Mango fish

Mango fish has become one of our most favourite local dishes. It is a delicious marriage between hot chillies, tangy green mangos and sweetness of chilly sauce. And it seems to be a bit like spag bol - each chef has their own recipe. First we were introduced to this dish at the yacht club in Brunei but since then we've understood how their kitchen caters for the western tastes - their fish comes with the sweet mango, for instance. There's also a difference in portion sizes; occasionally it comes in small deep fried bits with the garnish, other times it's served as a whole fish (obvious challenge for 1-2 diners...). 

This time around we sampled the recipe at Apollo seafood centre in Miri, a local Chinese favourite with plastic chairs and cheep and cheerful feel to it. But don't be fooled by its appearances: the food is guaranteed to be fresh, as it is cooked to order once you've made your pick from the various fish and crab tanks. They don't really have a menu, just day's offer, and cooking suggestions. Our mango fish was made of red snapper. The other dishes of our copious dinner consisted of "wet" butter prawns and squids, amongst other things. I had heard of wet noodles before but never wet prawns - but the owner was very personable and proud of his kitchen, and was happy to explain different options. He even made some more suggestions for our next visit. He insisted on cooking some Sarawak specialty of bamboo hearts in a mild curry sauce which was delicious. I'm sure he told us the name of the dish but there was a slight language barrier with his accent.... One thing I didn't like was vegetables cooked in sambal - but then again I have realised I don't like sambal with so far one exception at the Miri boat club.

And I'm happy to say that this mango fish made it to the top of our list.

All in all, a great night finished by another Miri favourite, lemongrass martini 

Happy Birthday - me!

I've really been spoilt this year - one of the firsts of spending my birthday in the sun, and celebrating for the whole week starting in Singapore. And by sun I mean the Equator blazing hot all day sun, not the beautiful blue skies sunshine when it's -20 degrees! 

My parents treated me to a stay in the world famous Marina Bay Sands with its infinity pool on the 57th floor. The view is truly breathtaking, and waking up above the Singaporean skyscrapers is amazing. Once in a lifetime I'd say - since the rest of the experience is pretty impersonal. There are thousands of hotel rooms, and thus the second you step into the complex you join a queue that won't have an end. There's a check in queue, a wait for your luggage and a rumble to get a seat by the pool. All the beautiful (and less so) people are trying to get a spot by the pool's side to have a photo taken, and all Japanese tourists are snapping selfies. (so I had to try one too!) 

So I probably wouldn't hurry back - if not to sample the chocolate and cheese buffet...

Singapore has got everything to offer for a tourist - or an expat. I couldn't help but compare the experience to a weekend in Brunei.... People are really helpful, what ever you might need can be found in shops, public transport works a treat, and there's a nice vibe to the place. And there's life! My favourite place was the Arab quarter (ironically), especially the quirky Haji Lane with one off shops, bars and coffee shops. We also enjoyed the quays but I did have to have a double take having paid roughly £15 for 2 pints... Luckily a local took us around on night two and we were able to save our pennies. 

However, one tick in the box had to be collected no matter the cost: Singapore slings. Raffles is sympathetically renovated, and I enjoyed the athmosphere in the Long bar despite it not even being in its original location. It may have been the time of the day - we found it a tranquil and cool haven after a day's walking, but granted, it is a tourist trap. I found it slightly amusing that ladies sitting next to us ordered the signature cocktails without even checking the menu and then asked the bar tender what is in a Singapore Sling. Hope they liked it! I just felt sorry for the staff behind the bar; I wonder if they ever get to make anything else except mixing slings and occasionally pouring pints... 

At least I ordered an 1889! 

And finally this weekend is spent by the pool in Miri. I'm a lucky lady!

A very non-Asian weekend in Singapore

You know you've lived in Brunei for too long when the day in Singapore starts with Swedish meatballs and is wrapped up with a game of icehockey. Luckily with refreshing beverages! 

And what more could a mum-on-holiday-on-her-own want than a relaxing long bath with a good magazine! 

We stayed in Wangz hotel in the trendy Tiong Bahru area of the city. The hotel is very comfortable and welcoming with only 41 rooms (a small hotel for Singapore!), and the breakfast buffet is excellent with eggs cooked to order and goats cheese à volonté; my personal highlight! It kept us going all day. Whilst they don't have a pool, they've got a cool roof terrace with a nightly happy hour and a brilliant view. 

If you manage to find a good deal with them, I'd highly recommend the hotel. 

More repairs

Sometimes I've got a feeling that my life here is just waiting for things to be fixed; if it's not the car, it's the boat, or the jet ski... It's the water logged garden or the leaking pipes. This week it's the air con that hasn't been working properly for few weeks now.

Let's be British about it

We had our third attempt of the Annual Beach BBQ on Sunday, as it had been rained off twice in January. It didn't look marvellous this time around either but the master chefs decided to go for it. And I'm glad they did; the rain held off for the afternoon, and good chicken thighs and sausages and burgers were had. Pork is always missed when firing up a BBQ here but at least we got to wear shorts in February! 

No one is safe

...from the American commercialisation, not even this strictly Muslim country. Maybe we should go to the cinema tonight as the rumour has it that after April, when the Sharia law comes in, there will be men and women's side separately. No naughty business in the cinema then! 

Since it is celebrated as friendship day in Finland, I'm sending love to all my friends -

Hyvää ystävänpäivää!

Over the mountain we go (again)

We set off fairly late from Sepilok with the aim of reaching Kinarut Laut (south of Kota Kinabalu) at an acceptable time to enjoy their home made cheeses and sampling their Australian cellar's offer. A perfect ending in site to motivate us to get by another long day in the car....

Animal sanctuaries at Sepilok

The Kapili-Sepilok forest reserve hosts two important centres where tourists can spot orangutans and Bornean sun bears in their natural habitat. The reserve is a much needed conservation land for the primary jungle that is fast disappearing to plantations and commercialisation in the wider Sabah area.

Swimming with the turtles

Diving around the Mabul island and adjacent dive sites offered a whole host of different marine life.

Diving with the Scuba Junkies

We stayed on Mabul island, surrounded by white sandy beaches and clear, turquoise waters.

Sandakan to Semporna, or the great oil palm route

The route was estimated by local travel agents to take 6 hours, so we were fully prepared for a long sitting. However, Phil managed to shave off whole 2 hours of the journey time to all of our amazement as the road surface started as shockingly as on the last leg. But after the first half an hour the road was clearly paid by the local palm oil plantations as it was more than passable! I know this endless count of road surfaces might be a bit boring for a casual reader but I've never before needed a co-driver not for maps but pothole spotting....