I’ve just comeback from a 6 night/ 7 day holiday in Bali, Indonesia. I’ve never been there before but needless to say it was everything I expected and a bit more. Unfortunately I fell victim of food poisoning my last day there and went through 2 air sickness bags on the flight back. I hate yacking and when I do it’s pretty loud – the stares I got on the plane re-affirmed this. After getting my bowels and such sorted, I’ve come down with the flu and staring at a computer screen when I don’t have to sickens me. I will get around to it…eventually.

In other news, I’ve joined the world of COUCH SURFING. My profile can be seen here.  I know right, another “social networking” site >.<

I have a travel predicament I have to make in 6 days. Qatar Airways has a special deal flying from KUL to a few destinations I’d really like to go to. My travel dates would be end of April into May but it might be too soon – unless this couch surfing stuff takes off.

Not the most exciting of photos but some photos nonetheless of my eventful business trip to Brunei. Here’s a collage consisting of horsies, a scenic view of the seaside from the Empire hotel, panoramic view of the Empire, one of the many mosques, a 1/2 eaten ‘Nasi Penyet’ meal i had, an Unagi sushi roll that was ordered (and eaten) as an excuse to use the loo and… well that’s about it really (click photo below to enlarge)

At the airport now waiting to board my flight back to KL. My check-in bag lost weight while I on the other hand probably gained a lot! Seminars are just another excuse to drink lots of coffee and tea and eat lots of snacks. In between, you also have breakfast, brunch, lunch, tea, dinner and supper!

I did get to see a bit of Brunei which was nice. It’s a very small quiet place.

Some Observations and Factoids I picked up:

• A traffic jam here is comparable to a good driving day in KL.
• From the airport, you’re about an hour – hour 1/2 away from Sarawak (Miri & Limbang) – 6 hours away from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
• It’s a good place for a recovering alcoholic because alcohol is completely probibited here. Even the big hotels don’t serve alcohol but there are stories of secret drinking holes – few, probably 1.
• A few years ago, “THE” only McDonalds in the country ran into some problems with the beef. Apparently it wasn’t considered ‘Halal’ and therefore probably the only McDonalds in Southeast Asia to not have BigMacs.
• The happening and indulgent hotel to be at is the Empire hotel. It’s beautiful and surprisingly for a posh hotel like that, the staff is really nice to you – even though they know you’re only there to admire the scenery.
• The Sultan of Brunei apparently has a special stable for his horse(s) – equipped with airconditioning per stable!

My laptop is about to lose juice so I will write more later! With pictures! Looking forward to be back home though!

I’m waiting in the LCCT Airport now waiting to board my plane to Brunei. I’ve never been to Brunei and it’s not treally a ‘travel option’ either but I’m going there for work. I can be a shallow traveller and say “Yay more stamps on my passport!”

The last time I was at the LCCT was a couple months ago and to my (pleasant) surprise, it’s changed! No more contruction and more options for you to eat from like Marry Brown and this (text too small) Chocolate Lounge. Cozy with big plush seats but the service was kind of slow. Does it really take more than 5 minutes get me a flat white? Other than that, good job on the renovation! I’ve had this memory of LCCT for many years now with construction banging away and small tight places with aunties and uncles waiting to make their way to check-in. Seems more organized now! Despite the hustle and bustle and lots of stressed souls, I still love airports.