Borneo Island Road Trip

View of Mt. Kinabalu from Himbaan Gardenstay, Bundu Tuhan, Ranau. 

About three months ago, my colleague and I sat in a café talking about situation at work that was putting too much pressures on us. I mean we may be single ladies or singletons, but we are just human like everybody else and we do have other commitments to mind besides work. Being born as a second child, we understood each other’s character and we got along pretty well. We had gone through a lot as colleagues these recent years, only to realise in 2018 that we needed a break before the work got the best of us! So, we decided to go on a road trip to Sabah instead of getting there by air. We planned not to rush the entire journey but just to relax and take our own sweet time to enjoy the sceneries. Besides, there was no better time to do it other than before the Pan Borneo Highway construction was completed. The routes and landscapes from the South to the North of Borneo will definitely look and feel different in the future. So, why not travel and experience it before things changed. 

I did the planning and ‘researching’ for the whole trip in order to minimise the inconvenience and to maximise our time exploring different towns along the way. To be honest, I had never driven beyond Miri my whole life prior to the trip. So, I had a lot of things to think and worry about. I asked friends and family for advice but I tell ya, experience was the best teacher. Of course I read blogs, reviews and articles while jotting all the important things in the notebook but reality only set in the moment we began the journey. As scary as it sounds for two female singlestons to go on a long-distance drive, wait till you take the wheel and head towards the parts unknown. Yeah, everybody thought we were crazy before the road trip, and people still thought we were nuts after the trip! LOL! Well, you know how bad is the current Pan Borneo road, right? Worry not, we came home to our own family in one piece. 

The whole trip took us eleven days to finish, from one end to the other end of Borneo Island and back. I started my journey from Kuching and later I met with my colleague at the Sri Aman-Kuching junction on the 2nd of June. She only drove from her home at Pantu to Jakar while the rest were done by yours truly – me. Anyway, I have to admit my co-driver was doing a great job at navigating us with the help of Google Maps. But upon entering Brunei, we had to rely solely on the printed maps for directions. 

Just a little reminder, the G-Maps is not always reliable, sometimes you need to depend on your wisdom to find your way, moreover in Kota Kinabalu. One thing I can agree with Cyril (Sarawak Bloggers Society’s President), Brunei was really lacked of signage to point you to your next destination, particularly from Miri towards Limbang. It was exactly like he mentioned it to me, as if the tiny kingdom wanted you to stay there a little longer. Yes, it is akin to camping stories about how some people keep circling the same spot, getting lost and never get out of the wood. That was what happened to us while desperately looking for Jalan Tanjong Maya. There was no signage at the junction that said ‘Jalan Tanjong Maya’, so you better look out for the Tasek Warisan signboard (painted in red and white colours) on the left side of the road along the Tutong-Telisai Highway. We drove pass the junction twice before I decided to ditch the G-Maps instructions, followed my instinct and chased after the only car with Sarawak registered plate (QLB). At this point, I did not care anymore about the speed. We eventually arrived at Limbang and continued the remaining journey with not much difficulties. I knew this part of the road trip would be challenging, so a printed map helped a lot in situation where there was no internet coverage. However, I was wondering why no one told us we could just scan the QR code at the Brunei’s customs check-points instead of filling in the form manually. We only found out about this from a Brunei customs officer who patiently explained about the online application for the temporary exit/entry passes, it would help us to cross the borders swiftly next time. Well, there is always a first time for everything. That was a learning process right there. Of course I did a little online research after the trip and found out the QR code scan was only implemented recently, effective on the 1st of May 2018. To apply for the vehicle pass, click on this link http://bdnsw.gov.bn/Pages/VehiclePass.aspx . The pass is valid for three months. We did not print out the QR code, a screenshot was sufficient to cross the borders apart from using the passport.

Kelambu Beach, Kudat.

While we were at Sabah, we went to some touristy places. I think the most memorable ones were Kelambu Beach which was not far from the Tip of Borneo (Simpang Mengayau) and of course Himbaan Gardenstay. Perhaps next time we should stay a night at the beach and stay longer at Himbaan, Ranau. We did not go to any island this time, we reserved that for the next trip. In fact, we were lucky to be travelling on the 2nd to 12th of June as Kota Kinabalu was not that busy probably due to the long school holiday and festive season. We also did not go wild on gastronomic adventure although I was always inspired to travel and enjoy the local food by both Ian Wright and the late Anthony Bourdain. We had two meals a day since we were mostly on the road and exploring places. I lost weight after the trip because I was so focused on the journey. Good thing I had started the intermittent fasting a week before the trip, so I had no qualm on not eating much. 

We made it to the Tip of Borneo (Simpang Mengayau)

I absolutely loved our stay at Himbaan and that was where I found my ‘summer fling’. Yeah, Husky. Expect yourself to be greeted by four furry friends if you happen to check in this place. The one I fell in love with was Husky. I have never met a dog like him my entire life. He was being chivalrous from the moment we arrived until we left Himbaan Gardenstay. He was following and guarding us the whole time. He stayed by my side while I was watching sunset and stargazing at night. He even slept outside of our room while we were sleeping. So friendly, so loyal and so protective. If only Husky was a man, I would pluck the flowers at the garden, go down on my knees and propose him to be my boyfriend! Kidding. Meeting Husky somehow healed me from whatever that was troubling me inside at the time. I lost my dogs before, so knowing him at this juncture in my life kind of helped me in moving on. Husky is one of the reasons why I will come back to Himbaan one day, apart from the amazing and scenic view of Mount Kinabalu. Gosh, how I miss Husky! There was one time I felt like kidnapping him. Just kidding. 

Sunset view of Mt. Kinabalu from Himbaan Gardenstay, Bundu Tuhan, Ranau.

One for the memory, with Husky. 

The ultra HD scenery of Mount Kinabalu was worthy of all the challenges to get to Himbaan Gardenstay despite the occasional mini off-road and kampung driving experience. There were lots of deep potholes, steep hills and sharp turns, some cows too, but all those were soon forgotten when you arrived at the homestay. If you think driving up to Borneo Highlands Resort in Sarawak is level 9 in terms of difficulty, going up to Himbaan from Kota Kinabalu is level 99. Himbaan was the place where I truly honed my driving skills, so now the rest of the Pan Borneo roads are really no big deal for me. I used to constantly complain about the road from Serian to Sri Aman, now it just seems like a small matter. I do not encourage just anyone to do the driving to Himbaan, find someone who is brave and experienced. For a first-timer, be prepared for some shocks. Besides, check your tyres and brake before you head to Himbaan. Safety first. 

I woke up to this majestic view at 6.15 a.m. 

Our maiden Borneo Island road trip had taken us to some towns such as Balingian, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, Brunei, Limbang, Lawas, Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang and Kudat. We had done approximately 3,252 KM of driving in total and ended the journey in Kuching on the 12th of June. The estimated distance did not include the routes when we overshot the junctions and went for shopping spree. With the current roads, I have to agree with Cyril again it is better to do this long distance travel on a high power motorbike if you want to go fast. But if you just want to go on a joyride like we did, a pick-up truck such as Hilux will do. We drove a ten-year-old Toyota Vios for the road trip, so we could not go fast on most parts of the journey.

Distance Travelled: 3,252 km

I honestly learned a lot about myself throughout our road tripping. If you keep thinking about the risks and have fears, you are not going anywhere. I know there will be people who will have doubts especially when you are a lady. People will try to talk ‘some sense’ into you not to embark on this journey for safety reason. Look, I am very much alive and writing this blog. I came home safely and only to feel knackered a day after the road trip ended. Will I be doing this again in the future? Yes and I do not mind doing it as a solo traveller. Perhaps frequently when the Pan Borneo Highway construction is fully completed. May not be driving a car then, could be on a bike doing the Blowpipe Run! Nah, I am not crazy about speed or breaking a record. I always love going for a joyride, just chill, no rush, one town at a time. 

P/S: Thanks to all my friends and family for being really supportive in making the ‘summer school holiday’ trip a dream come true. Your concerns, suggestions, advice and tips are highly appreciated. 

Sungkei Ria Ramadhan Buffet at Riverside Majestic Hotel

This year’s Ramadhan, Riverside Majestic Hotel offers Sungkei Ria Ramadhan Buffet at the Café Majestic Coffee House from 17^th May until 14^th June 2018. The buffet spread features mouth-watering Traditional Malaysian Kampung and International cuisines in a relaxing ambience and atmosphere.

The price for adult is RM92 nett and for child is RM46 nett. The buffet dinner is served from 6:30pm to 10pm daily. Do not miss the chance to get special price as low as RM69.00 nett per adult if you book online at www.riversidemajestic.com/deals.

Sungkei Ria Ramadhan Buffet is a dining experience you should not miss. Sporting a fresh and contemporary feel with several live cooking station such as Pasta, Noodle and Frying Station, the culinary team under the stewardship of Chef Suria whip up your orders on the spot. Well-known for its extensive buffet offering, you can find the freshest selection of fish, crab, prawn, lamb shoulder and sliced beef at the Grill Station.

Bubur Lambuk, Bubur Pedas, assorted dates and a selection of homemade and local breads are part of the daily menu. Tantalise your taste buds with the dishes from action stalls offering Rojak Buah, Rojak Sotong, Rojak Singapore, Laksa Sarawak, Belacan Noodle, assorted Sushi and Maki, Coconut Chutney, Roti Canai, Murtabak Laksa Kolok, Lok-Lok, Yong Tau Fu, Char Kuey Tiaw, Mee Kolok, assorted Dim Sum, assorted traditional Malay kuih, beverages and desserts. My favourite dish would be the Mee Jawa. 

An array of local ulam-ulaman also served with a selection of sambal like Sambal Belacan, Sambal Hijau, Sambal Mangga and Sambal Tempoyak. A varieties of kerabu such as Kerabu Hati Ayam, Kerabu Pucuk Ubi, Kerabu Daun Selon and Kerabu Lumek, are served as appetisers alongside the wide selection of fresh salads.

At carving station, this buffet serves Roasted Lamb, Briyani Rice, Tomato Rice, Nasi Minyak, Nasi Bokhari, Nasi Hujan Panas and Acar. On the buffet itself, it serves dishes like Soup Terung Asam, Daging Salai Berempah, Ayam Bergajus, Sayur Rampai Cendawan, Daging Dendeng, Udang Goreng Petai, Ketam Lemak Nenas, Kambing Goreng Berempah, Soto Madura, Rendang Daging Minang, Ambal Bercili, Ayam Bakar Sos Cili Pedas, Daging Rusuk Masak Merah, Umbut Masak Lemak, Kambing Panggang Lada Hitam, Ikan Siakap Kukus Teo Chew, Ikan Keli Masak Tempoyak and Japanese Tofu with Minced Chicken.

For Muslim guests’ convenience, Riverside Majestic Hotel also provides designated male and female prayer rooms and a section for wuduk. For reservations, please contact the hotel’s F&B Department at +6082532222 extension 8842. For the latest F&B promotions and entertainment news at Riverside Majestic Hotel, visit www.facebook.com/riversidemajestic. For more information about Riverside Majestic Hotel visit http://www.riversidemajestic.com. Thank you Riverside Majestic Hotel for inviting Sarawak Bloggers Society to the Sungkei Ria Ramadhan Buffet at the Café Majestic Coffee House. 

Milky Way

I get asked a lot about Astrophotography lately from my followers on Instagram, especially on capturing and editing the Milky Way. It's kind of difficult to explain through direct messaging and honestly I would prefer to invite them going for an 'Instagram Mission' at night. It's easier to explain and guide them in real life situation. However, that's not really possible because we all live at different places. Besides, I can't fix an exact date to meet as it depends on the weather, sky and location to tell when it's possible to shoot the Milky Way. I personally feel glad that people on my Instagram are showing interest in Astrophotography. I'm always willing to share my experience and knowledge with them. At times I just wish we have our own local Astrophotography community like the one in Sabah, I bet it will be more exciting to venture into the night. So, for those who are curious about how to shoot night photography, you might want to check out this YouTube video for more tips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODTuekcrtlQ 

2017 First Milky Way Photo

It took me half a year to wait for my favourite season to arrive. No, it's not summer but Milky Way season. How do I know when is the time? Well, I learned best through experience, observation and reading. When I first took on Astrophotography, I asked the experts on Instagram for guidance. You can see the Milky Way during the second half of the year. I'm not sure about other regions, but for us in Sri Aman it is usually visible from May till November. Another indication is when you begin to see lots of Instagram posts on Milky Way. 

Can't believe that the first shot for 2017 is already mesmerising. For almost three years, I think this time is the easiest to observe it. It didn't take me too long to spot the Milky Way right away last night. Normally I have to stand in complete darkness for a few minutes before I can see it as our eyes need to get adjusted to the surrounding, much like how a camera works. Similar to capturing a long exposure shot in the dark. 

Since my mother is on Facebook, of course she would know what I'm passionate about. One night she recommended to shoot from the backyard of my parents' home as there was almost no pollution coming from the street light. I took her advice and it worked to get a better photo. At 1 a.m. on the 20th of May, I went stargazing on a quiet night and managed to take a few good shots. The result was the photo above. I decided not to stay outside for too long as there were many mosquitoes and I needed to edit the photo. 

I pray that this year I'll be given more opportunities and going somewhere else to capture the Milky Way. I just need to be patient to see something spectacular. I guess that somehow teaches me one thing, good things happen to those who wait. Nevertheless I also believe in good things come to those who hustle and never give up. Only a third of the world population have the privilege of seeing the starry night sky. So, go Milky Way chasing while we are still able. It helps to calm and heal your soul. It's even more meaningful if you can go stargazing with someone. 

Venus

This photo was shot during power outage at Southern zone of Sarawak. Venus was most visible that night. It looked as if it was the brightest star in the sky. Most people on earth are unable to gaze at a starry night sky due to light pollution. I was in Kuching when the city blacked out. I guess it was a privilege at the time for us to see countless stars up above the sky so high, but Milky Way was nowhere to be seen. It was not the season. 

Shot on 26 November 2016

BMW G310R

This is my first ever blog entry about a motorbike. Right, as you can see above, that is the bike I have fallen head over heels for at least a year, the BMW G310R. It is the entry-level bike or shall I call it the learner bike. 

It was love at first sight, perhaps due to the colour - Blue. The next thing I did after the debut in 2015 was scouring the internet trying to learn more about the BMW G310R. The styling of the bike is based on the S1000R streetbike. As mentioned on BMW Motorrad website, this baby bike features a 313cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder motor producing 34 hp, 6-speed gearbox and can reach max speed of 160 km/h. It weighs 158.5kg and has claimed to be manageable for a new rider. The seat height is 785mm which allows the new riders to plant their feet confidently on the ground. The BMW G310R comes in three colours - Pearl White Metallic, Cosmic Black/Polar White and of course Strato Blue Metallic. It is expected to fall within the price range of RM20K to RM30K. 

Okay, I am not going into more details about the technical stuff about this BMW baby bike as it can be googled. The reason why I am so in love with this bike is not because of the brand but more of the look itself. I am not so crazy about the speed either. Although I have seen enough of new bikes online the entire year, I still come back to this one. It is hard to put it into words, I guess it just like a romanticised connection. No matter how many good-looking guys standing in front of you, you will just go back to the same person you are deeply in love with. There will be people trying to tell you that you could get a better bike with the same price, but I still cannot get over with the BMW G310R. 

I asked BMW Motorrad on Instagram about the launch date, it is anticipated either end of 2016 or early 2017. Some websites say by Spring 2017. Whatever the date is, I will keep waiting for the latest updates patiently. I know by now some of you are wondering if I want to be a lady biker or if I am going to get this bike. Well, I am not entirely sure myself (wink) but it is my dream bike at the moment. I have not been on a bike for a decade until recently when I took my brother's scooter for a spin in Kuching. Yes, I honestly love and miss riding. It just not the same as driving a car. Besides, I figure having a bike will make Milky Way chasing a lot more interesting in the future. I can just go anywhere to get a shot of the night sky and not having to bother about where to park. 

Photo Credit: BMW Motorrad

Milky Way

Took this picture on September and I bet this is going to be my last Milky Way photo for 2016. I'm glad I drove all the way to Arena Petanque just to capture this. I would say this is the best shot for this year too. I know I'm going to miss the Milky Way season, we'll be seeing it again perhaps by mid of 2017. We hardly ever have clear night sky this time due to cloudy weather throughout the second half of the year. Well, this hobby surely requires plenty of patience on my side. I have to admit, there are a lot of waiting and constantly checking on the sky whenever there is no rain. Sometimes it can be very frustrating especially when a full moon is illuminating the clear night sky while it could have been a great opportunity to take a shot of the Milky Way. So, it's good to remind ourselves just seize the moment whenever we're presented with it while struggling to fight the temptation of just laze around doing nothing at night. Trust me it's better than just staring down at the phone. Looking back at the experience, I feel it's really worthy of the sacrifice. At least in the future I have stories to tell the younger generation how this town is once an Astrophotography heaven for 'night owls'. I believe one day this quiet town will transform into a city and become affected by light pollution. Hence, while it's still visible to our naked eyes, why not choose to enjoy the wondrous sight from our own backyard and sipping a cup of warm Milo. It does help to take things off my mind and make me appreciate life even more. Everyone should give stargazing a try and feed your soul by engaging in meaningful pastime. 

Milky Way Time Lapse

My first ever Milky Way Time Lapse

Pink or Purple?

This is the first Milky Way photo I've edited on Photoshop, for real. I've always opted to directly edit the photos on Instagram before posting. This photo looked pinkish on the phone but purplish on my laptop. Since it was pointless to figure out either it was pink or purple, I just went ahead posting the photo on Instagram in the middle of the night. Next day I realised it had gained many 'hearts', especially from the Astrophotography community. Majority of them were from other countries. Well, thanks to the hashtags. You know you gotta love the # on Instagram as it does help in promoting your photos and getting you many followers too. As long as you don't use it out of sync, your Instagram account will benefit from it. Hashtags are useful on both Instagram and Twitter, not so much on Facebook for me. So, hashtag isn't entirely ineffective, it depends on how and on which app you're using. However, I do believe in the end it all boils down to the quality of photo you've uploaded, and that will get you many likes. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BH4_UBWBJQj/?taken-by=ophelia.jane&hl=en

Stargazer

Perhaps one day

In my old day

I'll write about us

Like those bright stars

Each has its stories

Alive in the memories

Hope you'll see

Of you and me

This is a short poem I had in mind while editing this photo. Written on 10.07.2016 at 12.10 a.m. I normally would just post some song lyrics as captions for my Milky Way photos. This time I decided to put my own thoughts into it. Every time I look up to the night sky, I'll do some reflections on my own life. The stars remind me we're not alone. Sometimes they remind me of our God too. Other times, it's about someone. To sum up it up, each star represents every person I've come across my entire life. Be it family, relatives, friends and even strangers. I guess the rest is based on your own interpretation. Go figure!

Best Milky Way Shot

If you wish to see world's most interesting Astrophotos, please head to Instagram. The Astrophotography community on Instagram is the best and always the one who gives me the most 'hearts' on all of my Milky Way photos. You'll get to see countless of such photos taken from around the globe and in ways that you can possibly imagine. They are all stunning! 

As the Milky Way looked most visible last night from my parents', so I decided to take a shot and unintentionally captured myself in the same photo. I was positioning and holding the camera so that it didn't shake while taking a long exposure shot. Voila! A selfie with the Milky Way above my head! 

I have never seen anyone did this shot yet. Most people would just stand in front of the camera, looked up to the sky and took the photos. So, let's see if this could become a trend on Instagram one day. Hey, I don't take much selfies so I consider this one a job well done! I'm happy for this rare photo honestly. I hope people don't think it is Photoshopped, it's real! 

Not Today

June is coming to an end and it's odd how the weather isn't that hot. It is usually either too dry or hazy at this time of the year. Not a surprise when global warming is at its prime time, causing change in weather pattern. We still get plenty of rain besides seeing flash floods or strong winds reported all over the news. 

Right, I haven't written many blogs this year. I'm still in my recuperating season honestly. It's going to take at least a year before I can resume an active lifestyle after a major surgery, which due to sport injuries. I just need time to heal. After half a year, I'm still feeling a little pain on both my knee and spine. As the doctor said, the pain can never be totally eliminated. I never let it gets the better of me, it helps me to prioritise instead. 

This journey to recovery truly makes me see things from a different perspective. I used to care so much about pleasing others, now I'm learning to focus more on myself and learning to say "No" politely. Don't get me wrong, I'm not being selfish. Sometimes when we worry too much about pleasing our family, friends and colleagues, we tend to forget ourselves in that process. Pleasing people can be exhausting. 

I finally had my revelation after waking up from the most excruciating surgery, it was a life-changing experience. I've worked hard to realise my family's dreams for three decades, and now is the time I should think more of myself. Lying on a hospital bed alone for a few days had me thinking hard what were the things I'd regret not doing if I were to wake up to a paralysed body. Prior to my surgery, I was told I could suffer such irreversible consequence if I took a hard fall. Thank God, it never happened.

I remember reading an article about five things people on their death beds regret not doing, one of it is the wish of having the courage to live a life true to themselves and not the life that others expected of them. I did exactly the opposite for my entire life. Well, not anymore. Not after waking up from my sixth surgery. It was a matter of life and death at the time. What if I couldn't walk anymore? So many questions popped up in my mind as I stared into the clouds through the window.  

This sudden realisation just got me thinking what I would do to make my life more meaningful and worth living. One of the things in my list is to go for a road trip to places I've never been. I don't want to travel in such a very touristy fashion because I know it won't excite me for long. The idea to ride a bike, mingle with the locals, camp out and stargazing is a lot more appealing than just being a tourist. So in order to make this dream come true, yes, I need to plan. It won't happen overnight, it might take years. 

From now on, I'm gonna live this life for myself. I don't live it because someone wants me to. Just keep asking yourself this one question, "What if today is your last day on earth and what would you do about it?" 

Dead Town, Astrophotography Heaven

The photo above was taken on 08.05.2016 at approximately 12.15am. It was just right after Sarawak State's election, the night the result was announced. I didn't have the intention to go out of the house to get some shots, but upon seeing many stars I decided to take out the camera. The Milky Way wasn't obvious at first. I took several shots of the night sky at random directions and found it. It was right in front of my parents' house. 

While capturing the Milky Way photos, many things came to my mind. I know people who don't do Astrophotography would wonder about my Instagram post which I tried to relate to the political scene in a 'Dead Town'. Sri Aman or formerly known as Simanggang was dubbed the Dead Town ever since my childhood for a reason. Despite being governed by the same old ruling political party for decades, not much seem to change. The town itself barely expands since I was a kid, life is moving at a slow pace and pretty relax. Still very much a suburban area with little light pollutions. 

Those who are into Astrophotography know one needs to be away from the city lights as far as possible if you intend to see the Milky Way. I never have to go that far to get the shot because there's not much light pollutions around the town. I can just take the shot from the parking space at my parents'. This is an indication the town is not that developed, yet. Human can claim they have done a lot to bring development into this sleepy town but the stars in the galaxy don't lie. The Milky Way and the stars tell you the truth. 

For as long as we still can enjoy the ever mesmerising starry night sky in Sri Aman from our own backyard, you know the town isn't going through much transformation. Don't be easily swayed by the promises made at every election, words are cheap. So here's my suggestion to the locals, since the only thing that attracts outsiders flocking this Dead Town is the Benak, why not turn it into a heaven for Astrophotographers too. I'm sure you are smart enough to figure out effective ways to promote this outdoor hobby and generate income for the town through tourism. At least people don't have to travel all the way up to Bario or Mount Kinabalu to capture the stunning Milky Way. Never underestimate the beauty of night landscape, explore the Instagram and its Astrophotography communities, you'll know why people love to travel to a few Northern countries just for the sake of witnessing Aurora Borealis with their own eyes. Norway, for instance, turns it into tourism opportunity not only for the locals but also for stargazers and astrophotographers from around the globe. 

Perhaps it's best to not wake this town up from its current state, or do we have to? Either way, is it good?  I don't know, time will tell. For the time being, I think I can live with the fact I still can enjoy looking at the Milky Way from the comfort of my parents' home. Whatever it is, I hope the newly formed State's government will run this state with transparency and fulfill all your promises within these five years. Otherwise it is just another failed attempt to impress.

Disconnected

Okay, this is my first blog of the year. I used to write once a month in 2015, but that is not the case for 2016. It was a goal back then. I have decided to do it at a slower pace this year due to work and my own health. As you know I had a major surgery four months ago, so I need to learn to prioritise and minimise my movement. 

Despite having physical limitation, I always try not to think too much about it. I will tell myself to give the best in whatever I do. In 2015, I was assigned to coach students for divisional inter-school athletics games. This year instead of being a coach, I was given the task to be a judge. Not everyone would enjoy this job as we would have to carry out our duties in unpredictable weather. It was sunny most of the days. Suffering sunburn was a sure thing. 

This year we had to stay at a remote residential area where there was no mobile network coverage. Batang Ai Dam to be exact. I was literally disconnected from the rest of the world, from sunset to sunrise. No internet, no television to watch. Every night my colleagues and I would gather at a place sharing food, chit-chatting and making jokes just to kill time. 

The experience itself taught us to really enjoy each other's company instead of staring at the phones or 'phubbing'. I guess not being glued to the smartphone once in awhile has its own benefits. I slept early and I paid more attention when people were talking. Those silly jokes, laughters and long conversations were truly unforgettable. Besides, living at remote area also means there is not much light pollution. So, I took the opportunity to do stars time lapse and astrophotography. If I have to do this again in the future, I bet I will not have much hesitation as I did before. 

The Orion's Belt Time Lapse

Konsert ERA Sayang Sarawak 2015

To show their heartfelt gratitude, ERA FM Sarawak had recently held its first ever concert for their loyal listeners at Padang Merdeka Kuching on the 12th of December, 2015. The Konsert ERA Sayang Sarawak (KESS) was mainly sponsored by Emeron and supported by Technology College Sarawak. ERA had lined up some eclectic artistes from both local and international to perform for their radio station supporters. Among them were Afgan, Akim & The Majistret, Black, Stacy, Altimet, Lawa Nie Gang, Deasy Natalina, Mal Imran, iR Radzi, Nana Sheme, Wanie Kayrie and Nadhar.

Press conference and a Meet-and-Greet session for the fans were held before the concert at Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suite. The artistes who came to the press conference gave an insight to what their fans could expect from their performance later that night and updates on their singing career. Fans who won special passes for the Meet & Greet had their posters and CDs' signed. They also had the privilege to take photos with their favourite artistes.

The concert kicked off by the famous trio JoHaRa (Johan, Haniff, Ray) from the Sarapan Pagi ERA FM JoHaRa Pagi ERA segment. They were famous for their spontaneous and humorous punch lines that could evoke laughter or amusement amidst their listeners. Apart from that, those who attended the concert had the chance to win some interesting prizes which were given away in between performances.

On average each artiste perform three songs except Afgan. Afgan sang five of his smash hits and one of them was his latest single, Knock Me Out. He also sang a duet with Wani Kayrie in Kamu Yang Kutunggu. Wani did a great job trying to deliver the song like Dato' Rossa despite her age which was only 15! She is a force to reckon in the music industry in our region especially, the future seems bright for this young lady with a superb vocal. Others were equally entertaining throughout the night with each of them successfully delivering their own hits and energetic performance. The concert came to an end at about one o'clock in the morning with Afgan as its last singer. Crowds stayed till the wee hours because they were excited to see the Indonesian international artiste performed live. It was a golden opportunity for many of his Sarawakian fans since it would be costly to attend his concert even in Kuala Lumpur. We are forever indebted to ERA FM as they managed to get him to perform in Kuching not just once, but twice.

Kudos to ERA FM Sarawak for pulling off a huge yet successful concert. Having 15,000 people came for the show was an indication ERA radio station has a lot of listeners in Sarawak alone. Hopefully this is a great beginning to many more fun concerts that will be held in our state by ERA FM. It would be awesome if this becomes an annual event for the radio station to celebrate its fantastic and fruitful year with their much cherished listeners. ERA FM sure knows how to spoil their supporters! Lastly, thank you so much ERA FM Sarawak for inviting and trusting us to cover this marvellous event.

For more photos of KESS 2015, kindly click on this link:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10207062351530019.1073741868.1017558774&type=1&l=cc296eccac

To watch the recap of KESS 2015, click on Youtube video below or click on this link:

https://youtu.be/d6pZrrAtlJQ

Nando's Kuching

Want to eat healthy? Then head to Nando's in Kuching. The first Nando's restaurant in Sarawak was officiated on the 12th of December, 2015. Some of Sarawak Bloggers Society members and their families had the privilege to join the grand opening at Vivacity Megamall on the auspicious date. 

From a humble Portuguese eatery in the heart of Rosettenville, South Africa, Nando's has grown into one of the world's leading fast casual restaurant brands. With restaurants located in over 30 countries across the world, it's no wonder why everybody's getting a piece of the hot action. From the world's inspiring leaders to celebrities, Obama, Rihanna, David Cameron and Taylor Swift, there's a Nando's fan in every corner of the world. 

All the recent hype about a mystery giant egg roaming around Kuching carrying the hashtag #KuchingHatching had Kuchingites wondered its purpose and many took it to social media sharing the teaser. It was finally revealed that the egg belonged to the much loved flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken connoisseurs Nando's. 

Our experience at the grand opening was nothing short of excellent service and delectable food. For starter, we were served the 'Appeteasers' which consisted of Spicy Mixed Olives, Red Pepper Dip, Hummus with PERi-PERi Drizzle and warm pita. 

For the second dish, we get to try the side dishes such as Coleslaw, Spicy Rice, Mediterranean Rice, Grilled Veg, Corn-on-the-cob, PERi Chips and PERi Wedges. I would highly recommend anyone to taste the Mediterranean Rice. The fragrance of the rice made the dish so appetising. 

The main dish was undoubtedly the star of this casual dining experience - PERi-PERi Flame-Grilled Chicken. A bite can leave you mesmerised and longing for more. In preparing the chicken, Nando's use only A-grade chickens, trimmed of excess fat and marinated for 24 hours. Besides, they also use 100% natural ingredients for PERi-PERi sauce and marinade. The chicken is flame-grilled for a healthier touch. Most excess fat is burned during this process. To add a little adventure, Nando's has included different levels of heat for the sauces. Diners may choose either Garlic, Mild, Hot or Extra Hot sauce. As for the 'Sweet Endings', we were served the Chocolate Crunch Roll. The dessert was made of melted milk chocolate mixed with biscuits. I must say the Chocolate Crunch Roll was delightful, it neither too sweat nor bland. Just the right amount of sugariness and it definitely gave the taste of heaven. 

I would recommend Nando's Kuching to anyone for its excellent hospitality, great food and appealing restaurant. So what better place is there to host your gatherings, meetings or even parties if it isn't at Nando's. To host your event, just pop by or call the restaurant to talk to their Patraos. To get more details on their menu and price, kindly visit Nando's website or follow them on Twitter and Instagram using the handle @NandosMY. Thank you Nando's and MilkPR for inviting us to your grand opening and the goodies bag, I had a pleasant and unforgettable dining experience for sure! 

Nando's website : http://www.nandos.com.my/nandos_my/menu

Some gifts from Nando's 

JoHaRa Bakal Temui Peminat Sarawak Sempena Konsert ERA Sayang Sarawak (KESS) Sabtu Ini!

Kuching, 7 November  2015 – Pastinya peminat tidak sabar untuk menyaksikan persembahan artis-artis kesayangan mereka untuk Konsert ERA Sayang Sarawak diserlahkan oleh Emeron dan disokong oleh Technology College Sarawak dengan mempersembahkan artis-artis terkenal tempatan dan antarabangsa seperti penyanyi popular Indonesia  Afgan, Akim & The Majistret, Black, Stacy, Altimet, Lawa Nie Geng, Deasy Natalina, Mal Imran, iR.Radzi, Nana Sheme, Wanie Kayrie dan Nadhar. Buat julung kali diadakan, Konsert ERA Sayang Sarawak yang bakal diadakan pada 12 Disember 2015, bertempat di Padang Merdeka jam 7.30 malam ingin memberikan hiburan yang terbaik buat warga Kuching.

Paling menarik dan bakal mengejutkan warga Kuching, peminat bakal berpeluang menyaksikan celoteh penyampai segmen Sarapan Pagi ERA fm JoHaRa Pagi ERA (Johan, Haniff dan Ray) yang sudah lama tidak menjejakkan kaki di Sarawak! Bukan itu sahaja, sepanjang menyaksikan Konsert ERA Sayang Sarawak pada hari Sabtu nanti,  penonton turut berpeluang memenangi  hadiah-hadiah menarik.

Konsert ini dibawakan khas buat semua pendengar setia ERA fm Sarawak sebagai tanda penghargaan kepada mereka di atas sokongan yang telah diberikan kepada stesen ERA fm Sarawak sepanjang tahun ini. Para pendengar ERA fm Sarawak dan juga seluruh penduduk Sarawak dijemput untuk memeriahkan lagi acara ini dan masuk adalah percuma. Ini juga merupakan masa yang amat sesuai buat penduduk Sarawak bagi memulakan kemeriahan sambutan pembukaan awal tahun 2016 iaitu dengan menghayati persembahan anak kelahiran bumi mereka sendiri.

Sebelum bermulanya persembahan, Skuad ERA akan bersama pendengar di atas pentas untuk lintasan istimewa dan sekaligus berpeluang memenangi barangan eksklusif ERA fm. Dengarkan frekuensi ERA 96.1FM di Kuching, 101.3FM di Miri dan layari laman web, www.era.fm, fbsarawak.era.fm  atau ikuti Instagram erafmsarawak untuk maklumat lanjut mengenai Konsert ERA Sayang Sarawak ini.