Brunei Day 27 - Goodbye My Beloved Nation

Tomorrow noon I'll be leaving Negara Brunei Darussalam for Singapore. It had been a rather pleasant stay here, with the exception of power cuts and my 56k dial-up. However I'm glad I'd achieved what I had wanted to achieve over here.

Actually I felt rather lazy to return to Singapore. Actually I'm not looking forward to this return. My luggage seemed heavy, but I guessed it's much better since it can now be wheeled. Boarding bus 170 at JB customs will be a problem, especially since my plane will land around evening time, which happened to be rush hour period as many commuters from Malaysia rushed into Singapore for work on Monday.

Not only that, I wondered if I can cope with the rising living costs in Singapore. I have everything that people work so hard for their entire lives here - big houses, private vehicles etc. Nevertheless I need to clear my DBS bank loan and serve my bond for 3 years. Hopefully I can save enough to buy a Daihatsu Telios 4WD - adding a 6th car to my garage. Seen some people in my town driving it, and it looks very appealing.

Worst of all, I will miss driving. Managed to get my license issued by today. Drove my dad's 20 year old Honda Saloon to town, and it was a disaster. I won't be touching this car anymore. Somehow I just can't control it as smooth as my mother's new car. Luckily there weren't any cars on the road.

I think I better go pack my computer now. Till then, sayonara, Brunei... Welcome back to Singapore...

My primary and secondary school, CHMS - haven't been back for ages

Brunei Day 26 - Time to Pack

It's Friday, and in 1 more day I will be returning to the island republic. Actually I feel rather lazy to make the return trip, since these few years of shuttling to and fro between Brunei and Singapore had made me feel tired.

I feel a little sad that upon my return to the island republic, I will not be able to drive there. In this space-constraint nation, the cost of a car is enough for me to build a big house in Brunei with some money leftover just nice for purchasing my dream 4WD!

Purchased a new luggage today, just in time before the grand sale in town is over. Been wanting to get a luggage with wheels, and now I do not have to haul it across the causeway, like what I did on the day I left Singapore. Hauling 14kg of stuffs by hand with another 5kg backpack and chasing public transport as well as queuing through immigration was crazy!

Probably tomorrow I would be able to collect my driving license, due to some undisclosed reasons. Yay!

Brunei Day 25 - Driving Test

Went for my driving test at KB Land Transport Department this afternoon. It sure was a very hot afternoon. There were only 3 of us taking the driving test, a girl from Sekolah Menengah Sayyidina Ali, a Negro from UK and me. All of the candidates are from my school - AsohRaya Driving School.

The parking went very smoothly. I did not hit any poles even in parallel parking. Neither did I roll down from the ramp after braking on it. If I did not see wrongly I scored rather well in this section. However, I made some mistakes while driving on the road, especially while using those small roundabouts.

Anyway, I'm glad I passed my driving test. My instructor was also relieved as I wasn't a easy-to-teach student, haha. I had spent a total of SGD460, including exam fees and processing fees. Rather expensive by local rates. Amazing, only spent a total of 14 hours learning to drive in just 2 weeks.

The officer later reviewed with me the mistakes I committed throughout the test. No reviews on my parkings. All my mistakes were at the mini-roundabouts. I marginally cut into the right lane when I am supposed to be on the left. Another mistake was not stopping for a stationary right side vehicle. The vehicle was not moving even though the lane is free.

Part of circuit in front of Bahagian Ujian Memandu - parallel parking lot

The ramp - where the car must stop and brake in the middle then climb over it using 1st gear

As usual, the civil efficiency of Brunei has deteriorated. My driving license will only be issued next Tuesday, and it is only a handwritten piece of paper. The rude counter lady at Jabatan Pengangkutan Darat refused to listen to my appeal and loudly insisted on Tuesday, nabehzz... Pay SGD10 for license still so slow! I think I have to leave my IC behind this time. Hopefully my dad can help in expediting the process.

View of another part of KB town from the old marketplace

Hopefully the next time I return to KB I still remember how to drive, lolx. Anyway, thanks to my friends who have been supporting me all along. I finally made it!

Brunei Day 23 - Untitled

Time really flies. The end of June is drawing nearer and nearer. It has been a rather fulfilling short stay back here in KB town, Brunei.

In 2 days time I will be taking my driving practical test. Hopefully everything will be all right. I'm ok with all the parkings and uphill slope, but I'm still lacking in confidence. My instructor said it is so obvious. I'll try to do all the parkings in under 6 minutes tomorrow.

Finally grand sale has hit Kuala Belait with prices being slashed as much as 50%. Bought 3 Polo Ralph Lauren shirts in one go, as one shirt is now less than $16. Quality is not bad. My maid bought 3 as well - color series. It was a hard time trying to find the sizes, and blue ran out of M and L sizes, left XL and bigger sizes.

A friend of mine is organizing a chalet outing for his 21st birthday, but I couldn't attend anyway. There's another gathering on the 1st week of July before my IA commences. Wow, so many gatherings!

Yesterday there was a power grid failure late at night, around 22 30. It's annoying as the air-con went off as well. It went off twice, the second time while I was using my laptop. I really wonder why can't they do whatever works they were supposed to do during the day. I had to shower using candles!!!

Luckily we also had our own big water storage tank as few days before that there was water supply interruption for almost a whole day.

Anyway, tomorrow I will be having the last driving lessons early in the morning before I go for my scheduled practical test. I think I better go and sleep now, so that I can concentrate fully during lessons tomorrow.

Brunei Day 17 - Smooth Journey

Had another driving lesson today. I have now completed a total of 8 hours of driving lessons. I had opted to book 4 more extra hours so as to practice some parkings and such, that'll be another SGD60.

So far driving on the road had been quite smooth today. The weather is sweltering hot today. I have to had my windows wind down as I need to stick my head out occasionally for alignment while making turns. My skin turned red at the end of the lesson.

Also, my instructor made me drive into Land Transport compound and then out into the those small roads with plenty of junctions and humps, all to drill into me that I should always practice clutch and brake, clutch and brake!!

I almost had an accident at the end of yesterday's lesson. I forgot to apply clutch and brake to slow down the car before turning into the road(sharp bend) leading to my home. I was in the second gear but the car was still rather fast as I had just geared down. The car swerved and almost hit the fire hydrant beside the road. Luckily nothing untoward happened.

Now I am feeling much more comfortable sitting in the driver's seat, and also with the Daihatsu Charade which I have been driving these few days. Been having much better control at the hilly ramp part, no more rolling backwards down the ramp. I had the least practice on this part. Hopefully I will pass my driving test next week.

Brunei Day 15 - The Day The Egg Stood Up

I notice a strange phenomenon in my kitchen today. As I entered my kitchen, I saw an egg standing upright by itself at a kitchen counter. I thus tried playing with some other eggs, but none could stand upright. However, strangely, around 12 40 it suddenly fall down by itself without any visible external factors.

Went for driving lessons in the hot sunny afternoon - can get some tan. I am pleased to say my theory result is LULUS (pass). Today's lessons include stopping on a ramp, and then climbing over the hill, make a turn followed by 3 parkings. 2 reverse parkings and 1 front parking on a small lot. Finally I managed to align my car parallel to the demarcated lines, but my clutch control is still not very good.

At the end of the lesson, my instructor asked me to drive myself home. It's only my second day, but it was fun. The most funny thing was while making a U-turn at a roundabout I accidentally pressed brake too hard and cars were coming on all sides. I'm glad I made it home ALIVE!!! I really need to have more confidence in myself.

To date I have learned quite many stuffs. My driving test is booked on next Thursday afternoon. Tomorrow I will be learning 3-point turn, not sure about parallel parking though. Really express course indeed!! I still cannot do reverse parking on the small lot smoothly!

Since it's dumpling festival today, we went to the KB beach. It is a Chinese tradition to go to the beach on this special day. Saw a group of my secondary friends there, but I didn't went up to say 'hi'. By avoiding contact I saved them the trouble of trying to cook up some excuses on excluding me. It's not the first time by the way. Also I see no need to establish a strong rapport, since we are not very close. Anyway they are all rich kids, so I guess it doesn't matter.

Saw a sunset by the beach. I really don't know what is so beautiful or mesmerizing or romantic about sunsets. You get to see them every day in Brunei - while driving, by the beach etc. Here are some pictures taken for the day:

Playground before reaching the beach

Crowds at the beach during evening time

The glowing orange sun hanging precariously above the horizon

Gentle waves lapping at the shores

Locals playing in the waves and by the shoreline

A view back inland from the sandy beach

The setting sun at the horizon

Brunei Day 14 - Father's Day

Supposed to post earlier to make the post stay within June 17, but got a surprise call from Singapore, lolx...

Celebrated the day with lots of praying, in advance of the dumpling festival on Tuesday. Ordered some pick-ups from Pizza Hut in Mumong area to celebrate the event. Actually since young our family didn't really celebrate these kind of events, but however these few years we have celebrating them, which is a pleasant twist.

After gorging down the food, we went to my Ah-goong (grandpa) house for more praying and offerings. As usual, the German Shephard there barked like mad upon seeing us. My relatives were playing mahjong, and of course being a good kid I did not join in. One of my uncles had a baby recently, and they commented that the baby's face resembled me... How could that be!!!

Had a wonderful dinner with Shark's Fin Soup to further mark the event... This is like the second or third time I had it since I'm back. I think I will soon get sick of it!!!

Ohh yeah... Finally find the Polo Ralph Lauren in Soon Lee MiniMart... Only for SGD29.90 and there is a sale coming probably this coming week... It is just like the original as displayed on the website... Wahaha... Maybe next time can buy branded stuffs back in Brunei as it is cheaper...

Honey Garlic Chicken Pizza from local Pizza Hut Store

Honey Chicken Wings from Pizza Hut

Polo Ralph Lauren Shirt - everything is exactly the same as shown in its website

Tomorrow evening I will be having my first driving lesson. I am a little excited to be able to drive soon. The rates are charged at SGD15 an hour. Brunei traffic law mandates that only a minimum of 10 hours of driving lessons in a driving school are compulsory. I think I'll probably do a little more.

Also, my driving theory test results will be released tomorrow. I'm really scared that I will fail as it will mean that this trip of mine back home is a total waste of time. I prayed hard I didn't make any careless mistakes on the First Section as sometimes I tend to carelessly mis-read some Malay words, especially in multiple choices. I sincerely prayed that I will pass.......

Brunei Day 10 - 10 Minutes To Midnight

Finally sat for the driving theory test at Land Transport Department. There were only 3 of us sitting for the test this afternoon. Probably most have opted for the morning test session. The result will probably take 3 working days or more to be processed.

Meanwhile I think I should start taking driving lessons. Each lesson costs $15 and lasts for an hour. It is almost the middle of June now, and there are only two and a half weeks left before I will be returning to Singapore again. Finished watching Heroes Season 1, and am now eagerly anticipating its second season, haha...

Now that the test is over, I can go and pursue other matters at hand... Not much plan on how to spend the remaining week though, and some of my friends will be visiting KL next week, so I guess I'll just concentrate on my driving lessons.

Brunei Day 9 - The Day Just Ended

Went to visit the dentist early this morning. I was supposed to visit the dentist yesterday morning, but it turned out to be a stormy morning, so my sister (the driver) decided to continue sleeping and as result I continued mine.

It was a smooth process during this visit. No missing files whatsoever. It only costs $3 for check-up and scaling. Citizens of Brunei have it free anyway. Passed by the gynecology section on the way out and it was so FULL of people. So many newly-borns and expecting mother!!

The morning was sunny and lacking a mode of transport, I walked home. KB town is rather small and breezy, thus it was a rather enjoyable walk. I could give myself a little tan and the breeze will keep me cool. Along the way, I took some pictures as my camera was in my bag.

Another view of the hospital, adjacent to the dentistry section

Road leading to KB town center - the tallest building in town looms in the background

The Jubilee Monument, beside Belait River, less than 5 min walk from my house

A larger view of the greenery in the park beside the monument

Went OGDC (Oil Gas Development Center) in Seria, my neighboring town with my secondary classmates to catch a movie, Blades of Glory for $6 on Sunday. Honestly speaking I did not know that there was a cinema there, albeit a small one - 75 seater. There were only less than 10 of us watching the movie at that time. It was hilarious, and we being the largest group, practically had the cinema to ourselves.

I will be taking my driving theory test tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully everything goes well. I am a little nervous as Section A - identifying road signs, requires the answers to be immaculate. A single mistake in this section will warrant a "Fail" stamp and no issuing of "L" license.

Brunei Day 6 - Another Post

Time flies! In just a blink of an eye I am back home for almost a week. Things had been rather slow this week, but I'm glad everything is going along smoothly.

I have managed to enroll myself in AsohRaya Driving School. I have no idea why there are suddenly so many people in Kuala Belait registering for a driving license. I had a hard time scouting for schools to accommodate my one month schedule.

Registered for driving theory test next Wednesday afternoon, and thereafter I can start my driving lessons. Hopefully everything goes well, as wrongly identifying a road sign will be given immediate failure. I opted for the test in Malay Language, a language I am rather familiar with. The total estimated cost is about SGD400+. A little expensive by local rates, but is still all right as their cars are brand new!

Haven't been doing much lately. Been watching Prison Break Season 2 and Heroes. Completely addicted to Heroes, haha.... Met a friend at Smart this afternoon. She was rather shocked to see me back in town. Time to contact some old friends...

Suddenly I found KB a little small... The only thing I like about here is the friendliness of the local populace. Strangers can just chat up without fearing any ulterior motives from the other party, and are more willing to lend a helping hand, as encountered a few times, unlike "cold" Singaporean society. Spaces abound, and everyone owns a house sitting on a piece of land and at least a car - these are just basic necessities!

Brunei Day 2 - Backdated Post...

It was really an ordeal traveling to JB airport. I didn't realized my luggage was so heavy (14 kg) until I checked-in at the airport counter. I had no idea how I'd hauled such a weight across the causeway.

The taxi driver at JB customs try to throat-cut me by telling me it was RM50 to the airport. I blatantly refused, and he decided to adopt the standard rate - RM40. Arrived at the airport too early though, and I managed to kill some time by dozing off, lolx...

The flight was full, and there were a couple of families traveling with their hyperactive kids who wouldn't sit still throughout the flight. Sitting beside me was a Spanish couple who were incessantly talking non-stop for 2 hours. On top of that, they were munching and munching non-stop too. A strong-smelling cake before take off, tidbits, a meal from the flight, and then tidbits till landing.

Arrived in Miri, Sarawak on time. There were a number of Singaporeans on flight too. Encountered a funny incident at Miri Airport, probably I think too much or what. Toured Miri till ard 9pm before heading towards Brunei's border. Such unpleasant journey, my parents were quarreling again.

I feel kinda boring here. I have some problems with an unstable wireless connection. Anyway, I registered for my provisional driving license and had enrolled in a driving school for SGD110. Soon I'll be taking the Driving Code exam. I should be able to get license on schedule, I think.

My provisional license

I think I better go do some programming and stuffs... Sianz...