A glimpse of paradise in Langkawi; Visit Malaysia 2014

2014 is Visit Malaysia year, and a great place to start is the paradise island of Langkawi. Two of my sisters-in-law, Florina and Felicity, recently spent 2 nights at Ombak Villa by Langkawi Lagoon Resort and didn't want to leave this stunning paradise!

Check out their cool video of this gem of Malaysia:

Here are just a few of the many photos they took in Langkawi. I can feel their excitement in each picture!

(All photos credited to Florina and Felicity Michael)

Langkawi Lagoon Resort

Watching the sunset in Langkawi

Chalets at Langkawi Lagoon Resort

Florina on the beautiful beach

Breathtaking views at Langkawi

Chilling out for an afternoon sailing on a boat

My crazy sister!

Breakfast at Langkawi Lagoon Resort

Thanks Florina and Felicity. Langkawi looks awesome! To learn more of the resort or book your stay, please visit the website here: Langkawi Lagoon Resort

You are now ready to pack your bags and come to Malaysia!

Back home from Kuching

So we are back home in Kuantan after more than a week in Kuching, on the island of Borneo.

I first set foot on Borneo in 2003 when doing a volunteer working contract. Kuching was different to Peninsular Malaysia and I fell in love with the place. I also met my wife's family before I fell in love with her at first sight!

I've been back to Kuching a number of times since the first visit. As of 2012, Kuching has changed a lot. There is improved infrastructure, buildings, shopping malls and hotels, along with KL-like traffic jams at times!

Lauren was so scared of almost everybody in Kuching, from grandparents to uncles to cousins. It made it a very difficult and stressful trip. Thankfully she absolutely loves her aunties!

Here are some photos of the people of Kuching, who made our trip interesting, fun and wholesome...

My wife and her sisters

To the left is my wife's grandma

Leah looked at the camera!

My wife's grandfather is 92 years old and asked me to try on his Iban waistcoat. I later wore it to my sister-in-law's engagement party.

My wife and her 4 sisters, their cousin Jenny on the far right; Aser (in the white shirt near the middle) is Florianna's fiance from Egypt; far left is Aser's friend Khaliel (unsure of exact spelling). Lauren was crying because she was scared of the Egyptians, Leah was just fine!

In KL preparing for our drive to the airport

At the airport waiting for our plane to Kuching

Eating the ever-gorgeous Kolo Mee at Hui Sing, Kuching

Two of my sisters-in-law, Anai and Urai, posing nicely at Lim Hock Ann Seafood restaurant in Buntal, Kuching, near Damai beach

Posing for a photo at The Hills mall, Kuching

Lauren and her aunty Urai buying some refreshments from a roadside stall in Kuching

It's good to be back home in Kuantan after the travelling. We all need a rest after a difficult time with the children. However, I miss Kuching, the sunset over the mountains, but most of all, I miss being with family. I'm not the kind of guy that enjoys being around other people for too long, but the people we were with in Kuching, made the trip memorable. 

Thanks to all those who helped us with accommodation and getting around!

Fidelia's Friday - Lovely sisters of mine!

Today my post will be about my lovely sisters. I decided to write a little bit about them because I love them so much and I can't wait to see them again in Kuching next month. It has been a while since we all got together as sisters. Although, the second youngest won't be able to join us next month, but it's okay! There will always be next time.

So, my oldest sister is Felicia. She was born 2 years before me  in 1983. She doesn't have any Iban name so we call her Bibi. We are very close. We loved to keep our house tidy when we were young. We were trained by my mother at a very young age how to tidy up the house. So now that we are older, that habit of keeping the house neat and tidy stays with us. So, I guess that is a good thing. Felicia is now working as a civil engineer in Kuching. She just got married on the 8th of July 2011. We'll be there to attend her reception next month. 

I am the second one. The one after me is Florianna. Her Iban name is Lendai. She used to dislike her Iban name. I don't know why. Maybe she likes it now. She is 2 years younger than me. She will be celebrating her 24th birthday in October. She just completed her Masters degree in Safety, Health and Environment. She'll be having her convocation on September the 24th. Right now, she is continuing her PhD in Environmental Engineering and at the same time working as a Research Assistant. She shares the same hobby as my older sister and that is reading books! They can read a very thick novel and finish it within a few hours! I can never understand how they do it! 

The fourth sister is Felicity also known as Anai, her Iban name. She was born in December 1989. She is the genius in the family. She is a straight A's student. She has been a fully- sponsored student since high school. She went to a private high school and now she is continuing her final degree in IT in Melbourne, Australia. She is a very competitive young lady. I guess that's what makes her a successful student. My dad has a different way to approach her when she is upset. I won't dare to talk to her if she is angry. I love her though. 

The youngest one and the baby of the family is Florina. We call her Urai. She will be 18 in December, a few days after Christmas Day. When she was a baby, I helped my mother to take care of her. She was very close to me. I was like her second mother. I would stay at the nursery with her. I put her to sleep, I made her milk, I bathed her, I did a lot of things for her. When she was in  primary school, I used to help her with her drawings. Right now, she is doing her foundation in Science, a pre-university course. After she completes this course, she wants to take a civil engineering course. She loves to read as well. 

One common hobby that we all share is the love of dancing! Since I got married, I don't dance anymore. I don't know why! We all love to sing as well. We used to karaoke at home all the time. We always have some funny stories to tell each other. 


Of course, as siblings we have our ups and downs too. But at the end of the day, we are still sisters no matter what!

I can't wait to meet them again and have sister-to-sister time! I am so close to my siblings and I miss them.

Christmas Day 2008, the last time we were all together

L-R : Florina, Felicity, Florianna, Fidelia, Felicia 

My family including my parents

SISTERS FOREVER!!!

Are you close to your siblings? Do you share your feelings with them?