Snorkeling at its best in KK

When we started planning for our holiday, where to go and what to do, snorkeling was very much top of the list. It was good in Krabi, we saw plenty of small fish but not much coral. The last time I went snorkeling in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park was well over 10 years ago and even then it was only snorkeling off the beaches. This time we wanted to be a bit more adventurous and see more than the usual. We found this company online DiveDownBelow and although it wasn't the cheapest option we wanted to swim in the waters unaccessible to the throng of tourists that visit the park daily. 

We went for a days guided snorkeling package with a guide and we were kitted with wet suits and flippers. Our first site was off Gaya Island where the dive centre is based and the coral was fabulous if a little too deep in some areas for the kids especially Iman who did not enjoy herself. Our second site we went to was by boat to Mamutik Island and this was by far the best of all three sites - it was an underground garden, all intact and simply breathtaking. We were kicking ourselves that we did not bring Iman's underwater camera with us. We even saw a small moray eel. It was about 4m deep and again Iman did not enjoy it despite having the guide with us and holding on to a ring. And fortunately for her (but not for us that were enjoying this) a storm rapidly came in making it and we had to scramble back on board and back to base. Luckily the weather improved in the afternoon and we were once again able to enjoy the colorful underwater world (including a bright blue starfish) off Sapi Island and by the time the kids had got into the swing of things and simply loved it. A highly recommended day trip and we would do it again!

Ayden nearly emptied the tin of Marie biscuits.

Archery and Rock Climbing in KK

Here are more photographs from the rock climbing session in KK at the SICC. Iman and Jack were first up and at first were only going up half way. It took them all several attempts to go all the way up to the top and Ayden was the most hesitant but eventually got there. 

And once they had "mastered" with ropes, it was time to go al fresco and learning to fall on the mat.

And if that wasn't enough adventure in a day, they tried archery in the afternoon in a shopping mall. For not very much, they got about 40 arrows each and the assistants stayed with the kids the whole time especially Ayden who needed the most help. Just wish this was something we could do closer to home!

Orang Utans - jackpot second time round!

Last Christmas in Kuching we visited a orang utan sanctuary in the hope to see the Borneo primates in the wild. But as with many things we had planned in Kuching, the rain let us down. So it was a lovely surprise for the kids (and us) to walk into the sanctuary at the Rasa Ria (yes along with scores of other gaping tourists) to find these two youngsters feeding and at play. I'm not very good at distinguishing the primates but I think most of these pictures are of the very playful youngster about five or six years of age; the other being the same age but not as outgoing.

And later in the afternoon we met this baby who is only two! Such a cutie but the kids most exciting memory about this baby was it did a wee in front of the crowds!!! 

JIS Olympians

It's not everyday that you personally know an Olympian let alone two. This year we are lucky to have two ex-JIS students who both swam in the same swimming pool and under the same coach as Iman, Jack and Ayden who still currently coaches in the school. 

Zach (Tepaia) Payne aged 18, is from New Zealand but is swimming for his native Cook Islands in the Mens 20m free on 2nd August. 

Anderson Lim is the first Bruneian swimmer to represent Brunei in the Olympics. At only 16 we hope this will be only his first. Anderson is competing in the Mens 200m free.

So proud to have them both there especially in a sport that is close to out own interests and the fact that Zach's mum is a personal friend makes it more personal. Here's a picture of the two boys before the opening ceremony with Usian Bolt borrowed from Kate with thanks. 

We're proud to be supporting our JIS boys and the best to both of them!

Labuan War Memorial

"There is no reason why cemeteries should be places of gloom"

Sir Federic Kenyon, How the Cemeteries Abroad Will Be Designed, 1918

We travel to learn and to educate our children and there is no better opportunity to do this than visiting historic locations or witnessing occasions. Last year the kids had an insight to the World Wars when we witnessed a ceremony at the Cenotaph. So last week passing through Labuan we visited the Commonwealth War Cemetery, the resting place of 3900 men from the 1939 to 1945 war. Read more about the cemetery and the CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) here.

Each plaque represented a son, father or brother and it was touching to see the messages engraved from their loved ones for those that were identified and of course so many more weren't. And of all the casualties in the war many more were not buried there but their names engraved on plaques. We were surprised to find a small section for Brunei.

I can't say the kids thoroughly enjoyed the experienced especially as they don't want to go to another one in KK but we hope that it was an educational experience if somewhat a very hot and sweaty one!

Our Bruneian Hero

Brunei is a very small country and is more or less like a county in Ireland. In many respects, the community knows each other quite well and even between the local and expatriate community, extensive links exist between people. So, as one can imagine, it has been a very emotional start to Ramadan, with the crash of the military helicopter with 12 fatalities and 2 injuries. Read more about it here. 

In such a small country, word reached us quickly that something had happened and we immediately worried. We have family and friends who are regularly involved in military movements in the country, so you immediately hope that things will be ok. On Friday night, we watched message after message arrive with updates, unfortunately, each one worse than the next. Soon it was clear that this was not a minor incident, but one that would shock the country but also touch us in a very personal way.

Liyana, Maria's cousin, married JJ in March 2010. You can see some photos here and here. JJ, in typical military fashion, was the dashing groom, but more importantly, was clearly someone who loved Liyana and thats what mattered to us. JJ and Liyana have a wonderful son, Muzzy, who is the splitting image of his dad. Our kids were won over when JJ turned up for his wedding day in full military gear, including a sword, which to young boys was amazing !

On Friday, we lost JJ - he died doing what he loved to do - leading a group of new recruits, deep in the Brunei Jungle. They were traveling back home after a week of exercises, when the helicopter they took went down. For some time, it was clear that JJ was not listed amongst the dead, but listed as missing. You hoped that he had survived, he was a triathlete and very fit. With one of the 14 having made it out of the jungle on foot, we hoped that JJ would appear but it was not to be. Word reached us on Saturday morning that he had not survived.

We have all shed more than a tear since then, no only for JJ but for all 12 young Bruneian's who lost their lives on Friday. They were all so young, 4 girls and 8 boys ........ we hope that the 2 that survived make a full recovery. JJ will always live on in Muzzy and the baby due the end of the year ~ Al Fatihah.

Amin's Home

This has been the talk of the compound all week. After going to university nearly 10 months ago, Amin  arrived home today and he had a welcoming committee! It's lovely to have him home again and hopefully we're going to see plenty of him in the summer.

Farewell Samnuk Singdee

Last week we bade farewell to the longest serving employee to our family. We are all unsure exactly when Samnuk first joined us as a gardener but if memory serves me well I was either 9 or 10 which makes it nearly 30 years. He was initially employed with a gardening company contracted to work in our garden but after a few years in their service they wanted him to drop his gardening skills and become a bricklayer to which he balked and decided to work directly with my parents. I was about Iman's age when first joined us and spent a good time following him about the garden and learning Thai phrases from him. He saw us all grow up from children, through our teenage years, to getting married and having children of our own, some of which he took to more than others (sorry "Hallit"). 

Not one to enjoy attention, he didn't particularly like the fuss when we did this leaving dinner for him.  We were all sad to say goodbye when he left a few days later and he too had tears in his eyes not only goodbyes to us but his friends all of whom he will probably never meet again. Years ago he joined our family as an employee but we after so many years he has become like family that it will take a while to adjust to life in the garden without our Samnuk. 

Jack & Ayden First Sleepover

Sleepovers in the compound are pretty regular events for us but the boys had never had a real sleepover in a friends house. So it was a huge shock to this Mummy when they pounced one on us last night. They were having so much fun together that we just had to let them go. Not surprisingly Ayden was the first to sleep but Jack and Oscar stayed up talking for a while and even had a little midnight feast! The updated report this morning is all well (and dry - always a worry!) and the boys are happy playing. Thank you to Oscar's mummy, daddy and sisters for giving our boys a great first sleepover!