Covid-19, the unwelcome visitor

The last time I blogged was the tail end of January. We had moved into our new apartment at Aman Hill on January 29th All was going well until Covid-19 introduced itself to our world! Our normal way of living was ripped from us and a new normal was created! I really didn't want to give IT any mention inially, however, it's now September and the whole world is still in captivity of Covid-19! COVID-19..........As of March 14th, Schools, and other buildings in Brunei are now closed until further notice. What I’m upset about is why has Boris Johnson (U.K. Prime Minister) not taken action re: School and large gatherings? Brunei had 37 cases and 0 deaths, whilst U.K. has 1143 and 21 deaths???? March 15th, Swimming pools and gyms were closed As from March 16th, Brunei closed its borders and airport. First day of staying indoors as a Total LOCKDOWN in Brunei Darussalam was announced on Thursday 19th March 2020 (there were now 68 COVID-19 cases) It is now official that the globe is in a PANDEMIC! 1. Anyone on isolation are reminded to adhere to the order and will be under quarantine order by law 2. Ensure ALL to adhere to Ministry Of Health (MOH) advice and directives. Social responsibility such as social distancing is a MUST. 3. All Night Stalls will be closed 4. Weekly Tamu / market will also close 5. All Food Premises - No dining in BUT take away only 6. Bowling close 7. Visitors are banned from China, Iran and all European countries except Brunei Citizens. The exception are PR, foreigners with green IC, foreigners with Employment Pass, students and dependent pass, and British forces and dependents 8. Jerudong Park playground, garden and amphitheatre will be closed Food court Jerudong continues to open BUT take away only 9. Closure of all sports facilities Eg Gym, golf courses, cinemas etc Come on Boris Johnson, get you finger out and take heed of what is happening in Italy and act NOW! On March 28th, The Sultan confirmed the 1st death in Brunei (a 64 year old Bruneian man, who fell ill after his return from Kuala Lumpur and Cambodia at the beginning of March 😔🙏🏾 The wearing of face mask is new territory to most people around the globe and so is Social Distancing. The people in Brunei adhere and adapt swiftly unto these new normal habits but alas, not so in other part of the world!!! New signs are being erected regarding Social Distancing Another new 'Normal' is Zoom! Most employees are working from home via Zoom and others have been furloughed. Several world leaders were slow in reacting to the situation thus putting their citizens at risk and the death rate continues to rise quickly May 3rd, we decided to drive over the new bridge (Temburong bridge) It was officially opened on March 17th 2020 and is the longest bridge in South East Asia (30 km long) and cost $1.7 Billion BHD Below is the South China Sea May 19th, our apartment’s small gym has re-opened 😃 but alas, the swimming pool is still closed 😞 May 24th, our first meal at a restaurant since LOCKDOWN Had to fill in the daily health app and scan it at the restaurant. Only those with the app with green or yellow zone and booking allowed at any given time. No more than 30% of diners. June 16th, the country’s third death from Covid-19

A drive to Aman Hills Apartment

Husband home early from work. We had salad for lunch before driving to Aman Hills Apartments to view our next potential resident Although I like the countryside esq feel of S’akar Apartment, Aman Hills Apartments was more suited, why you may ask...... because of the facilities inside and surrounding the apartments - there’s a large swimming pool and a gym (for residents usage only), an ice skating ring, a cinema, bowling, restaurant, within the Aman complex...... so you see, there’s plenty to occupy myself with whilst Adrian is at work

A wet morning

My first day alone....... I had planned going for a morning swim in our pool but Mother Nature has turned on her tap! I was stilled determined to go, after all it was just shower, but alas Mother Nature won this debate as the shower turned into heavy rain....... Doh!

Happy New Year and New Decade to you all

Wow........ I finally managed to get into my blog after numerous attempts and being blocked three consecutive days at a time. I haven't written for a while due to illness. I was diagnosed with vestibular neuronitis after a week spell at QE11 hospital in Kings Lynn and was incapacitated for a year. My only mobility was initially by being in a wheelchair then walking stick. I was then referred to my local Leisure Centre. Two years later, I've got ninety nine percent of ME BACK! A New Year and a New Decade waits us all My first country of the new decade is Brunei, flying with Singapore airline (a twelve hour flight to Changi airport,Singapore with a fifty five minutes stopover (which gave us enough time to get to terminal two by the sky train) before boarding another Singapore airline for our last leg to Brunei (a two and half hour flight) Arrived safely a Brunei International Airport and greeted by our driver and two ladies "Good morning Mr Lee, I'm Maia, the person you've been corresponding with" she said with outstretched hands and a smile "Good morning Maia" replied Adrian reciprocating her hand gesture and the shook hands "This is my wife, Nikki" "Good morning" myself and Maia replied in unison "Good morning to you both, my name is Sabrina......... Welcome to Brunei" she said shaking both our hands The heat was noticeably HOT! We were grateful to be escorted into an air conditioned car We chatted with our two new acquaintances until we arrived at a new, albeit temporary, place of abode in Bandar Seri Begawan (S'akar Apartment) On reaching our accommodation, I spotted a papaya tree at the front The driver took our luggages out of the car boot "We will show you your temporary apartment, but before, here is the key to your car, Mr Lee" Maia said as she handed a set of keys to Adrian "Thank you" he replied We both got into the car to get a feel of it We were then taken to our apartment, which is on the third floor A quick tour around the three bedroom, one ensuite and another shower room, we were taken to the kitchen We were introduced to another Sabrina "We hope you like what we have bought you" she said, opening the fridge door, which was fully packed with dairy products, bread, bottled water et al "Thank you" Adrian and I replied in unison "Do we have WiFi?" I asked "Yes" I walked towards our balcony and saw a large pool below (Really wasn't expecting one....... It looked so inviting Ok, I'm going to give a quick catch-up on what we have done since arriving on the early hours of Friday January 17th It's now Tuesday January 28th, but what with having trouble getting into my blog, being blocked and having to wait three days at a time........ You get my gest! Saturday January 18th Picked up by Wayne, from ISB International School for orientation around the area and a spot of local cuisine He took us to Roti Culture restaurant. I ordered the Signature Laska with Otak-Otak and Adrian ordered Rendang with Pulut, washed down with Authentic Nanyang Coffee (I had honey tea). After lunch, he drove us to a coffee bar, where we met up with Tony, another management from ISB International School Sunday January 19th Another orientation, in the afternoon with Garaham (ISB International School He took us to a nearest SuperSava store, where we bought fruits, vegetables, prawns and pork from the non Moslim butcher section But before that, a quick read beside the pool and off course, photo session (lol) Adrian had to call Singapore airline...... Why, you may ask....... My American suitcase was damaged en route and I only noticed it the day before...... Doh! We were told to return it to the airport and it will will be sent to Singapore for evaluation Monday January 20th Adrian had his first meeting with management at ISB International School, to which I was invited. After a fruitful meeting, Sabrina (the first one we initially met at the airport) took us to One City Shopping Mall for a spot of lunch I ordered fried vermicelli with seafood (Singapore style), fish mee seafood soup and a bottle of water, whilst Adrian ordered Malaysian fried mee with seafood, dim sum and a bottle of water Back at our apartment after a long meeting at ISB International School, Lou day is half way over, whereas back home (U.K), is just getting ready for work, school et al. We had planned to swim in the pool but it was too hot! Tuesday January 21st After dropping Adrian off at iSB International School, Sabrina drove to to the nearest gym to check it out A member of staff took me round the gym (Fitness Zone at Serusop, Brunei) and informed me of the membership and daily price I decided not to join as I would need a car of my own to get there whilst Adrian is at work. I paid BD$12 for the day and used the treadmill and bikes for a couple of hours before being picked up by Adrian When we got back to our apartment, we needed to cool off so decided to take a swim in the pool.......... 30 minutes was all we could bare in the heat! Wednesday January 22nd Sabrina kindly dropped me off at Fitness Zone in the morning and I had several hours on the treadmill, rowing, bikes etc... Adrian picked me up and we went home for lunch before being taken to Kampong Ayer, the largest water village in the world. Kampong Ayer, a village in Brunei with its historic settlement area in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital city of Brunei (where we are residing. Kampong Ayer is a water village consists of a cluster of traditional stilt villages built on the Brunei River. It is widely known as the 'Venice of the East' We saw proboscis baby monkeys, crocodiles, snakes as our boat guided us through the thick mangroves Friday January 24th Morning meet up at ISB International School then a convoy drive to the Royal Brunei Yacht Club, Seri Begawan, Brunei for breakfast with Jon, Jonathan, Graham, Tony, Sabrina, Craig Adrian and myself Saturday January 25th We decided to check out the sister yacht club at Kota Batu, Bandar Seri Begawan, which is near to us. It's smaller than the other club and not as many facilities (no swimming pool nor a library)but it had a pool room (snooker), to which we took advantage of and play pool building up our appetite for lunch. I ordered Alaskan Pollock fish with chips washed down with a coconut margarita mocktail, Adrian ordered a Trio of pork ribs and fries, washed down with a Virgin Mojito mocktail We then drove to Taman Rekreasi Jalan Menteri Besar, for a leisurely walk in the park Sunday January 26th We drove to Pasar Malam, Gadong, the night market. We love the hassle and bustle of the night market, mingling with the locals. We shared a large fresh white fish with rice. I had ice coconut water drink and Adrian had a freshly squeezed iced lemon and lime drink Monday January 27th......Happy Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Fa Chai to you all We drove an hour and a half to Panaga Golf Club, Kuala Belait, for lunch with Jon, Wayne, Sal (Wayne's wife) Adrian and myself. I ordered butter prawn egg floss, (fried prawn flavoured with butter, topped with crispy egg floss and served with plain rice, washed down with dry ginger ale. Adrian ordered Mamas style noodles with beef Malaysian style fried noodles with vegetables, potatoes and eggs, washed down with Moody Blues (blackboard and pineapple drink)

So proud to have performed at the iconic Royal Albert Hall with my Rock Choir family, representing our town, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire UK (Tuesday 03rd July 2018) Sir Henry Lenny was the events host #BTICAwards @RoyalAlbertHall #Wisbech @businessinthecommunity

DOS man and I now sat at Starbucks, sipping a hot latte at Hong Kong airport waiting for our flight to Phnom Phenm, Cambodia

Finally boarded our Cathay Pacific plane to Hong Kong