6D5N to Kota Kinabalu & Kundasang, Sabah.

Few months overdue la this post heh. It is time to pen it all down here for future references. 

Our close friends were getting married in Kota Kinabalu, and we got invited to attend their wedding there - of course we said yes, and while it took us some time to decide whether to bring our kids, we at the end decided not to. 

We also treated this trip as part of the babymoon trip since it was Adrian's first time there, and my second time (although I didn't get to explore the city on my first trip). It was a great babymoon trip. Sabah, especially Kundasang has grown to be one of my favorite place to go. The weather is cool, and the view takes my breath away - every single time. 

We booked a direct flight from Penang to Kota Kinabalu with Firefly Airlines, and with meals on-board for both ways, it was RM412.31. We got the tickets in February and only finalized on our accommodation later on when it was much closer to the travel date. We got lazy heh. 

But when it was near to the travelling date, I remember feeling really excited to go on a holiday without having to pack for the kids, but I was also feeling extremely guilty for leaving them behind for so many days. So guilty that almost everyday I would remind both Alex and Sofia that we would be away from them for close to a week, and everytime Alex smiled back and said okay, it gave me temporary relief. But I kept needing to repeat doing that because I needed to know that they are okay with it. Hah. Can never run away from this parents-guilt thing wan. 

Anyways, here are details of our travel things and where we stayed and things that we do and stuff. Some may not have as much details as I would like to share because my brain's capacity is not at 100% - it will probably only be restored to 100% once Little Bean is out in December. Till then, I promise to provide as much information as I can heh. 

We flew on 5-Aug-2022 with Jack and Carmen on the same flight. We used to travel a lot with the both of them, so it was really nice to 're-live' olden days of travelling together. 

The first place we checked-in was Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort - because that was where the wedding was going to be at. We spend 2-nights here and we loved this resort so much that we didn't leave the place (except to eat) because we just really allow ourselves to enjoy its facilities and activities. I definitely enjoyed soaking in their pool in my hippo-kini. Hah. 

Our first dinner at KK was seafood - duh! We went to Sembulan Lobster Restaurant - as recommended by friends who has been staying there for years so we trust them. I cannot remember how much was the total bill anymore because it was way too long ago. Heh. 

And yes, the food was amazing! I remembered it being not too expensive - overall such a happy meal with friends from everywhere! 

Biggest congratulations again to the newlyweds, Clement and Yuh Ting! Your wedding is the most beautiful wedding we have ever attended - hands down! The location itself is jaw-dropping, and the weather were perfect. The food not the best, but you know what? Love was in the air and that's all that matters! We are so happy for you both and the journey onwards for sure is going to be so rewarding, though not gong to be easy but it is going to be worth it! 

Oh, we actually didn't spend like the whole time in the resort. We spent a few hours outside and visited the Monsopiad Heritage Village - entrance fee is RM20 per person (I think). If it's your first time to Sabah, then this would be highly recommended! 

Then, we spent a night in the city centre before spending two-nights in Kundasang - which actually at first we only booked a night but we decided to stay another night at Kundasang and enjoy the natural aircond there - and I said this way too many times - but I freaking love the Mount Kinabalu's view. It's really so majestic and full of all the wow factor. To conquer her one day, will definitely be a dream come true - okay boleh masuk bucketlist. Heh. 

The airbnb that we stayed at KK's city centre was pretty decent too! The place is spacious and clean and bright. The only thing about it that I didn't really like (but don't hate) is having to climb up the stairs to the top floor to access to the room. It is located in shoplots so make sense to climb stairs. It was just difficult for a pregnant person like me. 

But will I stay at the same place the next time I go Sabah with a group of people? Yes I would. We paid a total of RM329 per night for 9 adults. The airbnb is called Paradise Suite, Sky Residence, Asia City. Here's a quick video tour of the place. 

Okay so the rest of the photos are like of our trip to Kundasang and some of the pit stops that we made - that were also highly recommended by friends! 

The first airbnb we stayed at was called Nikgold Garden Resort Kundasang, Kinabalu National Park. I already posted a review on this place so go baca lah dulu ya. 

It was such a great and much-needed getaway without the kids - just with friends. We got to enjoy our meals while they were hot and we got to sleep in and have the bed to ourselves. We do miss the kids a lot throughout our six days there, but the trip also did some good in our marriage. 

It was really a refreshing trip for just the both of us. 

Till next travel, bye now. 

Gender Reveal Party for Baby #3!

It took us such a long time to find out the gender of this baby as compared to our first two - but we finally know! 

It was during one of my pre-natal check up at the Klinik Kesihatan and I was telling my doctor that we have no idea yet what it's gender is, so she was like, "Oh, okay - let's find out today!"

She moved the ultrasound wand thing around and immediately saw and confirmed it. To be honest, I already knew (in my heart) that our third baby is a boy. 

Many people asked both Adrian and I which gender we would prefer, and for me, I was okay with either boy or girl because I already got both. Adrian on the other hand wanted another boy - and his only reason was because, "then Sofia gets to be my one and only girl". 

Obviously my heart melted when he said that, and I find myself secretly (unconsciously) hoping that this baby would be a boy too - because that would make my husband really happy. But we also know that if this baby turns out to be a girl, then he would be really happy too because this would mean that he will have 2 girls to love and spoil for the rest of their lives. 

So, during that trip to the clinic, I was on my own because Adrian had to fetch Alex to school and Sofia to grandparents' house - that means only the doctor and myself knew about the gender - and it was in my intention to keep it that way. 

Obviously I had to plan for a small intimate gender reveal party with our closest. We extra like that heh. I also know that I do not have the capacity to keep it a secret for long (I can accidentally blurt out please), so the gender reveal party was planned and executed in less than a week. 

I immediately ordered a giant black balloon (36 inches) with 20 helium-filled mini colored balloons (either blue or pink) inside from One Image Balloon Deco - RM165 (I know - balloons are not cheap heh) but I prefer to pop a balloon then cutting a cake because a cake would be more costly since I want those kind of customized pretty looking cake. So, in a way, cost saving also right to get balloons. Hah. 

The owner of One Image is a friend of Adrian's so I had text the owner and told him not to tell Adrian the gender because now he knows  and he super steady of course. Heh. 

Got party means sure need food, right? 

My mother-in-law cooked lemak laksa (which is the best we have tasted so far!), my mom made her famous Shepherd's Pie and then we got all other side dishes from family and friends. No photos too bad because we so busy talking and bonding. 

It was really just a simple get-together in our humble home on a Saturday evening. Before the sky turned dark, we went to the garden and did the popping. I was nervous (no idea why) but I was super    thrilled to see Adrian's reaction when he pops the balloon. 

It was everything! He went to bed smiling (and snoring 5-seconds after that hah). 

Here's our gender reveal balloon popping moment caught on video - thank you Sharon and all of you for helping us record and take photos of the moment! 

IT'S A BOY!!!!!

Many of you have guessed it right - and many didn't haha.

And thank you for loving us and celebrating with us as we patiently wait to welcome our baby boy to this world in December! We are starting to be a bit scared but in a good way. 

We really need to start assembling the baby cot and do up the breastfeeding corner in our room. We are turbo-ing through it as we need to first move both Alex and Sofia to their own room - which will happen really soon. 

That - I am really scared because I have no idea how it's going to be. Will they transition well? Any tips and tricks are appreciated! 

So yeah, till next update - bye now. 

Raspberry Oatmeal Bar.

Sweet cravings got me into baking my own baked goods these days - because if buy from outside, it's either too sweet, too expensive or cannot find. 

I first had this Raspberry Oatmeal Bar at a friend's house, and their friend from America made this, and the moment I took my first bite, I knew I had to get the recipe from her - and she was so nice to send them to me! 

I modified a bit because I wanted it to be a lot less sweeter. The first time I made it, it was not that bad - just sweet. Then I reduced the sugar, and upped a bit of the rolled oats and now, this is how I like them! 

Do not ask Adrian or Vanessa. They tried it, and hated it - pfft. Also because they are not really a dessert and oats kind of people heh. Boo. 

So yeah, here is the modified recipe. Feel feel to change it to your own liking, if you like them sweeter and all. 

Enjoy baking them because they are so so easy! 

Ingredients: 

170g softened butter 

150g brown sugar

200g flour

150g rolled oats

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

Raspberry jam (or any other jam you like) - at room temperature so it is easier to spread

Steps: 

1 - Preheat oven at 200 Celcius. 

2 - Mix together softened butter and brown sugar. Mix well. 

3 - Add the rest of the dry ingredients (except jam). Mix well. 

4 - Line 9x13 baking pan with baking paper. 

5 - Spread 2/3 of the mixture onto the pan. Press them flat to cover the bottom of the pan. 

6 - Spread some raspberry jam on top of the mixture and spread them evenly. 

7 - Sprinkle the remaining mixture on top of the jam to cover them. Press the mixture lightly. 

8 - Bake for 20-minutes, at 200 degrees Celsius. 

Till next recipe, bye now.

Nikgold Garden Resort Kundasang, Kinabalu National Park, Sabah.

When we were searching for a place at Kundasang that could house 9-adults, it was a long process - only because we wanted like good view, clean and modern place with a reasonable price tag. 

We could not find one that has all our criteria, but we finally decided to go ahead with Nikgold Garden Resort Kundasang because the bungalow unit has the most amazing view of the Mount Kinabalu - right from the living area and porch/balcony area. That was the deal breaker. 

We took a while to confirm because the house is old, not very well kept and is definitely not modern, not super clean but not dirty as well. But the view so best, so we went for it. 

We only booked the unit for a night because we spontaneous gang like that. Heh. After spending few hours in it, we wanted to extend for another night but it was fully booked so we had to move to another place for our second night at Kundasang. 

The price for the bungalow unit was RM927.29 per night and there were 9 of us in the house - 3 rooms and 2 bathrooms. 

I honestly wouldn't mind staying here again the next time we visit Kundasang, because like I said, the Mount Kinabalu view was crazy spectacular. It was right in front of us. 

If you book other smaller units, you will not get the view.  

Here's a short video clip to show you the entire bungalow. You are welcome :)

Till next travel, bye now. 

6D5N Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

It's been too long since I remembered going on a trip and no need to spend money wan. Hah. So, can you imagine my excitement when I got to go on a work trip to Cambodia with my colleagues? I was excited and slightly nervous - because I didn't want to risk the pregnancy. 

But you know what? 

I was so well taken care of by Pansy and Gladys throughout the entire time - they will not let me carry my luggage and kept asking to carry my backpack. I am so thankful really. 

I packed rather lightly for this trip because well, what else am I going to wear other than maternity dresses? Hah. 

The hardest part leaving for this trip was having to be away from Adrian, Alex and Sofia for so many days. The last time I was away from them for so long was when I had Covid-19 and that was no fun. 

But right, the moment I was at the airport and I was boarding the plane, I was no longer home-sick in that moment. Heh. I have missed what it felt like to be flying again. Hah. Truth be told that I have always wanted to be an air-stewardess growing up so I can fly and travel around the world. But I was too short and I have motion-sickness - so goodbye to that dream job. Heh. 

My home-sickness kicked in again when I checked into the hotel because in my mind, I wanted to enjoy all that with them. 

Anyways, that is one of the hardest parts of being a working-mom and I knew that I had to resist falling into that mom-guilt because it was not going to help me be a better mother. Forever thankful that my family is always at their 100% to look after my kids. Of course not forgetting my better half - holding the fort and taking the role of both mom and dad for a week. They obviously had lots of fun because Adrian is the fun(er) parent. Hah. 

This trip was really meaningful because we got to meet with some of our members for the first time. We are no longer talking with them through phone calls and emails. Now we got to put faces to their names and it was such a needed bonding time with each of them. 

We also got to hear their stories and ministries and their hearts for the people of Cambodia, and boy let me tell you this. I get goosebumps at every meet-up because of their stories and the things that they have accomplished for God. 

I am so thankful that I got to be a part of supporting all that they do by taking care of their insurance needs - be it physical, mental or financial. Thankful that Michael Lyon started Talent Trust 31 years ago to take care of missionaries worldwide. 

We are currently covering 60,000+ missionaries worldwide (in 180+ countries) and getting to meet with just a handful of them was enough. It was really good! 

Anyways, I have been to Phnom Penh once during our backpacking trip in 2015, and I remembered it to be meh and super dusty. This trip proves that it is still dusty and it was not that meh anymore. We stayed at a different area of Phnom Penh so perhaps that was why the last time was more meh that this time. 

Our members brought us to really nice restaurants and we had such a great time feasting and bonding. We didn't explore the city because we didn't want to take any risk of exposing ourselves to Covid-19 so when we are not meeting with our members, we rested in our hotel rooms. 

Overall, it was such a good trip. We really do need more trips to go meet our members when we can, because it makes such huge differences! I love it! 

Here are some photos from the trip, so enjoy :)

Khema Restaurant, Phnom Penh

Pizza 4P's, Phnom Penh

The Shop, Phnom Penh

Till next travel, bye now. 

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

 Who doesn't like to go for hotel staycations? And who doesn't love it when they receive wedding invites - especially the kind where you get to hop on a plane and attend wan? Hah.

I love both! 

I was literally jumping up and down like a kid when I found out that Clement and Yuh Ting's wedding was going to be at Shangri-La hotel in Sabah! Well, I thought it was going to be at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, but it was actually at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru! Still very best please. 

This hotel is like siblings hotel to Rasa Sayang in Penang, and although we aren't a big fan of Shangri-La Rasa Sayang in Penang, it was still exciting to get to try other Shangri-La hotels. 

We love the facilities and breakfast spread here! Their spread is huge and really, if you try to eat a lil bit of everything in one morning, you actually don't have to eat lunch anymore. JUST SO MUCH FOOD SERIOUSLY. 

Then, their swimming pool - fulamak! Huge and nice and has the best sea view! The compound of the entire resort is just mind-blowing humongous. They have an area for golf and huge garden area! We love hanging out in this resort so much that we didn't leave the place for the whole 3 days we were here! Best. 

We stayed at the Kinabalu Wing Seaview Deluxe Room, and the view from our balcony is just so pretty and crazy beautiful. We got the sea view and garden view! And we got special rates for it because of the wedding - which by the way, is the most beautiful outdoor wedding we have ever attended - hands down!

A short video clip of how the room looks like :) 

Till next staycation, bye now :)