Royal London Fun Fare and a WET Christmas

CARMEN: On Boxing Day, mom and dad took us to the Royal London Fun Fare in downtown Kota Kinabalu (opposite the Standard Chartered Bank) and it was a lot of fun even though our fun was cut short suddenly by a big storm, more like a tropical storm.

TESSY: It was a wet..., wet..., Christmas. We were trapped there and..., and..., got all soaking wet when we..., when we..., ran to our car.

CARMEN: At least we got to try out the Ferris Wheel, the Bumper Car, and the Grand Canyon, which was the best ride of them all as it rocks like a cradle from left to right and from top to bottom, like it tried to throw us off.

TESSY: The Canyon was so scary. I nearly..., I nearly..., vomitted.

CARMEN: The rain stopped us from trying the Octupus ride and the Ghost Train. Were stucked at the bumper car shelter for awhile. But mom said she will take us back again, soon.

TESSY: But Carmen, the Fun Fare was really expensive you know.

CARMEN: The entrance fee is ok. RM2 per person but Tess, you are right, the entertainment rides were very expensive. I think the Ferris Wheel alone cost us more than RM20 for 2 adults and 2 children.

TESSY: I think..., I think..., the Royal London Fun Fare will be on for..., for a month until middle of..., of..., January 2006, right Carmen?

CARMEN: Don't know, don't care. As long as we get to go back one more time.

TESSY: Yeah..., as long as dad pays for it, right?

CARMEN: Exactly Tess. High Five...

A Merry Tropical Christmas To You

CARMEN: Tessy and I would like to wish you "Merry Tropical Christmas". No snow here in Borneo but a tropical Christmas is still wonderful. Hope you will have a great celebration and please drive safely, ok? If you drink, don't drink too much. Just a sip will do. After all, this Christmas celebration is not actually about the food, wine, Christmas tree, presents or Santa Claus. It is really about the birthday of the little Lord Jesus. Please invite Him to your celebration during this Christmas, and give him a gift. A small one will do - just be good to everyone.

TESSY: That's a good one, Carmen. Oh..., one more thing. Has mom..., has mom..., booked the turkey yet?

CARMEN: Tesssss, it's not about the turkey also.

TESSY: Noooo Car..., we can celebrate. We can eat all the..., all the..., good food. We can..., we can..., ask dad to buy us..., buy us..., two presents. But just don't forget to..., to.., think of Him when you eat the turkey.

CARMEN: Hemmm, I guess you are right there, Tess. So, is dad getting us two presents this year? We've being real good and we did very well in our studies.

TESSY: Dunno..., I'm just giving an..., an..., example.

CARMEN: Yeah, I know. But can you ask dad to get us two presents?

TESSY: Arggghhh. Will try...

CARMEN: Love you Tessy, and oh..., Merry Christmas to you too.

Beach Vacation at Nexus Karambunai, Tuaran

CARMEN: Last week, we went to Nexus Karambunai for a beach vacation. Nexus Karambunai is one of our favaourite tropical resorts for a family getaway coz the beach there in Tuaran is pretty white and sandy and most of all, lots of fun.

TESSY: Yeah, and the food is..., the food is..., em..., em..., not too bad too...

CARMEN: This time round, we did do a horse ride as we were too busy playing with the sand.

TESSY: We didn't swim in the sea too as it was..., it was..., too rough. Dad did not allow! Only swam..., only swam..., in the swimming pool.

CARMEN: The vacation was cool as mom and dad were both too busy this year end to go somewhere further for a family vacation, and so, the next best thing is to go to places like Nexus Karambunai to getaway.

TESSY: And it's not.., it's not..., too far too. Just about 45 minutes..., 45 minutes..., away from Kota Kinabalu I think.

CARMEN: Do enjoy some of our pics at Nexus Karambunai above.

Tessy got her ears pierced!

CARMEN: At last, Tessy finally got her ears pierced! Many times mom and I had tried to persuade her to get it done but she was a bit scared. I told her many times that I did not really felt any pain when I pirced my ears early this year. It only hurts like an ant's bite.

TESSY: It was not like an ant's bite Carmen. It was a bit..., a bit..., more painful than that...

CARMEN: C'mon Tess. It was not all that painful. You nearly freak out even before it was pierced. But you were a brave girl. I and mom are very proud of you.

TESSY: It was a bit itchy after that but..., but..., luckily I forgot about it when we watch..., we watch..., em..., em..., "The Chronicle of Narnia" at the movies later.

CARMEN: Great movie, right Tess?

TESSY: Yeah Carmen. It was cool...

Satay Celup in Kota Kinabalu

TESSY: Last night, dad bought us to eat "Satay Celup", a unique..., a unique..., Malacca delicacy at..., at..., em..., em..., Gold Star Sports and Recreational Centre in Penampang, just before..., before..., Lido. Satay Celup is like a..., a..., Satay Steamboat.

CARMEN: The meat are on skewers like the usual satay, but instead of being barbequed on chacoal, they are dunked by customers into a boiling pot of water or soup with satay sauce on the table, just like te popular Chinese steamboat dinner. The place is outside the club on the car park open space but with a tent over the dinning area. They open from 7pm to 2am each day I reckon?

TESSY: I think you are right, Carmen. I saw the..., the..., notice board too.

CARMEN: Dad said he think Gold Star is the only place where you can find Satay Celup in Kota Kinabalu. Normally, this dish can only be found in Malacca.

TESSY: I think there are..., there are..., moving vans that also serve Satay Celup. Saw it once at..., at..., Lintas I think.

CARMEN: We both like the Satay Celup but we didn't eat much as the satays were too "chilli hot". Had to drink a lot of juice and water.

TESSY: Yeah..., it was yummy but..., but..., a bit hot. I had to suck on an..., on an..., ice cube.

CARMEN: Me too Tessy.

TESSY: But it was a good dinner, right Carmen?

CARMEN: Well..., if only they can change the ASTRO channel to Disney.