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!

Kuching trip, July 2014

In July, we went to Kuching, Fie's hometown, to visit her family for 4 days. Stayed at her sister's house and spent all our time with family. It was, I must admit, an extremely enjoyable occasion. I am not usually one for big family get-togethers, but with my wife's sisters (all 4 of them, as you'll see in the photos), I was comfortable and really enjoyed their company.

Here's my gorgeous wife with her 4 sisters, all looking rather sumptuous

Florina (the lady on the right of the picture) and I have been best friends since I first met her in Borneo when she was 9 years old, back in 2003. We love taking photos, she's my model.

We took KLIA Ekspres from KL Sentral to KLIA2, the brand new airport which hosts all AirAsia flights. This is me feeling nervous moments after take-off while the plane was executing its climb to cruising altitude:

Here's a great view of the city of Kuching I took during our descent and approach to the runway:

Florianna, the lady in the centre of the first photo, picked us up at Kuching International Airport (KIA) where we immediately went for a special craving only to be found in Kuching - Kolo Mee!

Deliciously satisfying Kolo Mee

This Kolo Mee was worth the plane ticket already. We ate at Wisma Saberkas.

Chatting with my niece, Bintang

Our first night, we stayed at Four Points by Sheraton, another pleasant stay at this particular hotel. Enjoyed our room window with a view of the planes landing and departing from KIA. That window also provided inspiration for a little photoshoot with Florina, which you'll see shortly!

Swimming at Four Points by Sheraton, Kuching

Went to Felicia's house (she's the sister on the left of that photo at the top of the post) to have dinner and hang out before heading to the hotel to sleep.

My wife and sisters with their grandma

So on to the inspirational photo shoot at the hotel. Urai (Florina's Iban name, which I always use while talking with her) and I had a spare 15 minutes at the hotel and ended up with this collection of great photos:

So yeah, that was immensely fun, won't forget that anytime soon! 

Another culinary reason, besides Kolo Mee, that we came back to Kuching was Kek Lapis (or Layer Cake). For this, we drove to Mira Cake House, located just across the river from the main town area.

Bought several kek lapis for RM10 each. Ate a whole one in the car on the way back home! Like an animal!

Everywhere I go in Kuching, I am in a car with company like this:

Chillin' out with Fie and Urai

Another reason we were in Kuching was to be there for my nephew Noah's 1st birthday party. We had the family round for dinner and the birthday celebrations.

Yep, the poor boy couldn't wait to get stuck in!

Big family photo!

Games followed soon after, with Twister providing the laughs:

"Siapa kentut?" translates as 'Who farted?'

A radiant Felicity with her daughter, Bintang

Our beautiful girls with their gorgeous aunty

Really, we didn't want this holiday to end, such was the fun we had in Kuching with family. Our flight back to KL was smooth as we enjoyed the scenery of the skies:

AirAsia's nasi lemak received two thumbs up!

We then took a Malaysia Airlines plane for the 30-minute flight back to Kuantan from KLIA.

It was around the same time we were flying back to Kuantan at around 10pm Malaysia time that MH17 was tragically shot down over Ukraine, ending the lives of the 298 passengers and crew on board. We learned the news not long after we landed. 

I'm extremely grateful for our safe journeys, and ever mindful of the families of those whose journey in life has been cut unexpectedly short. Each moment spent alive, and with family, is a treasure.

Jessie Loves Pink

You may be wondering who Jessie is and why she likes pink, seeing as almost every single female on the planet adores that colour.

The truth is, I'm at a manicure and pedicure place called "Jessie Loves Pink" in Tabuan, Kuching.

We have touched down in Borneo and I'm writing this post while my sisters get their nails done and Leah disturbs everything on show!

My sister Florianna will be having her engagement party on Friday night at Damai Beach Resort, which we are looking forward to a lot.

My wife asked me in the car just now how it feels to be the only man amongst five sisters-in-law. I responded that I feel very lucky! I'm enjoying being their photographer!

Have a great day wherever you are. Do you ever go all eccentric and splash out on some pampering?

Fidelia's Friday - Great trip

We finally went back to Kuching on 12th October 2011. We stayed there for 7 days. It went by very fast for us.

Kuching City, looking down from the plane...

When we reached home, my three sisters, Felicia, Florianna and Florina were there to greet us. My grandma (my dad's mum) finally was able to meet her English/Iban great grandchildren. She wasn't aware of our second daughter, Leah. Nobody told her that I gave birth to the second one. So, she was like "Whose baby is this then?" Oh, bless her!

Our grandma with her granddaughters and great granddaughters...

The first day was just a rest day for us. My dad cooked us lovely dinner! He is a very talented cook. He has been cooking for us since we were born even until now.

Home sweet home...

The second day was a busy one. We had to do all the preparation needed for the reception. After our dinner at home, my dad took us to Kuching Riverfront. 

Kuching Waterfront

The third day was a Friday. My dad took a day off work so he could take us to Damai Beach Resort. Before we headed to the beach, we went to Sarawak Museum. At night, we double checked the list for the reception and packed our stuff for a one night stay at Penview Hotel.

Damai Beach

The fourth day was THE BIG DAY for my sister, Felicia and for all of us. We enjoyed ourselves. We sang along with our dad when he sang "Only You". I had to go up to the room early because it was too noisy for Lauren. Leah was being such a good baby! She didn't cry even when people were passing her around like "pass the parcel" game.

Singing with our dad

The fifth day was not a good day for us. When we were about to check out we discovered that Felicia's jewellery box which she borrowed from the bridal shop was stolen from our room. It was there before we all went down for breakfast. It must have been stolen while we were not in the room. The hotel staff didn't seem to care and told us we must have misplaced it and insisted it wasn't the hotel or the housekeepers' fault. My sister had to pay RM500 for it! We were not satisfied with the hotel at all.

Penview Hotel, Kuching

Anyway, let us move on to our sixth day. My sister, Florianna flew back to Johor in the morning. We went to MJC, a place not far from my house to get some lunch. Of course we ordered Kolo Mee. My favourite noodle of all time. We also went to Sunny Hill to buy the best home-made ice-cream in Kuching.

This is where we bought our Kolo Mee...

Kuching Kolo Mee... yummy!

Sunny Hill Ice-cream...

On our last day in Kuching we went to Wisma Saberkas to meet a couple of my university friends. We went to my all time favourite restaurant called ALL JOY! They have the best ginger chicken ever. Our flight was at night and before we boarded the plane, we met my ex-classmate to give her DSLR camera back and she bought some chocolate for Lauren. 

ALL JOY Restaurant...

We really had a good trip! We are now looking forward to the next trip back to my home. 

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!! FOR LAUREN, HER HOME IS KUANTAN AND SHE IS HAPPY TO BE HOME!!!

CPB members, vote for my photos here