Road trip

Tue and Wed were the Gawaii holidays, which is the Harvest Festival in Sarawak. We went on a road trip with the Ngus to Brunei. It's our first road trip with the two kids, and we've got enough toys to ply Jon with during the trip, including: colouring books, dinosaurs, a mini magic doodle, and a 'laptop' education thingamagic contraption. And biscuits, water, green tea and even milo!

Jillian? Just a blankie and a bolster rolled from nappy cloth. Yeah, she's very easy.

Jon was good for the first part of the trip, gave him his biscuits which he polished off everything! I was like, "Jon, we're going to have noodles for lunch. At the rate you go at the biscuits, you will either end up with a sore throat, or the biscuits will be wiped out even before we reach the hotel." No comprehension on his part.

We made a pit stop at Seria for a quick lunch. It was so difficult to find car park near the shops, so we ended up at a public car park two streets down. Yes, I have become Malaysian in my ways, meaning we will circle round and round till we find a lot right in front of the store, well, at least a few shops down. Jon made a fuss about wanting to sit in the pram. Which is better, coz at least we don't have to run and chase after him should he see something he likes and decide to take off.

Getting back into the car was a nightmare. Jon made a big fuss and didn't want to get back inside. He must have saw something and wanted to see more of it. But Simon didn't notice anything and I was carrying Jill. You might have thought Simon was a kidnapper, forcing him into the car, and I was the accomplice, giving Jon a tight one on his lap to ask him to quieten down. I let him brawl his eyes out before giving him some water. That did the trick. I must admit, I don't know how to calm him down in such situations. I basically let him cry. Coz when I talk to him during a hissy fit, he cries and shouts even louder. anyways, I was glad when we hit back onto the highway, coz highways make kids sleep. Well, at least mine do.

We reached The Empire Hotel and Country Club in time for check-in. The sprawling grounds had a main building (where the suites and restaurants were),a few blocks of rooms, a Golf Clubhhouse (with blowing alley), and even a cinema!

We got onto a buggy to bring us to our Seaview block. The kids loved the buggy ride. Now, check out the room! Isn't it huge?

Jon enjoyed the welcome chocs and cookies

Since the kids were wide awake, we decided to bring them to the swimming pool.

Jillian had such a sun time splashing around. Jon spent more time on the sand than in the pool.

After swim time, the kids were still wide awake. So we showered them and then went out for Japanese dinner. Love the sashimi at Escapade but not the sushi...too much rice!

We brought the kids back to the hotel after dinner. And as expected, Jon screamed a couple of times when he slept....too much stimulation.

The next morning, Jillian was awake at 6+am. There goes my beauty sleep. Thankfully, Jon woke up about 6.50am. I was feeling hungry and wishing that Jon didn't sleep in. Otherwise I don't know how to entertain Jill, what more on an empty stomach.

Brekkie at the hotel cafe at 7.30am was an issue. The cafe was on the third floor and overlooked the atrium, super 53m in height from level one to the ceiling. So when Jon was screaming excitedly, you can imagine the loudness! Aiyo...so many executives that morning. When the Ngus came for breakfast around 8+, more families had came down and less of the suits. I think we will go to Club Med from next year on.....then Jon can go ahead and scream and be normal.

I didn't want to bring Jon to swim again, lest I have problems bringing him out of the pool or beach area. So we checked out and went to The Mall. There, I had a tough time getting him into the trolley to shop at the supermarket! Aiyo! Thankfully, my patience prevailed and he got into the trolley. I found Sweet Home and Post Cereal at B$6. Can you imagine that Post is selling at Miri at RM30? Ridiculous.

Jon saw someone with a balloon and wanted one. I told him he could get one if he was good and didn't scream and shout. Well, I got him one anyway. so he was in a good mood, and that meant daddy and mommy were in a good mood.

After a quick lunch at the food court, I went to find Shabby Chic, the LSS in Brunei. After searching and looking for a while, someone directed me back to the food court level. I found Shabby Chic and bought a couple of Dear Lizzy papers, which were sold out in Singapore and online too. Also chatted with Irene, one of the bosses. I was carrying Jillian and she was smiling away at Irene who had came into the store. Irene has a baby boy born in Aug too!

After a quick chat, I quickly went to find Simon and Jon. Then we loaded up into the car and went on our way back to Miri. Jon was fussing and screaming again. He didn't want to go into the car. Luckily we went on the highway, and Jon fell asleep. Jillian had already fallen asleep and it was a peaceful 2+ hour ride back to Miri!