Mosque Visit and Tasek Lama

Being a full time home mum means I can go on all class trips.   Liam's class was off to a mosque and then a visit to a waterfall.  Great I thought my opportunity to visit a mosque and Brunei's version of a waterfall.  Guess which Kiwi said "Is that it?", waterfall try trickle down the side of a man made rockface!!  The mosque is quite spectacular from the oustide but very disapointing inside and this is before the brain washing talk starts.  I lost interest in the first minute so the kids did very well to pretend to be focused for all 30 minutes of our tour, personally I think they had all switched off after the initial greeting.  The park or Tasek Lama was great for the kids as they got to run around, it has beautiful nature walks one of which I have started doing on a Monday morning with the expat Dads here.  It takes around 1 hour and I can't breathe (or talk) by the time we which the top of the hill, (Bruneians call it a mountain but it is a hill)  the view is spectacular over Brunei so well worth the effort.  My legs are still recovering from Mondays walk and it is now Saturday.  However I have done it twice this week and also played touch.  We are slowly getting used to the heat and breathing is becoming slightly easier.  I have another touch tournament next weekend and appear to be the only player praying for rain again on that day.  Photos below of our visit to the mosque me in my full black rope, although I already had on a full length skirt and fully covered arms we were still made to put on the rob.  Liam and his mates on Tasek Lama.

Liam and his mates on top of Tasek Lama

Cricket and Touch in the Tropics

After many years of being injured and having no time I have begun playing cricket and touch in Brunei. In Brunei the CFBT team has only won a couple of games in 3 years so expectations are not high. They do only play about four 40 over games and then 20/20 matches. When I was younger and watching the likes of Martin Crowe in India and sweat pouring off them and them losing concentration I thought "harden up", but I can tell you it is the hardest sporting focus I have had to do. We were playing an Indian team so straight away we were going to lose. Put into bat first I was at number 5. Within 7 overs I was in bat. Nervous as hell as I hadn't played for about 12 years. Struggled initially but began to gather runs, it had got to about 10.30 in the morning at it was about 34 degrees I thought it was about 134. But I lasted 24 overs in this heat and made 24, second top score. Got bowled, I couldn't see the ball and I got really sick and tired of running so I had an unorthodox smack, obviously it didn't go to well. We lost, but only by 2 wickets so we went pretty well.
Touch at the kids school on Thursdays at 5pm, we have been meaning to go and play but drinking got in the way as it is technically my Friday night. Amanda has been down a few times and played in a tournament (the only day it rained all day) and did pretty well. So I dragged my body down there and had a great time. My legs were not running as fast as they use to but I still managed 2 tries as opposed to Amandas zero tries. My god it was warm playing! No subs as they play either 5/6/or 7 aside and we had 12 players and 1 ref so it was 6v6. Iwas gasping for air on many occasions and when I wasn't it was because I couldn't. A great thing to do here though, so it will now become a regular thing as long as the body lasts. Now to get down to 5 aside soccer on Monday nights after Liam's football training!

NZ Brunei Society Beach Day

Well we have finally joined the club after many months of meaning to. They organised a beach day on  Mothers Day and with myself and Amanda sick it was probably the last thing we wanted to do. However we went to see the Avengers at the Empire Club (6Star Accomodation and club in Brunei) so we decided to get the boys outside in fresh air. We went to Tungku Beach which is probably one of the cleanest beaches here (not saying much!). A great day where the kids swam, tug of war and ate. It was a bit overcast which made it nicer as it was probably only about 31/ 32 degrees. For those that don't know about the Empire Club here is a brief rundown. The Club was built as a dream by the Sultans brother, it is a plush place but no one really stays there as it is way to expensive. It has amazing pools, cinemas and golf course and other attractions. If you google Jerudong Park you will get more of an idea of things. Take note it is believed that posts regarding Brunei are monitored by the people in high places here so sometimes elaboration on topics is not appropriate!

Liam enjoying his swim in the not so pristine waters of Brunei

Right I've had enough wheres my icecream?

Not a bad view as Jordy plays with friends

Jordy chilling in the sea

Jordan's 10th Bday

Me helping Thomas

The Boys Look On (jango, Liam and Jordan)

My Presents (yah)

Happy Bday Jordy

Cool! More cars to play with

Jordy at Wira with the satay sticks and rice

Jordan was so excited about his birthday. He decided to invite 2 friends and have some cake at home then go bowling followed by tea at his fav restaurant (Wira) What a great bday, they loved the bowling and the food at the restaurant ($28 for food and drinks for 6, pretty good). I can't believe he's 10 and I can't believe how wonderful he is. Happy Bday Jordy

Liam and his football

With Liam joining the soccer squad he has been chosen to play a year above his age for the tournaments. He has had a tournament in Panaga which is where our friends live, about 70mins away. It was stinking hot, I dont think it went below 33 and the games were 10mins long. I coached the team which was hot enough!!!. The team didn't get through to the finals but they played really well. Liam needed the day off on Tuesday as he hadn't fully recovered from the heat. He was selected to attend a coaching clinic from this tournament taken by the Masters of EPL (all the old English Premiere League Stars) He had a great time as did Amanda and myself. What a fantastic opportunity!

A Very Hot Day

Absolutely Stuffed!!!!

Watch out Messi

Group Photo

Barcelona, United, Arsenal, who will I sign for?

The Cotswold Kids in KB- Bronte, Georgia, Jordan and Liam

Relaxing at the Panaga Club in KB, Brunei

Amber and Amanda

Smiley Boy!!!

ISB Sportsday

ISB sportsday was held in May and unfortunately Liam was sick on the day and did not go to school. I am sure he would have kicked butt!!!!! Any it was stinking hot in the morning I believe it got to about 35 before 10.30. Jordan did so well in all events and came 3rd in his sprint race. Great work Jordy!

Settled after 5 months

 Master bedroom, it is the size 5 or 6 bedrooms. And has ensuite as all the bedrooms do!

 One lounge (2 others)

 Our palace

 The Yellow Rocket- Liam calls it The Yellow Crap

Our family car

Well, been here 5 months now, in our house, cars organised and we are in a good routine. Boys enjoy school and also the lifestyle. We have visited some friends down in KB which is good especially for Liam as Georgia was in his class at Cotswold. School is very interesting, the standard is not high but I guess it is up to me to change this. We are busy booking flights for August where we are going to Cambodia (can't wait). Our trip back home is fully booked as Amanda wanted to go back to NZ.

Penang

Liam looks like he doesn't like it! He did it, really proud of him

Jordy did so well, good stuff Jordan!

Our trip up Penang Hill, overlooking the city

Our first trip we went to Penang, we heard it was a lovely place which it was. We stayed to far out of the main loop to take full advantage of things but it was great to get out of Brunei. The boys loved it especially the snakes. We stayed near the only mall owned by Muslims so there was no alcohol in the shops (typical) so it cost more to drink at a great pub we found and some restaurants. Highly recommend staying in Georgetown as everything is there. Went for a tour with the boys on a trishaw it got very hot but a great way to see the place. The snake temple was cool but the snakes seemed like they were high as not to much movement was going on with them.