Hazy Kuantan September 2015

The annual open burning across Indonesia brings trouble to large parts of Malaysia as winds blow the smog our way. Kuantan is now blanketed in a thick layer of haze which has now reached unhealthy levels.

The haze limits visibility of Bukit Sekilau as seen from Jalan Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan

The haze limits visibility of Bukit Sekilau as seen from Jalan Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan

The haze in Kuantan almost entirely covers The Zenith Hotel as seen from Berjaya Megamall

View of the haze from our home in Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan

View of the haze from our home in Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan. There is usually a clear view of a large hill directly behind that apartment block in the background

We are trying to avoid going out at all, only for necessary things like filling up our drinking water and getting food etc. We decided to keep our daughter home from school today as the haze had worsened considerably.

Today's air quality index for places in Malaysia including Kuantan at a rating of 144 - unhealthy

To add one bombshell to another, we also don't have any water at all for today and tomorrow. Fortunately we were aware of the arrival of a water tanker which came to provide water for our block. I made 4 journeys carrying two buckets of water to add to our storage.

Carrying buckets of water from the water tanker in Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan

Carrying buckets of water from the water tanker in Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan

Top 10 things Malaysia has Given Me

September 16th is Malaysia Day and is not to be confused with Merdeka Day (Aug 31st). Merdeka Day celebrates Malaya's independence from British rule in 1957. Malaysia Day acknowledges the merging of Sarawak and Sabah with Malaya, becoming Malaysia.

People here may go on holidays either in or out of the country, particularly if it coincides with a school holiday week. Or, people flock to the nearest shopping mall to spend the day, and money, on discounts!

Today I decided to spend some time thinking what Malaysia has given me and why I'm so thankful to be living here. So here is my 

Top 10 things Malaysia has Given Me:

1. A beautiful wife and family

Horne family photo in Kuantan, May 2014

First and foremost, the reason why this Englishman is here in Malaysia today, is my beautiful wife. After meeting my Malaysian beauty on the island of Borneo, we soon engaged and married a year later. In addition to being the woman I love, she is a great help to my cause as a local Malaysian.

2. 4 sisters-in-law

My wife with her 4 sisters at home in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Get that! Not only has Malaysia given me a gorgeous wife, but the family extends to four fantastic sisters-in-law (though I hate the 'in-law' part. I refer to them as simply 'sisters'). How lucky can one guy be?

3. A family company

Our company logo

Malaysia has given us our own family company. We registered Horne Learning Services through Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM, or Malaysia Companies Commission), and in no time we had our own business. We are able to work from home, giving us the pleasure of being with and raising our children simultaneously. Our website can be found at HLS English Classes Kuantan

4. Long-term visa with permission to work

The Kuantan, Pahang Immigration has over the years relaxed its policies and has allowed me to receive a 4-year visa with permission to work. This is a huge blessing for me which I am ever grateful for. Long gone are the days where I had to go to Singapore every 3 months to get a new stamp in my passport. I am now working towards receiving PR (Permanent Residency) in Malaysia.

5. A love of hotels

Meeting the Chief Minister of Pahang at Vistana Hotel Kuantan in February 2014

Through my blog and living in Kuantan, I have developed quite a love of hotels, which has seen us stay inside most of the notable hotels in Kuantan, and some of the smaller ones. We have often stayed there for free in exchange for positive blog reviews, while also taking the opportunity of combining our English classes with the hotel industry. We have gained many new friends in hotels in Kuantan and KL which has enhanced our lives dramatically.

6. An appreciation of health

In my hospital bed with dehydration and food poisoning at HTAA Kuantan

Malaysia has given me a more vivid awareness and appreciation of my health. Coming down with food poisoning has taught me to be extra careful what I eat and making sure it's clean and safe before consumption. Severe dehydration has alerted me to the need for drinking PLENTY of water and electrolytes, and also taking rehydration salts from time to time. 

I have also started regular workouts at the local gym, to increase my health, strength and blood circulation. It feels fabulous to work out and eat right!

Looking and feeling better at the gym

Living in this hot and humid climate has created a much greater importance to looking after my health. Coupled with my long-overdue dentist appointments to correct a number of problems at extremely low prices, Malaysia has definitely brought about an improved sense of good health.

7. A new outlook on life

with friends in Ipoh, Malaysia, May 2004

Malaysia has reinvigorated me. It has given me a whole new outlook on life. It is a combination of living a different culture, adapting to a new climate, appreciating the appearance of the sun every single day, interacting with really friendly people, serving others and experiencing new opportunities. Thank you for these wonderful things, Malaysia!

8. Nasi Lemak et al.

A gorgeous helping of nasi lemak

Mmmm, nasi lemak. The greatest food ever! And nasi kukus. And roti jala. And mango sticky rice. And a whole list of other brilliant foods. Malaysia boleh!

9. Beautiful beaches

Teluk Chempedak beach, Kuantan

Malaysia has given me a beautiful beach just 15 minutes drive down the road. Teluk Chempedak beach is the most popular place in Kuantan. I love going there and walking across the bridge through monkey territory to the next beach. What a luxury this is!

10. Astro

Astro is the Malaysian equivalent of Sky TV in England. Man, I get to watch more EPL football in Malaysia than I ever did in England. There are 14 channels dedicated to sports, with additional channels on top of that for special sporting events (ie. FIFA World Cup, Olympics etc). Malaysia has spoilt me!

Looking after yourself healthwise in Malaysia - Expat Diaries

The climate in the tropics of Malaysia is an entirely different challenge to the one in England. England rarely gets hot and is mostly a cold country. Looking after one's general health presents various problems in each climate.

I lived in England from birth for around 20 years and suffered with asthma and eczema amongst others. The cold and dry winters cracked my lips and was terrible for my lungs and breathing. 

I didn't drink much water in England - soft drinks, hot chocolate and fruit juice was the norm, even though drinking water came straight out the tap!

Influenza and tonsillitis were common illnesses which required nothing more than a routine trip to the doctor and a prescription.

Living as an expat in Malaysia is a completely different kettle of fish! For starters, my asthma and eczema problems completely and rather magically disappeared the moment I set foot in South-east Asia. It was remarkable how these ailments I had had since birth just vanished as soon as I got to the equator.

But other health issues soon arose. The heat in Malaysia is intense, and coupled with 90% humidity, it can be pretty unbearable at times. Such a climate makes dehydration a common illness.

I learned through a hospital bed that if I don't drink enough water and electrolytes, bad things will happen to me. Drinking water has now become a conscious part of my life. It's always on my mind. I also keep regularly filled with 100plus, Revive and Gatorade. At least once a month I will take a rehydration salts sachet which can be picked up from the local pharmacy.

If the worst comes to the worst and the stomach discomfort, dry tongue and nausea associated with dehydration set in, get to the nearest hospital, preferably private, and get yourself hooked-up to a saline drip - that stuff is magic and will get you feeling great in no time!

You'll also have to be careful what food you eat. While expats love to try out all sorts of local food, some of it may not be very healthy or clean, and some food stalls may operate in tardy conditions. Stomach bugs are all the more easy to catch if you don't quickly learn what your stomach can and cannot tolerate, and which places are clean and safe to dine at.

Finally, I know that most Western expats crave the sun, the beach, and getting a tan, but when temperatures are approaching 40 celsius, it's better to stay in the shade than risk getting severe sunstroke!

Top 20 Photos of 2013 - #4

#4

The Exterminator. On a sunny Saturday afternoon in 2013 we were evacuated from our apartment as health officials came to do their business in response to a case of dengue fever. The Exterminator was thrust into action. This powerful gun emits mosquito repellent in billowing clouds of destruction, smothering the outside surroundings, the underground drains and inside every apartment. Dengue fever is a serious concern in Malaysia, which is heightened as irresponsible individuals casually throw litter in drains, causing a build-up of stagnant water. Mosquitoes' favourite conditions to breed. We stood outside watching the scene unfold as the loud whir of The Exterminators filled the cloudy air. Young children were afraid; I snapped away with my camera. Yes, there are opportunities for photos in every situation; opportunities to create an image of time which tells a very important story; opportunities which can create awareness in otherwise unconcerned or ignorant minds.

More photos of the mosquito extermination in Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan

Following from a recent post on the extermination of mosquitoes in my apartment block in Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan where I explained the dangers of improper rubbish disposal and stagnant water, which lead to dengue fever, I'll share some more images of the fogging which took place.

7 tips to keep your tummy safe while travelling in South-East Asia

Yes, I've been living in South-East Asia for over 9 years now, and the tummy is still the main issue. I just can't have really spicy food as it messes up the harmony of my tummy. I've learned to 'test' food before I tuck into it, particularly that which is brought from outside stalls which may not be completely trustworthy.

And it's not only the local stuff. Western fast food, especially McDonalds, really makes me sick! (Apart from a good occasional Whopper Burger from Burger King)

I was recently contacted by a lady who has developed a lovely infographic for Gaviscon (as can be seen below) detailing 7 tips to keep your tummy safe while travelling in South-East Asia. It was very relevant for me, and I hope it will be beneficial for you too. Go ahead and visit Gaviscon's website.

While being in Malaysia is full of wonderful surprises, looking after your tummy is an important part of being here. This infographic will give you 7 easy-to-follow tips to keep your tummy safe while travelling in South-East Asia so you can enjoy every minute of your journey in this awesome area without a care in the world!

Exterminating mosquitoes in Kuantan

There have been two very recent cases of dengue fever in Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan. This results from bites of infected mosquitoes. They like to breed in stagnant water, which is unfortunately quite common in blocked drains by the sides of the roads here. On occasion, people from Health and Safety have been to our home to check for any stagnant water on our balcony, in buckets in the bathroom, even in our toothbrush cup.

I can't over-emphasize the importance of eliminating all stagnant water in our homes and surroundings. At worst, dengue fever is a killer. In hospitals in Malaysia it is usually treated with a drip and believe it or not, by asking the infected person to drink plenty of 100plus, an isotonic drink!

This evening the health officers came with their mosquito exterminating guns and gas masks to fill the entire area with clouds of repellent. We all ran outside to watch and, in my case, take plenty of photos!

This is the best image I snapped, which I think best illustrates the issues of stagnant water, lack of proper rubbish disposal, and the scourge of dengue fever:

A health officer equipped with exterminator gun and gas mask sprays clouds of repellent around our apartment block in Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan in response to two recent cases of dengue fever here.

Keep Calm and Run on

Came across this fantastic poster and had to share it somewhere in this A-Z. Last month I took up running in a bid to get myself fit and healthy and it's going great! My stamina is building with each run and I feel physically in much better condition. I listen to Eminem's 'Lose Yourself' whilst running and it makes me feel unbeatable. I know I'm not going to stop until I reach my target.

Keep Calm and RUN on!

What do you do to keep fit? What music motivates you?

Keep Calm and Eat healthy

I LOVE a good salad. Lettuce (green and purple), tomatoes, raisins, tuna chunks and thousand island dressing. It makes me feel so much fresher. We should all eat healthy. But at times it seems to be so difficult to do just that, particularly with all the heavy marketing done by fast food restaurants.

So 'E' is for Keep Calm and EAT healthy.

What are your favourite healthy foods?

Zumba workout at Taman Gelora, Kuantan

Fidelia attends Zumba classes twice a week in Kuantan. Last Saturday at 8am there was a free-for-all Zumba workout at Taman Gelora. So we attended. Fidelia participated in the 1-hour session which combines groovy music with dancing, and was led by a few instructors on stage.

I was left with the children and the camera!

The Zumba instructors were full of energy . . .

This is Fidelia's instructor, Jun . . .

Yes, even Leah joined in near the end! I'm really happy with these photos. It was the first time I had used my Canon EOS 650D manually by using a fast shutter speed and increasing the ISO to compensate.

Everyone had a great time and increased their health and fitness. Looking forward to the next one!