Kota Kinabalu-Brunei Day I

We had to have an early breakfast to be in time for our airport pick-up. Was lucky to get a empty table as we walked in though.

The breakfast spread was uninspiring. Ate quickly and went back up to our room.

Did a last minute check all-around, some photo-taking, then proceeded to the lobby to wait for our airport transfer.







The gentleman at the door who've came to recognise our faces chatted with us. Asking what we have been up to for our stay there. We took some momento photos with him, just as our driver came along.

Check in at the KK Airport was rather confusing. It was a common check-in for all flights, but the area was so open, we didn't realise we had somehoe missed the security clearance. Hah! Defeats the purpose then, rights?

Anyways, lost our place in the queue to go to get our bags tagged. But getting our boarding passes was quick enough.

Went to the souvenir shop to get a T-shirt for Bro. LOL. His T-shirt collection starting to bear testament of places I've been to.

Also got a pair of cute little monkeys for my nephew, who had yet to made his appearance into the world. Partly wish he'd wait til I'm back. But that would be cruel on Sis.







We got seats on one of the last few rows again. Flight was pretty uneventful. Soon enough, we reached Bandar Seri Begawan again.

My bag didn't take too long to appear this time around, but customs was a bit slow. MD was puzzled how I was laughing away when the guy checking my bag seemed so serious. LOL. Well, he has those dry sense of humour with the ability to keep a perfectly straight face while teasing me!

We couldn't find the driver for the hotel transfer, so waited around. Managed to spot a fella hurrying in and he did turn out to be our driver. He however asked us to wait as there were still some passengers who have yet to around.

We passed the time taking pictures yet again.

It was quite some time before the driver said we could go. Apaprently our fellow passengers were some Thais who probably stayed overseas, judging from their accents. They had a cute little boy who kept looking over curiously.

Our hotel seems right in the town area, and beside a river. Very cosy and homely. We went up, shed our bags, and laid around a while.

MD was just wondering when her friend would pick us up since he didn not reply to her SMS when we received a knock on the door.

We fiddled around with the door's peephole for a while, unsuccessfully, then finally just open the door. It was MD's childhood friend, MM.

She told him to give us a few minutes and we'd meet him downstairs. Then wondered how he could have found out our room. Pointed out to her a sign that says we were supposed to inform Reception if we did not want anyone calling on us. Aha!

MM brought a couple of his friends along, LZ and FZ. Went to have lunch at a fast food restaurant before depositing us gals at a shopping centre while he did his Friday prayers.

LZ and FZ brought us around Yayasan, one of the bigger malls around. It looks pretty much like any Singaporean mall, with much similar shops. MD and I got smitten with some bags, but felt too lazy to add on purchases that would add bulk to our luggage. Hehee.

After going around for a couple of hours, we retired to KFC for some drinks, where MM met us. Told us some corny jokes before we set off again.

We went around Brunei's famed Kampung Ayer, where MD reminisced about almost falling out of a boat before on her way to a wedding reception with her family.



Then went around the two major and absolutely stunning mosques. The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque looked so majestic, especially againts the backdrop of such wonderfully clear skies.



It was much more difficult to get a good shot of the newer Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, which was more enclosed. The grandeur stretched from the gold-arched gates to the beautiful landscaping around with its water fountains.




MM pointed how there was a special foyer only to be used by the royal family. WOW is all I can say.

Next stop: The Mall, which was still in the Gadong area. The biggest mall in Brunei and apparently the most "happening". MM told us that it would be more crowded in the evening, when it'll open til about 10pm.

More walking around. All the travelling around were taking a toll on me and MD actually. MM is a bit disppointed that we are not in a shopping frenzy, I think. We stopped by the foodcourt for more munching and drinking.

Since MD and I weren't inspired to do any more shopping, MM decided to do some driving around. He took us to the sole university in Brunei. Fantastic architecture! I'm envious that we don't have such beautiful campus in Singapore.

MM dropped by the faculty of ... to show off his department. MD and I exchanged a look. It's difficult to imagine MM in an official capacity working at the religious department when he's currently dressed like a hip-hopster!

Next to Hutan Simpanan Berakas. Roads leading to the beach were so steep and winding! But the view at the beach was fantastic. Loved looking at the clear blue skies.

LZ & FZ went done to fool around by the sea. We older folks just stayed and lepak. LOL.




We subsequently visited Pantai Muara and Pantai Serasa. More walks along memory lane for MD. Another stop at a stall for snacks and drinks. These Bruneian youths sure do a lot of this!






What was funny was at one point, MM spotted LZ family, causing LZ and FZ to suddenly scuttle down the seats. LOL. Apparently they weren't supposed to be out with him.

MM dropped by the town's soccer "port" to look up some friends, before we dropped off the gals at LZ's home. Then proceeded to MM's current residence, where MD and family used to stay.

Driving in, we saw 3 other vehicles! MM pointed out his car, as well as his siblings' vehicles. Heads started popping up from the windows, before MM's mum greeted us at the door.

The conversation was stilted at the start, us trying to udnerstand each other's lingo and trying to make ourselves understood.

MD started not too feel so well again, and her coughs prompted Mm to be off to the shops to get some cough syrup for her. MM's parents and granddad grilled MM on her family as we were served with light refreshments.

We were comfortably cocooned in the family's living room, separated from the rest of the house by a glass screen. I kept seeing more and more people passing by the screen, occasionally popping in to say hi.

It was only when we were ushered in for dinner that we realised they were a LOT of people around! MM had told us all his siblings, even those married live in the same house, but surely this are not just his siblings??

Dinner was delish! But MD and I were pretty tired out taht we told MM we'd skip visiting Jerudong Park, though taht was supposed to be the highlight of my trip here.

A mad scramble for group photo-taking ensued. MM's nephew was warming up to us, and really enjoyed taking pics! ;)

MM drove us back with his cuzz ND and youngest bro, but the ride was pretty silent. My head was threatening to explode actually, can't wait to lie down in bed!

MM drove pretty fast along the almost deserted roads, but the hotel was still almost an hour away. Felt bad that we were ending the night when they seemed hyped to show us more of Brunei.

But was such a relief to be able to lie down. Even Bro's call that my nephew has finally arrived did not manage to garner enough excitement.