From the Land Below the Wind (Last day chapter)

I should be leaving for the airport to catch my flight home in about two hours' time. Right now I'm just sitting down sipping iced latte at my favourite franchise coffee outlet whilst updating my blog (give me a chance - I could hardly find a time to do the same during my normal weekdays). I woke up this morning with much excitement and energy, i.e. to conclude my official business trip with ............ personal shopping (huh?)!

View from the pier - taken during my morning stroll from the hotel to the market for breakfast.

Post breakfast, we (me and two other colleagues from Lumut) bought kuih cincin from one of the stalls. A big packet (contains 50 pcs) costs about RM9/- and a smaller packet (contains 25 pcs) costs RM5/-. I bought three big packets and four smaller ones (plus additional one small packet free - courtesy of the makcik). I also bought four (or five.. couldn't remember the exact quantity due to my accelerated aging process) ikan terubuk masin. I later found out from Tai-tai when I called her over lunch that in some cases, the so called ikan terubuk sold here are not genuine terubuk...kira tipulah tu... I was not too sure about the fish that I purchased earlier but anyway... it should be treated as sunk cost.

After checking out from the hotel, I went for a quest for the ultimate frozen lobster and tiger prawns hunting. The hotel concierge was kind enough to arrange for my transportation to the frozen seafood shop near the train station. For a mere sum of RM182/-, I managed to purchase 1 kg of lobster, 1 kg of large tiger prawns, and 1 kg of something edible from the sea that I myself was not too sure how to eat it... I just bought because of the excitement to try something new. In addition to that, our host gave 4 kgs of frozen prawns to each one of us.

Philippine Market @ Pasar Kraftangan Kota Kinabalu

Main entrance to Philippine Market @ Pasar Kraftangan Kota Kinabalu

I learned about the famous Philippine Market from Tai-tai when she came to Kota Kinabalu in November 2007 for a one day business trip. She went to this market twice in a day...I went three time in half a day (you are welcomed to make your own interpretation from this statement). Unfortunate for me, I twisted my right ankle after my third visit to the market.. if I had not injured myself, I would probably pay another one or two more visits before leaving for the airport.

From the Land Below the Wind

I arrived in Kota Kinabalu yesterday evening; and was immediately treated to a sumptuous seafood dinner at Kampung Air by the host. We had steamed red kerapu, buttered prawns, chicken corn soup, stir-fried Sabah vege, and oyster omelette - so much that I had completely forgotten about my gout problem! The meal was fantastic, and I now I know where to treat Tai-tai and the kids when we come to Kota Kinabalu for our holiday in the future.

Seri Selera Kampung Air Seafood Restaurant, Kota Kinabalu

Right now I am sitting in the hotel lobby enjoying the wi-fi (to pay RM20/- for a three hour internet access from my room is considered not justifiable from an accountant's point of view). Music from the lobby lounge is distracting, but soothing for my ears. We concluded our official visit at around 7.30 pm. After dinner, we were taken for a short night tour around the town, which included a stopover at the night market in Kampung Air. I bought a T-shirt each for Tai-tai and my darling angels, but not for myself due to one obvious reason - I couldn't fit into any!!! Darn! Guess my diet programme need to be revised...opsss...what about yesterday's seafood dinner?

My return flight tomorrow is scheduled to depart at round 7-ish in the evening, so by default I have ample time to do some more light shopping. I'm planning to buy some frozen seafood and local delicacies from the market tomorrow. Tai-tai suggested for lobsters so I'll try my best to find some. I am also planning to buy lots of kuih cincin, a local sweet treat that can only be found here in Sabah.

Kuih cincin

Daddy : Belum mandi lagi...its already midnight and I need to retire for the day so that I'll have abundance of energy tomorrow for shopping!

Alkisah...

Our maid is going back tomorrow. Her flight to Bandung is scheduled to depart at 3.40 pm from LCCT. My flight to Kota Kinabalu is scheduled to depart tomorrow also at 4.55 pm from KLIA. Abah is coming over to fetch Tai-tai and the kids balik kampung while I'm away serving my outstation duty. Without the maid around, it would be very difficult or at least challenging for Tai-tai to handle the kids on her own...especially at night.

My darling angels....

I have made arrangements with my parents to send the maid to LCCT tomorrow, and after that straight to KLIA for my flight. I will only be gone for two nights - flying back to KL on Friday evening... I have not even started my journey, yet I can't wait to come back!



Daddy : Latest news...I'm scheduled to depart for Ghana on 6 April...

Suddenly there's a light at the end of the tunnel...

Thanks to internet classifieds, I managed to find a maid agency near my house. I contacted the agency yesterday to ask about maid availability that could fulfill our requirements;

1. Preferably Sundanese from Western Java;
   
2. Has children of her own (married or divorced);
   
3. Age between 30 to 40 years old; and
   
4. Available as soon as possible.

We managed to find someone who is available in two weeks' time...a 40 year old lady with six children ranging from age 2 to 17, a Sundanese from Cianjur in Western Java. And the best thing is, I don't even have to personally submit the application forms to the Immigration Department nor do I need to fetch the maid from airport...plus Fomema medical check-up will be taken care of by the agency before the handing over process...

FINALLY... some bright light at the end of the tunnel for me and Tai-tai.

Daddy: Is going to Kota Kinabalu for work matters between 11th to 13th next week and possibly to Ghana in the first week of April.