International School of Kuantan (ISK) tour

The fabulous International School of Kuantan (ISK) in Indera Mahkota, Kuantan

On a quiet Sunday afternoon of subdued corridors and empty classrooms, we were taken on a tour of the new premises of the International School of Kuantan (ISK). 

ISK is located in Indera Mahkota off Persiaran Sultan Abu Bakar, and is situated right beside the Immigration Complex.

Simple directions to International School of Kuantan (ISK) from Kuantan town taking Jalan Kuantan-Sungai Lembing, turning right onto Persiaran Sultan Abu Bakar, and taking the second left where ISK is located beside the Immigration complex

Waiting area at the main entrance of International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Looking down on the waiting area from the 2nd floor at International School of Kuantan (ISK) 

Classic American style lockers line the corridors at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Classic American style lockers line the corridors at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

We were showed around a selection of the classrooms, all of them light, bright and spacious with individual desks and chairs. All classrooms are fully air-conditioned and most of them include Smartboards.

IT classroom at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Classroom at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Classroom at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

A selection of students' artwork on display at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

One of the science labs at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

A row of taps in a science lab at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Experiment booth in a science lab at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Science labs at International School of Kuantan (ISK) are even equipped with an emergency shower

My personal favourite, the music room, at International School of Kuantan (ISK), fully equipped with sound proof walls

Music room at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Lauren tries out the drums in the music room at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

I was intrigued with the Smartboards in the classrooms. They can project what is on a laptop and are also touchscreen. You can also use a special pen to draw on them. There are probably other ways they can be used that I don't yet know!

A Smartboard in a classroom at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

We were also shown the library, a room full of knowledge at every turn. While the shelves are not yet full, books are being added steadily. I was particularly overjoyed to see several shelves packed with National Geographic magazines - my personal favourite!

Fidelia and the girls sitting comfortably in the library at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Reader's Digest, National Geographic and Time magazines are all available to read in the library at the International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Dictionaries, encyclopedias, fiction and non-fiction adorn the shelves of the library at International School of Kuantan (ISK) with more to come

Girls toilets at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Boys toilets with urinals at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

International School of Kuantan (ISK) boys showers/changing rooms behind the sports hall. The girls changing rooms are slightly different and in pink

We were then taken outside and showed the cafeteria. We learned of plans to build a futsal pitch and a swimming pool bordering the cafeteria. These are great plans and I look forward to seeing them once they are complete.

The cafeteria at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

International School of Kuantan (ISK) chefs pose for a photo in the kitchen

While I had been amazed by all the classrooms and had already developed a very optimistic and positive mental view of the school, the best was yet to come. 

The hall.

And what an incredible hall it is!

I think my initial reaction was a gasp followed by the exclamation, "What the hell is this!" (pardon my language)

The hall at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

The hall is equipped for badminton, basketball and table tennis. The floor has 6 layers, ideal for preventing sporting injuries, and is soft and comfortable to walk or run around on. There is a stage complete with a full set of lights, speakers and curtains, and all four walls are fitted with sound-proof panels which absorb the sound. Yes, we tried shouting and screaming, and there is no echo! I also played some shadow tennis, pretending to hit some forehands and backhands, to test out the 6-layer flooring. 

The 6-layer sports surface at International School of Kuantan (ISK) is certainly impressive

The stage at International School of Kuantan (ISK). It needs a little more work before it is ready for action

Backstage view at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Our girls performing on stage at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Looking down the length of the hall from basketball hoop to basketball hoop at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

What a marvellous school! Now, I was by no means the biggest fan of going to school in my teenage years, but I left ISK on this Sunday afternoon with the overwhelming feeling that "I want to go back to school again!"

Wall Window

A window in a long wall running around the perimeter of SK Bukit Sekilau, a primary school in Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan. Parts of the school can be seen through the window.

Photography is a very rewarding hobby. It develops a sharp eye and helps us notice the beauty and detail all around us. Even in seemingly ordinary things like a wall. At closer inspection there is something to be photographed :)

Braving the monsoon rains in Kuantan: A Video

Severe flood warnings are out across Kuantan as the monsoon season has hit hard in its first couple of days. There is widespread flooding around the town but I went out to take photos and record this short video so you can see what we're dealing with.

And here are a few photos I took whilst on my walk around my immediate area:

Mr. Samindan tries to unblock the drains outside his restaurant and my apartment block in Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan

Cars slowly making their way along Jalan Dato' Lim Hoe Lek, Kuantan

Slow moving cars kick up ridges of rainwater along Jalan Dato' Lim Hoe Lek, just beside East Coast Mall, in Kuantan

And here are some more photos which are credited to Life@Kuantan facebook page:

Near St. Thomas school looking to Jalan Tun Ismail, Kuantan

This is a public car park close to Berjaya Megamall (background)

These two gentlemen had to wade through chest-high waters at Shahputra college, Indera Mahkota, Kuantan

My Journey to Kuantan - Part 1 - Raised in England

Over the course of this week I'll be taking you on my journey to Kuantan.

• How did I, an Englishman, end up in Malaysia?
• What made me choose to come to this part of the world?
• How did I discover this little town called Kuantan?
• Learn of the events that fixed my destination to Kuantan

Today I'll be sharing Part 1 - Raised in England.

I was born in Leicester, England almost 30 years ago. We are as normal an English family as you're likely to meet. Mum and dad both working, earning an average salary, and live in a quite satisfactory semi-detached house in a quiet village called Glenfield.

Here I am at 18 months old. (Credit Joanna Horne)

(Credit Joanna Horne)

The first major event that happened in my life was in 1985 when I was only 3 years old. I don't remember anything about it, but it has determined the life I have lived ever after.

Two sister missionaries representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) knocked on my mum's front door, and not long afterwards my mum decided to join the church.

In later posts I'll explain just how vital this was in my journey to Kuantan.

Living in England, we always looked forward to the snow in the winter months. For two reasons - to go out, build a snowman, throw snowballs, and secondly, because if it was a particularly heavy snowfall, there would be no school!

However, as I grew older, I hated the snow, ice, slush, cold and wind - another factor in my journey to Kuantan.

This is my street in England. (Credit Joanna Horne for this image)

Glenfield village Square. (Credit Joanna Horne)

In the distance is my dad. (Credit Joanna Horne)

I lived a real good childhood in England. Got a formal education, had lots of great friends and got up to lots of mischief. Also played lots and lots of sports!

Here I am hitting a serve at the tennis court

And here I'm hanging out with my mates on New Years Eve. (My friends will probably never forgive me for posting up this picture!)

This is me standing outside our home in England

Look out for Part 2 tomorrow!