Good day at school

So Tom came home very excited yesterday.  He has been voted in as Kids' Committee representative for his class and he had gone up a level in Olympic maths.  Not a bad day!

Football and Steam Engines

Tom and Oscar

A quiet weekend after last week!  Saturday, Tom had a football match at home.  I had to stay at home to hand over some cakes, but I got to see the end of it and he didn't look completely lost and even managed some tackles which was good.  They won.

We headed over to Settle for lunch and to see the progress on Pat and Bob's house - big square of concrete in their driveway and some pipes in their garage.  We had lunch in the Folly which was good.  We then did a 4 mile walk from Settle up the hills through a forest and back down again. It was a grey day and it tried to rain on a number of occasions, but we stayed dry (just).

Tom and Harrison

Sunday was a horrible, wet and grey day.  We decided to use our raffle prize from last week - we won a return trip on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway.  The ticket was for up to 3 children so we took Harrison with us who is currently Tom's best friend.

Enjoying the trains

We got there early and found a whole load of owls on the platform, we got to hold and stroke them.  One, called cuddles, decided I looked a great target and whilst 'cuddling' with me, pooed on me big time.  Just as well I was wearing a waterproof jacket!  Tom got to hold Oscar, a massive owl.  We had lunch in the restaurant which was very very good and then got the train to Lakeside and back.

As it was raining, we returned home shortly after, Harrison and Tom played together until tea time when I took Harrison home.

The best way to use a wet Sunday.

Big Family Fun Day and Camp Out

Friday night kids

Finally it came, against the wishes of the PTA who were mostly against it (for no more reason other than it was something new?!) we ran the first ever Big Family Fun Day and Camp Out at Meadow Falls.  To say it was stressful on the lead up would be an understatement.  I had been fighting the PTA with it for 3 years, this time they couldn't say no as it was off the school grounds.  At the meeting prior to it, the 'old PTA' pretty much all put up their hands and said they wouldn't help - oh joy - whatever happened to pulling together for the sake of the kids?!

Despite the fighting, Liz and I ploughed on.  We were let down by various people with things and spent the week prior to it on the phone doing lots of smart talking to convince people to lend us bits and pieces FOC or at very reduced rates.  We got there!

Friday dawned sunny so Matt and I headed over and put up our tent (it was a bit misshapen - oops!).  Friday evening 3 other families joined us.  The kids (all boys) played football until it was too dark and then we went in the family room for a picture quiz and take away (adults and Tom on curry and all other kids on pizza!)  Saturday dawned beautiful.  We had been praying all week for decent weather (i.e. not raining) as it had rained a lot in recent days.  We were very very lucky.  It clouded over but it didn't rain.

Flo and Evie with marshmallows

Of course, to add to stress levels, Tom had football and I had a wedding cake to deliver - oh joy.  So, once we were awake, we headed back to the house, had breakfast.  Matt and Tom went to football whilst I went back to the campsite and helped set up: we had managed to get hold of 2 marquees and three gazebos in case of inclement weather, once they were up we had to haul tables over and work out how it would all go together.  Then I had to rush back to the house as a lady was dropping by to pick up a cake and then I went to Barbon to deliver the wedding cake (when I got there, they said they weren't expecting me?!  I mean really????!!!!).

A bucket of children

I got back, just as the campers were arriving and was put on the door to direct them to their pitches and handout wrist bands to day guests etc.  I was removed from the event for the first couple of hours as a result, but when I gave up on anyone else arriving, I headed into the site and was very pleasantly surprised, people were having a good time and there was a really good vibe going on.  I was pretty stressed, so took a while to relax, especially as I was disappointed about the lack of day guests, but once I had a drink or two (we had a bar on site) I relaxed and enjoyed it.

Jo rocking the glow stick glasses look

So, we had a Bouncy Castle, Fire Engine and Crew from the local station, Cave Rescue Land Rover, Jill from Run, Bike Fun did a free hour's session for kids on bikes, we had sports: Football pitch and cricket pitch, we had scouts doing den building and a crafting area.  We also had face painting.  Then a band who did a set at 3.30 and again at 7pm. A BBQ was going from 1pm till 8pm as was the bar.  We also had a raffle of family experiences and a huge hamper full of goodies to win.  The whole thing was organised by just me and Liz and then Dave helped in the last week.  The kids had a brilliant time, a lot of playing in a huge safe place whilst the parents relaxed.  What could be better?  Our vision worked, yes it was very middle class but what is wrong with that - they have the most disposable income!  Anyway, we received lots of positive feedback and demands to organise the event again for next year, so we were quite chuffed with ourselves.  

Hatrick doing their thing - they were ace

Of course the chair of the PTA still had reason to lay in to me on Monday morning (even though she got her daughter in to the event free of charge - no thanks, no nothing, just a list of things I did wrong, which were ridiculous!), she caught me unawares, I didn't have the fight in me and came home and had a cry!  There is only so much petty nonsense you can put up with. 

I soon cheered up when we added up the total - we raised £1,236.80 which was more than either the Xmas or Summer Fairs last year - which had the help of all the teachers and where parents had to donate stuff.  If that isn't proof that the event was a success, then I don't know what is?!  We met up with the Holmans after school and went down the pub to celebrate a job well done!  Very pleased it went well, very pleased it was over.

Aylesbury

The cousins

This weekend we headed to Aylesbury for the weekend - it was our turn to visit them.  Also they got Mum and Dad over so we were all together - first time since our failed attempt of a family gathering in Shropshire when Tom ended up in hospital!

The journey wasn't too bad, we got there before 9pm and had a unexpected but lovely meal in Norton Canes services at Leon, who thought the Midlands was cultured?!

Mum and Dad headed to their hotel shortly after we arrived.  The kids went to bed pretty well considering and get this, we were given Simon and Clare's bed??!!!!  We were not expecting that, but were very happy to take it and we slept well as a result.

Cliveden

Disciplining the boy

Saturday we went to Cliveden for the day.  We had been before, but a long time ago (way before Tom anyway!).  It was a good day out, we had children running around, Mum and Dad dawdling and us somewhere between the two.  We all had a good time, and a fantastic lunch in the orangery (although I had to have Matt's as the macaroni cheese he ordered had mushrooms in it!).  We returned to Aylesbury where Jake and Tom played Minecraft (dull as doorknobs - this weekend has cemented that we are NOT getting a playstation or whatever it is he plays it on) and S and C cooked.  We had a very pleasant tea of pork stew.

All of us in one place and looking at the camera - well done us!

Sunday we went blackberrying around the lanes of Fairford Leys, who would have thought it?!  It was quite pleasant and the blackberries very plentiful, we all managed to get quite a few.  We were then treated to a full roast dinner and crumble before we headed home.

All in all not a bad weekend, was nice to all be together.  Think I put on half a stone though!

Skipton

The weather since we got back from Malaysia has been terrible - it has rained EVERY DAY and it is constantly grey!  YUCK!!!!

Cows checking each other out!

We didn't really know what to do with ourselves at the weekend, The Andersons were supposed to be visiting for the weekend, but Michael is too sick at the moment to come so far so we were at a loose end.  Football hasn't started yet, so we headed to Skipton for the day.  Instead of just going to Keelham, which is what we normally do, we headed into the town for a mooch round (I had some caking stuff I needed to buy).  Matt did a quick check of Trip Advisor reviews and suggested we had lunch at The Cake-Ole.  Wow!  What a place.  Very eclectic decor and really good food at very good prices.  We were bowled over, can't believe we hadn't found it before!  Matt had the most amazing treacle tart (he's been hunting for one since The Sun stopped making them in Dent).  We all left with very happy bellies.

Moo!

We came home via the high road, hoping to see some hairy fellows, but it wasn't to be.  We stopped by the farm instead and said hello to some.  Tom had brought Mullan with us specially, the 'real' cows were quite perplexed by him!

The evening was spent with the Bickerstaff, they headed over for a Malaysian evening, so we made curry, Tom Yam soup and made some flags and animals to decorate the kitchen so we could show them what we had been up to.  It was a fun evening.

Sunday was an easy day, think we may have been a little hungover as is normally the case when we meet with the Bickerstaffs.  Thinking is we went out for a big lunch and then stayed in and watched The Lion King in the afternoon (Tom only cried the once which was a good result!).

Last few days before school

Year 4!

So Monday and Tuesday were spent in and around the village, getting over our not too bad jet lag.  We bumped into the Ward's on Monday and ended up going down to the river to throw stones with them for the morning.  Tuesday was spent at Caroline's house hanging around whilst the boys played.  Nothing earth shattering, but a nice way to spend a couple of days - especially for Tom who has been starved of children to play with for 3 weeks!

Wednesday saw Tom back at school.  I was sad to say goodbye to him, we had become good mates over the summer.  Now we are bracing ourselves for the onslaught of school and after school clubs!

Day 17: KL and Home

Well the hotel was very very quiet considering it was right next door to the airport.  I was very surprised.  However, the sheets were noisy and they kept us awake.  We got up at 8, re-packed and then headed in the buggy to the airport for breakfast.  We didn't find much, just a pastry, but then we were wanting a proper lunch so that was ok.

Nasi Lemak

Nasi Bojari

As the airport has a viewing area, we thought we would have a look - Matt wanted to take some cool pics of flights landing and taking off with his new long lens, but the runways were a long way away, meaning you couldn't take a good photo or even see them that well.  Oh well, we headed into KL on the Ekspres train and then on to KLCC on the LRT to do some shopping.  First stop Isetan, to buy some mochi, a couple of t-shirts for Tom including a very smart Ducati one which was very reasonably priced.  Matt, having got burnt all through the holiday whenever he went swimming, bought himself a sun shirt which is what most of the men around here wear in the pool - a UV shirt made of swimsuit sort of material which stops you getting burnt in the pool.  Oh well, if we come to a hot country again he'll be sorted, although I'm not sure many Brits would want to wear one, poor Matt needs it though.

After that we headed to the restaurant floor and went to Madame Kwan's for a very lovely Malaysian last supper.  I had Nasi Lemak (the national dish of Malaysia) and Matt had Nasi Bojari, another favourite.  It was very delicious and a great ending to the holiday.  Oh and if you are wondering, Nasi Lemak: coconut rice, chicken curry, dried shrimp floss, hard boiled egg, a nice onion thing with those weird caramelised tiny fish in it, and a little pot of pickles.

Getting wet in the fountains

Wet boy!

With our bellies happy, we headed to the Sony shop and Matt almost bought another camera lens but faltered at the last hurdle.  We said hello and goodbye to the KLCC fountains (Tom got purposefully soaked in them) and then we headed to the Central Market, where we did some more shopping - this time souvenir shopping.  We didn't spend as much money as we thought this holiday, the food in particular was way cheaper than we were expecting, meaning that we ended up paying for the Rasa Ria in Ringgits and still had more than enough left over.  We could have bought up all of Central Market, but in the end we figured that we probably wouldn't use most of it, the clothes are great for Malaysia but not for Ingleton and our house is full of nick knacks as it is!

We had a sit down and a juice and decided to call it a day.  We headed back to the station and got the trains and buggy back to the hotel.

Swimming pool with a view?!

Then a lovely swim, jacuzzi and sauna before getting changed into fresh clothes and headed to the airport.  We checked in and then went to our lounge - wow!  It was lovely, hot food was made to order, we had a great view of the airplanes taking off for Tom.  How very relaxing.  Then to the airplane and a wonderful business class flight with flat beds.  It is going to be soooooooo hard to fly economy again I tell you, just the ability to lie down flat makes the flights so so so much better.  We were almost sorry when we arrived and although we didn't sleep for long, we didn't feel like we've been on a long haul flight.

We headed to the business class lounge and booked ourselves in for a shower.  Then found some nice comfy chairs to while away the wait...

Day 16: Rasa Ria to KL

Blue rice for breakfast!

So today was a travel day.  Not much to report I'm afraid.  We got up and had breakfast, shock and horror we got to the restaurant to find huge long queues, a lot of people arrived yesterday (pretty much all Chinese) and the restaurant couldn't cope.  We have always just walked in previously, today we probably had to wait a good 20 minutes before we got a seat.

My heart wasn't in for 'eating like a pig', so I took it a bit easier today, as did the other two, however, Matt still managed to work his way through some interesting food including blue rice?!  Tom had to go and get some too!

Last dip in the lovely pool

The boys then went down for a swim (Tom swam, Matt dangled his legs) whilst I finished the packing (forgot the toothbrush charger - oops!).   We then got a Grab taxi to the airport - really lovely chatty man.  The airport was brand new and huge.  No queues anywhere which meant it was a nice, pleasant experience.  Flight was pretty uneventful - almost zero leg room - Matt had trouble fitting in the seats and he isn't exactly tall.  Tom fell asleep (too many late nights).  We got to KL around 5pm and walked into our hotel (we are staying at the airport), checked in, went for a swim and then got the rather groovy electric buggy back to the airport terminal to find some tea, we went to the Malay food section full of airport workers, and very cheap - 3 meals and drinks came less to one meal at the RR, and it was freshly cooked and delicious.

Mt. Kinabalu from K.K. Airport

We then came back to the hotel, had to remind them to sort out Tom's bed again, had showers and got ready for bed.

Day 15: Rasa Ria

Jumping

So, another good night's sleep, followed by another amazing breakfast buffet.  The menu had changed from yesterday - but still the very wide array of dishes.  Think both me and Matt managed 4 courses each today, whilst Tom was carb loading and only managed 2!

After a lie down so our bodies could start digesting breakfast, we headed to the pool for a swim, this time wearing T-shirts as we all got a little burnt yesterday and rather than have burnt skin for the flight home we all decided to wear a T-shirt in the pool to help cover us up.  It's the thing to do here - once again we have the full range of beach wear going on here, from the full burkini to the skimpiest of bikinis.  Although there are a lot less burikins and a lot more skimpy bikinis going on here (still yet to see a member of staff in a headscarf here - very disappointing, obvious discrimination going on!)

Me falling off the slide!

After a good play, Tom and I went off to get some body boards to play in the sea whilst Matt headed back to the hotel for a bath, lie-down and me time.  The waves were a little bit better today, so Tom managed to ride quite a few waves and I even managed to get some myself.  We got back to the hotel room and had showers, put on normal clothes and headed back down to the pool to get our ice-cream lunch (it is as much as we can manage after breakfast).  Then we headed down to the Nature Interpretation Centre as Tom had his Nature Ranger experience.  He was the only one down for it, but he didn't mind and went off happily with Derron, his guide, once he had been properly dressed in a Nature Ranger Polo Shirt and Baseball cap - very smart.

Matt and I were a little at a loss, we couldn't really go back to our room - it hadn't been cleaned yet.  We tried to get a mocktail from the bar but it wasn't open yet, so we ended up in the very lovely lobby drinking a can of pop each whilst reading our books.  Not, I guess the best use of an hour's free time, but it was all we could think to do and it was hot, hot, hot.

Boy in slide

We went to collect Tom after the hour was up and had to wait, we figured he was having a good time - if they were late back.  When he got back, he was put through a quiz of the different animals of Borneo and did really really well.   I was impressed, he got more right than I did!  He was very hot and sweaty but I think he was happy and enjoyed his time.  When we asked him what he learnt, he couldn't remember anything, but as the day wore on all these facts about the animals of Borneo kept appearing.  He had learnt a lot without realising - the best way!

We took his trunks down with us and he happily got changed and jumped into the pool, it had been a hot, hot afternoon for him in the rain forest.  He then spent the next hour mainly underwater in the pool looning around.

Ranger Tom

Then, back to the room for down time, beer and crisps before getting ourselves ready for a nocturnal jungle walk.  Out came the long trousers, boots, socks etc in an attempt to not get bitten.  Tom demanded some table tennis before hand so we headed to the games room and sweated in the hot humid atmosphere of it (it is always hot and humid in the games room area) before heading back to the Nature Interpretation Area for the night hike.  We were having a good time, we were each given torches to shine around, hoping to see the reflection from an animal's eyes.  We found a scorpion, a lizard, 2 tiny frogs, a poisonous centipede and...then...a screaming boy!  He had got stung by a bee (the bee's sting was still in his hand - the ranger pulled it out!).  So that was that, we got taken to the medical centre and had to pay for a nurse to check him over and give him some medicine (anti histamine and calamine lotion).  The ranger did say to go back so she could finish the walk, but by the time we were finished it was almost 8pm and we hadn't eaten.  Tom was tired and said he wanted food, we couldn't argue, so we knocked the night walk on the head and went to the Indian again at Tom's request for curry.  Tom bolted his down in no time at all and perked up so I guess he was pretty hungry!

Very tired boy!

Once done, we got back to the room and Tom went to bed straight away, whilst we headed for the balcony.  What a rubbish way to end our stay here.  Hopefully Tom's enduring memory will be of the good things rather than the bad.  Maybe we should have ended our trip in Sandakan, as that is where all the good stuff happened.

Anyway, we think 2 full days in a resort like this is probably just about right for us, I have a feeling we would start going stir crazy if we were booked in for any longer as you can't get out of the resort, we are sort of prisoners here.  So, just the little task of packing, getting to the airport and flying to KL tomorrow.  Then a day in KL shopping before heading home.

Day 14: Rasa Ria

Relaxing by the pool

So, we all slept well last night which was good, as it was the first time we have all been in a room together during this holiday.  We had a leisurely wake-up and then headed down to breakfast.  Wow, we have not seen a breakfast buffet like it ever!  You name a type of cuisine and it was there.  There was so much that we got a little overwhelmed as to where to start.  Rather than describe it, here are our meals:

Tom
Chocolate donut, takoyaki, rice, bread, emmenthal cheese, hard boiled egg, 2 x marshmallows dipped in chocolate, papaya, milk and mango smoothie

Matt

Ready for the challenge

Cinnamon bun, lemon danish, pancake with dried fruit and maple syrup, fried rice with lamb curry and beef curry, fried tofu (maybe), watermelon, local orange, unknown local fruit (nasty), double espresso, large black coffee, pineapple juice, hash brown

Me
Bread, edam cheese, hard boiled egg, rice, stir fried veggies, sauteed potatoes, granola parfait, cinnamon roll, melon, lychee, local orange, green apple juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, dried mangoes.

Basically there was an Indian area, a Chinese area, a Malay area, a British area and a European area.  It was mad, I have never seen so much food!  When we left the restaurant we discovered a whole other area where chefs were making omelettes, soup and stir fries to order.

It was the breakfast of champions and we feasted like kings.

Body boarder

We went back to our room and got changed into our swimmers.  Yep, we were going swimming on full stomachs (we had promised Tom!)  We got in slowly, the pool water was lovely and warm.  We lazed about for a bit, played with our beach ball a bit, went down the slides a couple of times, all the usual things, until a fitness instructor came by and wanted to do aqua aerobics - we got out!  Certainly not Matt's sort of thing, Tom was too short to take part as he couldn't stand up in the pool and I would have felt very self conscious and silly doing it.  Tom asked to go to the beach so we did so.

Competition time.

The beach is gorgeous, beautiful, fine yellow sand and then we got to the sea (South China Sea) wow, it was literally as warm as bath water - warmer than the warm pool water!  I have never been in sea so warm and I've been in quite a few seas in my time.  It also was very gently sloping meaning that even Tom couldn't begin to get out of his depth without wading miles out.  I then discovered that you could get body boards from the hotel to play with, so we got three and had a go.  There wasn't much of a surf on the sea, but it was nice bobbing around on the sea, enjoying the warmth of the waves gently lapping over us.

It did begin to rain at this point, the clouds were forming so we thought we would have one last dip in the pool in case it all went off again.  It didn't 'go off' as such today but it did rain and it has got cooler, must be around 25 this evening, which to us is now cool and rather refreshing after days and days of very hot and very humid weather.

Excellent Indian dinner

We then went back to the room, had showers to get rid of the salt and chlorine and went down to the shop to buy ice creams (lunch).  Tom then went to Kids Club as they were learning how to make mocktails and as we have all drunk A LOT of them since arriving here, he was keen to learn how to make them.  We thought it would be a great opportunity for him to meet other children too.  It wasn't to be, he was the only child who turned up for it.  He didn't mind though and happily went off to learn his new craft.   Matt and I were a bit lost without him, but we went to the wildlife reserve to see what there was to do.  We found all sorts of trails, but you can't just do them - you have to have a guide with you, so we booked a nocturnal walk for tomorrow night for all three of us and picked up a leaflet with other activities, including one which was a Junior Nature Ranger, where children get the chance to help the rangers in their day to day work.  We thought he might be interested, he is and we have booked him in for tomorrow afternoon - once again he is the only child doing it, but he is fine about that.  Matt and I then played table tennis until we could pick him up from his mocktail making.

The hotel lobby - quite swanky

We then returned to our room for some down time.  We played Uno and flags, had our beer (iced tea) and crisps and then headed out to the Nature Information Centre for a talk they were holding about the animals of the nature reserve.  We were the only ones to turn up and they were quite surprised to see us.  They actually allowed us into the reserve by ourselves for a wander round which was good and we remembered quite a few of the plants from our trip to Mt Kinabalu Nature Reserve. Problem was we were all in sandals and although we sprayed ourselves with insect repellent, the bugs saw us coming and feasted on us.  Within minutes we were all itching incredibly, so we didn't stay long.  We got back to our room for quick shower to get rid of the bugs.  I had at least 16 bites just on one foot.  Well that was a mistake I won't make again - durrrrrrrr!  It will be boots and long trousers tucked into socks for me tomorrow!

We then went for tea, this time we decided to go to the Indian, where we had a very lovely dinner.  Tom had a special curry for children, then Matt and I shared a lamb kebab and a chicken curry.  All washed down with lassis and posh iced tea for Matt.  It was all very very delicious.  The chef came out to chat to us as we were the only ones in the restaurant with a child and as he said if the child is happy and eats up you know you have done a good job!  The waiter also stopped and chatted to us, he was amazed that we got the coach from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu - I guess not many guests who stay here would do such a thing!

Day 13: KK to Rasa Ria

Packing light for long-distance travel

We tried to sleep in this morning, but as always on the days when you can sleep in, you don't.  We were in fact woken up by the sound of bag pipes?!  I thought Matt had put some of his weird music on, but he could hear them too.

We mulled around the flat for a while and then tried to decide what to do for breakfast.  We hadn't found any good bakeries around for buns, and NOTHING opens until 10am, so options were limited. I was not going to have fried chicken again.  We reluctantly decided that we should go to McDonalds around the corner - it was open 24 hours. 

Just as we were getting ready to go, I noticed a huge Malaysian flag being held by soldiers and carried down the road.  Hummm, then a huge Sabah flag passed us by.  Then more military music and more marching soldiers, people in other uniforms and children.  Was this the big Merdeka parade (Merdeka = National Day - this year Malaysia is celebrating 60 years of independence) it did seem very early in the morning - it was only just 8am. The parade went on and on and on.  Would you practise something this big in full 2 days before the event?  We weren't sure.  Anyway, after watching it for a while we went down and walked to McDonalds.  Wow, it was fiercely hot this morning, it was barely 8am and the temperature in our reckoning was over 30 already.  We ended up walking amongst the groups who had been marching.  I looked at a group of girls and realised they were in girl guide uniform, I asked if I was right and was told yes.  We then chatted all the way to McDonalds, luckily I picked on a girl who could speak really good English and had visited London.  Such a shame we didn't have any scout badges on us from Ingleton (we did have some in Japan last year and I gave them back)

Happy with her lunch

Anyway we got to McDonalds just before a marching group descended on them and got in our orders of non halal sausage mcmuffins served by a Muslim (how does that work?).  We then returned to the flat to continue packing and squeezing everything in our cases - space is getting tight, we think a new bag will have to be bought in KL to accommodate everything before we fly out.   Matt and Tom then went for a swim in the pool whilst I went in search of beer, pop and crisps to buy ready for our luxury hotel (we figure that we will get massively hit if we were to buy these at the hotel)

Then an hour's down time at the flat before handing back the keys to the flat and heading to the Marie Celeste shopping mall opposite us for a fantastic Japanese lunch.  Full bento for me, curry and rice for the boy and ebi tendon for Matt, all amazing and very authentic, they have 2 Japanese chefs, which helps.  We then got a taxi to the Rasa Ria.  Now I had been trying to get hold of the hotel to find out about their shuttle bus to and fro KK, but they were slow in answering and we got a bit annoyed with them.  When they finally got back to me, they told me it was 39RM per person.  We had a quick look on Grab (an Uber like taxi app)  and found they would do it for 39RM all in.  We went for Grab and had a very pleasant experience, they turned up about 2 minutes after the booking and drove the very long way to the resort through a torrential downpour, the rain hurtled down.  We actually felt sorry for the driver, who took loads of care, but of course it took ages in the rain and floods.

The view from our balcony

As we arrived we got a welcome gong and musical accompaniment.  Then the hard sell to upgrade (don't think so, this place cost us enough as it is!) and we were allowed in.  Now neither of us have ever stayed somewhere like this and at first we felt quite lost, especially as it was still raining.  We promised Tom a go in the swimming pool as soon as it stopped, but it never stopped, not until it got dark.  We had a quick look around, it is all very nice, lots of activities going on, the shop was reasonably priced, except for canned beer which was exceedingly expensive, so we did well to bring ours with us (and there is an empty fridge in the room which will come in very handy).  Restaurants are basically priced as they would be back home - money will not stretch here like it has been, but we have only spent 50% of the money we brought with us as everything has been much cheaper than expected (the difference between eating as a local rather than as a tourist, and of course we have had a free tea and beer and crisps for tea last night).  We found a games room where we tried to have a game of pool - Tom's ability isn't great...

Cheers!

We registered Tom as a child for children's activities - there is mocktail-making tomorrow and a nature detective thing happening on Thursday as well as other things. This took us ages as we couldn't find the children's area - we got to it eventually, miles away from the pool.  We didn't get to the beach as it was so miserable, hopefully tomorrow we will.  We then went back to our room, had a cheeky beer and played Uno (Tom won almost every game - how did he do it?).  We then got dressed and headed to the games room again - this time to play table tennis, which he picked up really quickly this time.  We only ever seem to play it on holiday, today he started off badly but finished really really well, very impressed.  We then went in search of tea, we enquired about the buffet, it was 158RM per person (50% off for Tom).  A little too much for our liking - we had had a big lunch, so then we went in search for the Italian, we searched and we search and we searched. We couldn't find it, so we asked and were directed.  OMG it was miles away, this place is enormous.  We sat down and got very attentive service - glass being refilled every 5 mins, we all got 2 appetisers FOC as tasters, and all enjoyed our meals: spaghetti in tomato sauce for Tom, gnocchi and Gorgonzola for me and lamb shank for Matt.  We then walked back to our room via the gardens, except we couldn't see much and got a little lost trying to find our way around.  Hopefully tomorrow we will have no rain and be able to work out how this place works - we are yet to find a map of the place.

Tell you what though, you could easily come here, sit in the 'bubble' of the hotel, do some activities and go home and say, oh yes I've been to Malaysia.  They haven't though, haven't seen one headscarf since I've been here.  There is no-where to walk to - the driveway here is long and to walk it would be too much in the heat, so there would be no interaction at all with the Malaysians except workers at the resort whom I guess are all very well selected.  Travelling is pretty much all about interaction and trying to experience a country as it is, using their transport etc etc, a holiday though, that's different I guess... 

Day 12: Kinabalu Nature Reserve and Poring Hot Springs

Mt. KInabalu in the sun

Wow, what a day, but unfortunately not for good reasons!  Today was our trip to the Kinabalu Nature Reserve and Poring Hot Springs, arranged by the same company who did the river cruise last week, so we were really looking forward to it.  We were picked up at 8.10am by a small coach and then went round the backpackers places picking up more and were then transferred to a bigger coach for the trip back up the mountain (we had passed the nature reserve on our way over from Sandakan)  It is a very windy and steep road, so we bedded in, made ourselves comfortable and enjoyed the view.  When we came from Sandakan, it was torrential rain and we were in the clouds so didn't see anything, today it was clear blue sky and the view was amazing.

Dwarfed by the mountain

Mt Kinabalu is just over 13,000ft, so taller than Mt Fuji, it has a very craggy top and sheer sides.  It doesn't look particularly climber friendly although many do walk up it every day (it takes two days to do it).  It has never snowed at the top.  Anyway it is a spectacular site.  We stopped off at a viewpoint at Nabalu Market.  The idea was to take photos of the mountain, have a toilet break and look around the market.  However, we only had time to take photos and go to the toilet, so we completely missed the market which was a shame, I do like a good market, and also spending money there means you are supporting the local community.

Nice view for lunch

Next we continued climbing up to the foot of the mountain, so much so that it disappeared from view. Our guide took us on a tour of the mountain garden which was interesting as she pointed out so many plants and was able to explain their good / bad properties to us.  She did go at 1,000 miles an hour though and woe betide you if you wanted to take a photo, you got left behind!  We were bundled back on the coach and then we had a 50 minute trip to Poring Hot Springs where we were having lunch.  Well the 50 minutes became 3.5 hours due to a landslide!  Ouch, the rumbles of discontent were getting louder.  We literally sat in a queue that went at about 1 meter every minute.

Lush forest

Matt in the Hot Spring

It was excruciating.  Our guide told us it was a landslide, and we know you can't account for these things, but she knew where the landslide was and taking into consideration the amount of time it was taking to crawl along the road, they should have abandoned the trip.  We ended up getting to our lunch stop at 3.30!  Not exactly lunch time.  Next stop should have been the canopy walkway in the rain forest, but that got cancelled as the walkway closed at 4pm.  We went straight to the hot springs, and were given 30 minutes to 'enjoy' them.  Well of course that isn't long enough, just as we were beginning to relax and enjoy them we had to rush back to get changed and back to the coach.

They were in a lovely location, just a shame we didn't get the chance to appreciate anything.

The world's largest flower

We then went to see a Raffleisia in bloom, well Matt did as it was 90RM (just under £18) for the 3 of us to go. We then got on the coach of doom and headed back to KK and yes, we got stuck in the same traffic jam again.  We got home at 9.40pm when we should have been back at 7pm.  Not a great day, so yesterday evening was spent composing a letter of complaint rather than blogging as we were not happy bunnies.  When we got back Tom went straight to bed so our tea was a can of beer and crisps!  Not a great end to not a great day!  Humpfh, a shame as everything else we have done here has been amazing.

One thing of note was that Tom was a complete angel, he didn't complain once, and was so well behaved.  We can't fault him at all on anything.  He got a massive hug and kiss and went to bed exhausted but happy after a very boring day.

Day 11: Kota Kinabalu

Matt's classy breakfast

Toady we had a day to explore the city of Kota Kinabalu.  It isn't the most beautiful of cities, and it is hot, hot, hot but the more you explore it, the more you find.

We had a lazy start to the day, we had yoghurts and then headed off in search of some 'proper' breakfast.  We read that the shopping mall next door to us, Centre Point has a basement food court with items for breakfast so we headed over.  Some of the eateries were open, but most were selling fried rice with a whole load of toppings most of which we didn't recognise and certainly couldn't stomach that early in the morning.

Whale (fish) rider?

We ended up in a Bornean rip off of KFC, 'Borenos' and had fried chicken with rice (me), fried chicken with cheesy sauce on top and rice with gravy (Matt - I tried it, it was revolting) and chicken burger with mash potato for Tom.  Not your average breakfast - but really all we could find before 10am when everything else opens up.

We then went for a wander up the coastline.  First stop was the Handicraft markets which were outside and full of loads and loads of stalls, all selling the same items.  The problem was the passage ways were very very narrow, and the items stacked up high, meaning you couldn't really see what was being sold.  Also if someone had stopped at a stall ahead of you, you couldn't get past them and would have to wind your way around them through other stalls. We saw a couple of things we liked:  Tom took a liking to a turtle, but we made him wait just in case he saw something else he liked, his holiday money is gradually running low.  Oh, I forgot to add, it was steaming hot in the markets, there was no air conditioning and no fans, the sweat was running down our backs again - lovely.

One of the many local fishing boats

Next we came to Central Markets - once again, no air conditioning, but this time there were fans and high ceilings which helps.  These were pretty much local markets for local people, so selling fruit, veggies, meat and other stuff in bags which we couldn't recognise.  There was then a separate room off which we walked through - it was the non-halal area - so pork in various forms.  This is normal, in fact we have discovered, and now think of as normal that beer and pork goods are always to be found in a separate room / fenced off area away from everything else so that they don't taint all the other goods in the shop.  With over 65% of the population being Muslim it is important.  Most restaurants are halal, the ones that aren't tend to be Chinese.

Pulau Gaya from KK waterfront

We then found ourselves back on a nice bit of promenade so continued to walk along that amongst fish statues to Suria the shopping mall at the end of the prom.  It is very picturesque: clear turquoise sea, fishing boats constantly coming in and out and cute islands in the bay covered in trees.  What's not to like?  We know you aren't supposed to walk around here, we are (as always) the exception to the rule and anyway, you find out the layout of a place much better if you walk it, but really you would expect an obvious pavement to an obvious entrance of a big mall from the promenade wouldn't you?  Oh no, we had to go past the service entrance and all the bins and cross the road and then enter through a side entrance.  Oh hum.  Anyway, we entered and found ourselves in glorious air conditioning, fantastic.  It took us quite a while to cool down, but we got there in the end.  We found a great shop selling Borneo souvenirs, including Tom's turtle at a much cheaper price than in the handicraft market! We pledged to go back on our way out as there were a few things Matt and I liked too.

Do people really do this?!

We had a good look round - mainly to try to get cool again, and found a huge Daiso - yay.  We got excited and somehow managed to buy half a basket of bits and pieces, it was much better than the one we found in KL.  By now we were flagging so headed to the food court for some lunch.  This time Tom went for fried chicken and chips, Matt went for Takoyaki and I went for veggie donburi all washed down with fancy fruit juices.  On the way out we went to the toilet.  Not a great event, but it confirmed a strange habit I wasn't sure about.  In lots of toilets in Malaysia there are notices saying no squatting with pictures of people standing on the toilet squatting.  I thought this must be an exaggeration, surely no-one would do that?   Well today I went to the toilet and had to wait ages. When I finally got a cubicle, the floor was very wet (they wash their bums with a water hose here which I still don't understand how to do without getting all your clothes soaked?).  So not a problem the floor was wet, but then when I looked at the seat of the toilet I noticed wet footprints.  I thought, maybe it is the patter of the seat, so touched them with my hand, they wiped away.  OMG, the person before me really did stand on the toilet seat and squat!  Great!  I didn't want to sit in their footprints, so then I had to squat over the toilet seat (feet on the floor) to use it as there was no toilet paper.  A funny Asian quirk I guess?

We then went to Jesselton Point, which is a ferry terminal for those staying in hotels on the surrounding islands. Next on the planner was to walk up the hill to Signal Hill Observatory Tower.  It took us a while to find it, but we got there in the end and had a well deserved ice cream.  We then got a taxi back to our apartment, we had walked a long way in the heat.  First on the agenda was a dip in the pool, we got ready, Tom went to get his snorkel, but couldn't find it!  We spent 30 minutes stripping the apartment upside down trying to find it, but it was nowhere to be found.  All we can think of is that he left it down by the pool yesterday and forgot to bring it back amongst the chaos of us trying to work out how to get back to our apartment.  We asked at reception and the security guards who went to find it for us, but no luck.  They found a pair of googles but no mask and snorkel, so we have assume that someone walked off with them.  Such a shame as they were quite expensive, and Tom loved them - he was really upset but knew it was his fault and there was no resolution, he hasn't enough money to buy anymore and he needs to learn a lesson on looking after his property.  I was hoping he would be able to snorkel in the sea at the resort hotel we are going to, but I guess that won't happen now!

Downtown KK from Signal Hill Observatory

We got back to the apartment, had showers, put the laundry on and had some downtime before heading out for sunset and tea.  The sunset didn't really happen today unfortunately so we walked south down the boardwalk to another huge shopping mall.  Once again, I know the culture here is to drive everywhere, but if you are going to build a huge shopping mall at the end of a boardwalk prom, surely you would put some sort of pedestrian crossing across the 6 lanes of busy road so you can access it?!  Apparently not!  There was a road tunnel to the mall for cars, so we walked down that and suffered the heat and fumes being spat out by the cars, but really!!!!!!!

We found a very cute shop in there called Kaison and somehow came out with a measuring elephant?!!!!  Then tea in a Malay restaurant (fried rice for me and Tom, and roti and chicken curry for Matt).  Then a walk back a different way (we still had to negotiate a huge, busy road with no pedestrian crossing) to take a very tired Tom home to bed (think we may have slightly overdone it today!)