Damai Beach Resort past its prime by Adrian

Damai Beach Resort has been a popular place for Kuchingnites to spend the weekend or other days away from Kuching city. The resort has been perceived to be a luxurious resort for many local and international tourists. It was the place to be when you need to have fun and relax. I have not stayed at the resort since the day Serene and I spent our honeymoon there. It was then managed by Holiday Inn part of the InterContinental Hotels Group until 2007 and was turned over to Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).

Moving forward to 2013. I was appalled by the conditions of the resort as we happened to stay a night at the resort on Feb  17.  It is very sad that the place is no longer in pristine condition. It is way past its prime...!  The pool areas have cracked or broken tiles which are very hazardous to small children. The room we stayed has musky mold smell and the TV channels selection are limited to about 10. It is so ironic that we can continue to list more negative than positive things. Anyway, here  is the kicker. Anything that you break or would like to have extra will be either be fined or charged. It is no longer "THE" place to be. We felt like a "communist resort" with all the fees and fines in placed.

Fine warning near the shaving station

Extra charge reminder at the coffee and tea making station

Partial list of imposed fees/fines

Moldy corner (Bath tub)

Moldy spots at the soap holder

Unfinished spackling on the bathroom ceiling

Fortunately, the natural beauty of the beach is still there and we manage to enjoy by walking on the sand. We just hope the management would do something to return the resort to its former tip top condition that everyone used to remember. Holiday Inn Damai Beach Resort the place to be regardless of the re-branding changed.

Verdict: Not recommended unless they make drastic changes. 

P/s Just a note the breakfast buffet stations are messy, unhygienic and not constantly refilled.

Happy New Year 2013

Serene, Brandon and Adrian would like to wish everyone Happy New Year 2013

Image courtesy of tutoriallounge.com

Angelina Sofia's Baptism by Adrian

I attended a very meaningful baptism ceremony on December 29, 2012 at Sacred Heart Church, Monroe, NY. It was followed by a reception at the Mansion Ridge Golf Course. Here is a little background on why it is meaningful. Shirley called me about a month ago and asked me to be her second daughter's god father. Without any hesitation I said yes. Shirley and I have been very close friends even since we met at our former work place in NJ. Angelina Sofia was born on 26 weeks (about 11 weeks early) weighting only 1 1/2 pounds. I first thought to myself who would have been a more challenging baby than Brandon. I was wrong....! Since Angelina was born premature, she has to be hospitalized before she can go home. She spent a total of 109 days in hospital (NICU) before being released to go home.

She is truly a MIRACLE BABY.....! I am very honored to be your god father. Thank you for letting me into part of your family.

Serene, Brandon and I wish you the best of health, bright future and exciting life.

Greetings From Our Home to Yours

Holiday Party @ Spice Market New York by Adrian

It is that time of the year again. This time our team decided to have an outing in the city to celebrate our accomplishment for the year. The restaurant is called Spice Market located within the Meat Packing District one block from Chelsea Market. On the side note, I used to work at Chelsea Market and the area is very vibrant filled with lots of restaurants, fashion boutiques, hotels and historical buildings.

Center of the restaurant with collection of pieces from Southeast Asia (Quite impressive)

Another section of the restaurant that reminded me of 1920's 

Private room downstairs

To start the lunch, we ordered a few appetizers along with cocktails. Unfortunately, I did not take pictures of all the cocktails as the overall consensus is not be much to shout about.

Pork Satay Pickled Vegetables (I still prefer the original version with peanut sauce)

Fried Rice topped with Shrimp (The topping is excellent and blends well with the rice)

Crispy Brussels  Sprouts  Honey and Mint

Stir fry Egg Plants

Crispy Pork Belly Tamarind Herb Salad (My favorite and lots of other as well)

Halibut Cha Ca La Vong  Herb Salad (Overall favorite)

Red Curried Duck (My dish and they did a good job. I find it very authentic)

Steamed Red Snapper  Soy Dashi Bok Choy (The fish is good but there is something that is too sour for my taste)

Everything always comes to an end and we conclude our late lunch with desserts as usual. I find that the Western-Asian fusion ones taste better than the Asia one.

Vietnamese Coffee Tiramisu, Shaved Condensed Milk Granite (Excellent)

Caramelized Banana and Spiced Milk Chocolate Sauce (Did not manage to sample already stuffed!)

Thai Jewels and Fruits with Crushed Coconut Ice (The fruits are fine except the coconut milk concoction. More work needs to be done to make it taste right. Some off note...! Did not taste right.)

That's all folks. Overall, it is a nice place and with very interesting fusion. You should check it out..!

Happy Thanksgiving 2012 by Adrian

We got our power back on the eighth day of the black out starting October 29, 2012. Shitty Verizon only manage to restore my phone/internet line on Nov 12, 2012 $*#@!##. This year we have a lot of things to thank for. Despite of the inconveniences stress, worries caused by Sandy few shingles flew away for two weeks, we are back to normal now. We considered ourselves very lucky as people from the Jersey Shore, Staten Island and Long Island, NY suffered far worst than us. It is even more fitting for us to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Nothing fancy except for a simple roast turkey and gravy meal.

Pillsbury croissant

Butterball Boneless Turkey Roast (Very convenient especially if you have a small family like us)

Cut up turkey roast meat

Steamed mixed vegetables

Thanksgiving dinner platter

Thank you Serene/Mommy for cooking our Thanksgiving dinner. Happy Thanksgiving everyone...!