Fidelia's Friday - 3 days 2 nights getaway at Duta Village Beach Resort

This week is a school holiday and Muslims are celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri for a month. We got a free stay for 3 days 2 nights at Duta Village Beach Resort in Balok, given to us by our house owner. 

We reached the resort at 3pm. After we checked-in and settled everything, we headed to the beach. Lauren and her daddy built some sandcastles while Leah and I just sat under the shade near the resort.

We then spent our time in the chalet at night and cooked our own dinner.

Leah couldn't get to sleep so we decided to go for a walk. While we were heading to the beach, we found a group of people celebrating a birthday. Duncan decided to say 'hi' and talk to them for a while. They gave us a slice of chocolate cake and a cupcake. They were amazed at how cute our daughters are. They came all the way from Kuala Lumpur. We took a group photo as well. Very nice people.

The next day, Lauren spent time in the swimming pool. We invited our friend, Raymond and his family to go for a swim and play at the beach. They have a 3-year-old daughter named Folla. She is Lauren's best buddy. They can't communicate with each other because Lauren only speaks English and Folla only speaks Mandarin Chinese. They can still play together though.

During dinner time, we decided to dine at the resort restaurant. I read a review saying the food is not so good. So, I was a little bit unsure whether to spend a lot on the food which wouldn't taste nice. Anyway, we gave it a go! I ordered Chicken Curry with steamed rice. Duncan and Lauren ordered Chinese Fried Rice and Grilled Sausages with fries and coleslaw. Everything came to RM44. When the food arrived, it tasted really really delicious. We enjoyed it so much! We thanked the chef for cooking us such delicious food. I'm glad we gave it a try! The food is one of my highlights.

We took some family photos as well in the chalet. 

Did some planking.

We decided to leave the next day around 10.30am. We missed our home! So good to be back and also glad we went on our little getaway. No satellite tv, no internet, no nothing. For 2 nights we lived a simple lifestyle. Back to the basic. I am not sure which one I prefer!

So, when you go on holiday, do you miss your home? I certainly do!

Duta Village Resort Kuantan Preview

Our kind apartment owner invited us to stay at Duta Village in Kuantan on the Balok beachfront. Seeing as her brother in Penang couldn't make it, she thought of us! We have the best owner, Jenny, and her sister Doreen, we could have ever dreamed of! Thanks for this lovely free holiday!

More pictures will be coming on Monday

What was your favourite holiday?

"Everyone have a brain"

"Everyone have a brain." 

This was a sentence written by one of my students in my tuition class last week. I promptly corrected it to read "Everyone has a brain." 

I asked my student if he was sure that everyone did indeed have a brain. He replied in the affirmative; I concluded that I wasn't too sure!

Last night Hari Raya began - the month of feasting to end the month of fasting. Our neighbours, for whatever flimsy reason which probably related to preparing for Hari Raya, were banging on their wall with a hammer and then drilling at 11pm. My wife went around to have a word with them and it stopped. For a while.

Our two children were already sleeping by 11pm. At 12 midnight there was more banging and drilling. I hit the wall with my hand a few times. At 12.30am the same. After 1am when the loud drilling continued I was pretty angry as I was also trying to sleep. So I put on my clothes and stormed out of my door and banged on their door. 3 times. In my anger. Nothing. I heard them muttering but no answer. Too scared to open their door!

It finally stopped. I think they got the message. This morning my wife reported that she still heard noise at 5am. Luckily, for them, I slept through it!

So in conclusion, I don't agree that "everyone has a brain". It takes both a brain and a heart to be considerate of other people, none of which my neighbours seem to have.

Have you had to put up with noisy and troublesome neighbours?

Blog Flashbacks

A year ago near the end of August 2010, we went to my friend's bird house, the first time we had ever been to such a place. It was dark, smelly and noisy, but a unique experience nonetheless.

Birds using their saliva to make coveted nests

Two years ago in August 2009, we went on a one-night trip to the famous old town of Sungai Lembing. It was like living in the past, and although one night and a day wasn't enough time to fully appreciate it, I still sensed a little magic in the air.

Our stay at Sungai Lembing

What are some unique experiences you have had in your travels?

Fidelia's Friday - Finally I'm going back to Kuching

I finally will be going back to Kuching after 5 years. I couldn't believe that the tickets are booked and I'll be flying in October.

I was so excited that I couldn't sleep the night the tickets were booked. I had all sorts of things in my head. Thinking about my favourite noodle, Kolo Mee and one particular rice porridge from the open-air market in town.

I had to persuade Duncan to agree with me because he didn't want to go through the hassle of travelling with young children. Being a photographer at my eldest sister's wedding reception got him thinking! I know he would love to take new photos for his blog. Something different to share with his fellow bloggers. 

So, we will be staying there for a week and I know it will go by so fast. I will spend my time wisely there because it might be another 5 years until I go back again.

I am over-the-top excited for our trip back. Not looking forward to the bus ride from Kuantan to KL though and the long flight back to Kuching. I am hoping the children will behave well. Hoping it will be a stress-free journey (which I doubt it will).

So, have you ever been over-the-top excited about something until you can't sleep at night??? Even Duncan is excited to go back to Kuching now!