"Are you going Friday night?"
"You're coming Friday night, right? It'll be great. You'll meet loads of new people."
Though we were going, it seemed impossible or unimaginable that anyone should miss the invitation from the French Ambassador. And where else in the world but in Brunei would we ever be invited at the Residence of the French Ambassador for a reception? Exactly! All 180 something French souls were invited as is the tradition. So there we were, "meeting new people" by the gallon, enjoying the food and drinks as well as the magnificent view that this residence affords. Built high up on a hill against the jungle, it overlooks the estuary and a water village on the other side of the bank. Absolutely gorgeous. Not to mention the patio, the terraced-garden leading to the swimming-pool that was very inviting indeed.
The French Ambassador in Brunei has the reputation of inviting all his compatriots for cocktail parties where cheese and wine are to be savoured and we weren't disappointed at all. Though there was a change in person last November, the new Ambassador lives up to his predecessor, at least when it comes to parties. Going home, it suddenly occured to me that I lived in another country than my own whilst for a few hours it did feel like being in France. In the land of sultans, princes and princesses, a commoner can be made to feel above his station or perhaps simply be made to feel special. Not an unpleasant impression at all!
Attention, attention! Reception chez l'ambassadeur a ne pas manquer.
Tout francais au Brunei qui se respecte acceptera l'invitation de l'ambassadeur. Il semblait que c'etait l'evenement du weekend a ne pas manquer. On avait deja entendu parler de ces receptions, des fromages de France, des vins et il est vrai que ca avait l'air tout a fait allechant. Nous n'avons pas ete decus. Les expatries francais au Brunei ne se prennent pas au serieux, aiment se rencontrer, faire la fete et passer un bon moment. L'ambiance etait du coup tres relaxe ce qui nous convenait tout a fait. Et ou d'autre dans le monde serions-nous invites chez l'ambassadeur? Ca n'arrive que dans les contes de fees, vraiment. Pas du tout deplaisant!
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Brunei- Chapter 9: A weekend in Miri
Different people have different ideas about what a weekend should be like: a boys' weekend in Labuan? A boys' weekend in Miri? A ladies' dinner... at home? A weekend at the Marriott Hotel or a weekend at Treetops in Miri? A break is a break whether it means this or that.
For us, the long weekend, compliment of the Chinese New Year, meant a weekend away in a quiet and secluded but absolutely beautiful haven called Treetops, south of Miri, deep in the jungle. No pictures to boast off this time though I packed the camera, it was out of battery... a weekend away is just that. Nothing to detract us from the sheer beauty and peace of the retreat.
Imagine Noah's ark on a small lake where fish poke their noses out at you and jump right back into the water, where you shower under the stars and read, nap, read, listen to the sounds of the jungle and basically wish your whole life was spent there- just like the English owner who built the place with his wife.
Though it rained most of Saturday, nothing was spoiled. This place makes you take a step back from your crazy routine. Sit down and enjoy the peace. Why can't we live this way anymore? The children spent their time playing in the pool in the rain or talking to each other, telling each other jokes and riddles... Reminded me of my childhood where I would spend my time exploring caves, roaming the woods and building huts.
With the sun back on Sunday, we trekked the Lambir Hills. Every walk we take amazes me. Whether it be here in Brunei, there in Miri, or in Vietnam and Laos, not one walk is the same. The Lambir Hills are very beautiful, though; and nature is so rich, with tall trees, waterfalls rustling in the background and leeches doing their dance- I'd never seen leeches before. They're quite pretty, actually!
A must-go-again destination. How refreshing to go away for a couple of days and feel like you've had a holiday!
For us, the long weekend, compliment of the Chinese New Year, meant a weekend away in a quiet and secluded but absolutely beautiful haven called Treetops, south of Miri, deep in the jungle. No pictures to boast off this time though I packed the camera, it was out of battery... a weekend away is just that. Nothing to detract us from the sheer beauty and peace of the retreat.
Imagine Noah's ark on a small lake where fish poke their noses out at you and jump right back into the water, where you shower under the stars and read, nap, read, listen to the sounds of the jungle and basically wish your whole life was spent there- just like the English owner who built the place with his wife.
Though it rained most of Saturday, nothing was spoiled. This place makes you take a step back from your crazy routine. Sit down and enjoy the peace. Why can't we live this way anymore? The children spent their time playing in the pool in the rain or talking to each other, telling each other jokes and riddles... Reminded me of my childhood where I would spend my time exploring caves, roaming the woods and building huts.
With the sun back on Sunday, we trekked the Lambir Hills. Every walk we take amazes me. Whether it be here in Brunei, there in Miri, or in Vietnam and Laos, not one walk is the same. The Lambir Hills are very beautiful, though; and nature is so rich, with tall trees, waterfalls rustling in the background and leeches doing their dance- I'd never seen leeches before. They're quite pretty, actually!
A must-go-again destination. How refreshing to go away for a couple of days and feel like you've had a holiday!
Brunei- Chapter 8: Christmas break
Christmas starts in August in the UK, lasts all year in China with decorations out year in year out, so why not write about our Christmas break in February? :)
Where to go and not use up too many stamps? That was my main prerogative this last Christmas holiday. With a passport practically full and needing it until my trip to Qatar this February, we had to be creative. It was thus agreed we would take a road trip to Borneo: Brunei-Labuan-Sepilok-Sandakan-KK-Labuan-Brunei. 4 stamps!
First stop, a few days on the island of Labuan. Originally Bruneian, it was released to Malaysia during the 20th century and has now become one of the biggest off-licences around Brunei. When you get off the ferry, it looks like many Malaysian towns, with cafes, Indian and Chinese restaurants, liquor stores galore, of course, but our hotel was at the north tip end and it was a pleasant escape from the somewhat seedy town centre. Our aim was to relax and relax we did. We would go into town for lunch and dinner but quickly realised that by 7pm most places were closed. Since we weren't staying in a hotel in town, we got a real sense of what Labuan is like and whilst the off-licences stay open, the shops and cafes close early, with a few Chinese restaurants still up and running, and full, as a result. It was nice to have Chinese again and some of our favourite dishes though perhaps not quite the same. But I guess it's like any cuisine, unless you eat it in the country, it will never live up to what you know.
From Labuan, we took another ferry to Menumbok, a ramshackled port in Sabah, Malaysia, where all you have for miles is nothing, really. It didn't matter since we were on our way to Sepilok for a few days to see the orang-outangs. The drive took the best part of the day. It was very long along the one sinuous and difficult road. A lot has been said and written about drivers in many parts of the world- but Malaysian drivers are definitely up for a medal. Not only do they drive fast, but overtake whether they can see or not. Much more fun when they can't see a thing, actually. I can't say I enjoyed driving on that road, not to mention the potholes or the disappearing portions of the road itself when suddenly you would go from a two-lane road to one with a truck pushing its way into you. I've had way better driving experiences for sure. Eventually, we arrived at Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat in Sepilok, about 30 kms from Sandakan, the main city that side of Borneo, at the far north-east end. The retreat was absolutely delightful, with huts built in the jungle. On opening the sliding door, the most beautiful view of the river below overgrown with lush vegetation welcomed us. Sepilok is known for the orang-outangs and proboscis monkeys reserves which we visited.
Whilst we were in that part of Borneo, we drove all the way to Sandakan which proved a bit disappointed, perhaps, though the English Tea House and Restaurant there was a real treat, with real and very well-cooked English food; yes, you read right, and a cropped crocket lawn. How surreal to play crocket in Borneo! It felt like a summer's day in Kent. :)
You may think that once you've seen the monkeys and been to Sandakan, it might feel like there isn't that much else to do, however, we drove all the way to Kinabatangan as we had been told that there you could take a trip on the river and see the wildlife. The trip was booked for 4.30pm as during the day the animals, mainly the families of monkeys, travel the rainforest in search of food and come back in the early evening along the shore of the river for the night. We have taken several river trips in Asia but this one was absolutely amazing. Not only did we see loads of animals, but the light on the river as the sun set was out of this world, even with a cranky camera like ours.
It was then time to drive back along that one road to KK, though this time we went round Mount Kinabalu and enjoyed the spectacular view and skies as we descended towards the city. Our hotel was a beach resort 20 kms out of KK and we enjoyed a few very relaxing days there. Finally, we took the ferries back to Labuan and Brunei after two weeks on the road and the freedom that driving your own car affords you. A truly enjoyable time.
Where to go and not use up too many stamps? That was my main prerogative this last Christmas holiday. With a passport practically full and needing it until my trip to Qatar this February, we had to be creative. It was thus agreed we would take a road trip to Borneo: Brunei-Labuan-Sepilok-Sandakan-KK-Labuan-Brunei. 4 stamps!
First stop, a few days on the island of Labuan. Originally Bruneian, it was released to Malaysia during the 20th century and has now become one of the biggest off-licences around Brunei. When you get off the ferry, it looks like many Malaysian towns, with cafes, Indian and Chinese restaurants, liquor stores galore, of course, but our hotel was at the north tip end and it was a pleasant escape from the somewhat seedy town centre. Our aim was to relax and relax we did. We would go into town for lunch and dinner but quickly realised that by 7pm most places were closed. Since we weren't staying in a hotel in town, we got a real sense of what Labuan is like and whilst the off-licences stay open, the shops and cafes close early, with a few Chinese restaurants still up and running, and full, as a result. It was nice to have Chinese again and some of our favourite dishes though perhaps not quite the same. But I guess it's like any cuisine, unless you eat it in the country, it will never live up to what you know.
From Labuan, we took another ferry to Menumbok, a ramshackled port in Sabah, Malaysia, where all you have for miles is nothing, really. It didn't matter since we were on our way to Sepilok for a few days to see the orang-outangs. The drive took the best part of the day. It was very long along the one sinuous and difficult road. A lot has been said and written about drivers in many parts of the world- but Malaysian drivers are definitely up for a medal. Not only do they drive fast, but overtake whether they can see or not. Much more fun when they can't see a thing, actually. I can't say I enjoyed driving on that road, not to mention the potholes or the disappearing portions of the road itself when suddenly you would go from a two-lane road to one with a truck pushing its way into you. I've had way better driving experiences for sure. Eventually, we arrived at Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat in Sepilok, about 30 kms from Sandakan, the main city that side of Borneo, at the far north-east end. The retreat was absolutely delightful, with huts built in the jungle. On opening the sliding door, the most beautiful view of the river below overgrown with lush vegetation welcomed us. Sepilok is known for the orang-outangs and proboscis monkeys reserves which we visited.
Whilst we were in that part of Borneo, we drove all the way to Sandakan which proved a bit disappointed, perhaps, though the English Tea House and Restaurant there was a real treat, with real and very well-cooked English food; yes, you read right, and a cropped crocket lawn. How surreal to play crocket in Borneo! It felt like a summer's day in Kent. :)
You may think that once you've seen the monkeys and been to Sandakan, it might feel like there isn't that much else to do, however, we drove all the way to Kinabatangan as we had been told that there you could take a trip on the river and see the wildlife. The trip was booked for 4.30pm as during the day the animals, mainly the families of monkeys, travel the rainforest in search of food and come back in the early evening along the shore of the river for the night. We have taken several river trips in Asia but this one was absolutely amazing. Not only did we see loads of animals, but the light on the river as the sun set was out of this world, even with a cranky camera like ours.
It was then time to drive back along that one road to KK, though this time we went round Mount Kinabalu and enjoyed the spectacular view and skies as we descended towards the city. Our hotel was a beach resort 20 kms out of KK and we enjoyed a few very relaxing days there. Finally, we took the ferries back to Labuan and Brunei after two weeks on the road and the freedom that driving your own car affords you. A truly enjoyable time.
PS: The pictures may be a bit mixed up. Oh, well!
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