Diarrhoea @ Sandakan

Diarrhoea attacked!! I was spending my sleepless night in the hotel's not-so-cozy toilet that smells very musky-moss. I'm not sure what is the caused of it but I reminded myself that I had to make sure I bring my diarrhoea medication in future if I do travel. For my previous oversea trips, I usually will bring with me but I least expected that Sabah will have the problem like this though...

It could be the tea or milo I consumed at the 2 shops in Lahad Datu & Sandakan yesterday. Because usually, I don't consume milking-drinks in the shop except for chinese tea or any other cordial drink. Thus, this morning, I had to bear with the craving for coffee from entering my stomach since I do not wish to consume anymore dairy-products into my stomach.

By road to Sandakan

Today, after having breakfast with Joshua & Dominic; our new recruit for Operation, we head to Sandakan which is 2.5 hours journey after checking out from Asia Hotel (for good this time). We left Lahad Datu about 11am but Joshua allowed me to stop a few places to have a glance of the "must-visit" place while we passed by.

First, we crossed a bridge over Kinabatangan River and Joshua started to tell me some stories about this bridge and the surroundings.

Agop Batu Tulug Museum - the limestone cave with 2 hollow "eyes" on the hill. I just see this place from the foot of the hill and nobody is around also to actually guide us to go into the cave. There are lots of coffin inside and I was told that this is the place where the first generation of Chinese that arrived to this place was buried.

At about 1pm, we arrived at the Sepilok Orang-Utan Sanctuary. Unfortunately the ticketing booth only re-open at 2pm, we are unable to go in to have a peep of the orang-utan. So, walked around the souvenior shop to see if anything worth buying back but couldn't find anything that attract my attention.

Shortly after about 15 minutes, we stopped by a shop for bread & coffee to feed our non-so-hungry tummy. I'm glad this is for lunch because I seriously need to try not to eat if possible. Met up one of our transporter and had some good laughed and chat while taking a break from the long drive. Then, we say our goodbyes and continue our journey into Sandakan town and checked-in to Tyng Garden Hotel.

While waiting for 4pm to go to the airport to pick up my Deputy Gen. Mgr, I managed to get a short nap after settling down in the hotel room. At the airport, I lingered around the few shops and at least, there is so much more to see in Sandakan airport. Browse thru to see anything to buy and planned to get a few gifts for my staffs before I depart on Wednesday.

After meeting up my DGM, we head back to our hotel area and the 2 men decided to have tea which is "pau" and fried-carrot-cake. I ordered a milo-ice and I love the fried-carrot-cake. Yummie! Delicious! Seriously, I thought I could stop eating but looks like meeting up my DGM will not give me the chance or my tummy a chance to rest... Hehehe... It's food again whenever with the DGM...

We head back to our hotel for a shower and meet up again at 8.30 for dinner. Again, we met up the same transporter and have dinner together. Seriously, I was still full from the fried-carrot-cake, I totally skipped rice. Just picked on some dishes on a smaller scale and called it dinner! I just can't wait to get back to the hotel to rest my tummy. Joshua is down with a fever. Guessed, there is a good reason for us to escape from drinking with the DGM and he also had to go back earlier to rest.

Unfortunately, I find it pretty discomfort because I started to feel something is not quite right with my stomach by the time I lied down... noisy... it's not hunger for sure!

Weekend in Lahad Datu

I couldn't sleep much again in Grace Hotel but set alarm to wake up at 6.30am on a Sunday! Because Cora said will pick me up from hotel at 7.40am and since I have free breakfast, I better eat and I was ready by 7am even after I packed everything. The breakfast in Grace Hotel is again lousy. I only had 2 slices of toast with strawberry-jem. And I had scrambled eggs & 2 spoonful of tasteless fried-rice with a cup of orange juice.

I checked out from Grace Hotel by 7.35am and waited for Cora at the entrance but she was late with her family for church service. Service starts at 8am and we only arrived about 8.15am. I was so surprised at the size of their english service members but I think I missed the praised & worship. Almost 20 minutes before it ended, the electricity was cut. And this is very common here. Again, Cora & family brought me to Good View Club for american breakfast but I only ordered Milo. It's cheap here the breakfast; only for RM2.88 nett per set!!

Checked-into Asia Hotel again and I got room no: 402 which is smaller than room no: 404. Regretted that I checked out but I should take this as a lesson not to do this in future. While waiting for Penny to call me out for the noon-outing, I took a 30 minutes nap.

Almost 1.30pm, Penny called and picked me up and we went to Fajar for lunch. Here, had duck-rice. It's tough but not bad taste. Then, we continue our journey to Borneo Paradise. To my dismay, I realised I forgotten to take my camera with me... *sobs*. Along with us this trip is Penny's boyfriend & sister, Ivy and John from Teck Guan. Nevertheless, it was quite dissapointed when we get to this place. It feels like 1 hour drive away but Penny said it's 30 minutes.

Since, there is nothing much to do, we left and head to the Guan Ying Temple. The rest of them make their prayers and I just shot a few pictures for the fun of it.

Then, we head back to Penny's house because her shoes were teared. So, we u-back to a place for wild-boar & deer meat at Segama; which is less than 20 minutes drive from Lahad Datu town. It's a small village and if no complaints about the condition of the shop and location, the food is not-to-bad. 6 of us and we had deer-meat, wild-boar-meat, soup & "sayur-manis" and it only cost us RM36!!

We left the place before 7pm but it's already pitched-black and the road back is without any lamp-post. Well, what to expect here. *chuckled* Anyway, I'm going to take an enjoyable shower and pack my things since I had to leave for Sandakan tomorrow after breakfast.

Walk Around Lahad Datu Town

After checking out from Asia Hotel, had lunch with Joshua & Stone. Ordered Chinese Red-Wine Noodles. Somehow, I simply love their noodles here. Despite that I'm quite scared to order fish already... Kekeke... I had too much fish here but noodles are lovely here due to their different taste. Since personally, I'm not a fan of fish-meat, that's why I get bored eating it too often.

After lunch, checked into Grace Hotel... Hhmmm... a big dissapointment after I checked-in. Despite that it's convenient to the plaza and the whole Lahad Datu town but I will never stay here ever again. Highly not recommended. The internet connection is so bad that it's always no-signal. But, I took a few photo shots from the room's window. Receiptionist told me that I have a seaview but it's just something "catchy" to please me I think..

Taking a short nap for about 30minutes and I decided to take a walk around the town by 4pm. I do not like the town here, everywhere I go, I see dark-colour skin people. I don't even know are legal or non-legal people around. It's pretty unfriendly town and I don't even dare to take out my camera to take pictures. I also had to hug my handbag when I walked around. Despite that I'm worried but I'm also curious to see the local culture here. The ciggy-smell is everywhere and I'm getting sick of it too.

Close to 6pm, I got back to the hotel for a shower and wait for dinner time. Today, Joshua bring me out for western and I tried the Lamb-Chop with Mushroom sauce at Perdana Hotel. Taste is just average as claimed by Joshua, western-food is never good in Lahad Datu.

Had to tag along with Joshua to the 9 Ball Pub again as he wanna play a few rounds of pool. Waited until I so bored... and it's already 10pm when I got back to hotel.

A view I took at the Harbour last evening...

Laundry & Wi-Fi

Yesterday morning, I found out that Asia Hotel offer free laundry for those who stay for 3 nights mininum. So, I send in my pants and 2 blouses. Thought, it will be left ready on the hotel bed when I got back last night but I didn't see anything. No one ring the bell also the whole night before I sleep. Thus, decided to ring up the Receiptionist to check when I got up about 8plus. I slept-in later even though I was awake by 6am. The receiptionist called back to inform me that the she was told the clean clothes are left in my room. I told her I didn't see it anywhere in the room and she said she will call back to advice.

At the same time, I asked the Receiptionist for the Wi-Fi service provided and was told it's free!! And they will send me the Username & Password. Aiyah... should have asked them last night so I can online and blog.

Decided that I shall spend my whole morning before I check-out to update my blog. Even blogging, I was worrying about my clothes... sobs... I called again by 10am and the earlier lady must have forgotten to go check on it. This time, a guy return my call that he will go check. Less than 10 minutes, someone rang the doorbell and my clothes are back!! Yipee... I think they forgotten to iron it earlier or something because the edges of the pants feels a little damp

Ok, I'm preparing to check out at 12pm into Grace Hotel where all the Plaza & nearer to town.

By road to Lahad Datu

Date: 9th April 2008
Location: Tawau

Woke up about 6am as I guessed my brain-alarm had somehow programmed it that way. Chong arranged to pick me up for breakfast at 8.15am. I had a sweet non-spicy nasi lemak & teh-tarik. I think I was too hungry until I forgotten to take a picture of it. I enjoyed the breakfast very much.

Cheerfully walk up the steps to the 3rd-floor where TS office located to continue my training. Managed to finish by 12.30pm and rush back to check-out from Heritage Hotel and start our journey to Lahad Datu. We had lunch at this town name Kunak which is in the middle between Tawau & Lahad Datu. We only had lunch about 2pm because it was raining on and off. After our simple and cheap but yet tasty lunch, we continue our journey.

Suddenly, Chong lost control a bit of the steering wheel when he was trying to overtake a kennel-oil tanker. That explains why along this road, there are a lot of "slippery-road-sign". Also left & right are oil-palm plantations. WOW! This incident was so scary! Thank God Chong managed to grab the steering-wheel on time.

Well, we reached Lahad Datu safely. We visited the warehouse and the Lahad Datu office to meet my new staff and to setup a few things. Checked-in to Asia Hotel by 5plus and get ready for dinner at 7pm. We had my old-time favourite pork dish and Joshua ordered the "Siput Gajah" ~ that looks like orkid's petals.

I thought I could go back to hotel early as I'm feeling car-lag, but Joshua brought us to a pub that has pool-tables, karaoke and some good R&B music to-dance-along. Managed to only get back to hotel by 11pm, way pass my bedtime and I couldn't sleep.

Date: 10th April 2008

Location: Lahad Datu

When I almost dozed off at 12ish, someone rang the doorbell for 2 times. I climbed out of bed to peep the door-hole and it was some local guy but I didn't bother to open the door as I did not request for anything. He left shortly after that... eerrriieee... even without the air-cond on, I still feel the coolness in the room... Only managed to fall alseep about 2am.

Was awake by 5.50am, tried to get back to sleep but only managed a few short ones on and off. Ready for breakfast by 8am and when walking around the hotel's neighbouring shops to pass time while waiting for Chong & Joshua to pick me up. The surrounding of Asia Hotel is quite noisy by 7am because the sun is out so much earlier here. We had breakfast and today, I got a picture of it... Its a unique wan-tan-mee here by the Teochew-dialect.

By 9am, got into office and training resume for my new staff. Nothing much happened other than having lunch & dinner. Lucky, managed to reach hotel by 8pm. Had my shower and did some light exercise in the room. Food is too blessing for the last few days! I think I gained some extra weight *chuckled*

Date: 11th April 2008
Location: Lahad Datu

Again woke up by 6am this morning, somehow feel that this hotel room is not that cosy to sleep in. Or either that, I'm not tired at all and needless to sleep so long. Hehehe... Well, had breakfast with Joshua at 8.30am and he brought me to another shop for wan-tan-mee which is another special-taste from yesterday.

By 9am, we got to office and resume my work. Today, I managed to get myself connected to the SAP system from HQ and I worked on some productions. At the same time, can have a feel of the operation that is going on around here. Overall, everything here is slow and steady, can't really feel the busy-ness of it. People come to work at 8am and go back by 5pm. Nobody work overtime here. I'm the one usually last to leave with Joshua & Stone Tan (the manager).

For lunch, I had arranged to meet Cora & Roland. They picked me up by 12.30pm and we went to Goodview Club for lunch. They just ordered drinks & popiah as they had eaten their food-from-home. I ordered the Set Lunch that comes with Fried Tang-Hoon, herbal soup & Teh-Tarik. Back to office by 2pm after stopping by Grace Hotel for my weekend room reservation.

Again, I requested to have dinner first so that I don't have to make a trip to hotel as I would much prefer this arrangement. We had dinner at Harbour and had a few good laughs and chats with Joshua & Stone. Back to hotel by 8pm and had my shower before I start sorting out my photos to upload for blog. Joshua asked me take the laptop with me so I can use it for the weekends.

Tawau

Touched down at 10am but the luggage took ages to come out even after I clear the airport custom. Almost 15 minutes I had to wait. Airport from the Tawau town is about 30 minutes away by car. Here, everything right and left is basically nothing till we reach closer to their town. Dropped by warehouses and supplier's office before lunch.

Had "mee siam" for lunch with Chong. It's non-spicy and tasted different from the usual I had. Strange but yet it's quite nice uniquely. After lunch, we went to the contractor's office and I started training them how to prepare reports. Called it a day by 5pm because all the staffs prepared for home by then and it's gonna be weird if I don't.

After Chong dropped me off at the Heritage Hotel, I decided to walk around the place and get myself a cup instant noodle & toothpaste since dinner will only be 8pm. Even after walking quite a fair bit, my watch still shows before 6pm. So, just head back to the hotel room to watch cartoon while enjoying my warm instant noodle. Took some self-portrait pictures too...

Well, dinner was average but so filling. Since, I don't want to trouble Chong to bring around Tawau town at night, I told him to send me back to the hotel for an early rest.

So touched

There are self-check in machines in LCCT now. But, I didn't try it.

The sun-rising before my plane take off at 7.10am.

Above the clouds, its amazing...

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~

I'm onboard the plane to Tawau... This morning woke up at 4am, got the 1st sms from KT saying, "Before u embark on a journey to the east, allow me to wish u a safe, pleasant and fruitful trip. Bon Voyage! :D". Indeed I was so touched. Even last week, CK suggested a farewell supper for me during the CG weekly meeting but due to Sis buying dinner for mom's birthday; couldn't attend. Yet, I chuckled, when CK actually mentioned about it over the phone.

Just now, right after I check-in at the flight counter, CK called with his sleepy-voice to wish me a safe journey... He just purposely get up just to wish me and I hope he is not just 'talking-in' his sleep. Nevertheless, its so thoughtful... Ok, I'm going to snooze while waiting for the plane to land at Tawau around 10.30am. Zzz...

2nd Celebration 4 Mom

Last night, Sis wanna buy mom her birthday dinner so dad & I get to enjoy it too. We had our dinner at Sri Ayutthaya (at Jln Setiapuspa); near my sis's in-laws' home. Thai-cuisine... sounds spicy... but I'm excited and looking forward to it as well. I'm craving for mango juice and I ordered it. Usually, there are a few things you gotta order when you dine in the thai-restaurant. So, mango is a must... Kekeke... Before the meal start, I was going around taking pictures as usual...

After our delicious food, we all felt so full that we decided to stroll our way uphill towards the in-law's place and leave our car at the bottom of the hill near the restaurant. It was a good way to burn off some fats... Kekeke...

While the rest of us catching up on with each other, Elisa is fast asleep...

A Break to the Beach

It's been quite a while since I last go for a beach vacation. Last minute, FH & I planned a short trip to Teluk Kemang where my Company's bungalow is. We left at 5.30pm sharp right after my office hour and it was raining quite heavily on our way there. By the time we reached Seremban, the rain stopped and its all sunny again. We stopped by the highway rest-place to get our dinner since it will be very dark by the time we reach the bungalow. So, we bought KFC and it's self-service. Very funny and the price is so much more expensive. Highly not recommended to dine in fast-food outlets along the highway-rest-stop unless really no choice.

We were here for 2 nights, on Thursday we started to essemble the jigsaw puzzle and we completed it by Friday. That's an achievement I would say...

On Friday, we left the bungalow around 4pm and on our way, we dropped by the Mini Zoo but unfortunately, they are charging so expensive for the entrance fee that we decided not to go in. And then, we head to the Ostrich Farm and here, it started to drizzle when we got in so we spend quite a while here and we also stopped at the Cafe for Ostrich Meat Satay while waiting for the rain to stop. Taste okie...

Since we pass by Nilai, I decided to visit my college and so happened that FH's brother is also studying here. So many changes in this town and even the highway exit has been re-diverted. We had "luk-luk" before we visit the academic block. Then, we continue to stroll the whole campus; from the cafeteria, to the swimming pool, to the multi-purpose hall to the dorms.

We had dinner together with FH's brother at this cozy-jungle ambience cafe called Aunty Aini Cafe. Other than feeding the mosquitoes, I ordered a shepard's pie which I don't quite like after tasting it but probably, I wasn't feeling so hungry either. I still prefer the crusted pie...

Reached home almost 10pm and lucky, it's the weekend that I can laze a bit still after the beach-break... but also I have to get prepare for my Sabah trip for work-purpose next Tuesday.

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