Our 2014

It's been an eventful year. It's been a long one that paradoxically has gone quickly. It was our first full year in Brunei, and this new year marks the half way point. We are no longer the newbies but still a long way off from the lifers. The year has been marked with various visits to Ripas, and to the mechanics.... but also with several trips around the area on planes, boats and automobiles.
Sofia started school in September, and is becoming a more and more independent little lady. Actually, I can do it all by myself. We've said goodbye to too many friends but made more new ones. All in all, a busy year of ups and downs - see for yourself, although mostly only highlights depicted!

January

My sister came to visit and we managed to get our Pajero back from the garage after 3 months of repairs. These two highlights were combined in our Sabah roadtrip that consisted of beautiful Bornean sunsets, amazing diving in Mabul and an Orangutang encounter in Sepilok.

February

I was lucky enough to celebrate my birthday with my sister in one of the world famous rooftop pools in Singapore.

March

We had friends visiting and enjoyed a fab beach BBQ with them on the spit. Mothers' Day was celebrated with cake at the Empire - despite of the distinctly Bruneian service it does provide a rest bite from the local establishments with plastic chairs.

April

Phil's parents visited their favourite (and only) granddaughter. We enjoyed swimming in Miri and one our favourite dishes at Apollo seafood restaurant: mango fish. And of course fitted in the one and only must thing in Brunei: river cruise with proboscis monkeys.

May

In May we celebrated our 4th Anniversary with the Defence Attache (and lots of other colleagues!). Slightly unconventional but such is work life - and work dinners - here. We then did our second drive to Kota Kinabalu and enjoyed a long weekend in Langkah Syabas with red wines from their cave and amazing cheeses from their fromagerie.

June

It was a busy month of celebrations; first the official Queen's birthday, then Fathers' day and finally the Hollywood Summer Ball. This topped up with few leaving dos and birthdays.

July

Brunei was mostly shut down between sun raise and sun set to respect the Ramadan so Sofia and I flew to Finland. We were hoping to put jeans in but got the heat wave instead. Still, the water was too cold for Sofia.

August

We celebrated Sofia's birthday first in Finland in a fabulous garden party, and later on in Brunei with her chosen fairy party theme. 

We also celebrated His Majesty at the white ball in Istana. 

September

This was the start if the 6am wake up calls as Sofia started in Kindy Mouse. It was also the beginning of childhood illnesses, and after just 3 days at school Sofia got chickenpox! 

Worry not, we also managed two fabulous holidays. First one was to Singapore F1s, followed by a desert island experience on Telunas.

October

We continued saying goodbyes to old and new friends. I had a great girly weekend to Kuala Lumpur, we celebrated Phil's birthday with friends, and Sofia got her share at the kids' Halloween party.

November 
Bonfire night celebrations on Berakas beach have become a bit of a tradition. The Bornean sunset provides its own fireworks, and the sausage tastes much better with no gloves on!

Phil's traditional birthday celebrations were postponed to November to coincide with Sofia's god parents' visit, so we put on the November fest. We also took Pete and Fiona to Miri, Mulu and Labuan. What a busy week!

December

Christmas celebrations started early, and continued all to way into the New Year. Santa visited us early at the Kids' Hash already back in November but he seemed to have remembered all Sofia's wishes - and more!