Catch up in Brunei & Labuan

These two places that i have never been!  It was during CNY that i visited my ex boss, CY and she suggested we go meet up ex colleagues there.  Ok why not as all three of us except CY has been to Brunei and Labuan.

So the planning was to go in April 24-27.  Flying to Brunei via Air Asia, via ferry from Brunei to Labuan and then via MH Labuan back to KL.

We have not been seeing each others for ages.  Plan is to meet Lan of Brunei and Astrid, Jackson, Jenny, David of Labuan for this short 4 days 3 nights trip.

Brunei

Lan has suggested we bring Singapore dollar which is acceptable in Brunei with same exchange rate rather than taking Brunei dollar as we will hardly go to this country.

She suggested us Higher Hotel which we have booked. But later she suggested another as her friend said Higher Hotel is a bit run down but we stay put since is only a night stay.  She arranged the transfer from airport, tour around Brunei, ferry from Brunei to Labuan, venue for meals etc. Lan is so kind and thoughtful that she planned the itinerary for us.  

We are satisfied with Higher Hotel, clean, friendly staff, large room.

Most countries requirement now is 3 days prior to arrival, you need to fill up health info and e arrival card. 

You may access 

https://www.healthinfo.gov.bn/travel#/user/login

https://www.imm.gov.bn/ords/dl_portal/r/public_portal/home?session=12384008772682  

Ist Well at Seria Oilfield

Billionth Barrel Monument

Higher Hotel

24 April 2026 (Friday)

8.55am Indera Envoy's driver, Suhaini pick us from Brunei Airport using Nissan NV350 Van, BAV 3476 able to fit 8 persons.

10.45am Arrive at Lan's house at No 35 Lot 2153 Jalan Jerambak, Seria KB1733, Brunei Darussalam

11 am Lunch at The Blue Indian Restaurant in Seria, serving Nothern Indian cuisine.

12pm After lunch, tour I Love Seria, OGDC, BSP Oilfield, Billioth Barrels Momentum,  Panaga Area, Kuala Belait

1.30 pm  Drop off Lan, then head to Higher Hotel at Kianggeh, on the way visit Jerudong Playground, Polo Club and Empire Hotel, a luxury 5 star resort, frequently hosts VVIPs, including foreign heads of state, celebrities and royalty due to its private, high security setting. 

Evening night tour to Gadong Night Market and sightseeing in Bandar.  We had Nasi Katok which cost BND1 (rice, a piece of chicken, sambal) which we find delicious.  We packed that and went to The Mall foodcourt to enjoy the nasi katok.  After some sightseeing including the RIPAS bridge.  The driver drop us off near Fuchow Restaurant, after dinner walking distance to our hotel.   

25 April 2026 (Saturday)

8.15am Indera Envoy's driver to pick up 4 guests from Higher Hotel. Then pick up Lan & Ai Lee from apartment at Lot 22419, Simpang 131, Jalan Kiulap for a city tour:

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

Royal Regalia Museum

Istana Nurul Iman

Kampong Ayer

Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex

Lunch at Kaizen Water Front

Drop Lan & Ai Lee to apartment at Lot 22419, Simpang 131, Jalan Kiulap

3 pm Send 4 guests to Muara Port Terminal to catch 4.30pm ferry to Labuan

One way boat ticket cost B$25 and B$2 tax per person.

We visited 2 beautiful mosques. For ladies, we will have to cover up by using their provided long dress. 

Royal Regalia Museum is also interesting display lots of gifts from other countries to Sultan Brunei.

We had Japanese lunch at Kaizen WaterFront facing the Kampong Ayer.

From airport pick up, sightseeing, transport, meals were all paid by Lan.  We paid for ferry to Labuan which took about 1.5 hours, cost BND25 per person.

Brunei River Cruise (just for photo)

Labuan 

25 April 2026 (Saturday)

Reached Labuan by ferry  (1.5 hours) from Brunei around 6 pm. Astrid is so kind to offer pick us up from port.

We have booked Tiara Hotel. She sent us to hotel for check in and came back with her husband Jackson with 4WD at 7.30pm,  let us refresh first before dinner.

They took us to Mawilla Yacht Club Restaurant. After dinner, we went to nearby Labuan International Sea Sports Complex which feature  A "Glow In The Dark Garden" provides a night-time light spectacle. Then we tour around town, drop by their house for a while before going back to hotel.  Tiara Hotel with landscape around, room big only that the wooden flooring in room and wall tiles in bathroom need refurbishement.

26 April 2026 (Sunday)

David & Jenny came at 7.45am to pick us for breakfast at Fisherman Harbour Restaurant located at Paragon, Labuan for fish noodle.  After breakfast, Jenny left to church while David took us to Pasar Tani,  passed by the machine shop area, asian supply base, saw Halliburton etc, visited the temple, passed by the church, had a break at Financial Park and round the costal road before dropped us back to hotel.  We packed our lunch from Financial Park to eat in the hotel.

6.30 pm they both came to pick us for dinner which they have reserved table and ordered food at Chen Ong Restaurant.  Astrid came to meet us there.  Jenny bought a 4 kilo fish from wet market and get them to cook besides having beancurd, kampung chicken and pork with yam (Kau yook), mushrooms fritters., cantonese noodle (sang mee). The 7 of us cant finish all the food!  Both Jenny and Astrid need to takeaway the leftovers.

After that, they sent us back to hotel.

27 April 2026 (Monday)

8am Astrid came to pick us for breakfast at Chai Wang Jalan Merdeka, delicious we loved the fried fish requested to separate from the bowl soup with ko lo mee. Jenny came to meet us there.  Both their husbands are working. CY picked up the bill. After breakfast, CY & Sng followed Jenny's car whereas me and  husband followed Astrid.

She took us to TNT Seafood & Cold Storage at Jalan Patau-Patau where we bought fish, prawns, crab claw meat frozen and properly packed. Then to Hao Yin Duty Free for liquor which is opposite Jackson's workshop, Jackson Car Accessories and Services. Each of us entitled for a liter of liquour.  Then we went to Sky at Financial Park (Ujana Kewangan) to buy imported chocolate before light lunch at Blueberries Snack House.  Jenny has requested to put our 2 boxes for seafood at Grill Restaurant just besides reception.

We were given late check out till 2 pm.  So the girls after dropped us to hotel we continued chatting till 1.30pm before we head back to room for bath and final packing. We were given complimentary drink voucher (Soft drinks, beer, coffee or tea) so we waited there till 3.30 pm complimentary shuttle to airport which is 5 minutes away. Checked in our luggage and had McD for lunch before gate open for boarding. 

Overall a great trip that we were able to catch us with all these friends since I left the Company in 2012. We have known each other since 1991, about 35 years ago!

Our flight via MH departed 6.05 pm was fully booked even business class. Given the choice of Beef Pasta, Nasi Lemak with Curry Chicken or Sweet Sour Fish Plum with Rice for our dinner which was served before 7pm.  Our flight reached KLIA at 8.30pm.  

We parked at LTCP KLIA which we paid about RM82.  We went for supper at Tiong Nam (Chow Kit Road0 before heading home.

 

Pak Sin Mow Temple

Financial Park Labuan

By the way, if you want tea with milk and ice, you must order Teh Tarik ais not the usual way of telling them Teh Ais  as they will give us tea without milk.

Missing Brunei for their Nasi Katok and Labuan for Fish Noodle, delicious! 

Anyway, not sure will there be another trip to these two places as nothing much in both. Overall, a good satified trip having to meet up with old friends especially David who has recovered from Colon Cancer but still follow up with doctor every 6 months.  

Relaxing in Cameron Highlands

A yearly getaways for few years now during fasting month where the whole place is quiet and peaceful.

This trip there is no one available to join us.  So here we go 2 person in a 3 rooms apartment at Heritage apartment, Tanah Rata exchange through Leisure Holidays all by ourselves.

We travelled up on a Thursday 5 March 2026.   Had a good lunch at Ringlet Huan's Kopitiam, love the Sang Mee Cantonese Style. Then proceed to check in, was given A21 which was 2 floors up the stairs and the living hall view was all trees, we were laughing real privacy for us.

For dinner we found a new restaurant, Thai Food, Wan Wan Aroy which we were happy about that we went the next day dinner the same place.  After dinner, we went to Smokehouse to have a drink with him as he and his wife will normally travel to Cameron during fasting month.  

Next day breakfast we had at Uncle Chow, Tanah Rata for Nasi Lemak. After breakfast we drove all the way to Tringkap and then travel back down to visit  Sam Poh Temple situated in Brinchang. After that to Tanah Rata, had a drinks and scones (not too good) at Barrack Cafe. Prefer Scones and Lord Cafe or Growing Seed Cafe.

As for 1pm lunch we had Singh Chapati Briyani Rice sharing a plate with 2 types of vegetables which were brinjal masala and potatoes cooked with cauliflower. The plate of Briyani Rice was too much that we told the owner to only give us half.

After lunch, back to our homestay before heading out for Brinchang night market which we bought maize and then thai food dinner.  Wanted to have Chim Chun but ingredients not enough so ended up with rice and dishes.

When we checked out the following day, we stopped by along the way down bought petai (stinky bean) and strawberry.  Stopped at Fang Xiang Ringlet for breakfast instead of Huan's Kopitiam as wished because is closed for the day.  

We reached home by 1 pm to have lunch with my son.

There is no place like homes.

 

Migrant Repatriation Program 2.0

Undocumented migrants in Malaysia can return home without prosecution under the Migrant 2.0 carried out from May 19, 2025 to April 20, 2026

RM500 for entering or staying in Malaysia without a valid pass, RM500 for overstaying, and RM300 for breaching pass conditions, RM20 for issuance of special pass.

However, programme will not apply to those who had previously registered under repatriation initiatives but failed to leave the country as well as those blacklisted or subject to warrant arrest.

Migrants should have a valid passport or travel document and a travel ticket to their origin country. They can walk in to any Immigration Office throughout Peninsular and Labuan with the travel ticket. The date of the travel ticket should not exceed 14 days from the day they walk in Immigration Office. Migrants are required to pay the compound based on the offence committed. Payment for compound is via cashless method.

However the system has been down since 11 December 2025 till 16 December 2025 still not working. It was only working on 18 December 2025. This really have to be looked into as too long downtime!

Iceland - Land of Fire & Ice

Youngest sister has suggested that we travel to Iceland and then from Iceland to meet her in Norway since we are already going to fly to that part of the world. She is planning a trip to explore Norway on campervan with her husband and invited us to join her.

I am a bit worry to leave the house for almost 27 days (Iceland & Norway). But my husband said we should. Lucky that younger son is back to KL for good  and started work with hubby 1 September 2025.  At least another person at home or else the whole house will be quiet with elder son alone.  We are to fly off on 3 October 2025.

Waterfalls everywhere!

 

Jokursalon Glacier Lagoon

Aurora seen at Akureyri

We flew with British Airway, transit Heathrow and arrived 9.40 am at Keflavik International Airport (KEF).  We board flybus from airport to BSI bus terminal which takes about 50 minutes. Then transfer to another bus to bus stop #8 - Hallgrimskirkja.  The bus tickets cost us ISK5199 (RM171) per person.  Just about less than 10 minutes walk to check in Freyja Guesthouse (bathroom and kitchen sharing).

Flight details

KUL/London/Reyjkjavik 

BA 034 

Depart 2250, October 2, 2025 KLIA T1 

Arrive 0525, October 3, Heathrow T5

Transfer 2 hr 10 mins

BA800

Depart  0735, Oct 3, 2025 Heathrow T5

Arrive 0940, Oct 3, 2025 Keflavik 

British Airway check in luggage 1 bag @ 23kgs, cabin bag @ 23 kgs.

 

Iceland is 8 hours behind Malaysia time. 

After dropped off our luggage we went stroll around the area with plenty of food, bakery, souvenirs near the Hallgrimskirkja Church. We had lunch at Hotland Piazza, 12 inches margherita pizza (ISK2790/RM92) , 6 inches garlic bread with olives (ISK1700/RM56) and Latte (ISK790/RM26) to share.  We both could not finish the pizza but we were surprised seeing 2  girls each of them having a 12 inches pizza!  We are just too small eater.

The next morning we checked out and waited at bus stop #8 at 8 am for Artic Adventure to pick us. However with the powerful wind it was so cold and we waited till almost 9am for our driver to reach.  After us, there were 2 stops to pick up customer. Total 16 pax in this small mini bus where we have Koreans, Singaporeans, Hawaians, Americans, Australian.

We have booked 6 days Around Iceland Adventure Package ISK 279,990 per pax add VAT 11% total paid ISK559,980 (RM18,452). Pick up & drop off, minibus transport, expert English speaking guide cum driver, hotels, breakfast, sightseeing stops, guided glacier tour, all necessary glacier safety equipment, whale watching tour and free Wifi on board of bus were included.

This 6 days tour (started 4 Oct and end on 9 Oct) around Ring Road covers majestic waterfalls, black sand beach, glaciers, fjords, geothermal hot spring, whale watching, ice cave and volcanic terrain. 

Day 1 on 4 October

Golden Circle - Skogafoss - Reynisfjara-Vik

Pingvellir National Park was our first stop. Follow by Gullfoss waterfall, erupting geyser at Geysir, Seljalandsfoss waterfall (you can walk behind this waterfall) , Skogafosd waterfall. We ended the day with a stop in Vik and Reynisfjara beach. 

Lunch was at Gullfoss Panorama Restaurant Cafe. We had Fish and Chips (ISK2990), Soup of the day (ISK2590) and coke (ISK550). Total bill ISK5,730. 

We were given a quick stop at Kronan Vik to buy snacks etc. We stay in Geirland Hotel near the small town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur. 

Day 2 on 5 October

Skaftafell - Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Eldhraun Lava Field, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach (black sand beach).

Ice statues float across, waves of Atlantic Ocean, shimmering on the coal black sands.

We stayed a night at Hotel Hofn. 

Day 3 on 6 October

East fjords - Djupivogur-Wilderness Centre

Scenic route to Djupivogur, charming little village and unspoiled East Fjords. We visited the sculpture granite artwork Eggin of Gleovik which represents eggs of 34 birds in that area and stunning Beruforour Fjord. After lunch, King Prawn; 8 pcs small fried prawn (ISK2095) at Hafio Bistro we went to souvenir shop opposite. Bought stainless steel flask for ISK4500 (approximately RM150). Everything is costly here after exchange rate. 

Later the rest of day explore Wilderness Centre. We stayed in charming historic building, unwind in traditional hot tub or sauna and enjoy local cuisine specialty is their roast lamb. However  we were not in luck to view any aurora though this is the best place with least light pollution. Last few days guests staying here were able to view beautiful aurora. 

Dinners usually in hotel after check in. However, we prefer to have a simple cooking of Asian food which we brought from home. 

Day 4 on 7 Oct 

Stuolagil - Myvatn - Goofoss - Akureyri

First stop at Stuolagi Canyon, geothermal paradise of Namaskaro before Lake Myvatn region with mesmerizing volcanic landscapes and hot springs. We made a stop at Myvatn Nature Baths renowned as Blue Lagoon of the North. We immersed in the warm geothermal water (optional extra) which we paid RM586.17 for 2 pax.  Lunch was just simple waffle (ISK1690) and cocoa drink (ISK700). 

We then proceed to Dimmuborgir, stunning lava formation and mystical Goofoss waterfall. 

Late afternoon we arrived Akureyri, the Capital of North, the biggest town outside Reykjavik during trip around Ring Road, we'll know for stunning Fjord and mountain landscape. 

Tonight we stayed at Berjaya Hotel Akureyri where tonight we managed to see Aurora on this windy and chilling night. 

We walked down to the shops area as when the bus passed by a Thai food. We ended having dinner at Krua Siam. Tomyum with rice cost us ISK3890

Day 5 on 8 October

Whale watching - Siglufjorour - North West Iceland

Exciting day for whale watching boat tour in Eyjafjorour Fjord.  Yes we saw whales but it was too cold. 

We drove through Skagaforour. 

The night spent at Hotel Laugarbakki. Hubby ordered mushroom soup for his dinner ISK2790 whereas i had fish. 

Day 6 on 9 October 

Final day at West Iceland.  Started our day with a hike to Grabrok crater, 170 meters above the ground. Bought myself a Puffin keychain for ISK1190. 

Then to Borgarfjorour area, stopped at Deildartunguhver hot spring, waterfalls. Had lunch at Snertilaust ISK2600. Then to Reykholt, home to Snorri Sturluson (historisn, lawyer, politician, poet, author).  Visited Sturlureykir horse farm. Drove aroynd scenic fjord, Hvalfjorour (Whale Fjord), on our way back to Reykjavik, arrive around 6pm.

We requested our drop off at BSI Bus Terminal so we took flybus to airport. Paid 2 tickets at ISK7, 998. We put a night at Hotel Aurora USD270. 47 (RM1150. 45), 5-10 mins walk from airport to minimise transport and timing just to get to airport as our flight depart 0755 hrs from KEF. 

Breakfast in Aurora Hotel served as early as 4am next morning. So we had quick breakfast before proceed to airport. 

Details of Scandinavian flight (SAS) 

10 October 

SK4788 KEF/OSL 

0755/1235 hrs

SK4418 OSL/TROM

25 October

SK4413 TROM/OSL

1130/1320 hrs

Personal 2kgs, Carry on 8kgs, Check in 23kgs

At Oslo Airport my name was called to go to security. Turned out they suspected vape or lighter in my checked in bag.  I have to open up for them to check manually, go through scan again and clear the baggage.  When i wanted to board the plane, i was hold up as my name was in their system over some issue.  It could be due to earlier incident.  They waited to check with security but no response till everyone boarded only I was allowed to board the plane.

We flew to Tromso to meet my sister and her husband for our Norway exploration. 

Till we meet again Iceland!