Club Hopping Day

I had a bit of a quarrel with my other half and i did not join him for dinner at the mess, an action that i later regretted. I was hungry and short of cream crackers supply. The best thing i could do was to sulk up my ego and make up with dearest hubby. Quarrel and made up again. Normal phenomenon among couples. If you never quarrel, there must be something really wrong with either you or your partner. Quarrellings makes the heart grows fonder. It could actually strengthen up your relationship. Learning to accept and live with each other's imperfection. Nobody is perfect. Unless you are a"nobody" then it should be OK.

We finally went out again, with Remy as our navigator and Ankel as special guest. We went to Uncle Burn's, since the three of them had had dinner earlier, i was the only one eating. I ordered Uncle Burn Chicken Rice, some cauliflower, broccoli and tomato salad and i did ordered a deep fried squids but they sent me deep fried prawn instead.  I had a huge glass of apple plus orange juice to complete my dinner.

After dinner, we were hunting for a chill out place, hubby and Remy wanted to go somewhere else apart from Net Alive. I think they went there enough. We were thinking of RED BULL but it was packed with people. Then we walked to the next block and we found a new club (for us) near Tawau Recreation Club (TRC). We went in. The staff was hospitable, but the prices on the menu is rather more expensive than the usual club they had stepped in. We settled down, picked some songs. NO loud ear piercing music. The guys had their drinks, and hubby and Remy went for a game of pool at a separate corner. I was comfortable chit chatting with Ankel. A very nice and clean environment. The staff are appropriately dressed in uniform. a touch of class there.

We had fun there, sang our hearts out and left at 2am. Remy suggested we to another club to meet his friend.
I almost had a heart attack upon entering the place. It was totally the opposite of TRC. They had the most "heart wrenching" and "eye sore-ing"  GROs serving in the club. The crowds were from a different class altogether. Not recommended at all for ladies who went there without partners. You could be mistaken for a slut or something similar. Its a good thing that had on hubby,s collard t-shirt and my black jeans, in a place like that, any party dress you put on will look slutty. The floor was dirty, ventilation was very bad, the smoke from cigarettes made my eyes watery. We had to sneak out to breath fresh air. It didn't lasted long, thank God! We left to had our late night coffee and chit chat at Sri Semporna.

We ordered our wrap up drinks, and what came to us was all mixed up. I think it was because we just woke the waiter up from taking a nap. Nevertheless, we enjoyed ourselves talking, it is rather fun to talking to people when they 'speaks the same language'. Apparently, everybody had so much to talk about we it was 4.30am when we finally left the place. So far, I think this was the longest night i ever experienced in Tawau. A dinner, bar hopping and a chit chat session.

Label 5 - The new Gold Medalist

There was a party in the officers mess last night, commensuring the anniversary of this base, my hubby was being contacted to get some beverages for them, so we went out to SABINDO  (the old town)  to get some supplies. Unfortunately enough that hubby came into the car telling us that there were no stock available but he managed to get something but the brand is a bit unpopular among drinkers. At RM60 per bottle, it is rather cheaper than the usual brand that could reach until RM240 per bottle. Without having much choice we left the grocery store and went to Sri Semporna to have my dinner (since he already ate in the mess).

Upon reaching our room, curious hubby immediately check the details of this new drink from the net. He found out that this brand had won a gold medalist in 2008 so it should be a good. His only fear that those people in the mess will not drink it. He then looked for cocktail ideas where he quickly put at work later on. I think hubby was happy and relieved that people like the new thing and he was also glad to be introduced to this new brand.

Some people might not know what am i writing about but people who does, i think you should give this Label 5 a try, after all there is no harm trying. Enjoy your drink!

By the way the party was not so successful since only a few people were present and there were only 3 ladies able to make it. Such a boring party without chicks around, don't u think. We left at 2am, spent time in our room... lalalaladida and that was more like it!

Restaurant Review - Daily-Q (Steamboat) Restaurant, Tawau

Varieties *****
Service ***
Price *** (RM25 per pax -with term and condition)
Parking Availability ***
Cleanliness ***
#the rating is based on 5 star maximum.
Concept - Self service (buffet style) steam boat restaurant.

Tips:-
Dont ask for additional drink since they already prepared a huge container of Chinese Tea (included in the bill) the drink is located near the vegetable buffet table. Additional 2 can drinks and a double lime 'cocktail' cost us additional RM5.00.

They serve papaya pickles for the appetizer, i was praising the restaurant management for at least complimenting us the with pickles (which i found unique) but later to find that it was being charged separately from the initial RM25 per pax. (additional RM1.00 for the pickles) and funny enough, they also charged us 30cents each for wet towels and we didn't even asked for it to begin with. The whole things seemed like they are trying to make complimentary things compulsory in order for them to camouflage the extra charges on  us. Finally there was the 5% government tax.

Overall the food was good, a lot of varieties to choose from. The seafood was 'FRESH' since steamboat has no particular taste, i think this is the most suitable word to describe them. Apart from fresh and processed seafood they also served mutton, beef and chicken. I thought i saw the halal cert on the notice board behind the cashier but i am not sure for what the halal cert represented. They served beer too. And there is a huge sign saying "SERVE NO PORK" also located behind the cashier counter.

Dipping sauce varies from mild to hot, based on the amount of chillies that could be found in the different container, i wished they had the bottled sauce too because none of the dipping sauce did excite my taste buds. They give you a small saucer of margerine (to substitute the butter) to avoid dishes from sticking onto the grill plate.

Hubby and our dear friend Remy Hernandez, really enjoy eating mutton and tuna slices and Remy really used up his all culinary skills. Huh! not bad for a bachelor i must say.

On top of the fresh meat and ocean products, they didn't not serve for any dessert. Everyone was rather craving for something sweet to wrap up the steaming and grilling session. I was thinking of Cendol or ABC or maybe a cup of ice cream. A complete dining experience must be complemented with a good dessert but we had a wet towel instead. Somehow or rather it had really affected our mood.

So fellas, if you are anywhere in Kl or Penang, i would suggest you check on Seoul Garden for a better Steam Boat and Grill experience and they serve dessert too and best part is, they don't charge extra for the variety and mouthwatering dessert that they have .

Kayu manis restaurant Tawau

Pisang goreng kayu manis wrap in spring roll skin.

a day after pay day...

Other half was a few thousand richer since it was his pay day yesterday. We decided to hail a cab and walk around town to settle our bills and get some of our personal stuff. It was 7.30pm and as usual, it was dark.. hubby was still in pain due to his back problem but he was determined to go out. He was quite worried that there wouldn't be any cabs around but we were lucky to catch a cab upon leaving the main gate. No hassle at all!!  

We got down near Affin Bank, the fair was RM5. Cheaper than what the other taxi driver used to charged us. (ranging from rm8-10). Hubby then withdrew some cash and we walked to Maybank which was not so far from there, no doubt there were a lot of people queuing at the deposit machine.  We waited in different que for 10 minutes or so and done with our first mission. We continue walking to Celcom to pay our phone and broadband bills. I could see that everyone was busy coming in and out of a bank, apart from payday might say that it was a debt paying day for everyone too. After settling our bills in Celcom kiosk, we proceed to Ambank to settle our credit card bills. And we are done with monthly commitment of debts and bills and we manage to add on our steps by walking around town. I am starting to like walking in Tawau town, everything reachable within walking distance but do walk with a partner because it might get eerie walking alone.

We went to a Guardian, there were 2 guardian outlets in Fajar (the new town area. the one located on the same row with Watson and Body Shop outlet is open till 9pm i supposed. This outlet was packed with unopened boxes so it was quite hard for us to browse for our things. So we proceed to a nearby local pharmacy which my hubby found later that the price of things are a cheaper. I got myself the cough syrup (my all time favorite "Ibu dan anak"), and some vitamins and we exit from the pharmacy to enter a more exciting place the Shoe Shop, i've been dying to check on lately.

I was actually looking for a slip on high heels that i need to wear during dinner but hubby had a more brilliant suggestions. He told me to get the boots, since they were cheap but yet very appealing. After trying them on and looking into the mirror told myself i wouldn't leave without them. I left with 2 very cool pairs of boots. both are brown but a different brown but the heels are totally different. Great! Now i have 4 pairs of boots. 2 at home and 2 in Tawau. I feel so happy i was thinking to get another pair in black if my budget permits. By the way, hubby was the one paying for these new babes and i couldn't me more than grateful!!! Thank you honey!!!

The Shoe Shop

My babe #1 unbelievable price tag of RM58.90

My babe #2 more unbelievable price tag of RM38.90

Side view

side view

Who would have thought i will get so lucky having to stumble upon this shoe shop. "Look" as the name of it, will be relocated to somewhere nearby, i believe the owner wanted a bigger place to display the lovely shoes they have. Alternative to "Look" there is another shoe shop called "Miki". I've been there but the sale girls were not that friendly though. But they have some cool collection of shoes, the price are cheaper than "Vincci" (new outlet opened in Tawau some 2 months ago). In Tawau Vincci, the price of their collection is ridiculously high. Even though with the 20% all year round discount they give.

Some locals even told me that they would rather to fly to KL during sales and get a few pairs of Vincci than buying it in Tawau. If COSWAY only added a dollar to everything they sell here, (except for redemption item) why didn't the rest of the brand do the same. Avon for instance, the price different is somehow absurd. But all i can say is people in Tawau have a huge purchasing power, 60% of the people here is driving a pick up and pick up truck is not cheap. Perhaps people around here are making a lot more than what we are making there in the peninsular but still a lot of people choose to migrate to KL. I wonder why?   

Enjoying my 1st lobster at Kamling Seafood Tawau.

TIPS FOR EATING LOBSTER:-

1. do check the price and confirmed it before you agree to proceed with the cooking

2. let the people of the restaurant suggest what best for you or what is the most popular dish among the customers, or look on other tables to look for tantalizing ideas

3. consider your budget (to avoid wastage) since a piece of lobster (that cost rm130 plus minus) could make 2 different dishes and serve 3 people, u may not need some other side orders no matter how tempting they appear to be

 this poor dude cost us rm130 per piece

 3 kilos.. i think so

 

2 dishes from the same lobster

 yummie

 yummie

 finished everything

 

happy n satisfied faces

TAWAU inside out

My husband was being posted to Markas Angkatan Tentera Bersama 2, Kem Kukusan Tawau in June'10. I don't know if it should be a good news to me or otherwise. The first time i heard of it, I freaked out and cried. Gong Kedak and Kuantan were already a travelling nightmare (since we travel often) and now Tawau!! I dont even know what to expect. 

Emm, but as far as i could recall. Back in USM years, (freshman years) I had a room mate name Sanisah bt Hj Samuri (ermm i think so- but it sounded so familiar right...??but she was not related to the famous satay kajang though). I wonder what happen to her and where she is now? 10 years ago, i had a red headed (of course artificial) room mate from Tawau, my first impression of Tawau rather changed after i recalled how my x-room mate portrayed herself as a Tawau girl. She was quite a babe so i think Tawau will fit me fine.

Hubby had to come 1st, he told me that theres a supermarket (grocery store i should call it) just beside his camp. Just outside the gate perimeter. 3-5 minutes walking distance. There are a few local restaurant around the area too. No need to travel far.  No need for me to bring the whole house to Tawau since its easy to get my necessity. That was what he advised me.

My 1st journey to Tawau was a bit chaotic. I stay in Penang. there is no direct flight from Penang to Tawau if travelling by Air Asia. Its the same with MAS (but MAS has a dedicated continuing flight that awaits in KLIA). my flight was at 2pm and it was delayed to 4pm. My next flight to Tawau from LCCT was at 6.30pm. I was lucky that the plane i boarded to LCCT landed just a few minutes before check in closing time. Everything was hand carry so It really save a lot of trouble but i still need to run to catch the next flight. and i actually used the phrase "Excuse me, i have to catch a flight in 5 minutes"  and i had a hard time catching my breath too. Huh!!   

The flight was delayed (again!!) due to some technical problem..and i have to walk so far to get to the substitute plane..it was so tiring and i really pity those old folks and the kids and parents with babies.. it was such a hassle for them. I must say that Air Asia is only fit for FIT people. i am not sure if they charged us if we request for a wheelchair or perhaps i should check on that too. Well, what u pay is what you get lady.. sigh!

I finally step on Tawau Ground at 10 pm, and i did something against the law (i realized only when i want to leave Tawau). my passport wasn't stamped prior to entering the state. And  it was a huge offence i must say. I had a quarrel with the immigration lady officer saying that i didn't know the law as that was the first time i was there. (The quarrel happened during my departure to KL after 2 staying weeks in Tawau as an illegal visitor) By the way, i didn't know how the hell i managed to go through without getting the stamp? But i remember that there was no immigration people around upon my arrival only to know that i had used the wrong entrance door. (And why was there supposed to be another door without any authorities in charged?) Silly wasn't it?

Yay!! At last i could see hubby's face. waited for me at the airport arrival gate. Enough of a day journey. The day after was when hubby being conferred his Major Rank. So, Tawau is a blessing in disguise i should say.