Miri Getaway Aug 2012

It's back to school next week so we thought we out to make good use of the last remaining lazy days. However Iman didn't want to get "bored" by the pool and chose to stay home instead. But hey.... getting bored by the pool was all we wanted to do!

Hari Raya 2012

Hari Raya is all about family and friends. A time to renew family bonds and friendships and also a wonderful opportunity to create new ones.

Getting reacquainted with the Tanjung Aru

As part of our trip to KK (Kota Kinabalu), we decided to treat ourselves and check into the Shangri La Tanjung Aru for 3 nights. There was a time when the rooms here were as cheap as chips but these days, you do think twice before booking as the rates are very high - almost double when you would pay in KL for the Shangri La there. 

The hotel has gone through many changes over the last 10 years but it was amazing to see how the place was really set up for kids. Three major water slides meant that we really didn't see the kids during the day aside from the occasional visit to say hello. We also discovered the secret as to how the hotel can maintain their high rates - fully occupied with 80% being mainland Chinese paying full rates. If you think the Germans have a bad reputation for hogging sun loungers, you ain't seen anything like these guys - to quote a classic Father Ted episode, 'You would want to be up really early to catch them !'

Our new found friends from the Le Meridien joined up in our hotel move, so we also have continuity with the games when it came time to chill out !

Times have changed at the Sunset Bar which in the past was somewhat low key but excellent for viewing one of the best sunsets available on a good day. These days, no children are allowed so when Maria wanted to take comparison photo's with Iman, we had to make do with the walkway - as you can see, Iman is beginning to look somewhat like Maria.

We also took some comparison photos of Donncha playing pitch and putt with Iman. This time of course, we had more company with Jack and Ayden really enjoying the Pitch and Putt

Jack and the Olympic Torch

Before its too late I had better put up this picture of Jack and the 1948 Olympic Torch that did a tour of Brunei several months back!

Lazy Days at Langkah Syabas

This small family run resort is familiar to many Bruneian expats but it was a first for us. Just south of KK in the area of Kinarut, we stayed there for the last four nights of our holiday. Just as the description on the website said, it was idyllic and peaceful. There was not much to do except laze around and watch the kids play in the vast garden which they had all to themselves.