Wednesday, 31 March 2010

term update

I know it has been a shame that in 3 months this is only my second post. Brunei is not as quiet as we first thought it would be. The school term was brilliant and it ended with a school trip to Vietnam. My personal life has taken a turn for the better and it seems that SoLucky's luck is the flip side of the coin for 2010.

My holiday in Vietnam was fantastic, I explored the southern region seeing that I only had 8 days in travelling around. Vietnam is an interesting country and I would love to go back to see the rest of it. The main thing to remember when you are in HMC is that crossing the road is a leap of faith. Traffic lights are more like guidelines, fastest finger on the hooter gives you right of way in any intersection. In their chaotic way of understanding road rules, everyone allows everyone else to go, there is no road rage. I have seen bicycles being overtaken by a motorbike, which is overtaken by a car, the car being overtaken by a truck and a bus overtaken all of this simultanously on a winding mountain pass with uncoming traffic and everyone was unharmed afterwards.

Vietnam is so diverse and so many things to be seen an experience, the 8 days was just enough leaving me wanting more of the country. I met interesting people and heard loads of different travel stories.

All for another day, back in brunei, sorting everything out for the last term.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010

December, holiday highlights

It has been awhile. December was so quickly on our doorstep. Solucky's adventures had to continue. I had most of December holiday. It was like the amazing race..4 countries, 2 weeks. The journey began with a quick stop in Kuala Lampur, where I have stayed in the smallest room I have ever seen and had a good giggle about it, luckily myself and Angharad were in Tune with it all.Like any adventure, it had a few hiccups, myself and my very brave travel friend, got to know the inside of Abu Dhabi airport the following day..I know now how, tom hanks or aka "Mr navoski" in the Terminal felt.
4 hours later, with no visa,  my journey went onwards to Oman, 4 days early but luckily my dear friends in Oman was glad to harbour the visa fugitive. I enjoyed seeing everyone back in Oman. I just relaxed and enjoyed the company of old friends.
Finally after many delays I could go and visit everyone in Dubai. It was a flashback to all my previous weekends..we cramped so many things into 24 hours it felt like a week. Enjoyed the visit to Fujairah, the snorkel in the morning and the late afternoon tea, before I was yet again on my way.
 Off to Thailand.Bangkok was very interesting, I know now that you would either love it or hate it, it is very busy, and so interesting, I enjoyed every moment and will definitely go back. Pataya felt as if i was on a sea vacation, lots of sun and sand, jetski's and parties every evening. Myself and Rick stayed in a brilliant hotel, walking distance from everything. Enjoyed every night, meeting so many different people,  2 brilliant dives, amazing sights and sounds that this holiday will definitely be remembered. I will post some pictures in the next few days.

Tuesday, 1 December 2009

2 weeks and 2 border crossings later

Can't believe that two weeks has passed so quickly. It was very hectic, the week after the removal of the cast I was off to Bangkok for a Trampoline course. I passed the course after 18 hours of jumping, being reintroduced to some muscles I forgot I had and seeing the sights and sounds of Bangkok. Looking forward to the Christmas holidays for further exploration of Thailand. We had Hari Raya Aidiladha this past weekend so we headed out to Miri. It was truly a blessing to be invited to a Malaysian wedding. We had a blast not only at the wedding reception but also at the bar across the street, after having a Mary special, a peak into a few karaoke bars, I must say,getting out of the ordinary has never been so extraordinary. On our way back we visited a crocodile farm.Was interesting to see the different types of Malaysian crocodiles.I still think that a South african croc will take a Malaysian croc on any given day..Africa not made for the feint hearted..So this leaves me with 6 days to the end of term..On my way to visit Dubai, Oman and Thailand..Looking forward.

Sunday, 15 November 2009

A quick update after the removal of the cast

This week was really hectic.With admin stuff during the week at school, Saturday night out was very good.Went to the yacht club where JIS band played brilliant music.It is Brunei's clubbing scene so everyone had there party dresses on and had a good time. I have to take care of my leg this week..recovering had to speed up..looking forward to the trampoline course next week in Bangkok!

And yes, there is a few bets on the table on what I will break..But I'm confident to proof everyone wrong..will keep everyone updated

Saturday, 7 November 2009

weekend news

The aftermath of a very busy weekend hits on Sunday morning. Friday we had a Hen's party, the mastercard ad..where the child is playing at the end with a non expensive toy and it says priceless would explain how the evening went. Loads of laughter and concentration with a potato on a string, peking duck and shisha. This was followed by a early morning champagne breakfast...jip, even in the dry country we managed a bubbly brunch..

The live entertainment for the evening was more educational..a quiz night followed by a very competitive singstar round. Was reminded of all the good singstar/karaoke evenings back in the desert.Was on the whole a very good weekend.

Midterm break - Timburong



I had a brilliant midterm break.Where most of the inhabitans of the sultanate fled over the border, myself and two of her friends went on an expedition of the Bruneian Region, Timburong.Timburong is accessible by road or via water, no passport control, so it was accesible for the passportless. We went over with a watertaxi, an experience anyone visiting should do. These watertaxi's nicknames are"water coffins"..in no man's land..malaysia water..between the two brunei parts, our boat broke down..which was only funny for the first 10 mins..other taxi's passed us, taking photos, laughing and leaving us in the heat,the joke was over...Eventually the rescue boat arrived.Arrived safely in Timburong.

We had a brilliant guide, we went on a water safari, saw a few animals and spectacular lightning. We had a close shave with a logging boat..but we survived to tell the tale..

The following day we went on the canopy walk and a river rafting trip back down the river.The canopy walk was brilliant..to be on top of the trees..seeing a bird's view of the forest. I don't think my camera could capture the incredible feeling of awe, a definite experience.

River rafting back was loads of fun, after a few minutes of struggling in getting out wits together, it was smooth sailing onwards.

Was a brilliant trip!

Thursday, 5 November 2009

How it all started..

SoLucky's journey started a few months ago. Her suitcase packed and ready to conquer a new part of the world. All seemed well untill the first incident...the lost passport. This major search and rescue mission failed.. SoLucky was stranded on the island.Solucky's spirit took it's first knock but a good cheerup and a jumping castle made all the worries disappear.There was method in the madness, Solucky was not alone on the island, locals took care of her. Her spirit was as high as ever.She started her quest in recovering the lost document..7 weeks, an injured hand and ankle later Solucky decided it is time to brace everydays highs and lows.