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What a Feast

2 May

After snacking and drinking at the Club, we still had time to go eat the famed Soto of Tawau, buy fresh seafood to bring home and take a snooze before dinner time. 

Dinner tonight was by far the most expensive. Our seafood spread consisted of the common and the exotic: a whole fish, snails, just the fish head, lobsters, flower crabs, jellyfish (2 types) salad, and fish stomach & fish lips, plus a vege and noodles. I think we over ordered. If we thought last night’s meal was good, tonight’s choice were better and more refined. But double the price. 

The restaurant has been reputed to charge an arm and a leg. But when you are so well known, I guess you can get away with it.

I think tomorrow I should walk rather than take the buggy when we play our third game to burn all that calories.

  

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It’s Different

2 May

We have gone off for many golfing trips with Thailand topping the list as the preferred destination. This time it is a first to Tawau, Sabah. It is only Day 2 and I can feel the difference. Somehow one just cannot compare but just experience the moment in time.

Car rides are shorter within Tawau. Maybe because everything is closer and it is not like we are going from one far end to another like in Thailand. As for the golf course, well, every club is sculpted differently by different architects and nature, so the challenges cannot be compared. While some can be easy, some can be challenging; sometimes it is not just the course but the company as well. As for food, it is also very different.

Today we will play at Shan Shui Golf & Country Club and after that, eat at a different venue.

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Where to Eat

1 May

One must know where to eat when in Tawau. And it’s not just normal food, it has to be seafood. Do avoid big air conditioned places where their menus don’t have pictures at all, not even their signature dishes. On top of this, the service crew looks frazzled, the Captain avoids eye contact, being evasive about choices, totally rude and  not apologetic when service is not up to par.

One should eat at non-air conditioned places where the food is good, cheap and prompt. Above all, they don’t make you wait an hour to be served.

In short, Yah Hoo gets our thumbs up while Maxim’s a thumbs down.

  

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Shocked

1 May

After our shower, the driver recommended us to Maxim’s Seafood Restaurant for dinner. We thought it was a good suggestion until we got there. Boy! Were we in for a surprise.

The service was much to be desired but the attitude sucks! After an hour’s wait, we were quite angry when we were told our order has yet to be cooked. We found this appalling when patrons who came after us were served! We queried the Captain, who was not quite knowledgeable in recommending what to eat, and his attitude and reply really shocked us! Is this what custom-facing front liners should treat their patrons?

When we asked for the bill, ready to walk out as nothing was cooked after an hour, he was not even apologetic! Can you believe that?! Collectively we all walked out.

We then called the driver to go to another restaurant and this time, he recommended Yah Hoo Seafood Restaurant. Here the lady boss was definitely more customer savvy. The first dish came even before the seats were warm.

Within five minutes, everything came out. Everything.

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Ohm Nom Nom

20 Apr

We were ravenous and devoured the food like we were starved for days, when in fact we snacked on Somtam, bought from a street vendor after the massage, only a couple of hours ago.

Thailand, at the end of the day, is all about the food. And the friends we go with. Don’t forget the golf courses! When the trip has the right mix of people of the same wave length, coupled with the activities, the amount of fun and camaraderie that we have is just priceless. 

Yes, we love Thailand. Tomorrow after we play Banyan Golf Club, we leave with good memories and head into Bangkok for the second leg of the trip.

And for the record, I have been wearing my MiFit band and today’s walking far exceeded my target with these staggering numbers: 22,023 steps, 13.34km and 665kcal burnt. Just about like my Paris museum adventure a few years back.

After dinner, we walked the night street market, hence such numbers. It’s been quite a day. Better rest to be fresh and ready for tomorrow.

  

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So Far So Good

20 Apr

After our golf game at Black Mountain, we visited the Hua Hin Hills Vineyard. A hot day is deserving with some good wine and a combination platter!

   

 

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Freedom!

17 Apr

I must admit the last two weeks has been quite a juggling act. Our maid went back to her country for her annual leave. This means our work schedule had to be juggled so that one of us would be home when M2 returns from school. On top of this, we had to ensure official pet number one, Rooney, is fed his dinner on the dot. So far, it’s mostly me going home early which is fine as I am hardly working anyway. I just go to the office.

And for the last two weeks, I have been more domesticated than ever! Every weekday evening, I would make dinner at home instead of us eating out. I actually cooked! And this is not just opening cans of food as before. It has been pretty healthy and full of variety. From Chinese stir fries and soup to grills and salad, the hubby and M2 are definitely well fed. I am pleased to say I have not lost my cooking skills.

Last night, the maid returned and freedom ensued! So off for a much deserved game of golf today! Yay.

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Disappointment

16 Apr

At the beginning of March this year, I have been tracking when the BMW Golf Cup International tournament would open for registration. Two days ago, I remembered to check and discovered that the tournament details were finally up; it could have been up earlier and I was not aware. Nonetheless, I was excited and quickly tried to register online.

This is a tournament that I have been playing in for the last three years and was looking forward to participating again this year. Last year’s participation was my best effort – in the three attempts – coming in first and qualifying for the National Finals. At the Finals, I had a good time and won the Longest Drive novelty in the women’s category. Reminiscing the good memories, I was ready to fill up the necessary questions.

But I was in for a surprise. When I couldn’t go beyond the ‘select the date’ option, I called BMW Voice only to be informed that I am no longer eligible to participate this year! Noooooo….

Boo hoo hoo… I found out that it is a discreet BMW policy disallowing owners with vehicles that are more than 7 years old from the date of purchase. I was crestfallen. My car is seven this year, thus the ineligibility.

Unable to hide the disappointment, I went and drown my sadness with a huge plate of Briyani rice! Something I shouldn’t eat because of the protein diet that I am on but I couldn’t help it. I needed to drown my sadness and carbo was a good reprieve.

Maybe I should consider a new model by next year? Hmm…

  

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Last Day Together

20 Mar

Today is the last day for the family as a unit; come tomorrow M1 and Humphrey will leave for university. It has been an emotional week of sorts. Flashes of when I was leaving my parents dinosaur years ago crowded my thoughts and now, a sense of déjà vu, only that the situation is the reverse now – me as the parent and my child leaving.

The whole week had been packed with luncheons and dinners with friends and family. I have stopped standing on the scale and I think it has given up on me too.

I am so glad that this week is also the school holidays, so M2 was able to spend the precious week with M1. Come tomorrow, let us not be sad but be happy for the new and exciting life that awaits M1.

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Where Do Chickens Come From?

16 Mar

When the girls were younger, I must admit I used to deflect their query of where do chickens come from. I wouldn’t call it a lie but an art of deflection because it was far too complicated to explain. Plus there were far too many ‘whys’ at that young age, it was tough to answer the non-stop queries. You know, when you thought you gave a satisfactory answer, they’d counter back with a ‘why?’ and it goes on to frustrate the daylights out of you.

So I told them, when they were young, that chickens came from the supermarket. Every time when we were at grocery store, the chicken was right there, at the meat section to justify my answer. So simple. No further explanations required.

Last Friday, we brought the girls to a real chicken farm and the old explanation of chickens coming from the supermarket was finally squashed.

It was a little self-run chicken farm managed by a retired engineer. The farm was very clean; there was no foul (pun intended) odor in the air nor any droppings on the ground. The girls were fascinated and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, even when the alpha goose chased them.

On top of rearing chickens, the engineer also has an al fresco area for dining on what else but chicken dishes! Curry chicken, rendang chicken, fried chicken and salt baked chicken.

It was the healthiest of chicken dishes and one dining experience that M1 will remember for sometime. The good host made her promise to do well at university and when she comes back for her holidays, he will give her a free chicken, flavor of choice, to savor. How nice.



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