Friday, 3rd February
Walking to our plane before sunrise.
Our flight departs LCCT at 735am so the night before we took up our friend's offer to bunk over at her place so we can all leave together at 445am to the airport by car pooling. There were 7 parties leaving Tropicana, and we met up with the two Korean families and another couple who were joined us for this trip. A lawyer friend joined us later with the evening flight. Believe me we even have an "in house" paediatrician along with us : )
At the airport, I brought the kids for a quick breakfast at the premium lounge, but the food available were only plain porridge and mee hoon.
I almost got left behind!
Passing the security check point, I realised that I didn't have my IC with me. I remembered to bring the kids' ICs and passports but didn't check my own wallet for my IC. I had stupidly assumed it was there and after frantically searching for it, only did I realised that it was at home - in my SGD wallet! Haiyooo... how how how? They didn't allow driving licence, and I didn't have any other IDs with me, so hubs left the group with me, passed the security check point again and out to the police beat.
We ran so fast, praying on the way, and thank God the policeman was kind to help prepare the report for me, stating my lost of IC. The gate will be closed in 10 minutes and we had to hurry. When the report was printed, the policeman quickly passed it to me and offered to sign his copy on my behalf. We thanked him and ran all the way back the waiting lounge where our group was waiting. But just as they were lining up to go in and I caught my breath, I saw the report in my hand was the wrong one and I had to run all the way back, pass the security check point, and out to the police beat again. This time the policeman passed me the right report and I ran with all my might back inside.
What an episode even before we start our holiday! Hubby was planning to continue his slumber on flight but he said he couldn't after the sprint.
Oh well, this is my and the kids' first time to East Malaysia.
The weather was good throughout the flight, and we got the kids to continue their slumber on flight. But rain poured as our plane touched down in Sandakan Airport.
Looking out at the beautiful East Malaysian skies that greeted us just before landing
When we got out of the arrival lounge, our host's father, sister and brother-in-law were already waiting for us to ferry us to our respective accommodations. Some of us stayed at his sister's house, some in his new office shop, some in a brand new hotel and us and another mother and her child stayed at the parents' home.
Our host's parents are very nice, hospitable old folks who gladly opened their home to us, so we paid our respects by wishing them and gathering at their house before lunch.
Walking along Jambatan Lapan towards our lunch venue. William likes to walk off by himself, doesn't hold my hand so much now. Guess this is expected right, but sure adds stress as we had to keep watching out for him and calling him back if he's up to mischief.
Sim Sim Seafood Restaurant
I like the spaciousness of our lunch venue, at Jambatan Lapan, Sim Sim. We ate at the original restaurant, because there was another similar restaurant on a bridge next to ours. Our host even told us a little history of the place since he grew up in Sandakan.
As we waited for and during our lunch, we had the privilege to watch incoming fishermen's boats with their catch. They are hired by the restaurant apparently and do not sell to customers dining there.
Some of the fishermen's catch.
More catch of the day.
A fisherman holding a big fish he caught.
William is too young to be scared of the lobster? Well, he's not. Mummy dare not even hold it.
Lobster amongst the fishes
Prawns. Lovely!
Kids too hungry, and we dug in before I remembered to snap a picture of the fish, cooked with salted plum and taucu sauce.
Forgotten name of this prawn. Was told it was good or better. I love all kinds of prawns.
Home made prawn ball soup. They melt in your mouth - very very delicious!
Home made seafood taufu. Also another delight.
The girls playing after lunch. They are camera-shy, and ducks everytime I attempt to snap pictures of them.
Vic and Ruby
By the time we finished lunch, it was nearly 3pm. We drove to this place which I forgotten the name, to buy prawn crackers.
Along the way to buy prawn crackers from a lady selling from her home
This is where we got our home made prawn cracker. Recommended by our host.
After prawn crackers, we did a short city tour. This is the interior of St Michael Anglican Church. Very beautiful.
And the majestic building outside.
The gate of "love" in the church grounds.
I received a little flower a young "man" in the church grounds - William. : )
And another flower from this young chap. He insisted to pluck another flower but I said no. My son knows that I love flowers so he gives me flowers at almost every chance, even plucking flowers from our very own garden (already not many are growing and he plucks them) and I even get straw flowers from him too : )
The girls thought the bell was not working, but apparent it was! The girls rang the bell twice before a caretaker told us off! Hehehe...
And this is the English Tea House, overlooking the coastline.
This is a wonderful place to "paktor" or simply chill out with friends. Totally English - only they don't have englishmen or english ladies to serve us.
We occupied three tables (as with everywhere we went, since there were 30 of us) and our table ordered this deluxe set, comprising of cheese cookies, sandwiches and english scones, accompanied with Sabah Tea, don't ask me why not english tea.
Piggy ride on Daddy's shoulders, after he ran so much. This boy sweats like he just showered. We ordered a refreshing watermelon juice for the kids.
A nice landscape picture of the girls in the garden
At night we ate at Ocean King Seafood Restaurant. The open car park was close to full, and there were obviously two groups holding their private events there. Our dinner was late because we arrived at 9pm, although our reservation was made for 8pm. But we didn't have to wait long for the food, and they once they started serving, we couldn't "eat in time"... too much food but hey, who's complaining when the seafood is so fresh and wonderfully cooked?!
Lemon chilli chicken. Nice, but we couldn't simply finish so much food on the table, and had to leave this as last priority
"Tung Fung Lor." I'm not quite used to eating this. We had to use a toothpick to dig the flesh out.
Prawns prawns and more prawns! I ate until I was so full but just couldn't resist the prawns since they died for a cause - to be eaten!
Hot plate beef
This is by far my no.1 favourite dish - fresh scallops cooked with just ginger and spring onion. It's so fresh, the scallops even had it's muscles still attached to it. You can guess who clean off this dish.
End of Day 1. Tomorrow we have to wake early and leave Sandakan at 7am. Our itinerary was to go to Mabul Island via Semporna by rented coach.
