The week so far...

We've had a really lovely week so far...

After we caught up with friends on Saturday night (Tony had a drink with Vince and I saw Mattie), we had a sleep-in on Sunday before a spot of furniture shopping! I got a nice new tallboy set of drawers for my side of the bed. They're a bit exotic looking with baskets for drawers (maybe it's some sort of Asian influence from our hols? Or maybe I just liked them!! Hee hee...) We also got a couple of nice baskets for a cupboard. I'm in a bit of a spring-cleaning mode and we're chucking out junk and re-organising stuff.

[Yes, you read correctly. I am cleaning.]

We then took Zack for a car ride over to see his Grandma. Mum was happy to see us because we turned up with some really yummy home-style hamburgers for lunch from the local take-away place.

Sunday arvo was just a quiet one at home playing with our new furniture while I slow roasted some red capsicum, eggplant, zucchini and garlic in olive oil. Mmmmm....even tastier when we ate the vegies on toasted turkish bread with crumbled Tasmanian fetta. Heaven.

Monday night at SES we did training on emergency procedures - after a short bit of theory, they kicked us out of our two-storey building, turned out the lights and hid a few "victims" with all sorts of pretend injuries. Basically the training involved us doing recon, searches, rescue and recovery. We had to get the injured out of the building on stretchers down tight stairwells, off the top of high cupboards etc etc... It was fun and challenging! There's alot more to it than just dragging a few bodies out of a building.

Today has been the best day of the week so far, because I got to see one of my best mates, uni buddy Dave (pictured), for the first time in 18 months. He's been living it up in London and he's home for a visit. We dined on gourmet sandwiches at Jorge Bar and washed them down with a glass or two of wine.

It was soooo good to see him - we picked up just where we left off. It was like we only saw each other a couple of weeks ago. You certainly know someone is a great friend when you can do that!

I was so happy the smile lasted all afternoon - although, that could have had something to do with the wine...

I finished off today with a trip to my hairdressers up the road for a cut, colour and blow-dry. So I'm feeling very stylish as I sit here in my trackies and pink fluffy slippers :-)

Saturday 27 August

Me and my dear friend Mattie enjoying the Sangria at Montezumas on Saturday night. We talked so much the waitress was just about pushing us out the door so they could close! Mattie and I can talk about anything - from the key to a successful relationship, to the mysteries of a black hole, to toe jam.

Ben, Grant, Cath (plus 1), Shane and me on Saturday afternoon at the Brekkie Creek Hotel. Shane is heading to London for two years. Good luck! Hopefully we'll see you soon!

Sunday 21 August

Apparently staffies are quite loyal and protective of their owners. We don't see any of that with Zack.... ;-) This photo was taken just after he'd try to sit ON me!!!

Saturday 20 August

The girls hit the town on Saturday night to celebrate Fi's birthday. It was very cold, so we cowered in the couch til the last possible moment!

Here I am getting a cuddle from Auntie Fi.

Check out the size of that lamb bone!!!

A new addition to our family

On Saturday afternoon Tony and I brought home our new little bundle of joy - a 16-week-old Staffy/Labrador cross puppy.

We've been looking at dogs for some time now, and when we saw this little fellow we just knew he was the right one.

Zack is from the RSPCA, so he's de-sexed, micro-chipped, vaccinated etc...

Here is Zack just after we brought him home on Saturday. It was so cold the folks at the RSPCA left his little coat on. We'll take it back when he grows out of it (which will be soon!)

It's hard to tell who enjoys cuddles the most - Zack or Jen?

Aren't I cute?! I've just had my first bath in my new home and I'm snuggled up in front of the heater! It's such a tough life. Where's that lamb bone?

Zack loves the squeaky snowman toy my niece Sharda picked out for him! Very tasty!

p.s. This photo was taken on Wednesday - I think he has definitely grown since Saturday (when the pics above were taken).

Escape to Malaysia

Our journey across Malaysia - we flew in from Brunei to KL, up to Langkawi, then caught the bus south to Singapore.

Day one - Brisbane to Brunei

After counting down for weeks - we were finally on our way for our first overseas trip together. Mum and Dad dropped us at the airport for our 1pm flight to Bander Seri Begawan, capital of Brunei (5455km from Bris Vegas, or about seven hours flying time).

We were flying Royal Brunei to Malaysia, hence the stopover. They were pretty good - not as fancy as Singapore Airlines, but comfortable and a good price. A few little oddities though - they play a Prayer to Allah video shortly before each take-off and the TV screens will show an arrow pointing to Mecca each time the plane changes directions!

The night we arrived in Brunei the locals were still celebrating the Sultan's 59th birthday, hence the fireworks over the Sultan's Mosque. This picture was taken in the centre of town, only a short walk from our hotel. It was about 30 degrees and very humid, with rain off and on. We had a look through some of the shops, walked down by the river to see all the water taxis to the river villages (Kampung Ayer) then Butter Chicken for dinner - YUM! Back at the hotel, Tony settled in to watch some Simpsons. You just can't escape them!!!

Day 2 - Brunei to Langkawi

The next morning we went back to the Mosque to have a look on the inside - it was magnificent! Italian marble, English stained glass and gold leaf. That big gold dome isn't solid, it's actually stained glass that lets in the most beautiful light to the inside of the mosque. If you look at the pic above closely, you can see Jen on the steps (dressed in her most conservative outfit on the whole trip!)

Tony in front of the mosque

One of the main streets in Bander Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei.

We flew out of Brunei at about lunchtime, landing in Kuala Lumper airport around 4pm. We had a short one-hour connecting flight with Malaysian Airlines up to the Langkawi Islands on the west coast near the Thai border.

We didn't waste much time settling in - the silhouette is Tony bringing me cocktails by the pool. Because this part of Malaysia is so far west in the time zone (same zone as WA), it doesn't start getting really dark til almost 9pm. Fabulous!

Sunset in Langkawi - Pantai Cenang beach in front of our resort.

Since everything was so cheap compared to Australia, Tony and I decided that we would really spoil ourselves. So on our first night in Langkawi we found Teratai Reflexology for some pampering. They picked us up from our resort and we enjoyed a foot spa in these gorgeous terracotta pots with river pebbles, followed by an amazing half hour foot reflexology session. I have never had it done before and it was sensational! It's an ancient type of massage where they manipulate different spots on your feet that supposedly correspond to other parts of your body and you can really feel it! By the time they finished, Tony and I were just about asleep in our big white, comfy armchairs.

But wait, there's more! We finished off our package with a full body massage *SIGH*

Wearily, Tony and I then walked next door and enjoyed probably the best Indian food of our entire trip - Tikka Cheese Chicken, Tikka Masala, cheese and garlic naan...shall I go on?!

Day Three - Langkawi

For our first full day in Langkawi we hired our own personal driver to give us a tour. That's him on the left throwing peanuts to some monkeys. Peanuts are pretty much the going rate for your own driver with air-conditioned car - about AU$8 per hour! Bargain.

Our first stop was Seven Wells and Waterfall. But to get there we had to climb these steps (all 640 of them!). I should also point out that this is the Malaysian jungle, so it's about 35 degrees, full sun and over 90% humidity. Perfect conditions for walking UP steps. It was soooo hot, we had to keep stopping for a rest and we had sweat pouring off us!! But it was worth it!

Here's Tony standing just to the left of the falls. Notice the lady in the full black cover-up? Remember what I said about the heat? This woman has climbed a couple hundred stairs carrying her small child, while her husband walks ten paces in front in his cool shorts and t-shirt? I don't know how the women do it. I would never survive - probably be stoned to death!

After the waterfalls, it was off to the cable car ride up that mountain - about a 500 metre drop to the ground, just before you go up over the cliff face. Needless to say, I had my eyes closed for most of the ride. I wasn't too sure about the Malaysian building standards, and this ride only cost about $6 each. How can they afford good maintenance with that kind of money!!!!

This was the stage one drop off for the cable car - another terrifying climb up to stage two!

Only RM5 to have your photo taken with this carpet snake - about $2.

This bridge was about 100 metres above the ground and it was SEE-THROUGH!!! A bit nerve-racking!

On a clear day, you can see Thailand from here.

Another nerve-racking ride to the bottom of this VERY HIGH mountain, Tony and I had more Indian for a late lunch (we love it, although by the end of the trip I think Tony looked like a Tandoori Chicken!).

After a bit of shopping (translating for the male readers, a "bit" of shopping means a backpack, shoes, handbag, beauty products etc...)

Back at the resort, we went for a sunset jetski. I think I burst Tony's eardrums with my squealing! We both had a turn driving and it was so much fun. I'd never done it before.

We had some more cocktails by the pool and a quick swim before we went back to Teratai for more pampering. This time, Tony got a back massage and I had a deluxe pedicure (sorry about the picture of my feet, but I thought you should check out the gorgeous colour I picked for my toenails).

Check out the pedicure!!

Day four - Langkawi Island cruise

Here's Tony enjoying the open bar on our catarmaran cruise (I was drinking Pina Coladas before lunch!). See the beautiful limestone and jungle islands - right the way down to the blue/green water.

We had so much fun in the dragnet behind the boat - the water was beautiful! That's Tony trying to hang on.

Here is a pic of our catarmaran

Globepros go everywhere!

On our last night in Langkawi we had dinner a short walk away from our resort at a gorgeous little Japanese restuarant. Oh it was heaven - teriyaki chicken, teppanyaki rib eye, prawns and potato salad - all beautifully presented and melt-in-your-mouth!

Day five - Langkawi to Cameron Highlands

On Thursday morning we caught a taxi to the ferry port on the east side of the island. While we were waiting for the ferry, we decided to sample the local KFC. The burger was tiny - heaps smaller than Tony's hand. And instead of chips, the meal came with about six wedges with this creamy cheesy sauce. They were gross! The only thing the same as home, was the drink! We did get it for about half the price though.

We had to wait for a 12.15 ferry to the mainland, getting us there about 1.40. We caught a taxi from the seaside town of Kuala Kudah into the main bus terminal at Alor Setar (about 15 minutes away). It was very hot and still. Another hour waiting for the bus south to Tapah, gateway to the Cameron Highlands.

Here's Jen on our five hour squeaky bus ride south. The bus followed the major four-lane freeway, passing through great fields of rubber trees and palm trees and over steep mountain ranges.

We arrived in tiny, dark, deserted Tapah about 8.30pm. Needless to say, we had missed the last bus up the mountain to the Cameron Highlands. I didn't like Tapah - it wasn't really a tourist spot and the men sat in the streets watching us walk past. I was starting to panic - I didn't want to stay in this sh*t-hole, not when I had five-star accommodation waiting for me at the top of the mountain!

We'd been told that we could hire a taxi any time of day or night for the two-hour journey up the winding road. Now all we had to do was find one! Eventually we found a guy who took people up. He went off to get his car while I had visions of Tony and I being robbed and left stranded in the forest at night.

He came back driving a pile of crap - think Sigma. My favourite. NOT! I was becoming less impressed by the second. We hopped in and up pops this state-of-the-art DVD player. Weird. Tony was happy - he watched Bruce Lee the whole way!!

We eventually got in to our resort about 11pm. A very long day!

Day six - Cameron Highlands

We joined a small group tour for a look around the Cameron Highlands. First stop was the Sam Poh Buddhist temple.

One of the many lush vege gardens we passed in the Cameron Highlands. You wouldn't want to get back to the kitchen and realise you forgot your carrots, planted all the way at the top!

Tony and his scorpion friend. I kept my distance!

One of the thousands of butterflies we saw in the aviary. They were all just lovely.

I have never seen roses as beautiful as those in the Cameron Highlands.

Overlooking the massive Sungai Palas Tea Estate, home of Boh Teas.

Tea is harvested by picking the new bright green leaves from the tea tree - you can see these leaves in the foreground. These trees are over 70 years old and they are expected to last at least another 70!

Camera tart!

Sampling the local goodies - we snacked on local tea and iced tea, scones and curry puffs! A Malaysian twist to the traditional Devonshire tea!

We also visited a honey farm on our little tour - check out the size of the bees!!

The "back end" of the hotel in the Cameron Highlands!

The bed in our deluxe room was huge. It was way bigger than king size. Tony called it "Sultan size". That's a pretty good name for it!

Another one of the many sensational Indian dishes we had. This one was served on a banana leaf! Luckily, we both managed to avoid any problems with the local cuisine!

Jen doing her usual trick and sleeping diagonally across the sultan sized bed. Tony ended up with a tiny little corner (on the left of the pic). Just like at home!

Day seven - Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur

We caught an 8am bus to KL, arriving at about 12 noon. This unusual sign on the window of the taxi to our hotel caught my eye. "Mind your manners, no kissing please."

First stop - Times Square shopping centre - all 10 floors of it!

After a late afternoon siesta we headed over to Little India for some more shopping.

Tony with our best friend - a little back pack on wheels cum shopping trolley. You'd be surprised at how much we could load in it and on to it. Very handy!

Day eight - Kuala Lumpur

Sunday was more shopping - we hit Sungei Wang plaza, Lot 10 and Bukit Bintang. Phew!

By this stage we were in serious shop mode - we'd split up to maximise time, meeting up every few hours to compare notes. It was actually weird to separate from each other and not have the luxury of a mobile phone!

Day nine - Kuala Lumpur

The Petronas Towers by day. Please appreciate the artistic merit of this photo - I took it while I was hanging out the window of a moving taxi in peak hour. Pretty good job, I thought!

A quiet start to Monday with some more shopping in the afternoon - Low Yat plaza (computer nerd heaven - we bought a laptop), then Suria KLCC at the base of the Petronas Towers.