Back in our simpang

After a week of stay at the Feran's we moved to the Watson's residence for the rest of our stay. 

We weren't sure how it will affect the boys being back in Brunei and staying in our old simpang where they can see their very loved house next door. 

I am sure Luca noticed something was very familiar... 

On the other hand Oliver was very confused and couldn't understand why he couldn't go back to his house. I told him someone else needed the house so we gave it up for them. And showed him there are different cars parked in the carport, so it is not our house anymore... 

He was trying to convince me (even now) that the house is not taken... bless him. He really loved our house and our life in Brunei. Made us all so sad :(

I was feeling quite sad too. Seeing Oliver so upset and realising how wonderful our life was during our time in Brunei.  It is very close but we don't belong here anymore... 

Brunei National Day

We extended our departure date so that we can experience this special event in Brunei for the last time. It was Brunei's National Day and a big parade was held in the stadium in Bandar.

When we got to the stadium the parade had just started:



All the special forces marched in their uniforms:



The detail was amazing:







It was such a hot day, I hope these people got some water after the parade...



From where we were we could just see the Sultan!



The mosque looked extra beautiful today...





It got too hot just standing there so we decided to walk to the waterfront. I was so glad we did that walk as we saw other aspects of the parade:

Colourful drinks



Army truck:



Happy Bruneian kids - they were just gorgeous:





Luca was very popular among them:



We encountered RBA crew too:



We had a little walk along the waterfront and took some photos:





When we came out from a cafe after having some cold drinks, the parade was nearly over - luckily we didn't miss the formation flying.



Look Lucia! Planes!!





I am so glad we stayed an extra day to see this special event. This added extra memories of Brunei for us.

Last lunch in Brunei

We had to go and have sushi lunch with the Watsons before we left Brunei. I don't know how many times we went there together during our time in Brunei. We really enjoyed the company and of course the food as always!
Thank you Watson family :)



Linnea and Oliver:

I can run around!

Luca was a little bit stressed while we were moving too. He couldn't find a place to crawl around but finally...

I can run around!!









Feels sooo good!

Daddy is back!

We had a few busy days packing up the house so Oliver didn't get to spend much time with Matthew. But finally we escaped from the house and moved into the Empire Hotel. Oliver was so cute asking us "Is this my new house?" "Big house!"

A big smile from our little boy :)





So nice to have daddy back!

Packing done

Once the boxes were packed and moved our house no longer looked like our house anymore :( Oliver was so emotional and so sad all "his things" disappeared from "his house".











I hope this big move will bring lots of good luck and happiness.

Brunei airport upgrade

To pack up our Brunei house Matthew flew over from Singapore to help us. Oliver and I went to the airport to pick him up and found lots of changes at the airport.

There has been lots of construction everywhere in Brunei, for example, more shophouses are being built, our road Jln Muara has been expanded to a 4 lane road, the supermarket complex has a toy shop and car dealership etc etc.

The airport is not an exception, they are expanding the car park area and other areas of the airport will be upgraded too.

When we got to the arrival area we found this! In other international airports, this would be nothing but having an old style airport for a long while, for Brunei this is very smart and impressive I thought.



Here is Oliver in front of the mosque:



We are looking forward to visiting Brunei again in a few years time to see what else has been upgraded.

Malay wedding

We were invited to a local Malay wedding in our simpang on New Year's day. What a special way to start the year!

Kids were all dressed in Baju Malayu:



We have been to one local wedding before so we were familiar with some aspects of the wedding. For example, as soon as we got to the venue/house, men and women were separated and were led to one of the tents to sit down.



We were seated there for a while but I could see it would be a while before we eat (it is the main part of the wedding for the guests) so I asked some of the ladies who were dressed in the family colour (wine red) baju if we could look inside the house. They looked very serious and talked to each other for a while but came back and said "no problems, follow me!"



Inside the house was set almost the same way as the outside tents but more for close families and friends. But somehow we got to sit there for the entire ceremony (nicely air-conditioned and kids could run around and play!)



There was a long prayer then we were told to "makan=eat" lunch.



After lunch there was this special candle ceremony for the groom:



And family photo taking sessions - girls were welcomed to be in it :)



We were wondering when the bride would show up. But we were told she won't be coming to the house! They were all to hop on the buses and visit her at her house!! They were very welcoming so off we went.

The groom and the grandparents were in this nice wedding BMW:



Whoever came in their own cars were back in their cars and headed out:



It was only 10min away (phew!) and we got to see the arrival ceremony of the groom:



Loud local music was played:



Inside the house the beautiful bride was waiting for the groom with cute candle boys and flower girls.


And finally they got to walk out together to greet everyone outside:



It was certainly an experience for all of us. We even received a wedding gift each - an IKEA blue tray... very modern?