Leaving Brunei!

After 13days away from Brunei we thought it was time to write about leaving Brunei for good. We decided to leave as the schooling for the boys at ISB (International School Brunei) was very bad. Aaron accepted a position in Blenheim so that will be our next chapter.
There were mixed feelings about leaving especially from Liam as he was going to miss all his mates but to be honest if there was no travel his parents wouldn't miss Brunei at all. Jordy was happy to stay but also excited about the prospect of going back to see the Nanas.
We ventured a few times over the border to Kulua Lurah for a bit of normality and to enjoy our time with Momison. She looked after us at her restaurant over the 2 years and the girls were fantastic to the boys. We said our goodbyes to the people we enjoyed spending time with although in a country like that you meet some idiots that aren't in the real world.

Kuala Lumpur and our only Brunei Visitor

So after departing Johor and Aaron the boys and I flew to KL to met up with Anissa.  We were all looking forward to our first visitor from home.  Off to the markets in the morning, where Anissa tried to keep the local economy going for several years with purchases of many handbags, which Jordan keeps reminding me about.  Later that afternoon we met up with one of Liams friends from Brunei who now lives in KL.  They picked us up and we had a great afternoon at their house, Liam was invited to spent the night with Canute, who already had Harry (another ISB friend staying).  That gave time for Theresa (Canutes mum) Anissa, Jordy (yes he loves shopping) and I to do some more retail therapy.

Liam spent the whole next day with Canute, which was great for us all as Liam hates shopping we took the opportunity to do the markets again and shopping centres.  One very tired Liam returned after playing football all day and talking all night with his mates.  Great for him to get the opportunity to visit friends he has made in his travels.

Monday saw us taking the boys to Kidzania, where they get to try out different jobs.  The concept is fantastic but unfortunately we were a little disappointed with the overall experience.

The next day we relaxed as it was our first day to relax and Liam was still very tired.  Anissa once again took this opportunity to do yet more shopping!!!!  We went to Aarons favourite restaurant for dinner.

Off to Sunway Lagoon for a very full on but fun day.  Once again this waterpark is not as good as the ones in the Gold Coast, but still well worth a visit.  After a morning of water rides, we spent the afternoon on the theme rides.  Anissa didn't open hers eyes once whilst on the pirate ship and I don't think she appreciated Jordy saying now it goes right over (meaning we where completely upside down).  In fact she disliked the ride that much when I took Liam to another attraction she made Jordan go back on it on his own.  What sort of Aunty does that!!!!

Our final day saw us do one last shopping experience at a large mall, followed by another great meal at Aarons favourite restaurant.

Then we were Brunei bound.  Anissa filled with excitment with the wonders that Brunei had to offer.

Singapore and Johor Bahru

Our trip in October got changed a few times due to the incompetence of the Bruneain Govt and changing the school dates for holidays. So version 3 saw us going to Singapore for 4 days and then onto Johor Bahru for a couple of days to visit Legoland. Amanda and the boys would then travel onto Kuala Lumpar to meet up with Anissa for a week and then fly to Brunei while I was to fly to Brunei after Johor Bahru for the start of school.

As we didn’t know if we were leaving Brunei at the end of the year we decided to do the 2 day pass at Sentosa Island. Day one saw us visit Universial Studios which was fine except the major rollercoaster was not working which was a shame. It was a good day however the park was no where near as good the Gold Coast Parks. Day two allowed us free rides on about 15 attractions such as the; Sedgwick, luge trapez and cable car.This was a full on day which was great as we were able to go on things that we would possibly not on another day. The boys really enjoyed it and we were at the park for about 10hours.

The next day we went to a waterpark near Changi. Liam loved this day and it gave us a chance to chill abit. Rides such as the torpedo where the floor just disappears and you hurtle so many meters straight down was pretty exciting. There was a ride there called the “slime up”. Best ride! You go on a tube and ride down on a ‘U’ shape backwards and forwards. So freaky as when you start you cant see where you are going as the shape doesn’t allow you to see the sides of the ‘U’ so you feel like nothing is there.

It was a full on Singapore experience which saw us visit the Marina Bay Sands. A building that is so expensive to purchase anything in it is well worth a look. Jordy liked the Ferrari Shop while Liam just wanted to leave (not a shopper).

It was a quick stop to Johor as we walked over the border and headed to the hotel to drop our bags off. Once done we taxi to Legoland. A really good day where we all enjoyed the attractions. Not because they were thrilling but the cleverness of them and how well they catered to the children who were able to enjoy and relax on a variety of rides. We were there all day and returned back to the hotel at about 7pm with 2 very tired boys. The boys travel so well now and apart from the bit of moaning (get it from Amanda) they relish the opportunities. The next morning we were to part, me to Brunei and Amanda and the boys to KL.

Cambodia's Beach Areas

When we originally visited Cambodia in August 2012, the then Manager of Hotel 9, advised us of the beach areas around Cambodia to visit, in fact he put together an itinerary for us, including recommended hotels to stay in, so on this return visit we decided to make use of this inside information, thus seeing a new and different side to Cambodia.   We hired a private car to drive us the 4 hours (no planes fly this route currently, but they are looking to in the near future) to Sihanoukville.  We found the accommodation ok, but not as we had expected and it was rather touristy.  Unfortunately I got sick on the second day and spent the next two in bed.  The boys and Aaron explored the local area and beach.  Feeling better the next day we took a tuk tuk to the recommended beach area, we were spend a great day relaxing, boys swimming and playing in the sand, good food and the compulsory beer (only for Aaron as I was obviously sick as I didn't have any)  The next day Jordan was feeling a little under the weather so him and I stayed at the hotel (it was raining anyway) and Liam and Aaron found a hotel with Xbox 360, so both were happy.  Upon their return Aaron and I found a great bar directly across from the hotel called the Purple Midget.  We ending up staying late into the evening and participating the local quiz night, which was very entertaining.  The next day we departed for Kep about 2 hours drive away.  This is a very sleepy settlement, which reminded us of Akaroa before it was developed.  Our hotel was right on the beach front and as it was monsoon season, there was only us and one other couple staying.  Kep is famous for its seafood and pepper fields,  so the first night we ventured to the seafront where we had a magnificent dinner.  Aaron had local crab, Jordy prawns, Liam squid, me pork, beer, wine, milkshakes all for under $50.  The next day we did an island tour to Rabbit island, which was very tranquil and relaxing, the boys spent most of the day in the sea swimming,  it has local shacks for restaurants, serving everything you could want.  It was a great day out, followed by another spectacular dinner the same restaurant with large servings of seafood for everybody (except me who ate more pork, anybody would think I currently live in a country that doesn't have pork, oh that's right I do!!!)  Then is was time to head back to Phonm Penh for the last two nights for last minute shopping and final goodbyes to our Cambodian friends.  It was once again with heavy hearts we left Cambodia.  We will be back.

Phnom Penh

With only myself and the boys for the first three days, I had googled things to do with children in Phnom Penh, which included a western style shopping mall which had toy and DVD shops and a 4D ride, so after a quick market visit for me to do some much needed retail therapy, off we went. The boys loved the 4D ride so that was added to the list of things to redo when Aaron arrived.   Also amazingly enough for a third world country they had recently opened a Kidz City, which included laser tag, rock climbing, adventure playground and an ice skating rink (far more than Brunei offers).  The rock climbing was almost identical to clip and climb in Chch, great for the boys as they haven't done any since we left, it also had a Gloria Jeans coffee shop so a good morning was had by all of us!!  The next day we headed back there again and this time played laser tag (which I lost) and then the boys had a great time on the adventure playground.  The days were easily filled in before Aarons arrival, however we were all looking forward to it.   Once again we decided to celebrate Aarons birthday early (as he is busy studying still so no time in Brunei to do it).  Our challenge to the boys was to try something new in every new country we visit, last time in Cambodia Liam tried frog, this time in the markets he ventured even further and tried beetle, followed by Tarantula!!  Which he ate two of, much to the disbelief of other on looking tourists.  I tried one leg, Jordan wouldn't have a bar of it , Aaron helped Liam out on his first one,then Liam ate the whole second one himself.  Then  Liam shopping enthusiastically for a present for Aaron,  Jordan was happy with what I chose for him. Aaron had been going on about an iphone5 so a plastic replica was purchased for him.  We all played laser tag, then the boys went rock climbing again, followed by lunch at another of our favourite restaurants called the Laughing Fatman (which the boys thought was appropriate for Dad) they have great pizza and cold beer. Then back to Hotel 9 where the boys painted their hands on the wall, the money for this goes towards helping save children in Cambodia from exploitation.  That night we took Ly Ly (our favourite Cambodian person) out for dinner with us to Aarons favourite restaurant on the riverside. Once again they were serving 1.5 litre glass jugs of beer 2 for $3 US during happy hour.  The food is among the best we have eaten in Cambodia.