134/365 - Special thanks

To our tour guide, Alan (middle) for the 3 days 2 nights eventful Caramoan Island tour!

134/365 - Special thanks

Here ends our Philippines pictorial vacation.

132/365 - Immediate proposal reaction

132/365 - Immediate proposal reaction

Below are his after thought rating:
Touch       8/10
Shock      11/10
Shyness   12/10

131/365 - The proposal

On 10th July 2013 during our vacation to Philippines, having gone against the tradition, I boldly decided to propose to him. Many said it was supposed to be a guy's job. Since I had the thought of marriage before he did, I thought it would be extraordinary memorable if I do it. It turned out hilarious, but no regret!

I had it planned a couple of months ahead. Tek Jee, our buddy was informed in advance to give me a hand. The plan in the end differed from what I had in mind but the outcome was absolutely satisfactory! 

I decided to do it in the last evening after 2 long days of Caramoan Island hopping. A boat right in front of our chalet was decorated while Ernest was bathing. As soon as he was done, I suggested a beach side walk while Tek Jee quietly placed the ring in the boat decorated earlier, and faithfully guarded the ring from afar throughout our walk as there were a few kids playing around the boat. As we approached, I pretended a surprise as to why was there a ring on the boat. Ernest was surprised seeing his name on a card, and finally said yes! :)

 

131/365 - The proposal

122/365 - Caramoan Island mode of transport

122/365 - Caramoan Island mode of transport

121/365 - The sand bar

 Another place with soft white sand and crystal clear water.

121/365 - The sand bar

112/365 - Manila 5: Manila bay

112/365 - Manila 5: Manila bay

106/365 - Lahos Island: The rock

Last sequel on my favourite Lahos Island. Even Ernest who isn't interested in photography made so much effort to capture the moment so you can imagine how beautiful the scene was.

 

 

106/365 - Lahos Island: The rock

105/365 - Lahos Island 5: The sand

105/365 - Lahos Island 5: The sand

104/365 - Lahos Island 4: Crystal clear sea water

With abundant seaweeds clearly visualized!

104/365 - Lahos Island 4: Crystal clear sea water

103/365 - Lahos Island 3: The sand-sea-sky horizon

103/365 - Lahos Island 3: The sand-sea-sky horizon

102/365 - Lahos Island again

102/365 - Lahos Island again 

101/365 - The heavenly beach

Back from a 5 days 4 nights Philippines trip with sun burnt but it's all worth it! A foretaste of heavenly beach in Lahos Island, Caramoan, the best beach ever!

Of course, not missing the jump shot :)

101/365 - The heavenly beach

99/365 - O&G BBQ night: Behind the scene

98/365 - O&G BBQ night: Behind the scene

97/365 - O&G BBQ night 2: Food

97/365 - O&G BBQ night 2: Food

96/365 - O&G BBQ night

96/365 - O&G BBQ night

75/365 - Owl

Colleague bought me a souvenir from China. I found the best place where the owl belongs -- Ernest's waist!

75/365 - Owl

A day to remember

It was just an ordinary pre-call day that I intended to gather the only few friends of mine in Bintulu for a simple dinner. Ernest and I planned it on a Sunday despite having his post-call fatigue since I was oncall on my birthday. So I invited my landlady first. She questioned straight away "Whose birthday?" 

Hence, the secret unveiled. Instead of giving me a surprise, she cutely ordered a birthday cake and asked me to collect from the bakery before dinner. Unpredictably, when we picked them from the doorstep, all the other friends of mine were all gorgeously dressed up with make up while I was only in my routine dress and slippers!

It wasn't an ordinary dinner there after. We had western cuisine followed by the long missing K-session with the most oldies I'd ever sang in the short 2-hours! There I realized singing K isn't just the youngsters' activity.

Lighted up with ♥ :)

Birthday presents sum up! Of course not forgetting the big present from Ernest, the buy 5 free 1 facial package which can't be included in the picture! =D

Thank God, for bringing me thus far, for providing all I need. Thank you everyone, for your wish be it in a form of material, service or verbally via SMS, Facebook or a hand shake. Thank you mum, for giving me the best you can! I appreciate it all.

Yup I'm again another year wiser :)

Gawai Dayak festival

Every first of June is Gawai-Dayak festival, a celebration of the Ibans and Bidayuhs. It is a public holiday in Sarawak and I am blissfully having half day off today!

Entering my third year stay in Sarawak, this was my first visit to the long house to share the joy of this event, thanks to our SN Lorna who invited us for her open-house. It was indeed an eye-opener! Never will I imagine a long house can be so modernized, and the interior design can be even more grand than any of the urbanized house!

The families are friendly, hospitable and treated us like no strangers eventhough it was our first meet. Let the pictures speak its colours and culture.

Starting to tour from the first house to the last.

Welcome from the vice tuai rumah.

Every house has got someone to serve tuak (rice wine). And it is a compulsory to take a sip using a sharing cup. So imagine  how much alcohol you content when you reach the last house.

The offering tree.

Speech giving by Dr Abi, O&G department representative!

Surgeon representative, Dr Ernest Ong!

Leaving the most modern long house I've ever seen!

A traditional long house on the way back.

As a result of having too much tuak-Chivas, the hyperaemic postcaller knocked off soon after he got into the car.

A blessed Gawai and gayu guru gerai nyamai!